Easy Crochet Sweater Pattern – Boyfriend Cardigan

Here’s “My Boyfriend Cardigan”! You guys – I live in cardigans all winter long. They are the best for layering. Take them off when you’re hot, put them on when you’re chilly.  This super easy crocheted cardigan is simple and soooo practical!  It’s roomy (as a “boyfriend” cardigan would be) so you can layer underneath and the alpaca gives it a beautiful, cozy halo.

You’ll find the free, easy crochet pattern below, or you may choose to purchase the advertisement-free, printable PDF version from Etsy HERE or the kit from Lion Brand Yarn HERE.

Read on….

I made today’s crocheted cardigan pattern with beginner sweater makers in mind.  The entire piece is crocheted with basic shapes and it has light shaping on the sleeves.  And don’t fear the sleeve shaping! I’ll do some “explain’n” later in this blog post about how it works.

Boyfriend cardigans are all over the stores and it’s not hard to see why.

They are usually oversized, comfy and have cozy pockets making them perfect for cool days.  With My Boyfriend Cardigan here, you can see that I’ve kept the arms roomy but still nicely shaped.  This lends to it’s comfortable fit and ability to have layers underneath.  And, I don’t know about you, but I’ve never had a boyfriend (or husband) who’s cardigan would fit me snug on the arms.  They are supposed to be nicely oversized in my book!

The length isn’t super long, but it’s not super short either. The coolest part about this pattern is that it’s so easy to make it any length that you’d like! Simply crochet for more rows on the front panels and back panel. Boom!

If you know how to half double crochet, and you can crochet in the round, you’re good to go! You’ll crochet a large rectangle for the back and two rectangles for the front.  Once you’ve got that done and seamed, you’ll attach your yarn to crochet the sleeves.

Stay with me now – these sleeves are crocheted in “joined rows” or “turned rounds”. In a nutshell, you will work a row around the arm opening, join, then turn and work another row around, join, turn, and repeat.  It might be a new concept for ya, but it’s not difficult!

I’ve worked with Lion Brand Touch of Alpaca a few times because I really like the slight “halo” effect that it brings. It’s also warm and affordable. But you know you can use any of your favorite worsted weight #4 yarns for this pattern. 🙂  And if you’re curious to see the projects that I’ve used this very same yarn in the VERY same color, see my kimono HERE and my poncho HERE.

So shall we get to this pattern?

Just a reminder that you can see the free pattern below, or find the printable, ad-free version available for purchase in my Etsy shop HERE!

My Boyfriend Cardigan – Free Crochet Pattern

Description:

Boyfriend cardigans are everywhere this season! This comfy, classic version is crocheted with basic shapes and easy stitches, making it a great beginner sweater. It features a relaxed fit with minimal shaping on the sleeves so it’s both a fun and practical piece.  The alpaca blend yarn will keep you warm while pockets in front add comfort and character to this season’s wardrobe staple.

Skill Level:

Easy +

Materials:

US Size J, 6.0 mm Crochet Hook

(5,6,7,8) Lion Brand Touch of Alpaca in Taupe Worsted Weight Yarn (100 g/skein) Find the kit HERE in multiple color options

Pattern uses approximately (476 g, 551g, 631g, 702g)

Measuring Tape

Tapestry Needle

Scissors

Stitch Markers

 

Dimensions (approximate):

Small, Medium, Large, XL

Please follow the key throughout the pattern according to the

size you are crocheting:

(S, M, L, XL)

Bust Circumference:

S – 36”

M – 40”

L – 44”

XL – 48”

Length:

S – 23.5”

M – 24.5”

L – 25.5”

XL – 26”

Sleeves Measurements:

Length: All sizes approximately 18.5”

Approximate width at widest point at upper portion of sleeve: (7.5”, 8.5”, 9.5”, 10”)

Approximate width at sleeve cuff: (5”, 6”, 7”, 7.5”)

Abbreviations & Skills:

ch – chain

hdc – half double crochet

hdc flo – half double crochet through the front loop only

hdc2tog – half double crochet two together (decrease)

sl st – slip stitch

st – stitch

sts – stitches

FPhdc – front post half double crochet (insert your hook from front to back around post)

BPhdc – back post half double crochet (insert your hook from back to front around post)

Gauge:

Approximately 13 stitches and 7.5 rows in 4” x 4” of hdc flo stitches (Adjust hook size if needed to obtain correct gauge)

Notes:

This cardigan is crocheted by making one rectangular back panel and two rectangular front panels which are seamed together at the shoulders and sides. Sleeves are worked in joined rows and are crocheted onto the sweater at the arm openings. The cuffs and collar are crocheted with post stitches and optional pockets are added at the end.

Pattern Instructions

Back Panel of Cardigan

Ch (60, 66, 72, 78)

Row 1 Hdc in 3rd st from hook and in each st across the row (58, 64, 70, 76 sts)

Row 2 Ch 2 (doesn’t count as a st here or throughout pattern), turn, hdc flo in 3rd st from hook and in each st across the row (58, 64, 70, 76 sts)

Repeat row 2 until piece is approximately (22 ½”, 23 ½”, 24 ½”, 25”) long.

Tie off and weave in ends.

Front Panels (make 2)

Ch (24, 27, 30, 33)

Row 1 Hdc in 3rd st from hook and in each st across the row (22, 25, 28, 31 sts)

Row 2 Ch 2, turn, hdc flo in 3rd st from hook and in each st across the row (22, 25, 28, 31 sts)

Repeat row 2 until piece is approximately (22 ½”, 23 ½”, 24 ½”, 25”) long.

Tie off and weave in ends.

Assembly & Sleeves

Place two front panels directly on top of back panel, leaving space in the middle and outer edges aligned.

Shoulders

Using your preferred seaming method, sew the shoulders along the top on each side.

Seam Sides and Create Arm Openings

Using your preferred seaming method, sew up each side from the bottom-up. Leave arm openings that are approximately (7.5”, 8.5”, 9.5”, 10”) wide.

(Wait to tie off the seam to the arm opening in case adjustments need to be made to make it a bit wider or smaller when starting the sleeves in the next section)

Sleeves

Sleeves are crocheted in joined rows or turned rounds. You will sl st to join and then turn as if to work a row. Note: Remember that the beginning ch 2 doesn’t count as a stitch, so join in the first hdc st, not the beginning ch 2

Mark the first st of each row to ensure stitch count is correct.

Attach yarn to bottom of arm opening.

Row 1 Ch 2 (doesn’t count as st), hdc evenly around, sl st to join at end of row. Mark first st of row (approximately 48, 54, 59, 62 stitches around )

Row 2 Ch 2, turn, 1hdc flo in each st across, sl st to join

Row 3 Ch2, turn, hdc2tog flo, hdc flo in each st across, sl st to join

Row 4 Ch2, turn, hdc flo in each st around, sl st to join

Row 5 Ch2, turn, hdc flo in each st around, sl st to join

Repeat rows 3 – 5 until sleeve is approximately 17.5” long, or as long as you’d like (keep yarn needs in mind). The stitch count will decrease by one stitch every third row.

Once the sleeve has reached 17.5”, finish the last stitch of row by skipping a stitch and slip stitching into the next stitch. Next, begin the Sleeve Cuff part of the pattern.

Repeat this pattern for the second sleeve

Sleeve Cuffs

Ch 2, work FPhdc, followed by BPhdc. Repeat this pattern, alternating a FPhdc st, followed by a BPhdc st around for one round. Sl st to join, tie off and weave in ends.  (To make the ribbing work out perfectly, work an even number of stiches around if possible)

Bottom Cuff

Attach yarn to the bottom inner corner on the front of the cardigan. Ch 2, work a FPhdc st, followed by a BPhdc st. Repeat these two stitches alternating a FPhdc followed by a BPhdc, across for one row. Tie off and weave in ends.

To make sleeves or sweater cuffs longer, you may add more length by crocheting for more rounds or rows. Keep yarn needs in mind.

Collar

Attach yarn to bottom inner corner on the front of the cardigan. Working along the collar, ch 2, work hdc stitches across (Row 1). Work up and around neckline to opposite side. Ch 2, turn, work FPhdc followed by BPhdc across (Row 2). Tie off and weave in ends.

Pockets (make 2)

All sizes

Ch 20

Row 1 Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each st across the row (18 sts)

Row 2 Ch2, turn, hdc flo in 3rd ch from hook and in each st across the row (18)

Repeat row 2 until pocket measures approximately 5” tall.

Next, alternate FPhdc and BPhdc across the top for one row, just as you did with the cuffs. Tie off and weave in ends.
Sew pockets to the lower front panels of the cardigan, leaving openings in the top. Tie off and weave in ends.

Block as desired to shape and size.

That’s all there is to it!

I hope you enjoyed this cardigan and please let me know if you have any questions!

XO,

Jessica

If you liked this, you might also like:

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This post was sponsored by Lion Brand Yarn. All opinions are 100% my own.