Balloon Sleeve Crochet Cardigan – Free Pattern

Make a statement with this Balloon Sleeve Crochet Cardigan, a beautiful handmade layer featuring oversized textured sleeves and a simple, elegant body. The combination of dramatic sleeves and a relaxed fit gives this cardigan a distinctive look without making it difficult to style.

The free crochet cardigan pattern combines easy half double crochet stitches throughout the body with a mixture of single and double crochet to create the eye catching balloon sleeves. Finished with ribbed cuffs and a neat collar, it’s a lovely project for crocheters who enjoy adding interesting details to their handmade wardrobe.

I designed this cardigan with versatility in mind. It looks just as lovely worn casually with jeans as it does layered over a summer dress. The open front design also makes it easy to wear over a T-shirt or lightweight sweater when the weather turns cooler.

How the Balloon Sleeve Crochet Cardigan is Constructed

The balloon Sleeve Crochet Cardigan is constructed from seven separate pieces: one back panel, two front panels, two sleeves and two sleeve cuffs.

We begin by crocheting the back and front panels from the bottom up, starting with the ribbed hem. The main body is worked primarily in half double crochet stitches, creating a simple design that allows the oversized sleeves to take center stage.

The balloon sleeves are crocheted separately in the rounds using a combination of single and double crochet stitches. This create the beautiful texture that makes the sleeves such a distinctive feature of the cardigan.

Next we crochet two ribbed cuffs and stitch them to the ends of the sleeves. Once all seven pieces are complete, we assemble the cardigan by joining the body panels and attaching slleves. Finally, we crochet a simple collar using rows of single crochet stitches to give the open front a neat, finished appearance.

Materials

If you prefer a pattern without all the ads you can purchase the PDF here

Yarn – Lionbrand Woolease in shade Fisherman – worsted/medium 4/aran/10 ply

197 yds (180 m) per 85 g skein

Another good substitute is Drops Alaska

7(7, 8, 8, 8, 9) balls

Hooks – 6 mm and 8 mm

Notions – Tapestry needle, scissors, locking stitch markers, measuring tape.

Sizing & Measurements

S(M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL)

	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL
Finished Bust	42”	46”	50”	5	58	62”
Length	23”	23”	23.5”	24”	24”	24.5”
Arm Circumference	18”	18”	18.5”	19”	19”	19.5
Sleeve Cuff Length	7”	7”	7”	7”	7”	7”
Total Sleeve Length	18”	18”	18”	18”	18”	18”

Balloon Sleeve Crochet Cardigan Pattern

Back Panel

Ribbed hem

Using 6 mm hook

Ch 8

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn [7 sc]

Row 2: ch 1, scBLO in each sc across, turn.

Rep Row 2 until you have a total of 64(68, 74, 80, 86, 92).

Turn your work to begin working across the ends of the rows you just completed.

Body

Row 1: ch 1, work 1 hdc into the ends of each row you just completed, turn [64(68, 74, 80, 86, 92)]

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

Rep Row 2 until the end of row 58(58, 60, 62, 62, 64).

Fasten off.

Front Panel (Make 2)

Ribbed hem

Using 6 mm hook

Ch 8

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn [7 sc]

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

Rep Row 2 until you have 24(28, 30, 34, 36, 38) rows completed.

Turn your work to begin working across the ends of the rows you just completed.

Body

Row 1: ch 1, work 1 hdc into the ends of each row you just completed, turn [24(28, 30, 34, 36, 38)].

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

Rep Row 2 until the end of row 58(58, 60, 62, 62, 64)

Fasten off leaving a long tail.

Sleeves (Make 2)

Sleeve body

Using 8 mm hook

Ch 60(60, 63, 66, 66, 69)

Sl st the ends together to form a circle.

Round 1: ch 1, sc in same space, sc in remaining 59(59, 62, 65, 65, 68) sts [60(60, 63, 66, 66, 69) sc]

Round 2: ch 1, Shell in same st, skip 2 sc, *Shell in next, skip 2 sc, rep from the * around, sl st in beginning sc to close the round.

Round 3: ch 1, Shell in same st, skip 2 dc, *Shell in next sc, skip 2 dc, rep from the * around, sl st to beginning sc to close the round.

Rep Round 3 until sleeve measures 11 inches in length.

Switch to 6 mm hook

Next round: ch 1, sc in each st around. This will make the end of the sleeve a little smaller but if you want it smaller again you can simply sc in every other stitch. At the end of the round sl st to the first sc to close the round.

Fasten off.

Sleeve cuff

Using 6 mm hook

Ch 23

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn [22 sc]

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

Rep Row 2 until the end of Row 30(30, 32, 32, 34, 34).

Fasten off leaving a long tail.

Assembly

Lay the two front panels over the back panel. Use locking stitch marker to help line up the panels stitch-for-stitch along the shoulders and sides of the cardigan making sure to leave openings for the armholes. Use a tapestry needle and long tails to seam the pieces together.

Next seam the sleeves to the armhole. Seam the cuff to the main body of the sleeve.

Collar

With the right side of the cardigan facing out, attach yarn to one of the bottom inner corners.

Row 1: ch 1, sc all the way around the entire collar until you reach the other side, turn.

Row 2: ch 1, scBLO in each stitch around.

Rep row 2 until the end of Row 10.

Fasten off and weave in any remaining ends.