This easy crochet cardigan pattern is simple and minimalist, yet the buttons add interest and character. The Classic Button Cardi is the perfect wardrobe staple. The style of this sweater is the perfect combination of classic and timeless. This is a beginner friendly pattern and it only uses single crochets!
I have a deep obsession for vintage clothing, but it does not show that much in my design aesthetic. As I was brain-storming different garment ideas, this classic button sweater came to mind. I love the classic and timeless style, yet it still fits into my modern style.
This easy crochet cardigan pattern features simple construction.
I designed this cardigan to be slightly over-sized and cozy. I prefer to make my sweaters a little bit longer, but I chose to make this easy crochet cardigan pattern shorter for a classic look.
If you are still new to crocheting garments, don’t let this pattern intimidate you. I wanted this to be a super easy pattern that only uses single crochets. Yep! That’s right! this entire cardigan uses only one stitch.
I used variations of this easy stitch such as working in the front loop and back loops only.
Click HERE for an inexpensive PDF of the pattern
Materials
- 1125[1250, 1450, 2000] yards of DK light (3) yarn
- I used Lion Brand Touch of Mohair in Light Taupe. For the sizes you will need 4[4, 5, 6]
- US I/5.50mm crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Five 1 inch buttons
- Matching needle and thread
Notes
- The pattern is worked in US crochet terms.
- The front and back panels are worked in rows while the sleeves are worked in rounds. Then they are seamed together.
- The front and back panels are worked from side to side.
Skill Level: Easy
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Measurements:
Bust: 34[38, 42, 46]”
Length: 25[25, 27, 28]”
Stitches Used:
Sl st: Slip Stitch
Ch: Chain
Sc: single crochet
Gauge: 9 rows of 8 sc worked in the back loop only = 2 inches
Pattern
Back Panel
Ch 87[95, 103, 107]
Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in every ch (86, 94, 102, 106). Ch 1, turn.
Row 2: 1 sc in the front loop only of 78[86, 92, 96] st, 1 sc in the back loop only of the last 8[8, 10, 10] sc (86, 94, 102, 106). Ch 1, turn.
Row 3: 1 sc in the back loop only of the first 8[8, 10, 10] st, 1 sc in the front loop only of 78[86, 92, 96] st (86, 94, 102, 106). Ch 1, turn.
Repeat rows 2-3 for a total of 75[83, 91, 99] rows.
Front Panels (make 2)
Ch 87[95, 103, 107]
Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in every ch (86, 94, 102, 106). Ch 1, turn.
Row 2: 1 sc in the front loop only of 78[86, 92, 96] st, 1 sc in the back loop only of the last 8[8, 10, 10] sc (86, 94, 102, 106). Ch 1, turn.
Row 3: 1 sc in the back loop only of the first 8[8, 10, 10] st, 1 sc in the front loop only of 78[86, 92, 96] st (86, 94, 102, 106). Ch 1, turn.
Repeat rows 2-3 for a total of 32[40, 48, 56] rows.
Sleeves (make 2)
Ch 9[9, 11, 11]
Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in each ch (8, 8, 10, 10). Ch 1 turn.
Row 2-28: 1 sc in the back loop only of every st (8, 8, 10, 10). Ch 1 turn.
Fold in half and sl st the two sides together to form a band. The sleeve will now be worked in rounds along the side of the band. Ch 1
Round 1: Evenly work 30[33, 36, 36] sc around the side of the band (30, 33, 36, 36). Sl st into first st, ch 1, turn.
Round 2: In the front loop only *work 1 sc in 9[10, 11, 11] st, 2 sc in next st* repeat around (33, 36, 39, 39). Sl st into first st, ch 1, turn.
Round 3-4: In the front loop only, 1 sc in every st (33, 36, 39, 39). Sl st into first st, ch 1, turn.
Round 5: In the front loop only *work 1 sc in 10[11, 12, 12] st, 2 sc in next st* repeat around (36, 39, 42, 42). Sl st into first st, ch 1, turn.
Round 6-13: In the front loop only, work 1 sc in every st (36, 39, 42, 42). Sl st into first st, ch 1, turn.
Round 14: In the front loop only *work 1 sc in 11[12, 13, 13] st, 2 sc in next st* repeat around (39, 42, 45, 45). Sl st into first st, ch 1, turn.
Round 15-22: In the front loop only, work 1 sc in every st (39, 42, 45, 45). Sl st into first st, ch 1, turn.
Round 23: In the front loop only *work 1 sc in 12[13, 14, 14] st, 2 sc in next st* repeat around (42, 45, 48, 48). Sl st into first st, ch 1, turn.
Round 32: In the front loop only *work 1 sc in 13[14, 15, 15] st, 2 sc in next st* repeat around (45, 48, 51, 51). Sl st into first st, ch 1, turn.
Round 33-40: In the front loop only, work 1 sc in every st (45, 48, 51, 51). Sl st into first st, ch 1, turn.
Round 41: In the front loop only *work 1 sc in 14[15, 16, 17] st, 2 sc in next st* repeat around (48, 51, 54, 54). Sl st into first st, ch 1, turn.
Round 42-49: In the front loop only, work 1 sc in every st (48, 51, 54, 54). Sl st into first st, ch 1, turn.
Round 50: In the front loop only *work 1 sc in 15[16, 17, 17] st, 2 sc in next st* repeat around (51, 54, 57, 57). Sl st into first st, ch 1, turn.
For sizes Small and Medium, fasten off.
Round 51-53: In the front loop only, work 1 sc in every st (57, 57). Sl st into first st, ch 1, turn.
For size Large, fasten off.
Round 54: In the front loop only, *work 1 sc in 18 st, 2 sc in next st* repeat around (60). Sl st into first st.
Fasten off.
Assembly
Block the front and back panels. Lay the front panels on top of the back panels and sew on the dotted lines. Leave 6(6 ½, 7, 8)” for the armhole. Sew the sleeves on.
Collar
Row 1: Attach yarn at the bottom at the ribbing and evenly sc along the dotted line (the st count does not matter). Ch 1, turn.
Row 2-3: 1 sc in every st. Ch 1, turn.
Row 4: 1 sc in first 3[3, 4, 4] st. Ch 1, skip st, and work a sc into the next st. *Work 1 sc in next 10[10, 12, 12] st. Ch 1, skip st, and work a sc into the next st* repeat 3 more times. Work 1 sc in the rest of the st. Ch 1, turn.
Row 5: 1 sc in every st. Work 1 sc in the ch spaces. Ch 1, turn.
Row 6-8: 1 sc in every st. Ch 1, turn.
Fasten off, weave in loose ends. Attach the buttons on the opposite side of the button holes.
I hope you enjoyed this easy crochet cardigan pattern! Be sure to tag me on Instagram (@stitchberryblog) with your Classic Button Cardi, I would love to see it!
Hello, I am not sure how this works. If your back panel requires 103 chains how can yoy have two front panels with 103 chains each. This must be a mistake. Please advise
Instead of working from bottom to top like most cardigans, this one is worked from side to side. So you do want 103 chains for both the front and back panels.
Is there some mistake with the sleeve part of the pattern? When I chain 11, I get a length of about 1.5 inches. Folding that in half for the cuff means that it would barely fit around my thumb. I am using a bit of a lighter weight yarn so the sweater is coming out a bit more figure hugging, but it still fits me. The sleeve cuff however is teeny tiny.
Hello Frances,
The 11 chains is how tall the cuff will be. Follow the pattern and the once you work all of the rows for the cuff, it should wrap around your wrist. I hope this helps!
Grace
How many skeins, yards, gtams for a large?
Hello Marla!
For the large size, you will need approximately 1450 yards and if you are using the same yarn I used, you will need 5 skeins.
How do you make the button holes?
The instructions are in the pattern. While you are crocheting the collar, you ch 1 and then skip a st to create the button hole
Just finished mine and I absolutely love it! Thank you for this pattern!
Which row of the back and front panels is the ‘Right’ side please (ie the side of the work that is outside & therefore on show)? Is it Row 1, Row 2 or Row 3? I’m wondering if Row 1 is actually a Foundation Row that isn’t included in the pattern Row count? The instructions say ‘Repeat Rows 2 – 3 for a total of 83 Rows’ for the 2nd size. Please advise as both sides of the work look good but I want to get this right!
Hello Sue! You can use either side for the front or back panel!
Thank you, Grace!