Learn to crochet the ultimate fall cardigan with easy to follow steps. This free written pattern is accompanied with a step by step video tutorial that you can find here. If you prefer to follow along with an ad-free printable, you can find the inexpensive download here.
Recently I discovered the most precious stitch and immediately I had to design the perfect autumnal cardigan. It’s full of beautiful texture and compiled of only basic crochet stitches so it really is perfect for the adventurous crochet beginner.
The stitching of this cardigan reminds me of fire flames, which is perfect for this time of year, I thought. Every Halloween here in Ireland it’s tradition for every neighbourhood to build a bonfire so I thought this would be a perfect project to share with you all.
CONSTRUCTION
The Bonfire Cardigan is really simple and slightly oversized in fit. You can easily customize the fit by simply adding or subtracting rows. Likewise the length can be altered by adding more chains keeping in mind the foundation stitch pattern is worked over multiples of 6+3 chains.
When working this cardigan, you will be working lengthways instead of widthways, so the initial foundation chain will determine the length of the cardigan.
The Bonfire Cardigan is worked by crocheting five pieces separately, the back, two front panels and two identical sleeves. Once all pieces are crocheted we will seam the front panels to the back at the shoulders. Then we will seam up along the sides leaving an opening for the armholes. Next the sleeves are attach and finally we will crochet the bottom and neck ribbing, each crocheted separately and sewn to their respective places. Buttons are added at the very end to give the cardigan a finished and polished look.
MATERIALS
Yarn – Patons Fab Dk – 100% acrylic – weight 3/dk/8 ply – 100g/274m per ball
Approximately 5(6, 6, 6, 7, 7) balls
Hook – 4.5 mm
3 buttons approximately 1 inch diameter
Scissors and yarn needle
Stitch markers to help with seaming.
STITCHES & ABBREVIATIONS
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
slst = slip stitch
yoslst = yarn over slip stitch
blo = back loop only
rep = repeat
st(s) = stitch(es)
rem = remain(ing)
yoslst: yarn over, insert hook into designated st, pull up loop, (you now have 3 loops on hook), pull the first loop through the second and third loops.
SIZING & MEASUREMENTS
S(M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL)
Finished bust: 42(46, 50, 54, 58, 62)”
Length: 22(22, 22, 24, 24, 24)”
Armhole: 7(7.5, 7.5, 8, 8, 8.5)”
GAUGE: 19 sts x 16 rows = 4″/10cm
CROCHET BONFIRE CARDIGAN PATTERN
BACK PANEL
Ch 99(99, 99, 105, 105, 105)
Row 1: yoslst in 2nd ch from hook and into each ch across, turn.
You will be working into the blo of every stitch from now on and throughout.
Row 2: ch 1, yoslst in 1st st, *ch 3, skip 3, dc in next, slst into each of the next 2 sts, rep from * across placing a yoslst into last st, turn.
Row 3: ch 1, yoslst into each st across, turn.
Row 4: ch 1, yoslst into each of the next 2 sts, slst into each of the next 2 sts, *ch 3, skip 3, dc into next st, slst into each of the next 2 sts, rep from * across until 4 sts rem, ch 2, skip 2, dc into next st, yoslst in last st, turn.
Row 5: ch 1, yoslst into each st across, turn.
Rep rows 2-5 until the end of row 85(93, 101, 109, 117, 125)
Fasten off.
FRONT PANEL (MAKE 2)
Ch 99(99, 99, 105, 105, 105)
Row 1: yoslst in 2nd ch from hook and into each ch across, turn.
You will be working into the blo of every stitch from now on and throughout.
Row 2: ch 1, yoslst in 1st st, *ch 3, skip 3, dc in next, slst into each of the next 2 sts, rep from * across placing a yoslst into last st, turn.
Row 3: ch 1, yoslst into each st across, turn.
Row 4: ch 1, yoslst into each of the next 2 sts, slst into each of the next 2 sts, *ch 3, skip 3, dc into next st, slst into each of the next 2 sts, rep from * across until 4 sts rem, ch 2, skip 2, dc into next st, yoslst in last st, turn.
Row 5: ch 1, yoslst into each st across, turn.
Rep rows 2-5 until the end of row 35(39, 43, 47, 51, 55).
Fasten off leaving a long tail.
SLEEVES
Ch 89 for all sizes
Row 1: yoslst in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across until 8 chains rem, slst in rem 8 chains, turn.
We will now be working into the blo of every stitch from now on and throughout
Row 2: ch 1, slst in each of the next 8 sts, yoslst in next st, *ch 3, skip 3, dc in next st, slst in each of the next 2 sts, rep from * across, placing a yoslst in last st, turn.
Row 3: ch 1, yoslst in each st across until 8 sts rem, slst into each of the last rem 8 sts, turn
Row 4: ch 1, slst into each of the next 8 sts, yoslst into each of the next 2 sts, slst into each of the next 2 sts, *ch 3, skip 3, dc into next st, slst into each of the next 2 sts, rep from * across until 4 sts rem, ch 2, skip 2, dc into next st, yoslst in last st, turn.
Row 5: ch 1, yoslst in each st across until 8 sts rem, slst into each of the last rem 8 sts, turn.
Rep rows 2-5 until the end of row 57(61, 61, 65, 65, 69). I would recommend to do a row of slsts instead of the yoslsts for the very last row to minimize the stark line at the seam line .
Fasten off leaving a long tail.
ASSEMBLY
Lay the back panel on a flat surface with the right side facing up. Next place both front panel on top with their right sides facing down. Using a yarn needle and long tails seam across the shoulders. Next seam up along the sides of the cardigan leaving a gap of about 7(7.5, 7.5, 8, 8, 8.5)” at the top for the armholes.
Now seam both sleeves to the cardigan.
BOTTOM HEMLINE RIBBING
Ch 9
Row 1: slst into 2nd ch from hook and into each ch to the end, turn.
Row 2: ch 1, slst blo into each st st across, turn.
Rep row 2 until the ribbing is long enough to go around the entire bottom edge of the cardigan ie. the bottom of front panel 1, bottom of back panel and around to front panel 2. You can stretch the ribbing slightly when doing this.
Fasten off leaving a very long tail. Sew the ribbed hem to the bottom of the cardigan. You can attach with several stitch markers to help it hold in place.
NECKLINE RIBBED BUTTON BAND
Ch 9
Row 1: slst into 2nd ch from hook and into each ch across, turn.
Row 2: ch 1, slst blo into each st across, turn.
Row 3: ch 1, slst blo into next 3 sts, ch 2, skip 2, slst blo in last 3 sts, turn.
Row 4-11: ch 1, slst blo into each st across, turn.
Row 12: ch 1, slst blo into next 3 sts, ch 2, skip 2, slst blo in last 3 sts, turn.
Rows 13-20: ch 1, slst blo into each st across, turn
Row 21: ch 1, slst blo into next 3 sts, ch 2, skip 2, slst blo in last 3 sts, turn.
Row 22: ch 1, slst blo into each st across, turn.
Rep row 22 until the ribbing is long enough to go around the entire inner edge of the cardigan.
Fasten off leaving a very long tail. Use stitch markers to hold in place and sew in place.
Weave in all your ends and enjoy your Bonfire Cardigan.