Ethniu Crochet Cardigan – Free Pattern

Meet the Ethniu Crochet Cardigan, a lightweight, open front cardigan designed for effortless layering. With its relaxed shape, airy stitches and flowing sleeves, this crochet cardigan is a lovely addition to your spring and summer wardrobe.

One of the things I really love about this design is its clever construction. Rather than making separate back, front and sleeve pieces, the entire cardigan is created from just two identical panels, with only a small amount of seaming needed to bring everything together.

For this project, I chose Drops Safran, a lightweight cotton yarn that gives the cardigan beautiful drape. Although it’s a sport weight yarn, using a larger crochet hook creates an open, breathable finish that’s ideal for warmer weather.

The stitch pattern follows a simple two row repeat, making this an enjoyable project once you’ve established the rhythm. It’s the kind of crochet you can settle into while watching your favorite tv show.

How the Ethniu Crochet Cardigan is Constructed

The Ethniu Crochet Cardigan has a clever construction that requires just two identical crocheted panels and minimal seaming.

Each panel begins at the bottom of the sleeve. You’ll work in rows until the sleeve reaches the required length, then add foundation chains at both ends of the work. These chains form the front and back sections of the cardigan.

Continue crocheting in the established stitch pattern for the number of rows specified in the instructions, then fasten off. Repeat the process to create a second identical panel.

Once both panels are complete, position them side by side and seam the appropriate sections together to form the back of the cardigan. The remaining sections are left open to create the two front panels.

This construction eliminates the need to crochet separate sleeves and body panels, making assembly much simpler.

Materials

Yarn – Drops Safran – sport weight – 160 m per 50 g skein

Approximately 7(7, 8) balls

Hook – U.S H/8 (5 mm)

Notions – Tapestry needle, locking stitch markers

Sizing & Measurements

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

Finished bust: 48(56, 64)”

Length: 28(29, 30)”

Sleeve circumference: 15(16, 17)”

Ethniu Crochet Cardigan Pattern

Begin at sleeve

Ch 55(59, 63)

Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each ch across, turn [53(57, 61)] dc

Row 2: ch 1, (sc, dc) in first dc, *skip next dc, (sc, dc) in next dc, rep from * across, sc in tch, turn

Row 3: ch 3 (counts as dc throughout), dc in each st across, turn.

Row 4: ch 1, (sc, dc) in first dc, *skip next dc, (sc, dc) in next dc, rep from * across, sc in tch, turn.

Rep Rows 3-4 until end of row 40 (for all sizes). DO NOT FASTEN OFF.

Continuing on from where you are now:

Back & Front Panels

Ch 72. Fasten off. Attach yarn to the other side and ch 72. Fasten off. TURN YOUR WORK

Attach yarn to first ch.

Row 1: ch 3 , dc in every st across, turn. [197( 201, 205)] dc.

Row 2: ch 1, (sc, dc) in first dc, *skip next dc, (sc, dc) in next dc, rep from * across, sc in tch, turn.

Row 3: ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.

Rep rows 2-3 until the end of row 33(39, 43). Fasten off leaving a long tail.

Assembly

Lay your two identical panels on a flat surface, side by side, making sure the longest edge of each piece are touching each other. Take your long tail and a tapestry needle and seam to the halfway point [98(100, 102)]sts.

Next fold your cardigan over and seam along the under edge of sleeves and down along the sides.