This crochet chunky button cardigan is oh so cozy and perfect for chilly days. The use of simple stitched ensures this cozy cardigan can be made with ease and a video tutorial is included on how to crochet the ribbed collar! This free crochet pattern is available in sizes XS-2X.
Obsessed with crochet cardigans? Try the Forager Cardigan or the Haven Cardigan!


Made with chunky yarn and adorned with chunky buttons, the Honeywood Cardigan is the ideal garment to layer over your cozy winter outfits. Inspired by classic academia style, this sweater is versatile and comfortable in its wearability. Style over a tee and jeans for a casual look or with a plaid skirt and a lightweight sweater for the ultimate cozy feel.
While my design style leans towards a light, feminine look, I wanted to design a crochet chunky button cardigan that was thicker then what I usually gravitate towards. As the weather turns colder and moodier, my style tends to get heavier and it has a more dark academia feel and I really wanted to reflect that style shift in this crochet chunky button cardigan.
I have to admit that my favorite part about this cardigan is the buttons. They are easily the biggest buttons I have ever added to a project and they are so. much. fun. They add so much character and interest to this cardigan.

With this crochet chunky button cardigan I used a different technique of adding the ribbing to the cardigan. Instead of crocheting the ribbed collar separately and sewing it to the cardigan, I used a seam as you go technique that allows you to attach the ribbing as you are crocheting it. This technique saves so much time and it requires less seaming (which is always a win for me!). If this technique sounds scary to you, don’t worry! I created a video tutorial that explains this technique in detail!


The chunky weight yarn adds so much coziness to this cardigan and it also makes this sweater so quick to make. I am naturally a slow crocheter, but I was able to crochet this cardigan in about a week! I used Paintbox Simply Chunky. I love using any yarn from the Paintbox line, because all of their yarn is affordable and it is available in endless colorways.
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Materials
Yarn: 950(1020, 1120, 1230, 1340, 1460) yards of bulky (category 5) weight yarn 7(8, 9, 10, 10, 11) skeins of Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky in Vanilla Cream
Hook:
- US I/5.50mm crochet hook
- US J/6.00mm crochet hook
You will also need:
- Tapestry needle
- Four 1.5 inch button
Notes
- The pattern is worked in US crochet terms.
- The front and back panels are worked, bottom-up, in rows and then seamed together. The sleeves are worked, bottom-up, in rounds and then seamed to the sweater.
Skill level: Easy
Gauge: 3 rows of 5 stitches following the stitch pattern in rows 3-6 = 2 inches
Sizes: XS(S, M, L, XL, 2X)
Finished Measurements:
Finished measurements are approximate.
Bust: 29(33, 35, 41, 45, 50) inches
Length: 20(20, 20, 22, 22, 22) inches
Pattern
Back Panel
With I hook, ch 9(9, 9, 11, 11, 11)
Row 1: 1 hdc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 hdc in every ch across. (8, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10) sts. Ch 1, turn.
Row 2-50: 1 hdc in the third loop only of every st. (8, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10) sts. Ch 1, turn.
To work the body of the panel, ch 1 and work along the long edge of the ribbing (where the arrow is).

Swith to J hook
Row 1: Evenly work 59(65, 69, 75, 81, 87) hdcs across (56, 65, 68, 74, 80, 86). Ch 1, turn.
Row 2-45(45, 45, 49, 49, 49): 1 hdc in every st (59, 65, 68, 74, 80, 86). Ch 1, turn.
Fasten off.
Front Panel (Make 2)
With I hook, ch 9(9, 9, 11, 11, 11)
Row 1: 1 hdc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 hdc in every ch across. (8, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10) sts. Ch 1, turn.
Row 2-22: 1 hdc in the third loop only of every st. (8, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10) sts. Ch 1, turn.
To work the body of the panel, ch 1 and work along the long edge of the ribbing
Switch to J hook
Row 1: Evenly work 25(28, 30, 33, 36, 39) hdcs across (25, 28, 30, 33, 36, 39). Ch 1, turn.
Row 2-45(45, 45, 49, 49, 49): 1 hdc in every st (25, 28, 30, 33, 36, 39). Ch 1, turn.
Fasten off.
Sleeves (Make 2)
With I hook, ch 9(9, 9, 11, 11, 11)
Row 1: 1 hdc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 hdc in every ch across. (8, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10) sts. Ch 1, turn.
Row 2-20(20, 22, 22, 24, 24): 1 hdc in the third loop only of every st. (8, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10) sts. Ch 1, turn.
Sl st the two ends together to form the cuff. Switch to J hook.
Round 1: Evenly work 34(34, 36, 36, 38, 38) hdc around ones side of the cuff. (34, 34, 36, 36, 38, 38) sts. Sl st into first st. TURN, ch 1.
Round 2-24: 1 hdc in every st. (34, 34, 36, 36, 38, 38) sts. Sl st into first st. TURN, ch 1.
Round 25: *2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in 16(16, 17, 17, 18, 18) sts* repeat one more time. (36, 36, 38, 38, 40, 40) sts. Sl st into first st. TURN, ch 1.
Round 26: 1 hdc in every st. (36, 36, 38, 38, 40, 40) sts. Sl st into first st. TURN, ch 1.
Round 27: *2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in 17(17, 18, 18, 19, 19) sts* repeat one more time. (38, 38, 40, 40, 42, 42) sts. Sl st into first st. TURN, ch 1.
Round 28: 1 hdc in every st. (38, 38, 40, 40, 42, 42) sts. Sl st into first st. TURN, ch 1.
Round 29: *2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in 18(18, 19, 19, 20, 20) sts* repeat one more time. (40, 40, 42, 42, 44, 44) sts. Sl st into first st. TURN, ch 1.
Round 30-33(33, 35, 35, 37, 37: 1 hdc in every st. (40, 40, 42, 42, 44, 44) sts. Sl st into first st. TURN, ch 1.
Assembly
Block the front and back panels.
Lay the front panels on top of the back panel and seam together on the dotted lines.
Sew the sleeves into the arm holes

Collar
The collar is worked vertically in rows along the side of the cardigan. At the beginning/end of the round. Below is a video tutorial on how to do this as well as the written instructions.
With I hook, attach the yarn at the bottom corner of the cardigan, in the from. Ch 9(9, 9, 11, 11, 11)
Row 1: 1 hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in every ch across. (8, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10) sts. Work 1 sl st into the next two stitches (NOTE these two sl sts do NOT count as a st). Ch 1, turn.
Row 2: 1 hdc in the third loop only of every st. (8, 8, 8, 10, 10, 10) sts. Ch 1, turn.
Row 3: 1 hdc in the third loop only of every st. (8, 8, 8, 11, 11, 11) sts. Work 1 sl st into the next two stitches, ch 1, turn.
Evenly repeat rows 2-3 up the side of the panel until you have reach the top.

NOTE the other side will buttons holes will be created on this next side of the cardigan
The row in which the button holes will be created will vary based on how many rows of ribbing you have and how you would like to arrange the buttons. Evenly lay the buttons on the other side, where you would like them and once you reach a button work the row using the button holw row instructions.

For reference, I worked 4 rows before creating the first button hole and I made worked 11 rows between the rest of the button holes.
Button hole row: Work 1 hdc in 3(3, 3, 4, 4, 4) sts. Ch 2, skip 2 sts, 1 hdc in last 3(3, 3, 4, 4, 4) sts. (6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 8) hdcs. Depending on which row this is, work 1 sl st into the next two stitches.
Repeat rows 2-3 up the side of the panel until you have reach the top.
For the top part of the collar, join at the dot, you will be working along the line.

Ch 7(7, 7, 9, 9, 9)
Row 1: 1 hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in every ch across. (6, 6, 6,8, 8, 8) sts. Work 1 sl st into the next two stitches
Row 2: 1 hdc in the third loop only of every st. (6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 8) sts. Ch 1, turn.
Row 3: 1 hdc in the third loop only of every st. (6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 8) sts. Work 1 sl st into the next two stitches, ch 1, turn.
Evenly repeat rows 2-3 around until you have come to the other side.
Row 2: 1 hdc in the third loop only of every st. (6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 8) sts. Ch 1, turn.
Row 3: 1 hdc in the third loop only of every st. (6, 6, 6, 8, 8, 8) sts. Work 1 sl st into the next two stitches, ch 1, turn.
Evenly repeat rows 2-3 around until you have come to the other side.
Assembly
Sew buttons onto the cardigan, lining them up with button holes on the other side of the cardigan.
Weave in all loose ends.
I hope you enjoy this crochet chunky button cardigan! Be sure to tag me on Instagram with your Honeywood Cardigan, I would love to see it!
xo, Grace
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