Colorblock Cardigan

 

Ever since I laid my eyes on Lion Brand Mandala Yarn I’ve wanted to get my hands on it. Unfortunately, almost as soon as it made its debut it was sold out! I have been waiting for months and I have finally found it! I have been able to purchase the yarn through Walmart, but for me, only online. I then had to have it shipped to the store. But I got it!! And hopefully you will too!

 

 

Because it has taken me so long to get this yarn, I have known for months what I wanted to make…. a cardigan! I have had this idea in my head for a while to create something that resembled colorblocking. I thought this would be the perfect yarn because I knew I would not have to manually change colors every time I wanted to start a new “block” of color. I also knew that because the way the cardigan is constructed, the colors would not line up on the sides. But I actually LOVE that! It gives the colorblock effect that I way going for!  I am absolutely in love with this cardigan! I hope you will be too! Scroll down for the pattern 🙂

Disclosure: There are some affiliate links below, but these are all products I highly recommend. I won’t put anything in this post that I have not personally used or tested.

 

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MATERIALS

2 skeins of Lion Brand Mandala Yarn. If you choose to crochet the hood, you will need a third skein. The color in the photos is Pegasus.

NOTE: I chose to create an all white trim to go around the cardigan. The yarn I used is Lion Brand Baby Soft in White. It is a #3 weight yarn just like the Mandala Yarn. You can also use any comparable yarn.

4.5 mm crochet hook

Tapestry Needle

Scissors

Tape Measure

Stitch Markers

 

ABBREVIATIONS

Chain (ch)

Single Crochet (sc)

Double Crochet (dc)

Double Crochet Decrease (dc dec)

Skip (sk)

Stitch (st)

 

SIZING

The cardigan is very roomy. It is written for a size M/L. You will be able to close the cardigan when it is on.

To determine the WIDTH of your cardigan, simply measure from one hip to the next. This will determine how long to make your foundation chain. Note that your foundation chain must be in a multiple of 2. 

To determine the LENGTH of your cardigan, simply add more rows when crocheting. Note that the cardigan falls below your rear end. See Pics.

 

PATTERN

FOR THE BACK:

Ch.84

Row 1 – dc in the 4th ch from the hook and each ch across. (82)

Row 2 – Ch.3 (counts as a dc) turn, dc in the first st and each st across. (82)

Row 3 – Ch.3 turn, sk first st and dc in the next st. Then, go back and dc in the skipped st. *sk next st and dc in the next, 1 dc in skipped stitch* Repeat *til end of row. 1 dc in top of ch.3 of previous row. This row should look like “X’s” (82)

Rows 4 & 5 – Repeat row 3

Rows 6 & 7 – Repeat row 2

Rows 8 thru 10 – Repeat rows 3 thru 5

For rows 11 thru 52 – Repeat rows 6 & 7 and 3 thru 5 respectively.

The pattern repeat is 2 rows of dc followed by 3 rows of X’s.

What your work will look like after 52 rows

The back should measure approx. 27.5″ x 24.5″

 

SIDE PANEL (make 2)

Ch.30

Row 1 –  dc in the 4th ch from the hook and each ch across. (28)

Row 2 – Ch.3 (counts as a dc) turn, dc in the first st and each st across. (28)

Row 3 –  Ch.3 turn, sk first st and dc in the next st. Then, go back and dc in the skipped st. *sk next st and dc in the next, 1 dc in skipped stitch* Repeat *til end of row. 1 dc in top of ch.3 of previous row. (28)

Rows 4 & 5 – Repeat row 3

Rows 6 & 7 – Repeat row 2

Rows 8 thru 10 – Repeat rows 3 thru 5

For rows 11 thru 52 – Repeat rows 6 & 7 and 3 thru 5 respectively.

The pattern repeat is the same as the BACK.

 

Next, Take the BACK and lie it down with the wrong side facing you. Then, take both PANELS and lie them on each side of the BACK with wrong side facing you. Sew both panels to the top of the BACK using the mattress stitch.

MATTRESS STITCH TUTORIAL (click)

Next, measure approx. 8.5″ on each side from the top down. Place stitch marker on each side. Sew each side from the bottom all the way up to where the stitch marker is placed. This creates the armholes.

 

Next, turn your work right side out.

SLEEVE: (both)

Attach yarn to opening of one of the armholes. Preferably underneath where armpit will be.

Ch.1 and sc all the way around the opening of the armhole. Join to first sc. I ended up with 45 sc’s. If you have a different stitch count, that’s fine. Make sure your stitch count is an ODD number.

Rounds 1 & 2 – Ch.2 dc in same st and each stitch around. join. (45)

Rounds 3 thru 5 – Ch.2 dc in same st, sk next st and dc in the next. 1 dc in skipped st. *sk next st, dc in the next. 1 dc in skipped st* Repeat *til end of round. join. (45)

Rounds 6 & 7 – Repeat rounds 1 & 2

Rounds 8 thru 10 – Repeat rounds 3 thru 5

Round 11 – Ch.2 dc in same st and next 7 stitches, dc dec in next. 1 dc in next 11 stitches, dc dec in next. 1 dc in next 8 stitches, dc dec in next. 1 dc in next 8 stitches dc dec in next. 1 dc in last two stitches. (41)

Round 12 – Ch.2 dc in same st and each st around. join. (41)

Rounds 13 thru 15 – Repeat rounds 3 thru 5 (41)

Rounds 16 & 17 – Repeat rounds 1 & 2 (41)

Rounds 18 thru 20 – Repeat rounds Repeat round 3 thru 5 (41)

Round 21 – Ch.2 dc in same st and next 7 stitches, dc dec in next. *1 dc in next 8 stitches, dc dec in next.* Repeat *til there is one stitch left. 1 dc in last st.  (37)

Round 22 – Ch.2 dc in same st and each st around. join. (37)

Rounds 23 thru 25 – Repeat rows 3 thru 5 (37)

Rounds 26 & 27 – Repeat rows 1 & 2 (37)

Rounds 28 thru 30 – Repeat round 3 thru 5 (37)

Round 31 – Ch.1 sc in same st and each st around. join. (37)

Bind off.

Repeat rounds 1 thru 31 for other sleeve.

 

HOOD: (optional)

Lay cardigan upside down with front side facing you. Attach yarn to one side of the top. SEE PIC BELOW.

Row 1 – Ch.3 (counts as dc) dc along top of opening. 40 dc’s across

Row 2 – Ch.3 turn, dc in first st and each st across. (40)

Rows 3 thru 5 –  Ch.3 turn, sk first st and dc in the next st. Then, go back and dc in the skipped st. *sk next st and dc in the next, 1 dc in skipped stitch* Repeat *til end of row. 1 dc in top of ch.3 of previous row. (40)

Rows 6 thru 20 – Repeat rows 1 & 2, and 3 thru 5 respectively

Rows 21 & 22 – Repeat rows 1 & 2

AFTER 22 ROWS FOR HOOD

Next, fold hood in half lengthwise and sew top with mattress stitch.

 

FOR TRIM:

With yarn of your choosing:

With right side of cardigan facing you, attach yarn to bottom of one of the sides of the opening.

Row 1 – Ch 3 and dc all the way around the opening (hood included). For the trim, the stitch count does not matter. For reference, my stitch count is 260 dc’s.

Row 2 – Ch. 3 turn, dc in first st and each stitch all the way around. For last st, dc in top of ch.3 of previous round.

Round 3 thru 6 – Repeat row 2

Bind off. Weave in all ends!