The crochet Willa Cardigan is a lightweight boho-inspired cardigan that is crocheted with a cotton and linen blend yarn. A great cardigan to throw over your favorite tank.
Scroll down for the free pattern, or you can purchase an ad free version of this pattern HERE.
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.
Inspiration & Design
I have always loved the boho style of fashion. This style tends to focus on free and flowy designs that are often mixed with natural fabrics. This style was really popular in the 60’s and 70’s. I always remember as a little girl looking at my mom in pictures. She was often wearing clothes with fringe, a hobo bag, a flowy skirt or a head bandeau. I remember thinking how much I wanted to look like her!
The crochet Willa Cardigan is extremely simple to crochet. It is made of a back panel and two front panels that are sewn together. I added a simple single crochet edging to the sleeves and opening of the cardigan. Fringe is then added to the bottom for a nice boho flair.
The entire cardigan is crocheted with a series of chains making the Willa Cardigan fast and easy to make. The chains also allow the cardigan to be lightweight and airy.
The Yarn
I used WeCrochet’s CotLin yarn to crochet the Willa Cardigan. This yarn is a blend of Tanguis cotton and summer linen. This combination makes this yarn very soft and durable. It comes in 44 shades ranging from light pastels to earthy tones and jewel tones. A few of my favorite colors are Sagebrush, Lilac and Nightfall. It is a DK weight yarn that consists of 123 yards. I also love that it’s machine washable.
The Willa Crochet Cardigan
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Pattern Notes
- This cardigan pattern consists of a back panel and two side panels that are sewn together at the shoulder and sides.
- Detail is added to the edge of both sleeves and the opening of the cardigan.
- Fringe is added to the bottom of the cardigan. This is completely optional.
- I did wet block my cardigan. Please note that if you choose not to block your cardigan then I would suggest sizing up to ensure the correct size. Wet blocking tends to add a bit of stretch. I blocked each piece separately before sewing them together.
- If you would like to make the cardigan shorter/longer, simply crochet more/less rows.
- The sleeves are crocheted by attaching yarn underneath armhole and then working in joined rounds.
Sizing
Gauge is approx. 18st across x 10 rows = 4″ (after blocking)
Sizes include XS/S, M/L, XL/2X, 3X/4X
If you are in between sizes, I would suggest sizing up.
Finished Measurements (in)
BUST LENGTH ARMHOLE
XS/S 30-34 28 7
M/L 38-42 29 8
XL/2X 46-50 30 9
3X/4X 54-58 31 10
– Length is without fringe
-Sizing listed in the pattern will be in parenthesis such as (64, 72, 80, 88) whereas 64 for size XS/S, 72 for size M/L, 80 for size XL/2X and 88 for size 3X/4X . When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.
– All sizing is true to size and based on the CYC sizing regulations.
Materials
WeCrochet Cotlin Yarn (Weight 3/Light, 1.75 oz/50 g, 123yds)
(5,6,7,8) Skeins in the color Sagebrush or desired color.
Tapestry Needle
Measuring Tape
Scissors
Blocking Mats/Pins (If blocking)
Abbreviations
Chain (ch)
Single Crochet (sc)
Double Crochet (dc)
Skip (sk)
Space (sp)
Slip Stitch (ss)
Willa Cardigan Instructions
Back Panel
Ch (64, 72, 80, 88)
Row 1 – (dc,sc) in the fourth ch from the hook, *ch 3, sk the next 3 ch, (dc, sc) in the next ch* Repeat from *across.
Row 2 – Ch.3 (does not count as a st) turn, sk the first sc, *(dc, sc) in the next dc, ch 3, sk the next ch-3 sp and sc* Repeat from *across, ending with (dc, sc) in the last dc. Leave ch.3 unworked.
Rows 3 thru (52, 56, 60, 66) – Repeat Row 2
Here is what the Back Panel will look like:
Side Panel (make 2)
Ch (28, 32, 36, 40)
Row 1 – (dc,sc) in the fourth ch from the hook, *ch 3, sk the next 3 ch, (dc, sc) in the next ch* Repeat from *across.
Row 2 – Ch.3 (does not count as a st) turn, sk the first sc, *(dc, sc) in the next dc, ch 3, sk the next ch-3 sp and sc* Repeat from *across, ending with (dc, sc) in the last dc. Leave ch.3 unworked.
Rows 3 thru (52, 56, 60, 66) – Repeat Row 2
Blocking
If you choose to block your panels, you will want to do this before you sew them together.
If you are unfamiliar with wet blocking, Sewrella has a great tutorial that walks you through the process step-by-step. The process is very easy and well worth it. You can also choose to steam block your panels as well.
Sewing Panels Together
Lay the Back Panel flat and lie the Side Panels on top of the Back Panel on each side. Then, sew the top of each Side Panel to the top of the Back Panel.
Then, sew each Side Panel to the Back Panel lengthwise leaving (7, 8, 9, 10) in. for the armhole opening.
Trim of Collar and Sleeves
Collar:
Join yarn to the last row of your front panel. If you are looking at the cardigan, not wearing it, this will be the corner on the right panel (or left panel if you’re left handed).
Row 1 – Ch.1 and work (225, 229, 233, 237) sc around entire front edge opening of your cardigan, working up the side panel, across, and then down the side of the opposite side panel.
Rows 2 thru 6 – Ch. 1 turn, sc in every st. (225, 229, 233, 237)
Edging:
Row 7 – Ch.1 turn, sc in the first sc, *ch 4, sk next 3 sc, sc in the next sc* Repeat *across.
Row 8 – Ch.1 turn, sk the first sc, *6 sc in the next ch-4 sp* Repeat * across ending with a ss in the last sc.
Fasten off.
Sleeve:
Attach yarn to edge of armhole, preferably where the armpit will be.
Round 1 – Ch.1 and make (53, 57, 61, 65) sc along edge of armhole. Ss to first sc of the round. (53, 57, 61, 65)
Round 2 – Ch.1 turn you work, Sc in every st around. Join with a ss to first sc of the round.(53, 57, 61, 65)
Rounds 3 & 4 – Repeat Round 2
Edging:
Round 5 – Ch.1 turn, sc in the first sc, *ch 4, sk next 3 sc, sc in the next sc* Repeat *around. Do not join.
Round 6 – Ch.1 turn, sk the first sc, *6 sc in the next ch-4 sp* Repeat *around ending with a sc in the last st. Ss to first sc of this round.
Complete Rounds 1 thru 6 for other sleeve.
Fringe Along Bottom of Cardigan
Attach yarn to bottom of cardigan and make sc’s along the edge of the bottom of your cardigan.
Adding Fringe:
Fringe pieces need to measure approx. 12” long before adding them to cardigan. To quickly cut fringe pieces of all the same length, wrap yarn around a piece of cardboard or a thin book that is approximately 6” tall. Cut at one end.
With right side facing you, begin at one corner of cardigan bottom. Insert hook from the front of cardigan toward back and grab two strands of fringe. Pull fringe partially up to front of cardigan. Insert fingers through resulting loop of fringe and pull fringe tails through loop. You can also pull the fringe through the loop with a crochet hook. Here is a great video tutorial to watch if you are a little uncertain of how to add the fringe.
How you want to space out your fringe is up to you. For example, you can add fringe to every sc, every other sc or every third sc etc.
Bind off and weave in all ends,
That’s it! I hope you have enjoyed following along with the crochet Willa Cardigan.
I love to see your finished projects! Be sure to tag me on Instagram so I can see and share your creations!
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