So for awhile now I have been wanting to crochet a pattern for an easy and functional cardigan. A lot of the patterns I have been seeing consist of crocheting a number of pieces and then sewing them together. I knew I didn’t want my creation to be that involved. I wanted the pattern to be something that even a beginner crocheter could follow along with!
If you haven’t noticed already, there are a number of patterns floating around for a cocoon cardigan that involves crocheting a huge granny square. I love these patterns! This pattern is similar only I did not create a granny square. I did not want to deal with weaving in all those ends. I decided to choose a stitch that is both appealing and airy to create a large rectangle. The double crochet V-stitch is perfect for this pattern. I love the way it turned out!
The great part about this pattern is you can use any weight yarn. I went with a worsted weight but you can certainly use something else! The pattern is written for worsted weight but it is very easy to adjust the dimensions if using a different yarn!
I had a lot of fun creating this pattern, and I hope you do too!
If you would like to purchase a printer-friendly, ad free version of this pattern you can click here.
Materials
5 skeins of Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Fisherman and 1 skein in Blush Heather.
6mm crochet hook, 5mm crochet hook
Measuring tape
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Abbreviations
chain (ch)
single crochet (sc)
Double crochet (dc)
Skip (sk)
Slip stitch (ss)
Half Double crochet (hdc)
Pattern
We will be using the Double Crochet V-stitch for this pattern. There is a great video by Hopeful Honey that demonstrates this stitch.
With 6mm crochet hook:
With color Fisherman
Ch. 106
Row 1 – 2 dc in the fourth ch. from the hook, sk next ch. *2 dc in next ch., sk next ch. Repeat* til there are 2 chains left. 1 dc in the last chain.
Row 2 – ch.2 turn, 2 dc in between the dc posts of the previous round, sk next st. *2 dc in between the dc posts of the previous round, sk next st. Repeat* til there are 2 chains left. 1 dc in the top of the ch.2 of previous round. (this pattern works the v-stitch)
Rows 3 to 64 – repeat row 2
After you have crocheted 64 rows you should have a rectangle that is approx. 33″ x 40″
Next you will lay the square flat with wrong side facing you and fold the rectangle from top down so the opening is at the bottom.
Now we are going to sew together part of each of the shorter sides.
Measure 10″ from the bottom (opening) up on both of the shorter sides. I tied a contrasting piece of yarn to the area that was 10″ so I knew where to stop sewing. The “X” in the photo shows where 10″ will be.
The part that is not sewn will be the opening for the armholes.
When you are done sewing 10″ on both sides, lay your work so it looks like a diamond.
Now we are going to add some light pink trim to both armholes and the opening of the cardigan.
Turn you “diamond” right side out.
With Blush Heather color:
5mm hook
pick any area on the edge of the armhole and attach your yarn. Then ch.1 and sc all the way around the armhole.
My stitch count came to 47. If your stitch count is different that’s fine. Just make sure it is an ODD number.
Round 1 – ch.1 ss in the same st, hdc in the next. *ss in the next st, hdc in the next. Repeat *til the end of the round. ss to first ss of the round. (47)
Round 2 – ch.1 TURN! ss in the same st, hdc in the next. *ss in the next st, hdc in the next. Repeat *til the end of the round. ss to first ss of the round. (47)
Rounds 3 to 9 – repeat round 2 (remember to turn after every round)
Do the same thing for the other armhole.
Next, tie yarn on any part of the edge of the opening to the cardigan.
Ch.1 and sc all the way around the opening. My stitch count came to 203. Again, if your stitch count is different that’s fine just make sure it is an ODD number.
Round 1 – ch.1 ss in the same st, hdc in the next. *ss in the next st, hdc in the next. Repeat *til the end of the round. ss to first ss of the round. (203)
Round 2 – ch.1 TURN! ss in the same st, hdc in the next. *ss in the next st, hdc in the next. Repeat *til the end of the round. ss to first ss of the round. (203)
Rounds 3 to 7 – repeat round 2 (remember to turn after every round)
Weave in all ends!
You have just crocheted a beautiful and cozy cocoon cardigan!
If you would like to purchase a printer-friendly, ad free version of this pattern on Ravelry you can click here.
I hope you enjoy this pattern! Please be sure to check out some of my other PATTERNS!
This looks like a great pattern. I can’t wait to try it!
I have a question about the border. On the repeated rows, should each hdc be in the slip stitch of the previous row or in the hdc?
Thanks.
Hi Abbe! Yes, each hdc should be in the slip stitch of the previous row. You will be ending each row with a slip stitch, then slip stitching to the first slip stitch you made in the previous row! Hope this helps!
Beautiful! Picked out my yarn already and can’t wait to get started!
I can’t find a print friendly option, is there one? it’s 20 pages like it is. .
Hi Kim!
I actually am working on a downloadable pdf version of this pattern at the moment. I hope to have it in my Etsy shop in the next day or so. You will have to pay for it though for it is a lot of work to condense the pattern. My only other suggestion is to copy and paste it into a Word document or something similar. Hope this helps!
If I want my sweater longer from shoulder to bottom (I’m 6ft tall) would my beginning chain need to be longer, or would I crochet more rows?
Hi Jenn!
I would recommend crocheting more rows so your cardigan is longer and not wider. I am 5’6 and the cardigan falls around mid thigh. I’m assuming you would need to crochet about another 6″ if this is where you would want your length to be. This would make your measurements approx. 39″ x 40. Hope this helps!
Hello! I really want to try this pattern and have seen others like it! but i was wondering how many stitches would you add for a plus size woman?
Hi Cristin!
Hmm..well the initial starting chain is 106. I would say this stitch count is for a size M/L. I’m not sure what size exactly you are looking for but you could always make the starting chain longer.
how many more chains would u do?
is it multples of 3 and add extra??
and would this work with DK yarn ( Light worsted yarn)
Hi Karen,
You will crochet in multiples of 2. You can use a dk weight yarn but it will take you longer. You would also have to adjust the stitch count by a lot more.
Hi, was wondering if you have maybe figured out how many you need to add for plus size, would also like to do it
Oh how I wish I read your blog before I started the kit. The pattern that came with the Craftsy kit was not this detailed. I made mine and then the directions it had to make it, I got a little lost. I did manage to fix it and now have it made. Mine is in chocolate brown. I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on it too. I might make one for my kid’s teachers this year for Xmas.
Thank you Gia! So glad you like the post. I’m so glad you figured it out!
Could I use a worsted weight yarn? I’d like to use bernat pop.
Hi Angie!
Yes! Absolutely! I bet that would look gorgeous!
I am happy to have found your pattern and I’m looking forward to making one. Thank you very much for sharing it with us!
Hi Judy!
Thank you so much for your kind words! You’re very welcome 🙂
hi i live i Australia i have a 7mm hook and a 5 mm hook what size should i use with 8 ply acrylic yarn ty
Hi!
8 ply is a lighter yarn ( in the US it is considered a dk weight). The pattern calls for a worsted weight or 10 ply yarn. Because the 8 ply is lighter you could use a 5 or 5.5 mm crochet hook.
This looks super cute! In the pictures, this doesn’t look like lion brand wool ease though
Hi Sheridan!
Thank you! Yes, the colors are Fisherman and Blush Heather 🙂 The Fisherman is one of my favorite colors!
I can’t waitto make this.
Yay! I’m glad!
I think I have a tighter tension than most. Do you recommend making this with a loose tension? Excited to start this this weekend!
Hi Erin,
I as well am a tight crocheter. I think you will be fine. I’m glad you like the pattern!
Hi,
Thank you so much for sharing this awesome pattern!!
If I were to add to the starting chain (in multiples of 2) to make this a plus size, I would need a 1XL-2XL, (I was thinking of adding 56 more chains)would I also need to add to the amount of rows? I seen in your comments about where it reached you at your height of 5’6” and I am just shy of the same height.
Thank you so much in advance for any assistance you can provide.
Hi Sherry!
Given that you are roughly the same height, I would say it is not necessary to add more rows.
Good afternoon. I would like to ask 2 questions please.
1). Can I use worsted weight cotton yarn?
2). You list 2 crochet hooks but I only see the 6.0mm one specified.
Thank you for providing such a fabulous pattern.
Sharon
Yes, you can use a cotton 🙂 As long as it’s worsted weight. The 5mm is used for the trim. Hope this helps!
Hi,
If I am to use a fingering weight yarn, should I add more beginning chain?
Thanks!
Hi Kim,
Yes, definitely.