Velvet Bomber Cardigan Crochet Pattern

Hey friends! Today’s crochet pattern is for a luxurious, everyday, bomber cardigan in multiple sizes. And it’s made with velvet! (Find the free pattern below, or you may choose to purchase the advertisement-free, printable version HERE or the kit from Lion Brand Yarn (on sale for a limited time) HERE!

This sweater is the softest thing ever, and it’s perfect for winter and spring alike. When I think about designing a sweater, I want it to be cute, but ultimately be practical and COMFORTABLE as well.  This cardi’s slightly cropped (but you can easily make it longer by simply crocheting for more rows on the front and back panels). It also features streamlined stitching and a relaxed fit, which is my fave. AND it’s a great first sweater project! Also, pattern sizing goes up to 3XL so even more of you can make it!

If you’ve followed me over the last year, you might remember that I’ve used this velvet yarn for a couple of other projects as well.  My Velvety Pullover as well as the Vel-Luxe Throw Blanket were both a pleasure to make because the yarn feels so great in your hands.  However, like usual, you can choose make this pattern with any worsted weight yarn fiber that you like. But the velvet is sooo lux!

 

The cropped fit looks cute with high rise jeans, pants or even shorts. You’ll also notice a slight bubble sleeve – trendy, but not overly so. The sweater’s also comfy to wear as pajamas. JUST KIDDING! I mean it’s comfy enough, but I won’t do that! 😉

Many of you have asked about the “worming” issues with this yarn. This is when the yarn creates little loops which can be a real bummer if you’re making a new project. I can say that there has been zero worming with this cardigan.  I think it really depends on the stitches that you use in your project.  Using the single crochet stitch or half double crochet (as used in this pattern) has not given me a problem. My throw blanket did start to have issues with worming, but I think that’s because I was holding two strands together and working through the back loops only.  This sweater hasn’t had any at all loopdy loops at all (ha!), so I’m super pleased. It’s really one of my favorite fibers to wear since it’s soft and easy on the skin.

Shall we get to the pattern?!

As you read through the pattern below, you’ll see that this sweater is made with three basic rectangular panels that are seamed.  There are two for the front, and one for the back. You will then add sleeves and the simple ribbed cuffs and edging.  Hope you enjoy it!!

Find the convenient, advertisement-free, printable version of the VELvet Bomber cardigan available in my Etsy Shop HERE!

Scroll to see the free pattern below. 🙂

Pattern Description: Wrap yourself in luxurious velvet with a CUTE bomber cardigan. This super soft sweater is the perfect piece to wear in winter and spring alike! Featuring an on-trend cropped fit and understated bubble sleeves, this is the ultimate spring cardi.  It’s easy to make and even easier to wear with it’s comfy, effortless fit.

Skill Level: Easy +

Materials:

US Size H 5.0 mm crochet hook or required hook to obtain correct gauge

Full Kit With Yarn & Pattern available HERE 4(4,5,5,6,6) Lion Brand Vel-Luxe Yarn in Silver (150 g/skein)

Pattern uses approximately 465 g (537 g, 611 g, 676 g, 776 g,    867 g) total

Measuring Tape

Tapestry Needle

Scissors

Stitch Markers

 

Sizes/Dimensions (approximate):

Small, Medium, Large, XL, 2X, 3X

Please follow the key throughout the pattern according to the size you are crocheting:

 S (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X)

Bust Circumference:

S – 40”

M – 44”

L – 48”

XL – 52”

2X – 56”

3X – 60”

Length:

S – 20”

M – 21”

L – 22”

XL – 23”

2X – 24”

3X – 25”

Cross Back:

S – 15”

M – 16”

L – 17”

XL – 18”

2X – 18”

3X – 18”

Sleeves Measurements:

Length: All sizes approximately 17”

Approximate width at widest point at upper portion of sleeve: 7 ½ ”(8”, 8 ½ ”, 9”, 9 ½ ”, 10”)

Abbreviations & Skills:

ch – chain

hdc – half double crochet

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 11 3/4 stitches and 10 rows in 4” x 4” of hdc stitches (Adjust hook size if needed to obtain correct gauge)

Notes:

This cardigan is crocheted by making one back panel and two front panels which are seamed together. Sleeves are worked in joined rows. The cuffs and collar are crocheted with front post and back post stitches.  Make the cardigan as long as you’d like by simply crocheting for more rows on the front and back panels until you’ve reached your desired length.

Velvet Bomber Cardigan Easy Free Crochet Pattern

Back Panel of Cardigan

Ch 60 (66, 72, 78, 84, 90)

Row 1 Hdc in 3rd st from hook and in each st across the row 58 (64, 70, 76, 82, 88 sts)

Row 2 Ch 2, turn, hdc in each st across the row 58 (64, 70, 76, 82, 88 sts)

Repeat row 2 until piece is approximately 19 ½ ” (20 ½ ”, 21 ½ ”, 22 ½ ”, 23 ½”, 24 ½”, ) long. (Remember, you can crochet for more rows if you want it to be longer. Simply make sure your front panels are also as long as your back panel. Keep yarn needs in mind too!)

Tie off and weave in ends.

Front Panels (make 2)

Ch 24 (27, 30, 33, 36, 39)

Row 1 Hdc in 3rd st from hook and in each st across the row 22 (25, 28, 30, 34, 37 sts)

Row 2 Ch 2, turn, hdc in each st across the row 22 (25, 28, 30, 34, 37 sts)

Repeat row 2 until piece is approximately 19 ½” (20 ½”, 21 ½”, 22 ½”, 23 ½”, 24 ½”) 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 the outer edges aligned.

Shoulders

Using your preferred seaming method, sew the shoulders along the top on each side leaving an opening for the head and neck.

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”, 8.5”, 9”, 9 ½”, 10”) wide. (Wait to tie off the seam in case adjustments need to be made when starting the sleeves in the next section)

Sleeves

Sleeves are crocheted in turned rounds. You will sl st to join and then turn as if to work a row.

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

Attach yarn to bottom of arm opening.

Rd 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 (49, 51, 54, 56, 59) stitches around)

Rd 2 Ch 2, turn, 1hdc in each st around, sl st to join

Rd 3 Ch2, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in each st around, sl st to join

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

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

Repeat rows 3 – 5 until sleeve is approximately 16” 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 16”, move onto Decrease & Sleeve Cuffs

Repeat this pattern for the second sleeve

Decrease & Sleeve Cuffs

Rd 1 Ch 2, turn, *1hdc, hdc2tog; repeat from * around (round may end with hdc or hdc2tog) note: if sleeve feels too small or too large, simply adjust this pattern by working fewer or more decreases

Rd 2 Ch 2, turn, hdc in each st around

 

Rd 3 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 amount 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.

You may add more length to the Bottom Cuff and Sleeve Cuffs by crocheting for more rounds. Keep yarn needs in mind.

Collar

Attach yarn to bottom inner corner on the front of the cardigan.

Row 1 Ch 2, work hdc sts evenly across to opposite end of collar, working along the neckline.

Row 2 Ch 2, turn, work FPhdc followed by BPhdc, alternating these two stitches across the row. Work along the entire length of the collar.

You may choose to tie off and weave in ends at this point. If you like a wider collar, continue with row 3 for as long as you’d like.

Row 3 Ch 2, turn, work FPhdc stitches in each FPhdc stitch across and work BPhdc sts in each BPhdc stitch across the row.

Tie off and weave in ends.

Enjoy!

Hope you enjoyed this squishy cardigan.  🙂  I’d love to see if you make one on my Facebook page or on Instagram @mamainastitch!

XO,

Jessica

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

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