Crochet Spring Cardigan Pattern

How about a simple crochet spring cardigan made from rectangles? This cardigan uses a simple stitch and is a quick project that can be made over the weekend.

This cozy crochet pattern features a short-sleeve cardigan with a relaxed, open-front design—perfect for layering in transitional seasons.

This piece stands out with the beautifully textured ribbing at the hem and collar, created with a vibrant multicolored yarn in rich tones.

Ribbed Poncho or sleeveless cardigan? The oversized fir makes this resemble a poncho, but I am learning more towards naming it a cardigan.

The weather is finally warm enough to style this cardigan; it has seen so many uses in the past days. I hope to see your versions also.

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Materials needed for the crochet spring cardigan

Yarn – Any worsted-weight yarns in colors of your choice.

The prototype was made using: 

Hobbii Mega Ball,  Aran weight, #4 (100% Acrylic, 1200 m (1312 yds) per 14.1oz/400g Ball) 

Hoobii happy sheep wool print

Estimated Total Yardage 

Main Color (Cream)

1000  (1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800) Yards 

Contrasting Color (Variegated)

200 (250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600) Yards

Hook – 6 mm Crochet Hook

Tapestry needle 

Gauge 

14 sts over 9 Rows = 4 x 4” made in xhdc, before blocking.

Crochet Spring Cardigan Pattern Notes

1. Please kindly read through the pattern before starting.
2. Beginning chains count as a stitch except when stated otherwise throughout the pattern.
3. Stitch count is written after each row/round with the smallest,XS are written first and the other in the ().
4. Stitch count written in black is for all sizes but at some points, the stitch counts are color-coded for clarity, i.e. XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)

Difficulty Level – Intermediate

Terms – US Terminology

Stitches Abbreviations

Chain/chains – ch/chs

Stitch(es) – st(s) 

Slip Stitch – sl st

Single Crochet – sc

Half double crochet – hdc

Crossed half double crochet – xhdc

Special Stitches

Crossed half double crochet – skip next st, hdc in next st, crocheting over the hdc just made, work hdc into the skipped st

Use the buttons below to get a print-friendly version of this pattern with step-by-step photos on either Ravelry or Etsy.

Use “SpringtCardi” for a 30% discount at checkout. Valid through May 2nd, 2025

Crochet Spring Cardigan Finished Measurements

Size(s) and color codes – XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)

Bust Measurement: 30 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62)”

Finished Bust Measurement: 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 64)”

Armhole Measurement: 7.5 (8, 8, 8.5, 8.5, 9, 9, 9.5, 10)” 

Length of Poncho: 30 (30, 25, 28, 28, 28, 30, 30, 30)” 

The modeled garment is shown in M, with about 8” of Positive Ease

How to crochet a spring cardigan

Construction Notes

1.      This vest is worked in one section with 2 separate pieces made.

2.      The panels are then joined together to create an armhole opening and an open front part.

3. The band is then made in rows around the lower end and the front opening. 

Crochet Spring Cardigan Pattern

Section 1 Front and Back Panels

Make 2

With A, Chain 148 (148, 148, 162, 162, 162, 178, 178, 178)

Row 1: Hdc in 3rd Ch from hook and in each Ch across, turn. 146 (146, 146, 160, 160, 160, 176, 176, 176) hdc

Row 2: Ch 2, hdc in first st, xhdc across until the last st, hdc in last st, turn. 72 (72, 72, 79, 79, 79, 87, 87, 87) xhdc, 2 hdc.

Rows 3 – 10 (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26): Repeat rows 2

Continue the repeats until your piece’s width measures = 10 (10, 12, 14, 14, 16, 16, 16, 16)”

Each panel should measure approximately 10 (10, 12, 14, 14, 16, 16, 16, 16)” by 45 (45, 45, 48, 48, 48, 50, 50, 50)” 

Edging

• You can use color specific to each edge or use the same color when working on the edges.
• Crocheting around the whole panel.

Round 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around, aim for 2 sc in each dc/ch sp and (sc, ch 2, sc) at each corner, join with a sl st to the beginning ch.

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, (sc, ch 2, sc) at each corner, join with a sl st to the beginning ch.

Fasten off.

To join

Place both panels beside each other.

Join color A with a sl st to the edge of any of the panels.

Using either a darning needing or a crochet hook with mattress st or sl st, join the sides together until halfway through, leave the remaining unjoined. These will be the front opening.

Fasten off. 

Side seam and armhole

• Fold the panel in two, as shown in the photo below, and turn to the wrong side.

• Measure 7.5 (8, 8, 8.5, 8.5, 9, 9, 9.5, 10)” from the shoulder tip downwards. 
• Using either darning needle or a crochet hook with mattress st or sl st, join the sides together.
• Fasten off

Finishing: Adding Band.

There are two options

Poncho Lower Band

With Color B

You can adjust the length of the band by increasing or decreasing the number of chains made.

 Option 1 

Row 1: Chain 20, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each chain across, skip corresponding st on the body of the poncho, sl st into the next 2 sts on the poncho, turn. 18 hdc

Note:

• You can go down a hook size for the ribbing.
• Skip 3 sts instead of 2 sts for a neater joining on the body of the poncho.

Row 2: In BLO, hdc in each st across, turn

Row 3: Ch 2, in BLO, hdc in each st across, skip corresponding st on the body of the poncho, sl st into the next 2 sts on the sweater, turn. 18 hdc

Rows 4 – end: Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until you have crocheted into all the stitches on the lower end of the poncho.

Crocheting across the band just made, join yarn with a sl st to any of the sts on the edge.

Row 1: Ch 1, sc evenly across. 

Fasten off.

Option 2: band made separately and then joined to the poncho

Row 1: Ch 22, hdc in 3rd ch from the hook and in each ch across, turn. 20 Hdc

Row 2: Ch 2, in BLO, hdc in each st across

Rows 3 – until you have a length long enough around the poncho lower end: Repeat Row 2

Joining the band to the poncho

Place the band next to the lower edge of the poncho.

Using color B, sl st or sc to join the band to the poncho.

Poncho band: Front opening

With Color B

You can adjust the length of the band by increasing or decreasing the number of chains made.

 Option 1 

Row 1: Chain 12, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each chain across, skip corresponding st on the front of the poncho, sl st into the next 2 sts on the poncho, turn. 10 hdc

Note:

• You can go down a hook size for the ribbing.
• Skip 3 sts instead of 2 sts for a neater joining on the cardigan.

Row 2: In BLO, hdc in each st across, turn

Row 3: Ch 2, in BLO, hdc in each st across, skip corresponding st on the cardigan, sl st into the next 2 sts on the sweater, turn. 18 hdc

Rows 4 – end: Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until you have crocheted into all the stitches on both fronts of the cardigan.

Crocheting across the band just made, join yarn with a sl st to any of the sts on the edge.

Row 1: Ch 1, sc evenly across. 

Fasten off.

Option 2: The band is made separately and then joined to the cardigan

Row 1: Ch 22, hdc in 3rd ch from the hook and in each ch across, turn. 20 Hdc

Row 2: Ch 2, in BLO, hdc in each st across

Rows 3 – until you have a length long enough around the poncho’s lower end: Repeat Row 2

Joining the band to the cardigan

Place the band next to the front opening.

Using color B, sl st or sc to join the band to the poncho.

Weave in all ends

Block your vest to measurement.