Free Lightweight Crochet Cardigan Pattern

Have you been looking for a free lightweight short sleeve crochet cardigan pattern to make for your handmade wardrobe? Well then this modern summer crochet pattern is for you! I originally made Olivia DK, a fun, short sleeve crochet cardigan pattern and loved it so much that I had to create Olivia Light!!!!! You’re going to love this Summer Crochet Cardigan Pattern!

If you have seen my Beverly Cardigan, another modern crochet pattern, then you might recognize Olivia! Olivia is Beverly’s little sister! Cropped and short sleeves, this free crochet cardigan pattern is perfect for any season, but especially when it is warmer out! I loved working on this project and coming up with just the right proportions and length for this summer crochet cardigan! Shorter in the front and longer in the back, this short sleeve cardigan is sure to add some flare to any wardrobe! Plus, you can make Olivia in DK or Lightweight Yarn! Below you will find the free lightweight crochet cardigan pattern, or you can check out Olivia DK!

I am also happy to say that this is my first free modern crochet pattern to be offered from XS-5X! I am working to bring all of my patterns to you in more sizes! I hope you enjoy making this summer crochet project as much as I did designing it!

This pattern and its photographs are property of Life and Yarn. This pattern and the design are subject to copyright and are for personal use only with the exception of items made from it. You may sell your finished items, but please give credit to the designer and creator, Brianna Iaropoli of Life and Yarn.

Pattern contents are NOT to be re-shared, DIRECT LINKS ONLY to this post for the pattern.

About the Yarn

I want to tell you more about Lion Brand’s Merino Silk Cotton Yarn Blend! It is a lightweight, category 1 yarn which is considered superfine, but I promise it works up really fast! I use a larger hook in this pattern to a create light, open and airy fun summer crochet Cardigan pattern!

Merino Silk Cotton has a beautiful tweed like look to it, or almost like a tonal yarn. All eight colors are stunning with a wonderful vintage vibe. This yarn being made from 50% wool, 25% cotton and 25% silk make it so luxurious you’re going to want to use it again and again. The stitch definition with this yarn is wonderful no matter pattern, the stitch or hook size. Try Merino Silk Cotton, I promise you will love it!

Materials

7.00 mm Crochet Hook
Yarn Needle
Scissors
5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9, 11) Skeins of LB Merino Silk Cotton
#1 Super Fine – 50% Merino, 25% Cotton, 25% Silk
800 (860, 1040, 1100, 1200, 1400, 1550, 1715, 1995) yds
*Or grab the Lion Brand Kit!

Gauge

Don’t forget how important your gauge is! No one likes spending a ton of time making a gorgeous piece like this short sleeve cardigan just to have it not fit properly! For this modern crochet pattern the gauge is 12 sts x 11 rows is 4”x4” in hdc.

Stitches, Descriptions and Abbreviations

• Chain Stitch – ch / Slip Stitch – sl st / Half Double Crochet – hdc
• Foundation Half Double Crochet – Fhdc – Chain 3, yarn over, insert hook into 3rd chain from hook, yarn over and pull up loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 1 loop on hook (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all loops, (1 foundation double crochet with chain at bottom) *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 loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through 1 loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through all loops.
• Bobble Stitch – bo – Yarn over, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops (2 loops on hook) yarn over, insert hook in same stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops (3 loops on hook) yarn over, insert hook in same stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops (4 loops on hook) yarn over, insert hook in same stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops (5 loops on hook)Yarn over, and draw through all loops on hook. Continue to next stitch.
• hdc2tog – Work to HDC Stitches together to for one stitch for a decrease.

Sizing & Notes

• XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X) – Use corresponding number for your size to may your short sleeve cardigan.
• * Designates a repeat.
• Chain 2 does NOT count as a stitch in this pattern.
• When worn the weight of the fabric created adds extra length in the light version.
• Skill Level : Intermediate

Let’s Get Social!

Come follow me on Instagram, Like my Facebook Page and Join my Facebook group! As Always you can grab a Printable PDF for just $3 on Etsy and Ravelry! Make sure to head over to Ravelry and add this pattern to your favorites and make a project!All likes, shares, follows and purchases are greatly appreciated by this Maker Mama and really do help to grow my craft business! If you are looking for more Free Crochet Patterns be sure to check out my Free Patterns Section!

Modern Crochet Pattern – Panel A

Row 1
Fhdc 130 (130, 140, 140, 150, 160, 160, 170, 180) ch 2, turn.
Row 2
Hdc2tog, hdc 127 (127, 137, 137, 147, 157, 157, 167, 177) sts, 2 hdc in last stitch, ch 2, turn.
130 (130, 140, 140, 150, 160, 160, 170, 180) total sts
Row 3
2 hdc in first stitch, hdc 2 sts, 1 bo, hdc 4 sts, 1 bo, hdc 4 sts, 1 bo, hdc 100 (100, 110, 110, 120, 130, 130, 140, 150) sts, 1 bo, hdc 4 sts, 1 bo, hdc 4 sts, 1 bo, hdc 3 sts, hdc2tog, ch 2, turn.
Row 4
Hdc2tog, hdc 127 (127, 137, 137, 147, 157, 157, 167, 177) sts, 2 hdc in last stitch, ch 2, turn.
Row 5
2 hdc in first stitch, hdc 127 (127, 137, 137, 147, 157, 157, 167, 177) sts, hdc2tog, ch 2, turn.
Row 6
Hdc2tog, hdc 127 (127, 137, 137, 147, 157, 157, 167, 177) sts, 2 hdc in last stitch, ch 2, turn.
Rows 7 – 20 (21, 24, 25, 25, 28, 30, 32, 34)
Repeat Rows 3-6 finish off.

Modern Crochet Pattern – Panel B

Row 1
Fhdc 130 (130, 140, 140, 150, 160, 160, 170, 180) ch 2, turn.
Row 2
2 hdc in first stitch, hdc 127 (127, 137, 137, 147, 157, 157, 167, 177) sts, hdc2tog, ch 2, turn.
130 (130, 140, 140, 150, 160) total sts
Row 3
Hdc2tog, hdc 3 sts, 1 bo, hdc 4 sts, 1 bo, hdc 4 sts, 1 bo, hdc 100 (100, 110, 110, 120, 130, 130, 140, 150) sts, 1 bo, hdc 4 sts, 1 bo, hdc 4 sts, 1 bo, hdc 2 sts, 2 hdc in last stitch, ch 2, turn.
Row 4
2 hdc in first stitch, hdc 127 (127, 137, 137, 147, 157, 157, 167, 177) sts, hdc2tog, ch 2, turn.
Row 5
Hdc2tog, hdc 127 (127, 137, 137, 147, 157, 157, 167, 177) sts, 2 hdc in last stitch, ch 2, turn.
Row 6
2 hdc in first stitch, hdc 127 (127, 137, 137, 147, 157, 157, 167, 177) sts, hdc2tog, ch 2, turn.
Rows 7 – 20 (21, 24, 25, 25, 28, 30, 32, 34)
Repeat Rows 3-6 finish off.

Assembly for a Summer Crochet Cardigan

1. Lay Panel A and Panel B like the first the diagram below.
2. Using a mattress stitch, start at Point C and work up 80 (80, 85, 85, 90, 95, 95, 100, 105) stitches to Point D. Finish off.
3. Fold your cardigan in half from the open ends and align the sides to create a smooth angle along the bottom edge like the second diagram below.
4. Starting at Point E, work up to Point F using a mattress stitch for 43 (43, 46, 44, 48, 50, 50, 52, 57) stitches.
5. Finish off OR ch 2 to begin your sleeves.

Arms for this Short Sleeve Cardigan

*Reference previous diagrams and either reattach your yarn with a sl st to Point F and ch 2, or continue from your ch-2 when you were seaming up the side.

Round 1
Hdc 44 (44, 48, 52, 54, 60, 60, 66, 66) sts, sl st to 1^st st.
Round 2
Ch 2, turn, hdc around, sl st to 1^st st.
Round 3
Ch 2, turn, *FPhdc in next st, BPhdc in next st. Repeat from * sl st to 1^st st.
Rounds 4 – 7
Repeat Round 3, finish off.

Bottom Trimming

1. Starting at Point G, hdc evenly down the bottom edge to Point C.
2. Place 3 hdc in Point C, and then continue to hdc up to Point H.
   Ch 2, turn, hdc2tog, FP/BPhdc back down to Point C, place 3 hdc in second hdc of the 3-hdc of the previous row.
3. Continue your FP/BPhdc up the other side back to Point G, hdc2tog in last two sts.
4. DO NOT FINISH OFF, you will now be creating the collar.

Collar

1. Ch 2 and turn your work, hdc2tog, and work hdc stitches evenly up the front opening to Point D.
2. Place 1 hdc in Point D and continue to evenly to Point H, hdc2tog at point H.
3. *Ch 2, turn, hdc2tog, hdc BLO back to Point G, hdc2tog in last two sts, ch 2, turn, hdc2tog, hdc FLO back to Point H, hdc2tog in last two sts. Repeat from * for 6 more rows.
4. Finish off and weave in your ends!

I hope you loved making this fun summer crochet cardigan pattern as much as I loved designing it! I am sure this short sleeve cardigan will be come a favorite piece to wear this summer! For more modern crochet patterns be sure to check out my free patterns section and sign up for the Life and Yarn Newsletter so you don’t miss any new free patterns! Don’t forget to check out my other Summer Crochet Cardigan, Olivia DK!