Hi, here you can find the free crochet pattern for a striped crochet cardigan, in both USA and UK terms and in 9 sizes from XS through to 5XL.
This is a great easy and quick crochet pattern, that is a perfect stash buster!
I love stripes, and they are very on trend this year, so grab yourself some colourful yarn, and lets make an Easy Striped Crochet Cardigan together.
How do you crochet a striped cardigan?
Really easily is the answer!
This pattern is designed to be quick and easy, and a perfect step up for an advanced beginner.
If you want repeating stripes throughout the cardigan, just make sure you change to the same colour yarn on each row.
What crochet stitches do you need to know to crochet an easy cardigan?
This cardigan pattern is really easy! I know I keep saying this, but it’s because I’ve designed it to be a beginner’s make.
You need to know how to:
- Foundation Double Crochet (FDC)
- Double Crochet (DC)
- Back Post Double Crochet
- Front Post Double Crochet
- How to change colour at the end of a row
- Fasten off, weave in ends
Luckily for you, I have videos showing most of the stitches, you’ll just need to adapt the pattern to your size.
What Yarn can you use for a Striped Crochet Cardigan?
I’ve used Stylecraft Chunky Yarn, as it comes in so many colours, 48 to be exact – so there is sure to be a choice for everyone!
>>>Check out the yarn colours here
It’s a 100% acrylic yarn, so perfect for everyday wearing, and you can even pop it in the washing machine! This is big win in my mind!
Also, a huge win, is that this yarn is only about £2 a ball/ $3.50 a ball, making this a great cost effective make.
>>>Get Stylecraft Chunky yarn here
Stylecraft is one of the leading brands in the UK, and this chunky yarn uses a 6mm hook.
It’s one size up from a traditional Worsted, so this could be used, as long as you check your tension first!
Other options could be
Oversized Cardigan?
This pattern is designed with some positive ease. Basically, if you crochet it, it’s going to be on the baggy side, rather than fitted.
The cardigan should fit with about 15cm/ 6 inches of extra room, so check your sizing.
If you want the cardigan to fit closer to your body, make a smaller size!
If you want the cardigan baggier, make a bigger size.
How do you change colour to make the stripes?
To change the colour of the yarn, just make the last Yarn over of the last stitch in the new yarn colour.
So for a Double crochet, make all of the stitch with colour A,
Yarn Over
Through the stitch
Pull the yarn through
Yarn over
Pull through 2 loops
Yarn Over with the New Colour, Pull through 2 loops.
There you have it – colour changed.
Stashbuster Cardigan
This is a perfect stashbuster of yarn. It takes between 10-15 balls of yarn, a maximum of 3 balls per colour.
You could change colour more frequently, which would leave you more ends to sew in, but the number of yarn balls needed are listed below.
X Small – 5
Small – 5
Medium – 6
Large -6
X Large -7
2XL -8
3XL -8
4XL – 9
5XL – 9
If you love this stripy cardigan – have a look at my Sampler Stitch Sweater>>>>
Other Crochet cardigan patterns
>>>Easy Textured short Sleeved Crochet Cardigan
Striped Crochet Cardigan Pattern Options
There are a few ways you can get the crochet pattern for my Striped Crochet Cardigan and enjoy this crochet pattern and help support Off the Hook for You.
- You can find and use the Striped Crochet Cardigan here on the blog that is supplemented with ads.
- You can purchase, print and keep the 12 page advert-free pattern PDF in any of my shops as an instant download.
- The PDF pattern is colour coded for the sizes, so easy to see what size you are making, and comes with a size schematic.
>>>Get the Ad-free pattern on Etsy
>>>Get the Advert free pattern on Lovecrafts
Striped Crochet Cardigan Sizing
Finished Sizes
| Size | To fit chest (cm) | Actual chest (cm) | Sleeve Length (cm) | Length (cm) |
| XS | 76 | 91 | 42 | 56 |
| S | 86 | 101 | 43 | 57 |
| M | 97 | 112 | 44 | 58 |
| L | 107 | 122 | 45 | 59 |
| XL | 117 | 132 | 45 | 60 |
| 2XL | 127 | 142 | 46 | 61 |
| 3XL | 137 | 152 | 46 | 61 |
| 4XL | 147 | 162 | 47 | 63 |
| 5XL | 158 | 173 | 47 | 63 |
Cardigan is made with 15cm positive ease.
Yarn and Equipment
Stylecraft chunky 100% premium acrylic 144 m/ 157 yards the following colours.
Sizes XS-XL – 2 balls each of
Sizes 2XL-5XL – 3 balls each of
(A) 1011 Midnight,
(B) 1083 Pomegranate,
(C) 1203 Silver,
(D) 1302 Denim,
(E) 1709 Gold
Scissors
2 Stitch markers
Yarn needle
Tension
12 sts x 6 rows to measure 10 x 10cm (4 x 4in) with a 6mm hook or size needed to obtain tension
Abbreviations USA Terms (Jump to the UK Pattern here)
Ch – Chain
BPDC – Back post double crochet
DC – Double crochet
FDC – Foundation Double crochet
FPDC – Front post double crochet
pul – pull through
ss – slip stitch
st (s) – Stitch (es)
yrh – yarn round hook
Stitches
Back Post Double Crochet – yrh, starting from the back, insert hook from back to front to back around post of st in row below, complete as Double crochet st.
FPDC – Front Post double: work in opposite way to BPDC
FDC – Foundation Double Crochet (FDC): Ch3 (counts as first DC), yrh, insert hook in 3rd Ch from hook, [yrh, pul, yrh, draw through 1 loop on hook (ch made), yrh, draw through 2 loops] twice (DC made) ], insert hook in last ch made; rep [ ] for number of sts required.
Pattern Notes
Ch3 counts as a stitch throughout.
The cardigan is worked from the bottom up, turning at each end of each row.
The full width of the cardigan is the back, and the two front panels, and is worked in one piece UNTIL splitting for the arm holes.
The front and back panels are then worked by turning at each end.
Make sure you join the yarn at the same end of the row each time to get the stripes in order.
Use the new colour to do the last yarn over of the last stitch of the previous row.
Change yarn colour every 2 rows in the sequence, A, B, C, D, E – apart from the hem (where it’s changed every 1 row).
You can use the ends of the sleeves to sew the sleeve together.
x in the pattern denotes no applicable to that size.
Cardigan Construction
The cardigan is worked from the bottom up, turning at each end of each row.
The full width of the cardigan is the back, and the two front panels, and is worked in one piece UNTIL splitting for the arm holes.
The two front and back panels are then worked by turning at each end.
Make sure you join the yarn at the beginning of the row keeping your stitches going in the same direction.
Crochet Pattern – USA Terms
Body Piece (Back and Front panels – made as one until splitting for arm holes)
Row 1 (RS): with 6mm hook and Yarn A, FDC 81 (90, 100, 109, 118, 127, 136, 145, 155) sts. Turn. Change to Yarn B. [81 (90, 100, 109, 118, 127, 136, 145, 155) sts]
Sizes XS, L, 2XL, 4XL, 5XL
Row 2 (WS): ch3 (Counts as a stitch throughout), *FPDC, BPDC; rep from * across. Turn. [81 (x, x, 109, x, 127, x, 145, 155) sts]. Change to Yarn C.
Row 3: ch3, *FPDC, BPDC; rep from * across. Turn. [81 (x, x, 109, x, 127, x, 145, 155) sts] Change to Yarn D
Sizes S, M, , XL, 3XL
Row 2 (WS): ch3 (Counts as a stitch throughout), FPDC *BPDC, FPDC; rep from * across. Turn. [x (90, 100, x, 118, x, 136, x, x) sts]. Change to Yarn C.
Row 3: ch3, *BPDC, FPDC; rep from * across. [x (90, 100, x, 118, x, 136, x, x) sts] Change to Yarn D.
All Sizes
Row 4: ch3, 1DC in each stitch across. [81 (90, 100, 109, 118, 127, 136, 145, 155) sts]
Rows 5-28: Repeat row 4 changing colour as described below.
Change yarn colour every 2 rows in the sequence, D, E, A, B C Continuing changing colour in this sequence for the whole cardigan.
Front Panels (Shaping for arm holes)
Front 1:
Count 19 (21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35) sts, on each side of the body piece, and mark each side with a stitch marker.
Row 1: ch3, 1DC in the next 18 (20, 22, 23, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34) sts. Turn. [19 (21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35) sts]
Row 2: ch3, 1DC in each st across. Turn.
Repeat row 2 of the front a further 14 (14, 16, 16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20) times.
This will give you a total of 16 (16, 18, 18, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22) rows. Fasten off leaving a long end for sewing.
Front 2:
In order to keep the stitch direction the same, count back across 20 (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 36) sts from the opposite edge to front 1. Join yarn.
Repeat as per front 1.
Back
Leaving 1 st free to the side of front 1, join yarn.
Row 1: ch3, 1DC in the next 44 (49, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 86) sts. [45 (50, 56, 61, 66, 71, 76, 81, 87) sts]
Row 2: ch3, 1DC in each st across.
Repeat row 2 a further 14 (14, 16, 16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20) times.
This will give you a total of 16 (16, 18, 18, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22) rows. Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Sleeves – Make 2
Worked from the bottom cuff upwards.
At the end of each row, ss to join and turn.
Row 1 (RS): With Yarn A, FDC 22 (22, 23, 23, 24, 24, 25, 25, 26). Turn. [22 (22, 23, 23, 24, 24, 25, 25, 26) sts] Change to Yarn B
Sizes XS, S, XL, 2XL, 5XL
Row 2 (WS): ch3, FPDC *BPDC, FPDC; rep from * across. Turn. [22 (22, x, x, 24, 24, x, x, 26) sts] Change to Yarn C
Row 3: ch3, *FPDC, BPDC; rep from * across. Turn. [22 (22, x, x, 24, 24, x, x, 26) sts] Change to Yarn D
Sizes M, L, 3XL, 4XL
Row 2 (WS): ch3, *FPDC, BPDC; rep from * across. Turn. [x (x, 23, 23, x, x, 25, 25, x) sts] Change to Yarn C
Row 3: ch3, FPDC *BPDC, FPDC; rep from * across. Turn. [x (x, 23, 23, x, x, 25, 25, x) sts] Change to Yarn D
All Sizes
Change yarn colour every 2 rows in the sequence, D, E, A, B C Continuing changing colour in this sequence for the whole cardigan.
Row 4: ch3, 1DC in base of chain, 2DC in each stitch across. Turn. [44 (44, 46, 46, 48, 48, 50, 50, 52) sts]
Row 5: ch3, 1DC in each st across. Turn.
Repeat row 5 a further [21 (21, 21, 23, 23, 23, 25, 25, 25) times. Fasten off, leaving a long end for sewing.
This will give you a total number of 26 (26, 26, 28, 28, 28, 30, 30, 30) rows.
To Make Up
Sew Shoulder seams.
Sew sleeves to the body, centering the sleeve seam at the bottom of the arm.
Weave in ends.
Edging
Row 1: Join Yarn C in the front corner. ch3 and evenly work a row of DC around the front opening edge of the cardigan. Turn. Change to Yarn B
Row 2: ch3 FPDC, BPDC around. Turn. Change to Yarn A
Row 3: ch3 FPDC, BPDC around. Fasten off. Weave in ends.
UK Crochet Terms
Ch – Chain
RTrB – Raised Treble Crochet Back Post
Tr – Treble crochet
FTr – Foundation Double crochet
RTrF – Raised Treble Crochet Front Post
pul – pull through
ss – slip stitch
st (s) – Stitch (es)
yrh – yarn round hook
Stitches
RTrB – yrh, starting from the back, insert hook from back to front to back around post of st in row below, complete as treble crochet st.
RTrF -: work in opposite way to RTrB
FTr (Foundation Treble Crochet): Ch3 (counts as first Tr), yrh, insert hook in 3rd Ch from hook, [yrh, pul, yrh, draw through 1 loop on hook (ch made), yrh, draw through 2 loops] twice (Tr made) ], insert hook in last ch made; rep [ ] for number of sts required.
Body Piece (Back and Front panels – made as one until splitting for arm holes)
Row 1 (RS): with 6mm hook and Yarn A, FTr 81 (90, 100, 109, 118, 127, 136, 145, 155) sts. Turn. Change to Yarn B. [81 (90, 100, 109, 118, 127, 136, 145, 155) sts]
Sizes XS, L, 2XL, 4XL, 5XL
Row 2 (WS): ch3 (Counts as a stitch throughout), *RTrF, RTrB; rep from * across. Turn. [81 (x, x, 109, x, 127, x, 145, 155) sts]. Change to Yarn C.
Row 3: ch3, *RTrB, RTrF; rep from * across. Turn. [81 (x, x, 109, x, 127, x, 145, 155) sts] Change to Yarn D
Sizes S, M, , XL, 3XL
Row 2 (WS): ch3 (Counts as a stitch throughout), RTrF *RTrB, RTrF; rep from * across. Turn. [x (90, 100, x, 118, x, 136, x, x) sts]. Change to Yarn C.
Row 3: ch3, RTrF *RTrB, RTrF; rep from * across. [x (90, 100, x, 118, x, 136, x, x) sts] Change to Yarn D.
All Sizes
Row 4: ch3, 1Tr in each stitch across. [81 (90, 100, 109, 118, 127, 136, 145, 155) sts]
Rows 5-28: Repeat row 4 changing colour as described below.
Change yarn colour every 2 rows in the sequence, D, E, A, B C Continuing changing colour in this sequence for the whole cardigan.
Front Panels (Shaping for arm holes)
Front 1:
Count 19 (21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35) sts, on each side of the body piece, and mark each side with a stitch marker.
Row 1: ch3, 1Tr in the next 18 (20, 22, 23, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34) sts. Turn. [19 (21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35) sts]
Row 2: ch3, 1Tr in each st across. Turn.
Repeat row 2 of the front a further 14 (14, 16, 16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20) times.
This will give you a total of 16 (16, 18, 18, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22) rows. Fasten off leaving a long end for sewing.
Front 2:
In order to keep the stitch direction the same, count back across 20 (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 36) sts from the opposite edge to front 1. Join yarn.
Repeat as per front 1.
Back
Leaving 1 st free to the side of front 1, join yarn.
Row 1: ch3, 1Tr in the next 44 (49, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 86) sts. [45 (50, 56, 61, 66, 71, 76, 81, 87) sts]
Row 2: ch3, 1Tr in each st across.
Repeat row 2 a further 14 (14, 16, 16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20) times.
This will give you a total of 16 (16, 18, 18, 18, 20, 20, 22, 22) rows. Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Sleeves – Make 2
Worked from the bottom cuff upwards.
At the end of each row, ss to join and turn.
Row 1 (RS): With Yarn A, FTr 22 (22, 23, 23, 24, 24, 25, 25, 26). Turn. [22 (22, 23, 23, 24, 24, 25, 25, 26) sts] Change to Yarn B
Sizes XS, S, XL, 2XL, 5XL
Row 2 (WS): ch3, RTrF *RTrB, RTrF; rep from * across. Turn. [22 (22, x, x, 24, 24, x, x, 26) sts] Change to Yarn C
Row 3: ch3, RTrF *RTrB, RTrF; rep from * across. Turn. [22 (22, x, x, 24, 24, x, x, 26) sts] Change to Yarn D
Sizes M, L, 3XL, 4XL
Row 2 (WS): ch3, *RTrF RTrB; rep from * across. Turn. [x (x, 23, 23, x, x, 25, 25, x) sts] Change to Yarn C
Row 3: ch3, *RTrB, RTrF; rep from * across. Turn. [x (x, 23, 23, x, x, 25, 25, x) sts] Change to Yarn D
All Sizes
Change yarn colour every 2 rows in the sequence, D, E, A, B C Continuing changing colour in this sequence for the whole cardigan.
Row 4: ch3, 1Tr in base of chain, 2Tr in each stitch across. Turn. [44 (44, 46, 46, 48, 48, 50, 50, 52) sts]
Row 5: ch3, 1Tr in each st across. Turn.
Repeat row 5 a further [21 (21, 21, 23, 23, 23, 25, 25, 25) times. Fasten off, leaving a long end for sewing.
This will give you a total number of 26 (26, 26, 28, 28, 28, 30, 30, 30) rows.
Sew the sleeves together using the ends of the yarn, colour matching.
To Make Up
Sew Shoulder seams.
Sew sleeves to the body, centering the sleeve seam at the bottom of the arm.
Weave in ends.
Edging
Row 1: Join Yarn C. ch3 and evenly work a row of DC around the front opening edge of the cardigan. Turn. Change to Yarn B
Row 2: ch3 RTrF RTrB around. Turn. Change to Yarn A
Row 3: ch3 RTrF RTrB around. Fasten off. Weave in ends.
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