Crochet a lacy-edged cardigan: free crochet pattern

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This gently fitted cardigan flatters the figure with its sophisticated style, while its simple stitch pattern combines double and treble crochet. The openwork bands go quickly, along with the double crochet rows, which create tighter spacing. The pretty lacy edging looks complex but is actually worked in just three rows.

Estimated time to complete

For the first size cardigan, 25 hours.

About this yarn

Use any classic pure wool 4-ply yarn, with approximately 183m (200yd) to a 50g ball.

Sizes

To fit: bust 81-86(91-97:102-107:112-117)cm [32-34(36-38:40-42:44-46)in]

Actual measurements: bust 89 (100.5:112:123.5)cm [35 (391⁄2:44:481⁄2)in]; length 55 (56:60:61)cm [211⁄2 (22:231⁄2:24) in]; sleeve 47cm [181⁄2in]

Figures in parentheses refer to larger sizes. One figure refers to all sizes.

You will need

● 7(8:9:10) x 50g balls of pure wool 4ply yarn
● 3.00mm (D/3) and 2.50mm (C/2) crochet hooks

Tension

21 sts and 16 rows to 10cm (4in) over patt, when pressed, using 3.00mm (D/3) hook. Change hook size if necessary to obtain this tension.

Abbreviations

beg = beginning; ch = chain; cont = continue; dc = double crochet; dec = decrease; 3dtrcl = leaving last loop of each stitch on the hook, work 3 double treble sts, yrh and pull through 4 loops on hook; foll = following; inc = increase; patt = pattern; RS = right side; sp(s) = space(s); ss = slip stitch; st(s) = stitch(es); tr = treble; 2trtog = leaving last loop of each stitch on the hook, work 2tr, yrh and pull through 3 loops on hook; 3trtog = leaving last loop of each stitch on the hook, work 3tr, yrh and pull through 4 loops on hook; WS = wrong side; yrh = yarn round hook; [ ] = work instructions in brackets as directed.

Note

The fronts are two rows longer than the back, so that the pattern will match at the shoulders.

Back

Using 3.00mm (D/3) hook, make 89(101:113:125)ch.

Row 1 (RS) 1tr in 4th ch from hook, [1tr in each ch] to end. 87(99:111:123) sts.

Row 2 1ch, [1dc in each tr] to last st, 1dc in top ch.

Row 3 1dc in first dc, 3ch, [miss 1dc, 1tr in next dc, 1ch] to end.

Row 4 1dc in first tr, [1dc in 1ch sp, 1dc in next tr] to end, working last dc in 2nd ch.

Row 5 1dc in first dc, 2ch, [1tr in each dc] to end.

Rows 2 to 5 form the patt.

Patt 3 more rows.

Dec row (RS) 1dc in first dc, 2ch, 3trtog, [1tr in each dc] to last 4 dc, 3trtog, 1tr in last dc. 83(95:107:119) sts.

Patt 3 rows, then work dec row again. 79(91:103:115) sts.

Patt 15 rows.

Inc row (RS) 1dc in first dc, 2ch, 3tr in next dc, 1tr in each dc to last 2 dc, 3tr in next dc, 1tr in last dc. 83(95:107:119) sts.

Cont in patt, inc in this way at each end of 2 foll 8th rows. 91(103:115:127) sts.

Patt 9(9:13:13) rows.

Shape armholes. Row 1 (RS) Ss in each of first 4(4:6:6) tr, [1dc, 3ch] in next dc, [miss 1dc, 1tr in next dc, 1ch] to last 4(4:6:6) dc, turn. 83(95:103:115) sts.

Row 2 1dc in first tr, [1dc in 1ch sp, 1dc in next st] to end.

Row 3 1dc in first dc, 2ch, 3trtog, 1tr in each dc to last 4 dc, 3trtog, 1tr in last dc.

Row 4 1ch, [1dc in each st] to end.

Row 5 [1dc, 2ch] in first dc, [miss 1dc, 1tr in next dc, 1ch] to last 4 dc, miss 1dc, placing first part tr in next dc and 2nd part tr in last dc, work 2trtog.

Row 6 1ch, 1dc in 2trtog, [1dc in next ch sp, 1dc in foll tr] to end.

Cont in patt, dec in same way as Rows 3 and 5 on next 1(2:3:4) RS rows.

71(79:83:91) sts.

Patt 25 rows. Fasten off.

Left front

Using 3.00mm (D/3) hook, make 43(49:55:61)ch.

Work Row 1 as given for back.

41(47:53:59) sts.

Work in patt as given for back for 7 more rows.

Dec row (RS) 1dc in first dc, 2ch, 3trtog, [1tr in each dc] to end. 39(45:51:57) sts.

Patt 3 rows then work dec row again. 37(43:49:55) sts.

Patt 15 rows.

Inc row (RS) 1dc in first dc, 2ch, 3tr in next dc, [1tr in each dc] to end. 39(45:51:57) sts.

Cont in patt, inc in this way at beg of 2 foll 8th rows. 43(49:55:61) sts.

Patt 9(9:13:13) rows.

Shape armhole and neck. Row 1 (RS) Ss in each of first 4(4:6:6)dc, [1dc, 3ch] in next dc, miss 1dc, 1tr in next dc, [1ch, miss 1dc, 1tr in next dc] to end. 39(45:49:55) sts.

Rows 2 to 6 Work as given for Rows 2 to 6 of back armhole shaping. 31(37:41:47) sts.

Cont in patt, dec as set at each end of next 1(2:2:2) RS rows. 27(29:33:39) sts.

1st and 2nd sizes Cont in patt, dec in same way as before at end of 5 foll 4th rows.

3rd size Dec at beg of next RS row, at neck edge on foll RS row, then at neck edge on 4 foll 4th rows.

4th size Dec at beg of next RS row, at each end of foll RS row and at neck edge on 5 foll 4th rows.

All sizes 17(19:21:23) sts.

Patt 7(7:9:7) rows. Fasten off. Darn in ends.

Right front

Using 3.00mm (D/3) hook, make 43(49:55:61)ch.

Work Row 1 as given for back.

41(47:53:59) sts.

Work in patt as given for back for 7 more rows.

Dec row (RS) 1dc in first dc, 2ch, [1tr in each dc] to last 4 dc, 3trtog, 1tr in last dc. 39(45:51:57) sts.

Patt 3 rows, then work dec row again. 37(43:49:55) sts.

Patt 15 rows.

Inc row (RS) 1dc in first dc, 2ch, 1tr in each dc to last 2 dc, 3tr in next dc, 1tr in last dc. 39(45:51:57) sts.

Cont in patt, inc in this way at end of 2 foll 8th rows. 43(49:51:61) sts.

Patt 9(9:13:13) rows.

Shape armhole and neck. Row 1 (RS) 1dc in first dc, 3ch, miss 1dc, 1tr in next dc, [1ch, miss 1dc, 1tr in next dc] to last 4(4:6:6) dc, turn. 39(45:49:55) sts.

Rows 2 to 6 Work as given for Rows 2 to 6 of back armhole shaping. 31(37:41:47) sts.

Cont in patt, dec as set at each end of next 1(2:2:2) RS rows. 27(29:33:39) sts.

1st and 2nd sizes Cont in patt, dec in same way as before at beg of 5 foll 4th rows.

3rd size Dec at end of next RS row, at neck edge on foll RS row, then at neck edge on 4 foll 4th rows.

4th size Dec at end of next RS row, at each end of foll RS row and at neck edge on 5 foll 4th rows.

All sizes 17(19:21:23) sts.

Patt 7(7:9:7) rows. Fasten off. Darn in ends.

Sleeves

Using 3.00mm (D/3) hook, make 43(47:51:55)ch.

Work Row 1 as given for back.

41(45:49:51) sts.

Work 11 more rows in patt as given for back.

Cont in patt, inc in same way as back at each end of next row and on 6(6:7:7) foll 8th rows. 69(73:81:85) sts.

Patt 13(13:5:5) rows.

Shape top Work as given for Rows 1 to 6 of back armhole shaping.

Cont in patt, dec in same way as Rows 3 and 5 of back on next 1(2:3:4) RS rows. 49 sts.

Cont in patt, dec as before at each end of 3 foll 4th rows, then at each end of next 3 RS rows. 25 sts.

Work 1 row. Fasten off.

Lacy edging

Matching sts, join shoulders.

Using 2.50mm (C/2) hook and with RS facing, join yarn at lower edge of right front.

Row 1 (RS) Work 132(136:142:146)dc up right front edge, 34(35:41:42)dc across back neck and 132(136:142:146)dc down left front edge. 298(307:325:334) sts.

Row 2 1ch, 1dc in first dc, 4ch, miss 2dc, [1tr in next dc, 2ch, miss 2dc] to last dc, 1tr in last dc.

Row 3 [6ch, 1tr in first ch, miss first sp, 3dtrcl in next sp, 6ch, 1tr in first ch, 3dtrcl in same sp, 6ch, 1tr in next ch, miss next sp, 1dc in next tr] 33(34:36:37) times.

Fasten off. Darn in ends.

Cuff edgings

Using 2.50mm (C/2) hook and with WS facing, join yarn and work 1dc in each starting ch. 41(45:49:53) sts.

Picot row (RS) 1dc in first dc, [6ch, ss in first ch, 1dc in each of next 2dc] to end. Fasten off. Darn in ends.

To finish

Press lightly. Join side and sleeve seams. Set in sleeves. Finish lower edge of cardigan in same way as cuffs. Make a 61cm (24in) length of chain. Fasten off. Slip through lace edging and tie.

Tips

● Use a larger hook to work the starting chain loosely and evenly, changing to a 3.00mm (D/3) hook for the last 3ch to keep them neat.
● It's easy to see which side of the work you're on, because all wrong-side rows are in double crochet, while all right-side rows use treble crochet stitches.
● You'll find it easy to keep track of the side and sleeve shaping if you mark each end of the decrease and increase rows.

This pattern is taken from 'Crochet in No Time' by Melody Griffiths (CICO Books, £14.99). 

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