Button Up Crochet Cardigan – Free Easy Knit-Look Sweater

Crochet this adorable classic cropped cardigan with a beautiful knit-look! This button-up modern crocheted sweater is going to be a wardrobe staple that can be worn in an array of styles! This free pattern is designed using basic stitches and uses minimal seaming. You will love to wear this crochet garment as it has a relaxed fit created with minimal shaping! Get started now with the free pattern in this blog post. Happy Crocheting!

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Get a printable pdf crochet pattern on my Etsy Shop or Ravelry!

cute crocheted button-up cardigan

Pattern Description 

For this Crochet Pattern I have noted it to be an Intermediate Skill Level Pattern because it does include simple shaping going slightly beyond basic shapes.

The construction techniques using this this free crochet pattern are simple but may be new to you. The front panels and back panels are created in one piece to help to reduce seaming. When we do this we are also forming the arm openings at the same time!

Most cardigan crochet projects are created with simple rectangles but this one is designed to achieve a better and more comfortable fit.

Using easy stitches and a few simple decreases I have created a comfortable and flattering neckline that sits between a classic crewneck or scoop neck. 

The long sleeves are tapered so that they are more fitted with the addition of ribbed sleeve cuffs!

The ribbing on the cuffs, waist, collar and placket are created after assembly so that you may adjust as desired or needed. 

The buttons on this crochet cardigan are optional and can be adjusted. 

I used 4 small buttons, but you can use as many in any size you choose.

I love to use this stitch or a variation of it for its knit-look effect. You can watch this YouTube Video Tutorial of a blanket that I created using the front loops only technique. In this video I am using extended hdc stitches while in this cardigan pattern I use a standard double crochet stitch.

knit look crochet cardigan

Yarn Substitutes

I would highly suggest using the recommended yarn for this cardigan because the stitch definition with this yarn is wonderful. However, if you do not have any available here are some great yarn subs to consider! Although this cropped crochet cardigan uses simple construction, I would highly suggest sticking with a worsted weight yarn and not trying a different yarn weight. 

  • Vanna’s Choice
  • Local Grown Cotton
  • Pima Cotton
  • Wool-Ease Classic

Come find me on…

Materials

  • 4.50 mm Crochet Hook
  • 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8) Skeins of Lion Brand Yarn –  Color Theory in Tourmaline [#619-178S]
  • #5 Worsted Weight Yarn
    960 (980, 1000, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1650, 1900) yards
  • Tapestry Needle
  • Stitch Markers – Optional 

Gauge

Creating a gauge swatch for crochet sweater patterns is extremely important, especially if this is your first garment. Although this is a beginner-friendly pattern if you do not have the correct gauge than you risk the body measurements being wrong. Due to the nature of this garment construction it will be very hard to adjust if not correct from the beginning. 

If you do find that your gauge is off you will need to adjust your hook size. If your gauge swatch is too big you will need a smaller hook, if your gauge swatch it too large you will need a smaller hook.

  • 18 sts x 12 Rows is 4 x 4” in Cardigan Stitch Pattern
  • Fdc 18 then repeat Rows 14 and 15 in Body Panel Front Section.

Sizing 

  • XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
  • Cardigan has 0-2” of positive ease.
  • Choose the appropriate size by using the size chart below. 
crochet cardigan size

Stitch Descriptions and Abbreviations

  • Chain Stitch – ch 
  • Stitch(es) – st(s)
  • Skip – sk
  • Single Crochet – sc
  • Half Double Crochet – hdc
  • Double Crochet – dc
  • Front Loop Only – flo – work your stitch using the front loop only of the designated stitch.
  • Foundation Double Crochet – Fdc – Chain 4, yarn over, insert hook into 4th chain from the hook,
    yarn over and pull up loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 1 loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through all loops (1 foundation double crochet with chain at bottom created). *Yarn over, insert hook to bottom of the stitch you just made, it will look like the top or “V” of a stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 1 loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over pull though all loops, repeat from * to desired st count. 
  • Stacked Single Crochet STsc – STsc – insert your hook into the designated stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops, insert your hook into the second vertical bar on the stitch you just created, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull though all loops. 
  • Front Post Double Crochet – FPdc – work a dc as you normally would but insert your hook from front to back to front around post of indicated st. 
  • Back Post Double Crochet – BPdc – work a dc as you normally would but insert your hook from back to front to back around post of indicated st. 
  • Half Double Crochet 2 Together – hdc2tog – Work two hdc stitches together to as one stitch for a
    decrease.

Pattern Notes

  • * Designates a repeat.
  • “sc 1” means to single crochet in the next stitch.
  • “sc 2” means to single crochet in each of the next 2 stitches.
  • “2 sc” means to single crochet twice in the next stitch to create an increase.
  • Leaving a long tail on the simple shapes used for the body and arm panels will help making seaming easier and give you less tails to weave in.
classic crochet cardigan free pattern

Free Crochet Cardigan Pattern with Optional Button Holes

Body Panel

Front Section
Row 1 – Fdc 45 (45, 45, 45, 58, 58, 58, 64, 64) sts.
Row 2 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [45 (45, 45, 45, 58, 58, 58, 64, 64) total sts]
Row 3 – Increase Row – Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until 1 st remains, 2 dc flo in last st.  [46 (46, 46, 46, 59, 59, 59, 65, 65) total sts]
Row 4 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [46 (46, 46, 46, 59, 59, 59, 65, 65) total sts]
Row 5 – Increase Row – Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until 1 st remains, 2 dc flo in last st. [47 (47, 47, 47, 60, 60, 60, 66, 66) total sts]
Row 6 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [47 (47, 47, 47, 60, 60, 60, 66, 66) total sts]
Row 7 – Increase Row – Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until 1 st remains, 2 dc flo in last st. [48 (48, 48, 48, 61, 61, 61, 67, 67) total sts]
Row 8 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [48 (48, 48, 48, 61, 61, 61, 67, 67) total sts]
Row 9 – Increase Row – Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until 1 st remains, 3 dc flo in last st. [50 (50, 50, 50, 63, 63, 63, 69, 69) total sts]
Row 10 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [50 (50, 50, 50, 63, 63, 63, 69, 69) total sts]
Row 11 – Increase Row – Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until 1 st remains, 3 dc flo in last st. [52 (52, 52, 52, 65, 65, 65, 71, 71) total sts]
Row 12 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [52 (52, 52, 52, 65, 65, 65, 71, 71) total sts]
Row 13 – Increase Row – Turn, STsc flo first st, dc flo until 1 st remains, 3 dc flo in last st 54 sts. [54 (54, 54, 54, 67, 67, 67, 73, 73) total sts]
Row 14 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [54 (54, 54, 54, 67, 67, 67, 73, 73) total sts]
Row 15 -Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until to end. [54 (54, 54, 54, 67, 67, 67, 73, 73) total sts]
Row 16 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [54 (54, 54, 54, 67, 67, 67, 73, 73) total sts]
Rows 17 to 20 (24, 26, 30, 32, 36, 38, 40, 44) – Repeat Rows 15 and 16.

Arm Opening
Next Row – Short Row – Turn, STsc flo 25 (25, 22, 22, 29, 29, 24, 29, 25) sts.
Next Row – Short Row- Turn, sl st flo 25 (25, 22, 22, 29, 29, 24, 29, 25) sts.
Back Section Begins – Shoulder
Row 1 – Extension Row – Turn, STsc flo 25 (25, 22, 22, 29, 29, 24, 29, 25), Fdc extension 29 (29, 32, 32, 38, 38, 43, 44, 48) sts. [54 (54, 54, 54, 67, 67, 67, 73, 73) total sts]
Row 2- Turn, sl st flo to end. [54 (54, 54, 54, 67, 67, 67, 73, 73) total sts]
Row 3 –Turn, STsc flo first st, dc flo until to end. [54 (54, 54, 54, 67, 67, 67, 73, 73) total sts]
Row 4 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [54 (54, 54, 54, 67, 67, 67, 73, 73) total sts]
Next 2 (6, 8, 12, 14, 18, 20, 22, 26) Rows – Repeat Rows 3 and 4.

Drop Down for Back of Neck 
Next Row – Decrease Row – Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until 3 sts remain, dc3tog flo in remaining sts. [52 (52, 52, 52, 65, 65, 65, 71, 71) total sts] 
Next Row – Turn, sl st flo to end. [52 (52, 52, 52, 65, 65, 65, 71, 71) total sts]
Next Row – Decrease Row – Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until 3 sts remain, dc3tog flo in remaining sts. [50 (50, 50, 50, 63, 63, 63, 69, 69) total sts]
Next Row – Turn, sl st flo to end. [50 (50, 50, 50, 63, 63, 63, 69, 69) total sts]
Next Row -Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until to end. [50 (50, 50, 50, 63, 63, 63, 69, 69) total sts]
Next Row – Turn, sl st flo to end. [50 (50, 50, 50, 63, 63, 63, 69, 69) total sts]
Next 20 (18, 22, 18, 20, 16, 20, 22, 18) Rows – Repeat Previous 2 Rows.

Rise from Neck Drop to Shoulder
Next Row – Increase Row – Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until 1 st remains, 3 dc flo in last st. [52 (52, 52, 52, 65, 65, 65, 71, 71) total sts]
Next Row – Turn, sl st flo to end. [52 (52, 52, 52, 65, 65, 65, 71, 71) total sts]
Next Row – Increase Row – Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until 1 st remains, 3 dc flo in last st. [54 (54, 54, 54, 67, 67, 67, 73, 73) total sts]
Next Row – Turn, sl st flo to end. [54 (54, 54, 54, 67, 67, 67, 73, 73) total sts]
Next Row –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until to end. [54 (54, 54, 54, 67, 67, 67, 73, 73) total sts]
Next Row – Turn, sl st flo to end. [54 (54, 54, 54, 67, 67, 67, 73, 73) total sts]
Next 4 (8, 10, 14, 16, 20, 22, 24, 28) Rows – Repeat Previous 2 Rows.

Arm Opening
Next Row – Short Row – Turn, STsc flo 25 (25, 22, 22, 29, 29, 24, 29, 25) sts.
Next Row – Short Row- Turn, sl st flo 25 (25, 22, 22, 29, 29, 24, 29, 25) sts.

Back Section Begins – Shoulder
Row 1 – Extension Row – Turn, STsc flo 25 (25, 22, 22, 29, 29, 24, 29, 25), Fdc extension 29 (29, 32, 32, 38, 38, 43, 44, 48) sts. [54 (54, 54, 54, 67, 67, 67, 73, 73) total sts]
Row 2- Turn, sl st flo to end. [54 (54, 54, 54, 67, 67, 67, 73, 73) total sts]
Row 3 –Turn, STsc flo first st, dc flo until to end. [54 (54, 54, 54, 67, 67, 67, 73, 73) total sts]
Row 4 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [54 (54, 54, 54, 67, 67, 67, 73, 73) total sts]
Next 2 (6, 8, 12, 14, 18, 20, 22, 26) Rows – Repeat Rows 3 and 4.
Next Row – Decrease Row – Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until 3 sts remain, dc3tog flo in remaining sts. [52 (52, 52, 52, 65, 65, 65, 71, 71) total sts] 
Next Row – Turn, sl st flo to end. [52 (52, 52, 52, 65, 65, 65, 71, 71) total sts.
Next Row – Decrease Row – Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until 3 sts remain, dc3tog flo in remaining sts. [50 (50, 50, 50, 63, 63, 63, 69, 69) total sts]
Next Row – Turn, sl st flo to end. [50 (50, 50, 50, 63, 63, 63, 69, 69) total sts]
Next Row – Decrease Row – Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until 3 sts remain, dc3tog flo in remaining sts. [48 (48, 48, 48, 61, 61, 61, 67, 67) total sts]
Next Row – Turn, sl st flo to end. [48 (48, 48, 48, 61, 61, 61, 67, 67) total sts]
Next Row – Decrease Row – Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until 2 sts remain, dc2tog flo in remaining sts. [47 (47, 47, 47, 60, 60, 60, 66, 66) total sts]
Next Row – Turn, sl st flo to end. [47 (47, 47, 47, 60, 60, 60, 66, 66) total sts]
Next Row – Decrease Row – Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until 2 sts remain, dc2tog flo in remaining sts. [46 (46, 46, 46, 59, 59, 59, 65, 65) total sts]
Next Row – Turn, sl st flo to end. [46 (46, 46, 46, 59, 59, 59, 65, 65) total sts]
Next Row – Decrease Row – Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until 2 sts remain, dc2tog flo in remaining sts. [45 (45, 45, 45, 58, 58, 58, 64, 64) total sts]
Next Row – Turn, sl st flo to end, finish off and weave in all ends.
[45 (45, 45, 45, 58, 58, 58, 64, 64) total sts]

Arms Make 2

Follow Instructions for correct size below.
Size Extra Small and Small
Row 1 – Fdc 20 sts.
Row 2 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [20 total sts]
Row 3 – Extension Row – Turn, STsc flo 20, Fdc extension 20 sts. [40 total sts]
Row 4 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [40 total sts]
Row 5 – Extension Row – Turn, STsc flo 40, Fdc extension 20 sts. [60 total sts]
Row 6 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [60 total sts]
Row 7 – Extension Row – Turn, STsc flo 60, Fdc extension 18 sts. [78 total sts]
Row 8 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [78 total sts]
Row 9 –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until to end. [78 total sts]
Row 10 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [78 total sts]
Rows 11 to 28 – Repeat Rows 9 and 10
Row 29 –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo 60. [60 total sts]
Row 30 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [60 total sts]
Row 31 –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo 40. [40 total sts]
Row 32 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [40 total sts]
Row 33 –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo 20. [20 total sts]
Row 34 – Turn, sl st flo to end, do NOT finish off, see instructions at end of “Arm” section below. [20 total sts]

Size Medium and Large
Row 1 – Fdc 20 sts.
Row 2 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [20 total sts]
Row 3 – Extension Row – Turn, STsc flo 20, Fdc extension 20 sts. [40 total sts]
Row 4 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [40 total sts]
Row 5 – Extension Row – Turn, STsc flo 40, Fdc extension 20 sts. [60 total sts]
Row 6 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [60 total sts]
Row 7 – Extension Row – Turn, STsc flo 60, Fdc extension 18 sts. [78 total sts]
Row 8 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [78 total sts]
Row 9 –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until to end. [78 total sts]
Row 10 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [78 total sts]
Rows 11 to 34 – Repeat Rows 9 and 10
Row 35 –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo 60. [60 total sts]
Row 36 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [60 total sts]
Row 37 –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo 40. [40 total sts]
Row 38 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [40 total sts]
Row 39 –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo 20. [20 total sts]
Row 40 – Turn, sl st flo to end, do NOT finish off, see instructions at end of “Arm” section below. [20 total sts]

Extra Large and 2XL
Row 1 – Fdc 20 sts.
Row 2 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [20 total sts]
Row 3 – Extension Row – Turn, STsc flo 20, Fdc extension 20 sts. [40 total sts]
Row 4 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [40 total sts]
Row 5 – Extension Row – Turn, STsc flo 40, Fdc extension 20 sts. [60 total sts]
Row 6 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [60 total sts]
Row 7 – Extension Row – Turn, STsc flo 60, Fdc extension 14 sts. [74 total sts]
Row 8 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [74 total sts]
Row 9 –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until to end. [74 total sts]
Row 10 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [74 total sts]
Rows 11 to 38 – Repeat Rows 9 and 10
Row 39 –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo 60. [60 total sts]
Row 40 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [60 total sts]
Row 41 –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo 40. [40 total sts]
Row 42 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [40 total sts]
Row 43 –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo 20. [20 total sts]
Row 44 – Turn, sl st flo to end, do NOT finish off, see instructions at end of “Arm” section below. [20 total sts]

Size 3XL and 4XL
Row 1 – Fdc 20 sts.
Row 2 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [20 total sts]
Row 3 – Extension Row – Turn, STsc flo 20, Fdc extension 20 sts. [40 total sts]
Row 4 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [40 total sts]
Row 5 – Extension Row – Turn, STsc flo 40, Fdc extension 20 sts. [60 total sts]
Row 6 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [60 total sts]
Row 7 – Extension Row – Turn, STsc flo 60, Fdc extension 9 sts. [69 total sts]
Row 8 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [69 total sts]
Row 9 –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until to end. [69 total sts]
Row 10 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [69 total sts]
Rows 11 to 44 – Repeat Rows 9 and 10
Row 45 –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo 60. [60 total sts]
Row 46 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [60 total sts]
Row 47 –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo 40. [40 total sts]
Row 48 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [40 total sts]
Row 49 –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo 20. [20 total sts]
Row 50 – Turn, sl st flo to end, do NOT finish off, see instructions at end of “Arm” section below. [20 total sts]

Size 5XL
Row 1 – Fdc 20 sts.
Row 2 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [20 total sts]
Row 3 – Extension Row – Turn, STsc flo 20, Fdc extension 20 sts. [40 total sts]
Row 4 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [40 total sts]
Row 5 – Extension Row – Turn, STsc flo 40, Fdc extension 20 sts. [60 total sts]
Row 6 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [60 total sts]
Row 7 – Extension Row – Turn, STsc flo 60, Fdc extension 5 sts. [65 total sts]
Row 8 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [65 total sts]
Row 9 –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo until to end. [65 total sts]
Row 10 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [65 total sts]
Rows 11 to 44 – Repeat Rows 9 and 10
Row 45 –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo 60. [60 total sts]
Row 46 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [60 total sts]
Row 47 –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo 40. [40 total sts]
Row 48 – Turn, sl st flo to end. [40 total sts]
Row 49 –Turn, STsc flo in first st, dc flo 20. [20 total sts]
Row 50 – Turn, sl st flo to end, do NOT finish off, see instructions at end of “Arm” section below. [20 total sts]
Final Row to Fill in Steps – Turn, sl st flo to end of first step, *hdc2tog flo in last worked st in next row below and next unworked st, hdc2tog flo in last worked st and next unworked st, sc flo in next st, sl st flo to end of row, repeat from *2 more times.

Reattach your yarn on the other side of your sleeve at the widest point and repeat to fill in steps.

Assembly

  1. Take your Body Panel and fold your Front Panel Sections over the Back Panel Section to align the Straight Row Ends that will form the shoulder. Have Right Sides facing.
  2. Use your yarn needle and a mattress stitch to seam together the drop shoulder seams using the row ends. 
  3. Take each arm and fold in half so that the first and last rows are facing (the filled in steps) and use a mattress stitch to seam the arms into a tube. Have Right Sides facing.
  4. Align the Seam of each arm to the Short Row on the Body to create the Arm Pit. Seam your Arms to the Body of your Cardigan using the Row Ends and Stitches, again with a mattress stitch and be sure to have Right Sides facing.
  5. Once all pieces are assembled, finish off, weave in all ends and move onto trimming. 

Trimming

On Cuffs:

Reattach your yarn and make one round of hdc, slip stitch to join.
*Turn, ch 2, alternate FP/BPdc, sl st to first stitch, repeat from * 2 more times making sure to place FPdc  sts in BPdc sts and BPdc sts in FPdc sts to create your ribbing. Finish off, repeat on second cuff, weave in ends. 

On Waist:
Reattach your yarn and make one row of hdc.
*Turn, ch 2, alternate FP/BPdc to end, repeat from * 2 more times making sure to place FPdc  sts in BPdc sts and BPdc sts in FPdc sts to create your ribbing. Finish off, weave in ends.

Collar and Buttons (optional):

  1. Reattach your yarn at one end of the Waist Trim and Sl St in row ends evenly to where the Cardigan Body Front Panel begins, then Sl St flo in each stitch to end. 
  2. Sl St around neck opening evenly using the row ends.
  3. When you reach the other side of the Front Body Panel Sl St in flo down to the waist trimming and Sl St in row ends evenly.
  4. Turn, sl st flo until you reach the neck opening.
  5. *Turn, sl st in flo, repeat from * 6 more times to create a placket, this is the area where you will sew on buttons if you choose to add them. Depending on the buttons you choose you may have to make this area thicker.
  6. Reattach your yarn on the other front panel of the cardigan to create your second placket.
  7. Sl St flo as you did on the other side, for a total of 8 rows.
  8. If you would like to add buttons sew them to the other Placket and then mark where you will need to skip stitches with chains to create the button holes. 

If you loved this button-up cardigan check out more of my easy crochet cardigan patterns!

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