Autumn Brioche Crochet Cardigan – Free Pattern

If you love the look of knitted cardigans but prefer to crochet, the Autumn Brioche Crochet Cardigan is a beautiful project to try. Featuring a richly textured stitch pattern that resembles knitted brioch, this cozy cardigan is perfect for layering throughout autumn and winter.

The cardigan is worked using my Crochet Brioche Stitch, which creates distinctive raised columns and a wonderfully textured fabric. Although the finished stitch looks intricate, it’s surprisingly easy once you’ve completed the foundation row. Even better, the stitch pattern uses a simple one row repeat.

I designed this cardigan with the changing seasons in mind. Autumn is one of my favorite times of year here in Ireland, when it’s finally times to bring out cozy sweaters, handmade cardigans and warm layers

How the Autumn Brioche Cardigan is Constructed

The Autumn Brioche Crochet Cardigan is worked sideways rather from the bottom up. This means the foundation chain runs along the length of the cardigan, creating the distinctive vertical texture of the brioche stitch.

The body is crocheted in one continuous pieces, so there is no need to make separate back and front panels. The simple one row stitch repeat makes the fabric enjoyable to work once you’ve completed the foundation row.

Adjusting the Length

Because the cardigan is worked sideways, you can adjust the length by adding or subtracting chains from the initial foundation chain. The sleeves are also worked lengthways, allowing their length to be adjusted in the same way.

Assembling the Cardigan

Once the main body is complete, the two front sections are folded inward and joined at the shoulders.

The sleeves are crocheted separately and sewn into the armholes.

Finally a long strip of ribbing is crocheted and sewn along the entire inner front and neckline edge, giving the cardigan a neat, structured finish.

Watch the Tutorial or Purchase the PDF

Scroll down to view the free written pattern. This pattern is also accompanied with a free step by step video tutorial that you can find here. If you would prefer the ad-free printable version you can purchase here.

Yarn & MATERIALS

The Autumn Brioche Crochet Cardigan is made using Lion Brand jeans, a medium weight acrylic yarn that works beautifully with the textured crochet brioche stitch.

I used the shade Top Stitch, a warm autumnal color that compliments the cardigan’s knitted looking texture.

Yarn Requirements

• Yarn weight: medium/worsted
• Yarn used: Lion Brand Jeans
• Color: Top Stitch
• Fiber content: 100% acrylic
• Ball size: 100g/225m/246yds
• Quantity: 7(8, 8, 9, 9, 9) balls

Additional Materials

• 6 mm crochet hook
• Yarn needle for sewing seams and weaving ends
• Scissors

SIZING & MEASUREMENTS

This cardigan fits S(M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL)

To fit bust 32-34(36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50, 52-54)”

Actual bust of cardigan: 42(46, 50, 54, 58, 62)”

Length: 22(23, 24, 24, 25, 25). To add or subtract length add or subtract chains to initial foundation.

Armhole: 7.5(8, 8, 8.5, 9, 9)”

Crochet Autumn Brioche Cardigan Pattern

Ch 74(77, 81, 81, 84, 84)

Row 1: hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next st, *BrSt under the bottom of previous hdc and next ch, rep from * across until 8 sts rem, sc into each of the last 8 ch. Turn

Row 2: ch 1, scblo in next 8 sts, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, BrSt across all rem sts. Turn.

Row 3: ch 1, hdc in each of next 2 sts, BrSt across until 8 sts rem, scblo in last rem 8 sts. Turn.

Rep rows 2-3 until end of row 23(25, 29, 31, 33, 37)

Row 24(26, 30, 32, 34, 38): ch 1, scblo in next 8 sts, BrSt across leaving last 24(26, 26, 28, 30, 30) sts unworked then ch 25(27, 27, 29, 31, 31). Turn.

Row 25(27, 31, 33, 35, 39): hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, BrSt across all chains and body until 8 sts rem, scblo in last 8 sts. Turn.

Row 26(28, 32, 34, 36, 40): ch 1, scblo in next 8 sts, 1 hdc in neach of next 2 sts, BrSt across all rem sts. Turn.

Row 27(29, 33, 35, 37, 41): ch 1, 1 hdc into each of next 2 sts, BrSt across all rem sts until 8 sts rem, scblo in last rem 8 sts. Turn.

Rep last 2 rows until the end of row 79(85, 91, 97, 101, 107). Turn

Row 80(86, 92, 98, 102, 108): ch 1, scblo in next 8 sts, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, BrSt across leaving last 24(26, 26, 28, 30, 30) sts unworked then ch 25(27, 27, 29, 31, 31). Turn.

Row 81(87, 93, 99, 103, 109): hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next st, BrSt across all rem sts until 8 sts rem, scblo in each of the rem last 8 sts. Turn.

Row 82(88, 94, 100, 104, 110): ch 1, scblo in next 8 sts, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, BrSt all rem sts. Turn.

Row 83(89, 95, 101, 105, 111): ch 1, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, BrSt across until 8 sts rem, scblo in last 8 rem sts. Turn.

Rep last 2 rows until you have a total of 23(25, 29, 31, 33, 37) rows completed for this front panel.

Fasten off.

Sleeves (Make 2)

Ch 61 (for all sizes)

Row 1: hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, BrSt across until 8 sts rem, sc in last 8 sts. Turn.

Row 2: ch 1, slstblo in next 8 sts, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, BrSt across to end. Turn.

Row 3: ch 1, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sts, BrSt across until 8 sts rem, scblo in last 8 sts. Turn.

Rep rows 2-3 until the end of row 41(43, 43, 45, 49, 49).

Fasten off leaving a long tail.

Fold the sleeve lengthwise and sew up along to close.

Assembly

Lay the body out flat the fold the two front panel inwards. Seam across the shoulders with some yarn and darning needle. Next attach both sleeves using the same method.

Inner Ribbed Neckline

Ch 9

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn.

Row 2: ch 1, scblo in each st across, turn.

Rep row 2 until this ribbed piece is long enough to go around the entire inner edge of the cardigan. Fasten off leaving a very long tail. Using your yarn needle and long tail sew to the inner edge of the cardigan. You might find it easier to attach the ribbing to the cardigan with several stitch markers to hold in place while you are sewing.

Weave in all your ends.

Your Crochet Autumn Brioche Cardigan is now complete!