Simple Crochet Raglan Cardigan

How to Crochet a Raglan!

I have wanted to design a simple crochet raglan cardigan for a long time! But I was really unsure of how to even start to crochet a basic raglan! So if you have been wanting to make a simple crochet cardigan in a raglan style then this seamless crochet garment is for you! After lots of math and frogging I figured it out and have created this pattern as simply as I could!

Design Story and Inspiration for this Basic Crochet Raglan!

Do you remember the crochet raglan obsession a few seasons ago? It seemed like all of a sudden everyone was jumping on design wagon to make a basic crochet raglan. I’ll admit, I was tempted and I really wanted to design one, but at the time I did not feel like my skills where enough to do it. Plus, everyone was doing it and I figured I would just get lost in a sea of raglans!

Now, a raglan isn’t anything new and different, but it does take a bit more thinking than just some basic rectangles to create this seamless crochet garment. I love my basic rectangles but I have been yearning for a more custom fit and a simple crochet raglan cardigan goes that extra mile that is seamless. Raglans are wonderful because the create a seamless crochet garment! If you would like a simple rectangle cardigan with pockets check out Holly!

Starting from the top down to create the yoke and then splitting for the arms (I’ll explain that more later) to go into the body the result is a wonderfully fitting, seamless crochet garment! I knew when I finally got my hands on Lion Brand Truboo that it was time for me to design this seamless crochet garment! Read more about the yarn below!

About the Yarn

Let me start by saying that I haven’t found a yarn from Lion Brand that I haven’t loved, BUT Truboo? Truboo goes above and beyond what a yarn should be! I think most of us think of Bamboo Yarns as a summer only yarn, but let me just say that I would use and wear this yarn year around! Truboo is a category 3 light yarn made of 100% Bamboo that comes in 21 amazing colors! You get 241 yards per each skein to make beautiful pieces for your handmade wardrobe!

Truboo works up beautifully for tight stitches or open and lacy crochet projects! It is machine washable, but just lay it flat to dry! Personally, I will probably throw mine in the dryer on a delicate setting…I’m a rebel like that!

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Pattern Details

This pattern is designed in a raglan style so that it is seamless crochet garment! This simple, basic crochet raglan cardigan is easy and beginner friendly if you have wondered how to crochet a raglan! The Coral Raglan Cardigan is designed using a 1 inch positive ease to have a classic fit! Coming in SEVEN Sizes from XS – 3XL you have lots of options for how you would like to make yours! You can use the size chart below to pick your best fit or customize your new garment for your handmade wardrobe!

I designed this Simple Crochet Raglan Cardigan to have a comfortable fit with short sleeves and for the hem to hit right at the hips. It’s just long enough to be modest but not so long that you can’t wear it with a longer top to really play with layers! This is a great short sleeved crochet cardigan for any time of the year but especially the warmer months! I know I will be wearing my simple crochet cardigan all summer long!

Materials

Size 5.00 mm crochet hook ( Love furls!)      
Scissors                                           
#3 DK Wt Yarn
3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6) skeins LB Truboo
723 (964, 964, 1205, 1205, 1446, 1446) yards

Gauge

Please be mindful of your gauge which is 16 sts x 20 rows in sc, is 4” x 4”. No one likes to spend their time creating a beautiful new item for their handmade crochet wardrobe and then have it not fit properly! Also, make note that you are working the round for this seamless crochet garment. My gauge is always different when working in the round versus rows!

Stitch Descriptions and Abbreviations

• Chain Stitch – ch / Slip Stitch – Sl St / Single Crochet – sc / Double Crochet – dc
• Foundation Single Crochet – Fsc – Chain 2, insert hook into 2nd chain from hook, yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook) yarn over, draw through 1 loop, (2 loops on hook with 1 ch created), yarn over, draw through all loops (1 loop on hook, 1 foundation single crochet with chain at the bottom) *Insert hook to the bottom of the stitch you just made, it will look like the top or “V” of a stitch, yarn over, pull up 1 loop (2 loops on hook), yarn over, draw through 1 loop (2 loops on hook with 1 ch created), yarn over, draw through all loops;* repeat from * to * for desired amount of stitches.
• Front Post dc – 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 dc – BPdc – work a dc as you normally would but insert your hook from back to front to back around post of indicated st

Pattern Notes

• XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X) – Use corresponding number for your size.
• * Designates a repeat.  
• Fit – Classic – 1” positive ease
• Ch 1, ch 3 and ch 2 corners do not count as a stitches.
• Skill Level: Intermediate

Simple Crochet Raglan Cardigan Pattern Begins

Row 1
Fsc 56 stitches, ch 1, turn.
Row 2
Sc in every st across, ch 1, turn.
Row 3
Sc 7, ch 2, sc 10, ch 2, sc 22, ch 2, sc 10, ch 2, sc 7, ch 1, turn. [56 sts]
Row 4
2sc in first st, *sc in each st to ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, rep from * around, sc in each st to end, 2sc in last st, ch 1, turn. [66 sts]
Row 5
*Sc in each st to ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, rep from * around, sc in each st to end, ch 1, turn. [74 sts]
Rows 6 – 9
Repeat Rows 4 & 5
Row 10
Repeat Row 4
[Row 10 – 120 sts ]
NOTE : Each Size is broke down for clarity below the photo. Find the heading marked for your size and then continue to the Body Section when finished.

EXTRA SMALL

Rows 11 – 22
*Sc in each st to ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, rep from * around, sc in each st to end, ch 1, turn.
[Row 11 – 128 sts / Row 22 – 216 sts]
Row 23 – split for sleeves
Sc in each st to ch-2 sp, 1 sc in ch-2, skip side to create arm opening, 1sc in next ch-2 sp, sc across X sts, 1 sc in ch-2 sp,  skip side to create second arm opening, 1 sc in ch-2 sp, sc tp end, ch 1, turn. [124 sts]

SMALL

Rows 11 – 26
*Sc in each st to ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, rep from * around, sc in each st to end, ch 1, turn.
[Row 11 – 128 sts / Row 31 – 248 sts]
Row 27 – split for sleeves
Sc in each st to ch-2 sp, 1 sc in ch-2, skip side to create arm opening, 1sc in next ch-2 sp, sc across X sts, 1 sc in ch-2 sp,  skip side to create second arm opening, 1 sc in ch-2 sp, sc to end, ch 1, turn. [140sts]

MEDIUM

 Rows 11 – 28
*Sc in each st to ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, rep from * around, sc in each st to end, ch 1, turn.
[Row 11 – 128 sts / Row 33 – 304 sts]
Row 29 – split for sleeves
Sc in each st to ch-2 sp, 1 sc in ch-2, skip side to create arm opening, 1sc in next ch-2 sp, sc across X sts, 1 sc in ch-2 sp,  skip side to create second arm opening, 1 sc in ch-2 sp, sc to end, ch 1, turn. [148 sts]

LARGE

Rows 11 – 32
*Sc in each st to ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, rep from * around, sc in each st to end, ch 1, turn.
[Row 11 – 128 sts / Row 33 – 296 sts]
Row 33 – split for sleeves
Sc in each st to ch-2 sp, 1 sc in ch-2, skip side to create arm opening, 1sc in next ch-2 sp, sc across X sts, 1 sc in ch-2 sp,  skip side to create second arm opening, 1 sc in ch-2 sp, sc to end, ch 1, turn. [164 sts]

EXTRA LARGE

Rows 11 – 36
*Sc in each st to ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, rep from * around, sc in each st to end, ch 1, turn.
[Row 11 – 128 sts / Row 36 – 328 sts]
Row 37 – split for sleeves
Sc in each st to ch-2 sp, 1 sc in ch-2, skip side to create arm opening, 1sc in next ch-2 sp, sc across X sts, 1 sc in ch-2 sp,  skip side to create second arm opening, 1 sc in ch-2 sp, sc to end, ch 1, turn. [180 sts]

2 XL

Rows 11 – 40
*Sc in each st to ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, rep from * around, sc in each st to end, ch 1, turn.
[Row 11 – 128 sts / Row 40 – 360 sts]
Row 41 – split for sleeves
Sc in each st to ch-2 sp, 1 sc in ch-2, skip side to create arm opening, 1sc in next ch-2 sp, sc across X sts, 1 sc in ch-2 sp,  skip side to create second arm opening, 1 sc in ch-2 sp, sc to end, ch 1, turn. [196 sts]

3 XL

Rows 11 – 44
*Sc in each st to ch-2 sp, (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp, rep from * around, sc in each st to end, ch 1, turn.
[Row 11 – 128 sts / Row 44 – 392 sts]
Row 45 – split for sleeves
Sc in each st to ch-2 sp, 1 sc in ch-2, skip side to create arm opening, 1sc in next ch-2 sp, sc across X sts, 1 sc in ch-2 sp,  skip side to create second arm opening, 1 sc in ch-2 sp, sc to end, ch 1, turn. [212 sts]

Body

Rows 24 (38, 30, 34, 38, 42, 46) – 74 (76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86)
Sc in every st across, ch 2, turn. [124 (140, 148, 164, 180, 196, 212) sts]
Row 77 (80, 81, 85, 87, 90, 92)
Dc in every st across, ch 2, turn. [124 (140, 148, 164, 180, 196, 212) sts]
Row 78 (81, 82, 86, 88, 91, 93) – 80 (83, 85, 88, 90, 93, 95) 
FPdc / BPdc across, ch 2, turn. [124 (140, 148, 164, 180, 196, 212) sts]
Finish off.

Sleeves

Attach your yarn in a ch-2 space created at the arm pit.
Round 1
Sc in ch-2 space, sc in ever sc, sc in next ch-2 sp, sl st to first sc, ch 1, turn. 50 (58, 62, 70, 78, 86, 94)
Rounds 2-5
Sc in every st around, ch 1, turn.
Finish off.
Note: the sleeves are meant to be oversized, if you would like a more fitted sleeve, try doing a few decrease stitches each round. You wouldn’t have to do too many decreases, maybe 2 or 3 decrease stitches per round!

I hope you loved making your simple crochet raglan cardigan as much as I loved designing this simple crochet cardigan! For a while I wondered how to crochet a raglan and I am so please with the result of my effort to create a seamless crochet garment! So, I can’t wait to see your finished basic crochet raglans too! Don’t forget, be sure to tag me on social media when you share your Coral Raglan Cardigans on Instagram @life.and.yarn and Life and Yarn Designs on Facebook!

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