Free Striped Crochet Cardigan Pattern for Everyday Wear

If you have been looking for a Perfect Striped Crochet Cardigan Pattern with a Coastal Granny Style then make this crochet garment! This button up crochet sweater features a simple v-neck and a semi-fitted silhouette.

If you are a beginner crocheter looking to make your first piece of crochet clothing then this free pattern is for you. Use the easy to navigate Table of Contents (under first photo) to read tons of helpful information about customizing your fit, picking your size and so many more tips and tricks!

Get started on this simple half double crochet cardigan using dk weight yarn today, happy crocheting!

Best Bang for your Buck, get a Kit From Lion Brand includes printable PDF and Yarn! Or get an ad-free PDF Version on Etsy or Ravelry to print and make this open stitch crochet collar cardigan pattern!

drop shoulder striped crochet cardigan pattern

About this Cozy Striped Crochet Cardigan Pattern

I have designated this as an Intermediate Skill Level Free Crochet Pattern for a Cardigan since it is a wearable, has color changes and has minimal neck shaping.

However, a determined beginner can definitely make this free crochet cardigan pattern if they take their time to read all of the helpful information provided!

This slightly oversized cardigan is written in US Crochet Terms and uses basic stitches, mostly half double crochet, some single crochet and some slip stitches.
This project would be a perfect stash buster as you don’t need a lot of yardage per color.
The body of this cardigan is worked in one piece meaning there is not a side seam!
The Back panel portion os shorter thank the front panels to drop the neckline on this cardigan crochet pattern. That means the shoulder seam will sit to the back and not on top of your shoulders.
The sleeves are worked flat so there is a sleeve seam but there are no increases or decreases.

I have not made a video tutorial for this one but may make a support video if needed!

Choosing the Perfect Colors for this Easy Striped Crochet Cardigan

You want to choose colors that work well together and contrast but don’t clash, unless that is your style.

I like to use the grayscale trick! If you take a photo of the colors you want to use together and edit it to a grayscale you can easily see how similar or different your colors are. This is called a light-to-dark value and makes changing or adding a different color easy!

For this pattern I chose 4 total colors, 3 colors that had a small contrast and combined with 1 high contrast color! If you aren’t sure of your color combo and want help swapping out a color this is a great way to decide. Here’s an example of my cardigan in color and black and white.

Choosing perfect colors for a crochet cardigan

If you think your stripe pattern is too busy, swap one color for a neutral if you don’t have one already. The neutral will act as a visual break and make the bold colors pop more. This works well if you are using more than three colors.

Yarn Substitutes for the Crochet Project

I absolutely LOVED using Cottino, a DK weight Cotton/Wool Blend for this striped cardigan sweater! It’s a perfect year round fiber mix that is soft and holds its’ shape beautifully. BUT if you’d like some other options, here are some yarn suggestions!

Coboo would be a great swap if you want something a bit more warm weather suited. Plus there are a TON of color options.
Mandala would be a wonderful option if you would like to avoid weaving in ends and have the striped crochet pattern done for you in a colorful yarn.
As always check the care instructions on your yarn label.

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Copyright 2026, Life and Yarn, Brianna Iaropoli. Pattern contents are NOT to be re-shared, DIRECT LINKS ONLY to this post for the pattern.

Free Striped Crochet Cardigan Pattern for Everyday Wear

Materials

Size 5.00mm crochet hook
Lion Brand Cottino (Sample, amounts are number of skeins)
2 (2, 3) (3, 3) Dove [614-149BA] – Color MC
1 (2, 2) (2, 2) Wisteria [614-144T] – Color A
1 (2, 2) (2, 2) Powder [614-105BM] – Color B
1 (2, 2) (2, 2) Mineral [614-176L] – Color C
Tapestry Needle
450 (590, 700) (800, 875) yards – Color MC – Trim Color
290 (375, 455) (515, 590) yards – Color A, B and C for EACH
Buttons (optional)
Stitch Markers (optional)

Gauge Swatch Details

Make a Fdc of 20 and complete 15 rows (larger than measured).
Unblocked and Blocked Gauge Swatch : 15 sts by 12 rows in hdc is 4 by 4 inches.
Wether you are working with the recommended yarn, a yarn of similar fiber content or something different, gauge for this pattern along side your preferred blocking method is EXTREMELY important to make sure your cardigan is the right size, fits properly and you have enough yardage.
Lion Brand’s Cottino holds its’ measurements well, so be sure to check gauge with a different than suggested yarn as it may grow significantly when blocked.
You will need to create a swatch larger than the given gauge to measure your gauge:
Make a Fdc of 20 and complete 15 rows.
My UNBLOCKED and BLOCKED gauge is 15 sts by 12 rows in hdc is 4 by 4 inches using a 5.00 mm hook. Some yarns Blocked Gauge will change so be sure to block your swatch.
For this pattern I only did a light steam blocking to relax the fabric, open the stitches and straighten my edges.
If using a different yarn, like a 100% wool yarn, 100% cotton yarn or acrylic yarn for example, you may need to change your hook and/or blocking method to reach the same Blocked/Finished Gauge.
I do not suggest using thicker yarns for this pattern as I don’t think you will hit gauge without the stitches being too dense and therefore creating a stiff cardigan.

Sizing

XS/S (M/L, XL/2XL) (3/4XL, 5XL)
Depending on what size you choose you will have 0 to 6 inches of positive ease.

Tips

How to Adjust the Length of the Body: The length of your body is dictated by the number of rows in this pattern. To add length you will add/subtract rows to the Body Panel before the split.
How to Adjust the Width of the Body: The width of your body is dictated by the number of stitches in this pattern. To add/subtract width you will add/subtract stitches, this will affect the number of stitches in the Body Split, adjust accordingly.
How to Adjust the Neck Opening: To adjust the Neck Opening you will need to do more or less decrease rows OR decrease on both rows not just every other row in the decrease section.
How to Adjust the Sleeves: The sleeve circumference is dictated by the number of stitches, add or subtract stitches, beside to so the same for each sleeve. If you would like to change the sleeve length you will need to add or subtract rows OR skip or work more rounds in the “Cuff” section.
How to Adjust the Arm Holes: The Arm Holes are dictated by the number of rows left open after the split. You will need to leave more open to create a larger opening and less for a smaller opening. This will affect the stitch count for the sleeves.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Any changes to sizing will affect your yardage, buy an extra skein if you plan to adjust sizing to avoid running out of yarn or lot color variations.

Stitch Descriptions and Abbreviations

Chain Stitch – ch
Stitch(es) – st(s)
Skip – sk
Slip Stitch – sl st
Half Double Crochet – hdc
Half Double Crochet 2 Together – hdc2tog – Work two stitches together for a decrease.
Back Loop Only – blo
Stacked Single Crochet as hdc – STsc/hdc – insert your hook into the designated stitch, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through both loops, insert your hook into the second vertical bar on the stitch you just created, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull though all loops.
Stacked Single Crochet as hdc2tog – STsc/hdc2og – insert your hook into the designated stitch, YO, pull up a loop, insert your hook into the next st, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull through all loops, insert your hook into the second and third vertical bar on the stitch you just created, YO, pull up a loop, YO, pull though all loops.
Foundation Half Double Crochet – Fhdc – Chain 3, yarn over, insert hook into 3rd 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 all loops, (1 foundation half 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, pull through all loops, repeat from * to desired st count.

Pattern Notes

EASE: This pattern is designed to be slightly oversized and fit a range of sizes in each size grouping. Choose the size that will give you the best fit and read more about customizing the fit in “Tips for Sizing” below.
Measurements in Size Chart are Finished Garment Measurements, Bust is full circumference.
* 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.
Pattern is worked in a Multiple of 1 when using a Foundation Half Double Crochet Stitch.

Striped Crochet Cardigan Pattern

Color Change Instructions

Note: You will alternate working 5 rows of each color. The repeat for the sample begins with Color A NOT the Main Color (MC) that is used for Trim. Sample is in Color A, B, C then MC order.
Note: Each Size will not have full repeats in the Body Panel(s) and Sleeves.
Note: The Side Splits may be in a color or color change.

Main Body Panel

Row 1 – Fhdc 135 (157, 180) (210, 232) stitches.
Row 2 – Turn, STsc/hdc, hdc in every stitch across. [135 (157, 180) (210, 232) total stitches]
Rows 3 to 38 (35, 35) (31, 27) – Repeat Row 2, then move onto “Splits for Back and Front Panels” below.

Splits for Back and Front Panels + Neck Decreases

Short Rows for First Front Panel

Note: Rows 1 to 3 (7, 7) (13, 15) have no Decrease. Decreases to create Neck Opening begin on Row A by being worked at the END of the Row.

Rows 1 to 3 (7, 7) (13, 15) – Turn, STsc/hdc, hdc 32 (38, 44) (51, 57) sts. [33 (39, 45) (52, 58) total sts]
Row A – Turn, STsc/hdc, hdc until 2 sts remain, hdc2tog. [32 (38, 44) (51, 57) total stitches]
Row B – Turn, STsc/hdc, hdc in every stitch across. [32 (38, 44) (51, 57) total stitches]
Next 12 Rows – Repeat Rows A and B with every other row (Row A Repeat) decreasing by 1 to a final stitch count of [26 (32, 38) (45, 51) total stitches and a Row Count of 17 (21, 21) (27, 29)]

Note: No more decreases are used to form shoulder extension in Next 5 Rows.

Next 5 Rows – Turn, STsc/hdc, hdc in every stitch across. [26 (32, 38) (45, 51) total stitches]

Short Rows for Back Panel

Next: Reattach your yarn in next unworked stitch of Row 38 of the Main Body Panel and begin working in the same direction as Row 1 of the First Front Panel you just completed. Omit the “Turn” for your first row.
Note: The Back Panel is shorter than the Front Panels to drop the Neck for a more comfortable fit.

Rows 1 to 17 (20, 20) (26, 28) – Turn, STsc/hdc, hdc 68 (78, 89) (105, 115) sts.
[69 (79, 90) (106, 116) total stitches]

Short Rows for Second Front Panel

Next: Reattach your yarn in next unworked stitch of Row 38 of the Main Body Panel and begin working in the same direction as Row 1 of the First Front Panel you just completed. Omit the “Turn” for your first row. Note: Rows 1 to 3 (7, 7) (13, 15) have no Decrease. Decreases to create Neck Opening begin on Row A and are worked at the BEGINNING of the Row.

Rows 1 to 3 (7, 7) (13, 15) – Turn, STsc/hdc, hdc 32 (38, 44) (51, 57) sts.
[33 (39, 45) (52, 58) total stitches]
Row A – Turn, STsc/hdc2tog, hdc in remains sts. [32 (38, 44) (51, 57) total stitches]
Row B – Turn, STsc/hdc, hdc in every stitch across. [32 (38, 44) (51, 57) total stitches]
Next 12 Rows – Repeat Rows A and B with every other row (Row A Repeat) decreasing by 1 to a final stitch count of [26 (32, 38) (45, 51) total stitches and a Row Count of 17 (21, 21) (27, 29)]

Note: No more decreases are used to form shoulder extension.
Next 5 Rows – Turn, STsc/hdc, hdc in every stitch across. [26 (32, 38) (45, 51) total stitches]

Sleeves – Make 2 – Starting with Color A to B to C to MC

Row 1 – Fhdc 50 (57, 64) (72, 75) stitches.

Row 2 – Turn, STsc/hdc, hdc in every stitch across. [50 (57, 64) (72, 75) total stitches]
Rows 3 to 54 (54, 54) (48, 42) – Repeat Row 2 then finish off and move onto “Assembly”.

Assembly

Steam block all panels to make sure you have the full length and width of all panels so that the seams do not create any pinching.
Once steamed and dry, seam your Front Panels to your Back Panels to create the shoulder seam working from the shoulders into the neck to keep your stitches properly aligned.
Seam your Arm Panels closed using the row ends.
Seam your arms to the body keeping the arm seam aligned with the armpit on the cardigan.

Body Trim using MC

Next: Now that you have the bulk of your Cardigan assembled you will place one round of single crochet around the entire body of the cardigan with the Right Side facing you as follows:
Next: Begin in a Fhdc of the Body Panel and single crochet in every stitch around, then place 3 sc in the last stitch to turn and work up the side of the cardigan where the buttons and neck trim will be using the row ends.
Next: Work across the back of the neck in the final row of half double crochets, then work back down in the row ends on the opposite side of the cardigan, place 3 sc in the final stitch and sl st to join to your first single crochet made for the trim, finish off.

Back Neck Trim using MC

Note: Here we are creating a filler section of ribbing across the back of the neck that you will work to when creating the ribbing on the front of the cardigan.
Next: From the inside corner of the back of the neck, count back 5 sts, insert your hook, pull up a loop, sl st 4 to work down the side of the neck, sl st into the next stitch where the neck opening turns. This will be 5 sts over 6 sts, the 1st stitch used to pull up a loop is not worked again, it is just a place holder to attach your yarn.
Next: Move into Steps 1 to 3 below.

ADD PHOTO

Turn, sk 1 sl st, sl st 4 blo.
Ch 1, turn, sl st 4 blo, sl st into next st.
Repeat Step 1 and 2 to the end, then seam your last row to the single crochet body trim to complete the Back Neck Trim.

Waist Trim using MC

Next: Reattaching your yarn at the bottom of your cardigan in the Single Crochet Body Trim to create the Ribbing as Waist Trim.

Chain 5, turn so that the wrong side of the cardigan is facing you, sl st in the second chain from the hook and each next chain back to the cardigan. [5 total sl sts]
Sl st in the next st of the cardigan, turn, skip first sl st, sl st blo next 4 sts.
Turn, ch 1, sl st blo in next 4 sl sts.
Sl st in the next st of the cardigan, turn, skip first sl st, sl st blo next 4 sts.
Repeat Steps 3 and 4. You should be at the edge of the trim, not the cardigan side when you finish before rotating to begin the Collar Trim in the next section.

Collar Trim – 1st side using MC

Chain 5, turn so that the wrong side of the cardigan is facing you, sl st in the second chain from the hook and each next chain back to the cardigan/waist trim. [4 total sl sts]
Sl st in the next st of the cardigan/waist trim, turn, skip first sl st, sl st blo next 4 sts.
Turn, ch 1, sl st blo in next 4 sl sts.
Sl st in the next st of the cardigan/waist trim, turn, skip first sl st, sl st blo next 4 sts.
Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until you reach the Back Neck Trim and seam together.

Collar Trim – 2nd Side – Optional Buttons using MC

Next: If you would like to add buttons this is where you will make the button holes. First choose your buttons and sew them evenly on the Collar Trim – 1st Side. While working this side of your Collar Trim you will need to remember when to place a button hole.

Working in the Row Ends of the “Back Neck Trim” place 4 sl sts with the wrong side of the cardigan facing you, sl st into the next row end of the Front Panel. [5 total sl sts]
Turn, skip first sl st, sl st blo next 4 sts. [4 total sl sts]
Turn, ch 1, sl st blo in next 4 sl sts. [4 total sl sts]
Sl st in the next st of the cardigan, turn, skip first sl st, sl st blo next 4 sts.
Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until you reach the bottom of the Waist Trim.

FOR BUTTON HOLES: When you reach the location of a button you will need to skip stitches to create an opening. For EXAMPLE, I needed to skip 2 sts and create a 2-ch opening for my buttons to fit. So where I needed an opening I did “ch 1, sl st 2, (ch 2, sk 2), sl st 1” for Step 3, then for Step 4 “Sl st in the next st of the cardigan, turn, sk first sl st, sl st 5 blo” using the chains as well.

Sleeve Cuffs using MC of color of choice.

Next: Reattach your yarn in a stitch in the end of the sleeve and work all rounds with Right Side facing.
Note: No slip stitch to join until last round, use a stitch marker to mark your first/last stitch.

Round 1 – Hdc in every stitch around. [50 (57, 64) (72, 75) total stitches]
Round 2 – *Hdc 8, sc2tog, repeat from * to end. [45 (52, 58) (65, 68) total stitches]
Round 3 – Hdc in every stitch around. [45 (52, 58, 65, 68) total stitches]
Round 4 – *Sc 8, sc2tog, repeat from * to end. [41 (47, 53) (59, 62) total stitches]
Round 5 – Hdc in every stitch around. [41 (47, 53) (59, 62) total stitches]
Round 6 – *Sc 8, sc2tog, repeat from * to end. [37 (43, 48) (54, 56) total stitches]
Round 7 – Sc in every stitch around. [37 (43, 48) (54, 56) total stitches]
Note: For Sizes XS/S move onto “Sleeve Trim” instructions below.
Round 8 – *Sc 8, sc2tog, repeat from * to end. [x (39, 44) (49, 51) total stitches]
Round 9 – Sc in every stitch around. [x (39, 44) (49, 51) total stitches]
Note: For Size M/L move onto “Sleeve Trim” instructions below.
Round 10 – *Sc 8, sc2tog, repeat from * to end. [x (x, 40) (45, 46) total stitches]
Round 11 – Sc in every stitch around. [x (x, 40) (45, 46) total stitches]
Round 12 – *Sc 8, sc2tog, repeat from * to end. [x (x, 36) (41, 42) total stitches]
Round 13 – Sc in every stitch around. [x (x, 36) (41, 42) total stitches]

Note: For remaining sizes move onto “Sleeve Trim” instructions below.

Sleeve Trim using MC

Next: Sl St to join to your next stitch.

Chain 7, turn so that the wrong side of the cuff is facing you, sl st in the second chain from the hook and each next chain back to the cuff. [6 total sl sts]
Sl st in the next st of the cuff, turn, skip first sl st, sl st blo next 6 sts.
Turn, ch 1, sl st blo in next 6 sl sts.
Sl st in the next st of the cuff, turn, skip first sl st, sl st blo next 6 sts.
Repeat Steps 3 and 4 to the end and seam together.

Loved this pattern? Check out more of my free cardigan and sweater patterns!