Crochet Cliodhna Cardigan

Learn to crochet this super quick and easy crochet cardigan with buttons and pockets. The Clíodhna [clee-na] Cardigan is designed to be super oversized, and more of a light coat than a cardigan. I guess you can really call it a coatigan!

It is now March and there is still a bitterness in the air so I decided to make one more cozy cardigan. This crochet cardigan has lots of texture and the best part about it is it has the added bonus of buttons and pockets!

The cardigan is made with five panels, the back, two identical front panels and two identical sleeves. Once all these pieces are crocheted and seamed together we will crochet into the top edge of the cardigan to create a nice big collar. Finally we will crochet some button holes and then we will make our two pockets will will be sewn onto the cardigan at the end.

All panels are worked from the bottom up. We will begin crocheting the ribbing and the work in our stitch pattern along the long edge of the ribbed hem. The back, front panels and sleeves are made this same way. However, the pockets will be made slightly different but we will get into that towards the end of the pattern.

YARN

The yarn I used for this crochet cardigan was Heritage Supersoft Twist Yarn. It can be purchased at your local Home Savers here in Ireland or in any B&M store if you are living in the UK. I do realise that these stores might not be in other countries but you can use any weight 5 bulky yarn. For reference the yarn I used was 80% acrylic and 20% polyamide but any fibre blend will work fine for this project.

MEASUREMENTS

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

To fit bust 34-38(40-44, 46-50) inches

Actual cardigan bust measurements: 50(54, 58) inches.

Back width: 25(27, 29) inches

Length: 22(23, 25) inches

Materials

Yarn – any weight 5 bulky/chunky yarn

Approximately 880(990, 1100) metres

6mm crochet hook

8mm crochet hook

Stitch marker

Buttons

Stitches & Abbreviations

ch = chain

sc = single crochet

dc = double crochet

hdc = half double crochet

BLO = back loop only

GAUGE: 10sts x 7 rows = 4″ x 4″

CROCHET CLÍOBHNA CARDIGAN PATTERN.

USING 6MM HOOK

BACK PANEL

Ch 9

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc to end. Turn.

Row 2: ch 1, sc in BLO in each st across. Turn.

Repeat row 2 until you have a total of 62(68, 76) rows

Now working along the long edge of the ribbing:

CHANGE TO 8MM HOOK

Next row: ch 1, make (62, 68, 76) sc across. Turn.

Next row: ch 1, sc in first st, (sc, dc) in next st, skip next st, *(sc, dc) in next st, skip next st, rep from * across placing sc in last st. Turn.

Repeat last row until you have 35(37, 41) rows. You can add more rows here if you want the cardigan longer. Fasten off and weave in ends.

FRONT PANEL (MAKE 2)

USING 6MM HOOK

Ch 9

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc to end. Turn.

Row 2: ch 1, sc in BLO in each st across. Turn.

Repeat row 2 until you have a total of 26(30, 34) rows.

Now working along the long edge of the ribbing:

CHANGE TO 8MM HOOK

Next row: ch 1, make 26(30, 34) sc across. Turn.

Next row: ch 1, sc in first st, *(sc, dc) in next st, skip next st, rep from * across placing sc in last st. Turn.

Repeat last row until you have 35(37, 41) rows completed (or the same length as your back panel). Fasten off leaving a long tail.

SLEEVES (MAKE 2)

USING 6MM HOOK

Ch 9

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch to end. Turn.

Row 2: ch 1, sc in BLO in each st across. Turn.

Rep row 2 until you have a total 25(27, 29) rows completed.

Now working along the long edge of the ribbing:

CHANGE TO 8MM HOOK

Next row: ch 1, make 36(42, 46) sc across. Your stitches may look a little crammed here but don’t worry, everything will even out later!

Next row: ch 1, sc in first st, *(sc, dc) in next st, skip next st, rep from * across, placing a sc in last st. Turn.

Repeat last row until you have a total of 30(32, 34) rows completed. You can add more rows here if you need sleeve longer. Fasten off leaving a long tail.

ASSEMBLY:

Lay your two front panels on top of the back panel. With your yarn needle and starting on the outer right hand side shoulder, sew across 18( 20, 24) sts. Fasten off. Now on the other shoulder sew 18(20, 24) sts. This will be the beginning of your collar.

Next lay your cardigan completely flat with the wrong side facing up. Take a sleeve and mark the centre st with a stitch marker. Now line that marker with the shoulder seam and attach stitch marker. With your yarn needle and tail sew the sleeve to cardigan. Rep on the other side.

Next fold your cardigan over and sew along the under edge of sleeve and down along the side of cardigan. Rep on other side.

TURN YOUR CARDIGAN RIGHT SIDE OUT

To begin the collar attach your yarn using the 8MM HOOK to the corner stitch on the right hand side on the neck area.

Once yarn is attached, ch 1 and hdc all the way around neck line until you reach the other corner. When you reach the other corner, ch 1 and hdc around and back to the initial corner. Do a total of 8 rows in hdc. You can add more rows here if you want a bigger collar. Fasten off and weave in all ends.

CHANGE TO 6MM HOOK

Attach yarn to bottom right hand inner corner of cardigan.

Row 1: Ch 1, hdc up along inner edge of cardigan. You will stop right before the collar begins. Turn

Row 2: Ch 1, hdc in every st . Turn. Rep this row one more time. Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Next we will attach yarn to the bottom inner left hand edge.

Row 1: ch 1, hdc all the way up. You should stop right before the collar begins. Turn.

With a few stitch markers, mark out where you want your button holes to be.

Ch 1, hdc in every st until you reach the st right before your first stitch marker, ch 1, skip stitch with st marker, hdc in next st and in every st until you reach the st right before the next stitch marker, ch 1, skip stitch with marker, hdc in next st. Repeat this pattern for what ever number button holes you intend on having.

At the end of the row, ch 1, turn, and hdc in every stitch and button hole to the end. Fasten off.

POCKETS

USING 8MM HOOK

Ch 17

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch to end. Turn.

Row 2: ch 1, sc in first st, *(sc, dc) in next st, skip next st, rep from * across ending with a sc in last st. Turn.

Row 3-6: rep row 2. You can add more rows here for a deeper pocket but don’t forget we will next be adding a strip of ribbing. Fasten off leaving an 8″ tail.

RIBBING FOR POCKET

USING 6MM HOOK

Ch 7

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch to end. Turn.

Row 2: ch 1, sc in BLO in each st across. Turn.

Row 3 – 16: rep row 2. This ribbing must be long enough to stretch across the top of the main pocket. Add more rows here if needed. Fasten off leaving a long tail (about 15″)

Using a yarn needle and the 8″ tail sew the ribbing to the main pocket section. Once they are sewn together, use your yarn needle and the 15″ tail to sew the pockets to the cardigan.

You are now finished your cardigan. Enjoy x