The Crochet Changeover Cardigan

The Crochet Changeover Cardigan is a fun and easy garment that is great for beginner crocheters. Lately, I have been focusing on creating patterns that incorporate basic stitches.  This cardigan is crocheted entirely with the half double crochet and single crochet stitch. Easy, right?

Scroll down to view the free pattern, or you can purchase an ad free version HERE.

I wanted to create something that is lightweight but also has an oversized look and feel. The Changeover Cardigan is very roomy and is a great layering piece. Also, it is perfect to throw on in the morning as you head out the door. 

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.

The Yarn

The yarn I chose for this pattern is Lion Brand’s Shawl in a Ball. This is a great lightweight yarn that is both colorful and easy to work up. In addition, it also comes in so many beautiful colors. I love that it is an acrylic and cotton blend making it perfect as the temps start to “changeover” to cooler weather. 

This is also the same yarn that I use in my Havana Top pattern.  I chose the color Community Coral for this cardigan. The darker purple colors reminded me of fall, whereas the lighter pinks and coral add a summer vibe.

So if you are looking for a mindless project that doesn’t require too much counting or thinking, the Changeover cardigan is the pattern for you! Grab your yarn and hook and lets get started! 🙂

The Changeover Cardigan Pattern

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NOTES

• The entire cardigan is crocheted using the Half Double Crochet stitch, except where there are HDC decreases, and cuffs for the sleeves.
• First, the Back Panel is worked followed by the two front panels.
• Second, the sleeves are worked in rows along side of cardigan and then seemed at the end.
• If you would like to add length to the cardigan, simply crochet more HDC rows in the back and two front panels. In addition, crochet less HDC rows for a shorter cardigan.
• Whenever it says to seam two pieces together, always flip them inside out and whip stitch them together to get a cleaner look.
• The Collar is then  added at the end by crocheting in HDC rows around opening of cardigan.

MATERIALS

Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball yarn. You will need 2 1/2 skeins – XS/S, 3 skeins – M/L, 3 1/2 skeins – XL/2X, 4 skeins – 3X/4X. 

6mm Crochet Hook

2 Stitch Markers

Fabric Measuring Tape

Tapestry Needle

Scissors

 

ABBREVIATIONS

Chain (ch)

Half Double Crochet (hdc)

Decrease (dec)

Stitch (st)

 

SIZING

It should be noted that the fit of this cardigan is meant to be oversized and roomy. However, if you would like a more fitted cardigan then size down. 

 Stitch count for sizes will be listed in parenthesis in the following order (XS/S, M/L, XL/2X, 3X/4X)

Model is 5’6″ and is wearing  size M/L.

Gauge is approx. 10 hdc across x 12 rows = 4″

Dimensions of Back Panel (in)

XS/S – 22 x 26

M/L – 24 x 30

XL/2X – 28 x 34

3X/4X – 30 x 38

 

CARDIGAN PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

BACK PANEL

Ch. (66,76,86,96)

Row 1 – Hdc in the 2nd ch from the hook and each ch across. (65,75,85,95)

Row 2 – Ch.1 turn, hdc in every st across. (65,75,85,95)

Repeat Row 2 for a total of (66,72,84,90) ROWS. 

Do not bind off. 

Next, we will  work on the LEFT Panel.

Row 1 – Ch. 1 turn, hdc in the next (25,28,30,30) stitches. 

Row 2 – Ch. 1 turn, hdc in every st across. (25,28,30,30)

Repeat Row 2 for a total of (66,72,84,90) ROWS. 

Bind off

We will now be working on the RIGHT Panel

Count (15,19,25,35) hdc stitches from where Right panel ended and attach yarn to next hdc. See pic below

Row 1 – Hdc in the first st and each st across. (25,28,30,30)

Row 2 – Ch.1, turn, hdc in every st across. (25,28,30,30)

Repeat Row 2 for a total of (66, 72, 84, 90) ROWS. 

Bind off. 

SLEEVES

Position your cardigan so it is laying horizontally on it’s side. (see pic below)

Determine the length (in inches) of armhole depth for your given size.

XS/S – 8

M/L – 8

XL/2X – 9

3X/4X – 10

Once you have the given armhole depth, you can determine it’s “center point.” The center point is where you started to crochet the first row of your panel. 

So for example, if the armhole depth is 8, the center point will be 8. From one “x” to the next “x” you will have 16 inches. If the armhole depth is 9, then the center point is 9. From “x” to “x” across you will measure 18 inches.

Line your measuring tape up according to the armhole depth making sure the center point is placed accordingly, and place stitch markers where the “X’s” are given on the side of your cardigan. 

Attach yarn where first stitch marker is placed. 

Begin to Work in Rows

Row 1 – Ch.1, make (42,42,46,50) hdc across to the next stitch marker. 

Row 2 thru 8 – Ch.1 turn, hdc in every st across. (42,42,46,50)

Row 9 – Ch.1 turn, hdc dec over the first two stitches. Make hdc in every st across ending with a hdc dec over the last two stitches. (40,40,44,48)

Rows 10 thru 13 – Ch.1 turn, hdc in every st across. (40,40,44,48)

Row 14 – Repeat Row 9 (38,38,42,46)

Rows 15 thru 18 – Ch.1 turn, hdc in every st across. (38,38,42,46)

Row 19 – Repeat Row 9 (36,36,40,44)

Rows 20 thru 23 – Ch.1 turn, hdc in every st across. (36,36,40,44)

Row 24 – Repeat Row 9 (34,34,38,42)

Rows 25 thru 28 – Ch.1 turn, hdc in every st across. (34,34,38,42)

Row 29 – Repeat Row 9 (32,32,36,40)

Rows 30 thru 33 – Ch.1 turn, hdc in every st across. (32,32,36,40)

Row 34 – Repeat row 9 (30,30,34,38)

Rows 35 thru 38 – Ch.1 turn, hdc in every st across. (30,30,34,38)

Rows 39 thru 44 – Ch.1 turn, sc in every st across. (30,30,34,38)

Bind off

Repeat same instructions for other sleeve. 

Fold your cardigan down and sew along longer side and under sleeve for both sides. 

COLLAR

When working the collar, stitch count does not matter. However, it should be noted to place hdc stitches evenly around the opening. This allows for a nice smooth collar. 

Join yarn to the last row of your front panel (if you are looking at the cardigan flat with ride side facing you) this will be the corner on the right panel, or the left panel if you are left handed.  

Ch.1 and make hdc’s along entire opening of cardigan going up the front panel, across the back neck and down the other front panel.  For reference I made 175 hdc all the way around. 

Rows 2 thru 10 – Ch.1 turn, hdc in every st. 

Bind off.

Weave in all ends!

Thank you so much for following along with the Changeover Cardigan pattern!