Crochet Earrach Cardigan

The Earrach [arr-ock] Cardigan is the ultimate, easy, oversized piece to have in your wardrobe. Airy, light and soft, this relaxed fit cardigan is a perfect layering piece for any season of the year!

This free written pattern is accompanied with a free step by step video tutorial.

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The word Earrach translates to Spring in Gaelic and I thought it was fitting to name this crochet cardigan just that seeing as Spring is finally upon us. I wanted this cardigan to have a relaxed fit but still attain some sense of airiness to it. The Y stitches used throughout the cardigan give an open look but with some blocks of half double crochet it keeps some wonderful shape to the cardigan.

The Earrach Cardigan is loose and airy with simple hemline ribbing. It’s the perfect cardigan for chilly days as the relaxed fit make it perfect for layering, yet airy and light enough to wear with a dress or leggings.

CONSTRUCTION

This cardigan is worked in five separate pieces: the back panel, two front panels and two identical sleeves. Each piece is worked from the bottom up beginning with a simple ribbed hem. Once all pieces are crocheted the two front panels are seamed to the back panel. Next you will seam the sleeves to the body before we seam down along the sides of the cardigan. Finally we will add a few rows of single crochet along the inner edge of the cardigan.

This crochet cardigan is fully customizable. If you find that you need less or more length you will simply subtract or add more rows to the back and front panels. However you must end with a half double crochet row.

If you need find that the fit of the cardigan isn’t right for you, yo can make alterations to the bottom ribbed hem. You will simple crochet in rows of 3+2.

YARN

The Earrach Crochet Cardigan uses So Crafty Dk yarn. This yarn is 100% acrylic and comes in balls of 300 m each. The brand, So Crafty can be found in Aldi stores. If you can’t find any of this yarn I find that Paintbox Simply DK is a fantastic substitute. However, any weight 3 or dk yarn will work as long as you meet the gauge.

MATERIALS

Yarn – So Crafty Dk or Paintbox Simply Dk – 300 m each ball

Approximately 4(4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6) balls

6 mm crochet hook

Tapestry needle

Stitch markers

SIZING & MEASUREMENTS

The sizing for the Earrach Cardigan is as follows: XS(S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL)

Finished bust: 38(42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62) inches

Length: 28(28, 28, 28, 28, 28, 28) inches.

MORE FREE PATTERNS

STITCHES & ABBREVIATIONS

ch = chain

sc = single crochet

hdc = half double crochet

dc = double crochet

tc = treble crochet

sl st = slip stitch

BLO = back loop only

rep = repeat

st(s) = stitch(es)

SPECIAL STITCH: Y Stitch (Y.st): tc into designated st, ch 1, dc into 2 loops near base of tc just made.

Gauge: 12 hdc = 4 inches.

CROCHET EARRACH CARDIGAN PATTERN

BACK PANEL

Ch 9

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

ROW 2: Ch 1, sc in BLO in each sc aacross to end. Turn.

Rep row 2 until end of row 59(65, 71, 77, 83, 89, 95).

Now we will work along the long edge of the ribbed hem:

NEXT ROW: ch 1, hdc 59(65, 71, 77, 83, 89, 95) across. Turn.

NEXT ROW: ch 4 (counts as first tc) skip next st, Y.st in next, *skip 2 sts, Y.st in next st, rep from * across until 2 sts remain, skip next st, tc in last st. Turn.

NEXT ROW: ch 1, hdc in each dc and ch1-sp across, placing last hdc on top of ch 4. Turn.

NEXT ROW: ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn.

NEXT ROW: ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn.

Rep last 4 rows a further 11 more times. Fasten off.

FRONT PANEL (MAKE 2)

Ch 9

ROW 1: sc in 2nd ch from the hook, sc in each ch across. Turn.

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

Rep row 2 until the end of row 26(29, 32, 35, 38, 41, 44).

Now working along the long edge of the ribbing:

NEXT ROW: ch 1, hdc 26(29, 32, 35, 38, 41, 44) across. Turn.

NEXT ROW: ch 4 (counts as first tc) skip next st, Y.st in next, *skip 2 sts, Y.st in next st, rep from * across until 2 sts remain, skip next st, tc in last st. Turn.

NEXT ROW: ch 1, hdc in each dc and ch1-sp across, placing last hdc on top of ch 4. Turn.

NEXT ROW: ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn.

NEXT ROW: ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn.

Rep last 4 rows a further 11 more times. Fasten off leaving a long tail.

SLEEVES:

Ch 9

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

ROW 2: ch 1, sc in BLO in each st across, turn.

Rep row 2 until end of row 30(32, 32, 32, 36, 36, 36).

Now working along the long edge of the ribbing:

NEXT ROW: ch 1, hdc 41(44, 47, 50, 53, 56, 59) across. Turn. You might notice that your cuff will start to curl but this is completely normal.

NEXT ROW: ch 4 (counts as first tc) skip next st, Y.st in next, *skip 2 sts, Y.st in next st, rep from * across until 2 sts remain, skip next st, tc in last st. Turn.

NEXT ROW: ch 1, hdc in each dc and ch1-sp across, placing last hdc on top of ch 4. Turn.

NEXT ROW: ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn.

NEXT ROW: ch 1, hdc in each st across, turn.

Rep last 4 rows a further 6 more times. Feel free to add more rows here if you need a longer sleeve but make sure to end on a hdc row. Fasten off leaving a long tail.

ASSEMBLY

Lay the two front panel on top of the back panel. Using your tapestry needle and long tails seam across the shoulders. Next lay the entire piece out flat with the wrong side facing up. Place a stitch into the middle stitch of one sleeve and then connect to the shoulder seam. Using tapestry needle and long tail seam sleeve to body. Rep on the other side with the second sleeve.

Next fold your cardigan over and seam along under edge of sleeve and down along the side. Weave in all ends.

INNER COLLAR

Turn cardigan right side out. Attach yarn to bottom inner right edge and sc all the way around the inner edge until you reach the other side. Ch 1, turn, sc in BLO all the way around again. Rep this row another 5-6 more times. Fasten off and weave in any ends you have.

You are now finished your Earrach Cardigan!