I can’t say why I decided to jump on the Harry Styles cardigan bandwagon, I feel way too old for this sort of game. Am I woollen spun mutton dressed as soft worsted lamb? I can’t help it, sometimes I am filled with creative urges and can’t rest until I have rummaged through the yarn stash to find what will satisfy them.
Let me first state a disclaimer: I have not intended to create a step-by-step pattern/tutorial. Think of it more as a chat with detail. If you have crochet experience and you want make yourself a chunky-ish crochet cardigan then there is enough information written here, and discussed in the YouTube video (click on the pic above to go to the episode), to ensure that you can make it happily. You’ll be tangled in yarn, but hopefully, you’ll also be happy. I assume you know crochet and are not brand new to my absolute favourite of crafts.
EDIT:: I made a second cardigan HERE, go check it out! Many changes have been made and you might be interested to see. Thanks
Right, I’m not going to fuss. Let’s just get straight on it. Please read on for all the good stuff.
You Will Need:
Loads of aran weight yarn in the colours of your choice. Whether working as individual squares or all in one piece, you’ll want 12 grams per square (I weighed a couple of swatch squares and they weighed 11 point something).
I used a 6mm hook. Normally I’d use a 5 or 5.5mm hook for aran weight as I have a loose tension but I wanted this cardi to have a drapier finish.
5 buttons. (Mine are 3cm diameter).
Needle for seaming together and weaving in a bajillion ends.
Fun Cardi Facts:
My finished cardigan measures: Length: 55cm / 21.5 inches. Width of body: 63cm / 25 inches. Sleeve length: 58cm / 23 inches. Sleeve circumference: 36cm / 14 inches. I am a UK size 10 and this would still have lots of positive ease if you’re a UK 14. After that I reckon the fit would change and you should consider adjusting your square sizes. Any smaller than a size 10 and you might find it’s too big so make each square smaller.
Each square is 18 stitches by 13 rows. To size up or down, it’s about 1 row and 2 stitches per cm (just under half an inch) so add or subtract that amount to change the sizes.
My squares are 5×5 inches. But, surprise surprise, I did not make individual squares!! I used intarsia colourwork to create the illusion of squares; working row by row and swapping yarns each time I wanted to change colour. Remember to watch the vid for more detail.
The stitches I used were mostly UK half trebles (US hdc). Where I write “HT” on the chart below, that stands for Hounds Tooth stitch (must make a tutorial for this myself but there are loads on YouTube already), “FLO” stands for front loop only. I am linking to a scarf tutorial of mine HERE. It uses the same technique.
For the animal print squares I went to Lottie & Albert for inspiration. Lindsay has a free chart that creates a much larger piece of crochet with tr stitches rather than htr. I made up my own chart for the cardi (below).
I began my pieces (the main body and two sleeves) with a foundation half treble (US hdc). This was a good base to then begin the colour work of the squares. Using the same colour as the ribbing helps to ensure it looks like a cohesive join too. Multiply the number of stitches per square by the amount of squares. Working on one giant piece like I did? Then it’s a foundation of 162. The sleeves were 54.
The ribbing is made in a similar way to the FLO stitch I use. Again, use the scarf tute HERE. I chained 13 for the waist band and 10 for the cuffs. Cuffs are 26 rows, no idea what the waist band is and there’s no way I’m counting them all (soz!) but it’s about 4 inches shorter than the main body piece. This brings it in to make it a better shape. It’s a technique I’ve robbed from my mate Heather of HG Designs Crochet.
The button band is a starter of 9ch and is worked onto the cardigan directly using an interesting technique that should be part of every crocheter’s repertoire. Rather than me type out an explanation, I suggest you watch the vid, it’s all there.
Step By Step Basics:
- Make pieces.
- Attach ribbing to main body.
- Seam sleeves & then add cuffs.
- Join at shoulders.
- Make button band/collar (see the vid, I show how).
- Attach sleeves. Use plenty of stitch markers to help with easing them in. Double check you’re not going to sew them on inside out like I did the first time!
- Sew on buttons.
Charts:
Neck Shaping:
You don’t have to shape at the neck like I did. But if you find it terribly flattering and can’t live without it, once you hit the last/top squares at the neck (the triangley ones indicated above), it’s a simple matter of one decrease per row. I say “simple”, I actually made it much harder for myself by having both squares be patterny. If you don’t fancy a decrease on the animal print colour work, or the hounds tooth square. Change them to a plain htr. It might save your last semblance of sanity.
Last Few Bits:
OK, I think that’s it. Please do let me know if you have any questions. I’ll try and help if I can but as I said before, this is aimed at those with at least the basics of crochet under their belt.
You wouldn’t believe the amount of work that goes into even doing this kind of casual outline of a pattern. Feel free to buy me Ko-fi !! Or, you might like to take a look at some of my other free patterns. Thank you!!
When you’ve made yourself an awesome cardi, please do let me know. The easiest thing to do is find me on Instagram as @zeendandroger
Right, I’m off to work on my next outstanding piece of crochet. See you soon. xxx
Fabulous! Love it! Yes, I did read it all!
Haha well spotted! Thank you very much 😊
Oh wow! That looks amazing 👌❤️ I read a lot (the part about double checking made me smile) and went to the end as I wanted to see all the pics, must admit didn’t read every word though 😉
😁Haha! It’s aimed at people who always ask questions where the answer is in the text. It happens all the time so I’m being cheeky! 😁 I’m very glad you like it, thank you very much xxx
Oh my goodness! THIS is fabulous! You have truly shared the “recipe” for making your own! I am in the process of knitting one for my adult daughter – and your process is pretty much the same as what I am attempting. Your finished project looks so wonderful! I wish that I could make one for myself, but alas, I live in the desert and I’m never in need of a sweater. Good job! And thanks for sharing your journey with us! 🙂
Thank yooooo! You need to crank up your air con!! That’ll be a good reason for a cardigan😂
Love it!
You are a flipping genius, love love this cardigan!
😊 thank you very much
This is a beautiful cardigan! I mostly crochet easy projects like hats and cowls, and I crochet cat bedding for our local animal shelter. I’ve never made a garment for myself before. When you crochet garments, are you able to watch TV in the background? Or does it take up your full attention?
This one was definitely a telly watcher! Go for it!!
Hey, I’m kinda new to knitting but I really want to try to knit that cardigan, however i want it to be chunkier than it is on the pattern, about XL size, what are the right steps to changing the measurements and doing all of the calculations?
First of all this is a crochet cardi rather than a knitted one so that might be an immediate spanner in the works. Assuming you’re happy with crochet, I would find a current fave item of clothing in your wardrobe and measure it. Compare it to the measurements here and work out the difference. I’ve given you the measurements for the one I made (rows and stitches per square as well as overall) you should be able to do some jiggery-pokery to work it out from that😊 Happy crocheting!! X
Hello! I am a size XS, but I like the length you’ve made for the cardigan. Do you have any recommendations as to keeping the length of the cardigan the same but having the other proportions smaller? x
Oh lordy, so many options!!
1. Try DK rather than aran (making it smaller all over). 2. Missing out a vertical panel from the back will bring it in for a narrower back. 3. Reduce the width of each square but keep each row at 13 (obvs, this’ll crate tall block rather than square). 4. Work out how wide and long you actually want it to be and divide by the amount of squares you want.
There are so many variables which is why garment design is complex (and why I avoided grading!!🤣). My future garment patterns will have more choices. X
Hello! I’m about an XS, but like the length that you’ve made for the cardigan. Any tips on how to keep the length the same but make all other proportions smaller? X
Hi, can you help me with the triangular shade pieces. Not sure what to do? Thanks
Do you mean for the neck shaping? It’s done by missing one stitch every row. So whenever you decide to start the decrease just miss a stitch, and then on the return too, you’ll miss the first stitch. 😁
Ik ga dit vestje proberen te maken van katoenen garen ik hou van frisse kleurtjes in de zomer. Nog vele dank voor het patroontje.
Hi! I love your cardigans! Im hoping to have a go at making one myself. I’m an intermediate crocheter (I think) yet, I don’t know how to add the squares to the foundation piece. I found a tutorial on joining as you go, but doesn’t include starting with a foundation piece as you do, and it’s really throwing me. Is there a tutorial you can point me in the direction of?
I think it would be nicer to not have all the seams of all the squares throughout the garment, so I really would love to try it your way! Thanks so much
Hi Rachel
I’ve just reread the post and realise I haven’t been clear enough. I think I point it out in the video but not here as much. I use colour work called intarsia crochet to create the squares. When I say make the pieces, the body is actually made in one piece and not individual squares. I think I might add a sentence or two about that. Have you watched the video yet? It might make things clearer.
Thanks.
Hi Rosina!
I have found your cardigan on Pinterst while I was chasing crochet inspiration. It led me to your youtube-not-tutorial and I loved it! I´m almost ready with my version of it, I chose some more autumnly colours, actually all are leftovers from former projects. I am so glad to have found your chanel and your blog. It is so comforting to crochet and simultaneously watch your chats on your chanel. I really love it!
You have a new subscriber now 🙂
Lots of love from Sandra from Germany ❤
Oh brilliant, I love that! Thank you very much, I’m so glad you found me and the cardigan! 😁 Please let me see your cardi progress when you get started! Xx
How do you even get the written pattern?? Can’t find it anywhere on here and have the yarn for it
Hi Claudia. There isn’t a specific written pattern to download. This blog post contains all the information needed to help a crocheter make their own version. However, I have do have a striped version which you can buy as a written pattern with 9 different sizes. It’s called the Perfect Cardigan. Thanks.
I am just finding this blog and I LOVE IT!!! Thank you for these instructions. And yes I read this and the other one. Got all my notes together 🙂
I do have a question. Do you think I can do each block with a different stitch? (Star stitch, lemon peel stitch, trinity stitch, etc.). I thought maybe 4 or 5 different stitches. Any more might be too much. Kinda a homage to crochet. All basically sc. My colors are going to be black, white, zebra and a touch of red (maybe 4 blocks). Do you think a Stitch Patchwork Cardigan will work out??
Thank you very much 😊
I don’t see why not. Test a few squares first if you want to be sure. The only way of knowing is to try it! Xx
Hello! thanks for all your posts. I’m wondering if/why you prefer sewing the ribbing on rather than crocheting it on directly. thanks!
Because I make it smaller than the cardigan width and ease it in. You don’t have to do this but it stops the ribbing just hanging shapelessly. I think it looks better.