Sweater Coat Cardigan Crochet Pattern & More

Scroll down for the free Sweater-Coat Crochet Pattern, or you can find the printable, ad-free pattern version available in my Etsy shop HERE. You can also find the kit from Lion Brand Yarn HERE (currently 20% off!)

Is it a coat, a sweater or a cardigan?! I’ve been so excited to show you a few projects that I’ve been working on for the last several months, including this Sweater Coat. It’s part of my “Colorful Life Collection” that I’ve put together using chunky, Color Made Easy from Lion Brand Yarn. You can now find the Color Made Easy Yarn at select Michaels Stores, Michaels.com and LionBrand.com. I’ll introduce you to my collection in a bit, but first want to touch on this fun, chunky crochet cardigan pattern.  You’ll also find the full, free pattern for the Sweater-Coat at the bottom of this blog post!

Who else loves using the big yarns? (Raises hand) If you follow my blog, you know I’m sort of obsessed with using super bulky yarns and chunky yarns. Not only do I love the look when they are knit or crocheted, but they also work up quickly. This Sweater-Coat is no exception as you can crochet it relatively quickly compared to many other sweaters made with worsted weight yarn.  It also happens to be a simple pattern, made with basic shapes and very minimal shaping.  I like the belt tie which is flattering to any body type and the cozy pockets.  Below you’ll find instructions and also a link to my tutorial on how to crochet this cool looking stitch pattern.  

Above: The new, Colorful Life Collection.  And look, there’s color on my blog! (Quick little happy dance)  To me, living a colorful life means living life to the fullest! Read a new book, travel somewhere, make a new friend, learn a new craft, knit a new stitch, learn to crochet, laugh, love, and be grateful! Let’s live a colorful life this year, shall we? 

If you want to see more patterns and kits using this yarn, definitely check out all of the kits available from Lion Brand (HERE) by Two of Wands, Sewrella and Make & Do Crew.

Above: This is the Monaco Kimono (kit available HERE for 20% off) and I will be sharing the pattern for FREE in the next couple of weeks here on the blog!

Above: This is the Fairbanks Pommed Scarf! It’s available now as a knit kit from Lion Brand Yarn (currently 20% off) and I’ll be sharing this one on the blog for free as well in the next couple of weeks.

Do you have a favorite chunky yarn? My fave used to be Woolspun, which was discontinued, so I was excited to learn that Lion Brand was coming out with this comparable yarn. I’d say it’s even better than the Woolspun in the sense that it’s 100% acrylic so there are no worries about wool allergies. It’s very soft, has a nice drape, and the stitch definition is awesome.

Okay, shall we get to this pattern?!

Crocheted Sweater-Coat Pattern

See free pattern below, or you may choose to purchase the ad-free printable version from my Etsy shop HERE

Pattern Description: Is it a sweater, a cardigan or a coat? How about all three! This sweater-coat can double as a light jacket or chunky cardigan. The simple stitch pattern is easy to memorize and it’s a breeze to crochet as there’s only light shaping on the sleeves.  The sweater features practical pockets and an optional belt-tie to keep you cozy. Add the beauty of a textured crochet stitch and you’ve got a piece that won’t go unnoticed.

This pattern is made with a simple mesh stitch! You can see a full tutorial on the blog HERE

Skill Level: Easy +

Materials:

Size L Hook 8.0 mm

(5, 6, 7, 7) skeins Lion Brand Yarn Color Made Easy in Wheat (200 g / skein) (Kit available from Lion Brand Yarn HERE)

Pattern uses approximately (935 g, 1076 g, 1225 g, 1334 g) total

Tapestry Needle

Scissors

 

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 – 37”

M – 41”

L – 45”

XL – 49”

Length:

S – 26”

M – 27”

L – 28”

XL – 28”

Cross Back:

S – 15”

M – 16”

L – 17”

XL – 18”

Abbreviations & Skills:

ch – chain

sc – single crochet

st – stitch

sk – skip

sl st – slip stitch

ch2sp – chain two space

sc blo – single crochet through the back loop only

fp hdc – front post half double crochet

bp hdc – back post half double crochet

Gauge:

Approximately 11 ch stitches & 12 rows in 4” x 4” of mesh stitch which is the stitch pattern worked throughout the project.  You can find the pattern and a tutorial of the mesh stitch on the Mama In A Stitch blog here: https://www.mamainastitch.com/how-to-crochet-an-easy-mesh-stitch/

Notes:

This sweater-coat is made in several pieces. There is one rectangular back panel, two rectangular front panels and two lightly shaped sleeves.  Each piece is worked separately and then seamed to finish. The collar, pockets and belt are then each crocheted separately and sewn onto the sweater.

 

Pattern Instructions

Back Panel

Ch (51, 55, 61, 67)

Row 1 Sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each ch st across the row (50, 54, 60, 66)

Row 2 Turn, ch 2, sk 1^st st, sl st into next st, *ch 2, sk st, sl st into next st; repeat from * across the row (50, 54, 60, 66 ch stitches)

Row 3 Turn, *ch2, sl st into next ch2sp; repeat from * across the row (50, 54, 60, 66 ch stitches)

Repeat row 3 until piece measures approximately (26”, 27”, 28”, 28”) long. Tie off and weave in ends.

Front Panel Pattern (make 2)

Ch (21, 23, 27, 29)

Row 1 Sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each ch st across the row (20, 22, 26, 28)

Row 2 Turn, ch 2, sk 1^st st, sl st into next st, *ch2, sk st, sl st into next st; repeat from * across the row (20, 22, 26, 28 ch stitches)

Row 3 Turn, *ch2, sl st into next ch2sp; repeat from * across the row (20, 22, 26, 28 ch stitches)

Repeat row 3 until piece measures (26”, 27”, 28”, 28”) long. Tie off and weave in ends.

Repeat this pattern one more time to make a second front panel.

Below: Two panels complete

Sleeve Pattern (make 2)

The beginning chain is the widest end of the sleeve and you will crochet to the narrowest end which is also the cuff

Ch (41, 45, 47, 49)

Row 1 Sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each ch st across the row (40, 44, 46, 48)

Row 2 Turn, ch 2, sk 1^st st, sl st into next st, *ch2, sk st, sl st into next st; repeat from * across the row (40, 44, 46, 48 ch stitches)

Row 3 Turn, *ch2, sl st into next ch2sp; repeat from * across the row (40, 44, 46, 48 ch stitches)

Decrease

Row 4 Turn, ch 1 (doesn’t count as st), sc in 1^st ch2sp, ch 1, sl st into next ch 2 sp, *ch 2, sl st into next ch 2 sp; repeat from * to last ch2sp, ch 1, sc in last ch2sp of row. (this row will decrease stitch count by 2 stitches – do not count sl stitches or turn ch 1 in stitch count)

Row 5 Turn, ch2, sk sc stitch of previous row, sl st into ch2sp, * ch 2, sl st into next ch2sp; repeat from * across the row. (this row will decrease stitch count 2 stitches – count only ch stitches and not sl stitches if counting)

Row 6 Turn, *ch2, sl st into next ch2sp; repeat from * across the row.

Repeat rows 4 – 6 until piece is approximately (12”, 12.5”, 13”, 13.5”) wide, ending with a row 6 pattern repeat

Next, repeat stitch pattern from row 6 until the sleeve is (16.5”,17.5”,18.5”,18.5”) long

Next you will create the ribbed cuff portion of the sleeve

Sleeve Cuff

Row 1 Ch 2, make 2 hdc in each ch2sp across the row

Row 2 Turn, fp hdc in 1^st st of row, *bp hdc in next stitch of row, fp hdc in next st; repeat from * across the row, tie off and weave in ends.

Fold sleeve in half and seam with a simple whip stitch seam.

Repeat Sleeve Pattern one more time to make a second sleeve.

Collar Pattern

All sizes, ch 8

Row 1 Sc in each st across the row (7)

Row 2 Turn, ch 1, sc blo in each st across the row (7)

Repeat row 2 until collar measures (56”, 58”, 62”, 66”)

Tie off and weave in ends

Below: Crochet the collar separately, then whip stitch to the cardigan.

Pocket Pattern

All sizes, ch 16

Row 1 Sc in each st across the row (15)

Row 2 Turn, ch 2, sk 1^st st, sl st into next st, *ch2, sk st, sl st into next st; repeat from * across the row. (15)

Row 3 Turn,*ch2, sl st into next ch2sp; repeat from * across the row. (15)

Repeat row 3 until your pocket is approximately 4.5” tall.

Next, you will continue working the upper ribbing of the pocket

Upper Ribbing of Pocket

Row 1 Ch 2, make 2 hdc in each ch2sp across the row

Row 2 Turn, ch 2, fp hdc in 1^st st of row, *bp hdc in next st, fp hdc in next stitch; repeat from * across the row.

Tie off and weave in ends.

Repeat Pocket Pattern one more time to make a second pocket.

Belt Pattern (Optional)

All sizes, ch 3

Row 1 Sc in each st across the row (2)

Row 2 Turn, ch 1, sc in each st across the row (2)

Repeat row 2 until piece measures approximately (55”, 58”, 61”, 64”) or desired length

Finish by working slip stitches around belt. Tie off and weave in ends.

 

Assembly

Place front panels on top of back panel, one on each side.  Using your tapestry needle and a length of yarn, sew front panels to back panel with a simple whip stitch seam working up each side and along the shoulders. Leave arm openings for the sleeves.

Sew sleeves to arm openings with preferred seaming method.

Attach collar to front of sweater by sewing with a simple whip stitch seam.  The collar is placed on the inner edge of each front panels and sewn evenly in place.  See photos of sweater for visual assistance on where to place collar.

Sew pockets onto front panels with a simple whip stitch seam.

Block to shape and size as desired.

Weave belt into stitches on each side of the sweater-coat. There’s no need to crochet belt loops.

 

*Note: sleeve measurement above doesn’t include additional length with ribbed cuff

Enjoy your new Sweater-Coat!

Have you worked with chunky weight #5 yarns? I can’t wait to use it more often!

XO,

Jessica

If you liked this, you might also like:

Easy Knit Blanket Sweater

 

Light Frost Blanket Sweater (Crochet)

Thank you to Lion Brand Yarn for sponsoring this post. All opinions are 100% my own.