Easy Crochet Summer Cardigan – Samhradh Free Pattern
The crochet Samhradh Cardigan is a relaxed, open front cardigan featuring delicate rows of bead stitches and simple half double crochet. Designed as an easy layering piece, it’s a lovely addition to your handmade spring and summer wardrobe.
This free crochet summer cardigan patterns combines easy stitches with a repeating textured detail that gives the cardigan its distinctive appearance. The relaxed fit makes it easy to wear over a summer dress or pair with a T-shirt and jeans.
The name Samhradh comes from the Irish word for summer, which felt particularly fitting when I designed this cardigan. I wanted to create something that was enjoyable to crochet without requiring constant counting or complicated stitch combinations.
The cardigan is made using five separate pieces that are worked from the bottom up and then sewn together. A ribbed front edging completes the design.
Yarn
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The Samhradh Cardigan uses Hayfield Bonus Dk in the shade Lilac. This yarn is a weight 3 premium acrylic yarn and comes in over 100 shades so there is definitely a shade for everyone. The shade I chose for this cardigan was Lilac. I think it just screams summer!
Sizing & Measurements
S/M(L/XL, 2XL/3XL)
Bust: 48(56, 64) inches
To fit actual bust: 32-38( 40-46, 48-54) inches.
Back width: 24(28, 32) inches
Length: 26(26, 28) inches
Gauge: 12 hdc = 4 inches
Materials
Yarn – Hayfield Bonus Dk – weight 3/ light/ Dk / 8 ply
5(6, 6) balls
1530(1680, 1830) yards or 1400(1540, 1680) meters
6mm crochet hook
Stitch marker
Yarn needle
Scissors.
Stitches & Abbreviations
ch = chain
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
FPDC = front post double crochet
BPDC = back post double crochet
BST = bead stitch
st = stitch
rep = repeat
SPECIAL STITCH: Bead Stitch (BST): dc in designated st, (yo, working around the dc post just made pull up a loop) 3 times, 7 loops on hook now, yo pull through 6 loops, 2 loops on hook now, yo pull through last 2 loops.
Crochet Samhradh Cardigan Pattern
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Back Panel
Ch 74( 86, 98)
Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each ch to end. Turn.
Row 2: ch 3 (counts as first dc) *FPDC in next st, BPDC in next st, rep from * across, ending row with a dc on top of ch 3 turning ch. Turn.
Row 3-5: rep row 2.
Row 6: ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.
Row 7: ch 3, *BST in next st, skip next st, rep from * across row, placing a dc in last st. Turn.
Row 8-10: ch 1 hdc in each st across. Turn.
Repeat rows 7-10 a further 12(12, 13) more times. Fasten off.
Front Panel (Make 2)
Ch 30(36, 42)
Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each ch across to end. Turn.
Row 2: ch 3 (counts as first dc) *FPDC in next st, BPDC in next st, rep from * across, ending row with a dc on top of turning ch 3. Turn.
Row 3-5: rep row 2.
Row 6: ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.
Row 7: ch 3, *BST in next st, skip next st, rep from * across, placing a dc in last st. Turn.
Row 8-10: ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.
Rep rows 7-10 a further 12(12, 13) more times. Fasten off leaving a long tail.
Sleeves (Make 2)
Ch 34(36, 38)
Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each ch to end. Turn.
Row 2: ch 3 (counts as first dc) *FPDC in next st, BPDC in next st, rep from * across placing a dc on top of ch 3 turning ch. Turn.
Row 2-5: rep row 2.
Row 6: ch 1 hdc in each st across. Turn.
Row 7: ch 3 (counts as first dc) *BST in next st, skip next st, rep from * across placing a dc in last st. Turn
Row 8: ch 1, 2hdc in first st, hdc in each st across, placing 2hdc in last st. Turn.
Row 9: ch 1, hdc in ach st across. Turn.
Row 10: ch 1, 2hdc in first st, hdc in each st across placing 2hdc in last st. Turn.
Rep rows 7-10 until you have 44(50, 56) sts. Turn.
Next row: ch 3 (counts as first dc), *BST in next st, skip next st, rep from * across placing a dc in last st. Turn.
Next 3 rows: ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.
Rep last 4 rows until entire sleeve measures 17 inches long. If you need a shorter or longer sleeve just subtract or add more rows but make sure you end on a hdc row.
Fasten off leaving a long tail.
Assembly
Lay your back panel flat then place both of the front panels on top. With your yarn needle and long tails seam the top of each front panel to the top of the back panel. Next lay the entire piece out flat with the wrong side facing up. Take a sleeve and place a stitch marker into the centre stitch. Now line that marker up with a shoulder seam Attach stitch marker to shoulder seam and with your yarn needle and long tail seam the sleeve to the body of cardigan. Repeat for the other sleeve on the other side.
Now fold your cardigan over and seam along the underside of the sleeve and down along the side of cardigan. Repeat on the other side.
Turn your cardigan right side out and attach yarn to the bottom left hand inner corner.
Ch 3, and dc around the entire inner edge of cardigan until you reach the other side. When you reach the other side, ch 3, *FPDC in next st, BPDC in next st, rep from * all the way around, placing a dc on top of turning ch 3. Continue working in FPDC and BPDC for a further 3 more rows. Fasten off and weave in all ends.
You have now completed your crochet Samhradh Cardigan.
