Child’s Crochet Cardigan Free Pattern – by Joy of Creation

This free child’s crochet cardigan pattern has been designed by Rashami of Joy of Creation as our guest designer!

Rashami currently has 20 patterns in her Ravelry Store. At the moment, she is focusing mainly on child patterns, but she does also have some home decor and accessories patterns in there, too, with an adult-sized sweater.

I am so pleased that Rashami has decided to share her Mirage Cardigan in child sizes from ages 2 to 12 with us as a guest designer.

Do you love it too?

This free child’s crochet cardigan pattern is perfect for this time of year. I love that this design is gender-neutral and can be customized simply by use of colour to suit the intended recipient.

It is also a raglan worked top down, so there is no sewing required (other than the buttons), which again is a big plus for many of us.

Rashami writes: “If you’re just starting out in crochet, the idea of crocheting a whole sweater can seem intimidating. Or sometimes you don’t want to crochet many panels and sew them together. But don’t worry. Mirage cardigan is a raglan cardigan, worked from top to bottom in one piece, and then sleeves are crocheted directly onto the body. It works up pretty quickly. It is also a great pattern for an advanced beginner, as it involves basic construction techniques and basic stitches. I have used my all-time favourite stitch i.e., hdc. It works up quickly and creates fabric without holes.”

Let’s find out more and Rashami

Hello. I am Rashami, who operates under the name Joy of Creation Crochet. I have been interested in anything art and craft from an early age and have been crocheting for over 10 years.

I am a Guinness world record holder (as a part of MICQ group) for the longest crochet scarf.

I love to design crochet patterns for useful items such as garments, beanies, bags, etc.

Most of my designs are child based, as those are made for my 2 children, Ayushi and Shlok, and my niece Kiara. I am also planning to start designing women’s garments soon.

When designing anything new, my focus is on usability as well as aesthetics. Sometimes I don’t get much time to crochet, but I am always thinking about new designs.

Recently I have started to knit. I also love painting, reading, photography, and cooking. 

Where can you find Joy of Creation?

There are plenty of places where you can find Rashami and her designs!

Website:	https://joyofcreationdiy.blogspot.com/
Facebook:
Instagram:	www.instagram.com/joyfcreation_crochet
Ravelry:	https://www.ravelry.com/designers/rashami-sarode
Etsy:	https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Joyofcreationcrochet?ref=profile_header

Purchase the pdf

If you would like to purchase the PDF for the Mirage Cardigan, you can do so in any of Rashimi’s shops.

 

Pattern Specifics for the child’s crochet cardigan pattern:

 

Skill Level

Intermediate

 

Sizing:

Sizes: 2 (4, 6, 8, 10, 12)

Garment bust: 25” (27”, 29”, 30.5”, 32”, 34.5”)

To fit bust: 21” (23”, 25”, 26.5”, 28”, 30”)

Materials

• Worsted weight (11-10 WPI) yarn: 458 (648, 769, 874, 968, 1012) yards approx.
• 5.5 mm and 4.5 mm crochet hooks (or size needed to obtain the gauge and two sizes smaller hook)
• Stitch markers
• Yarn needle
• 6-7 buttons (size ¾”)

Gauge

12 hdc by 10 rows = 4” by 4” 

Abbreviations:

• Ch = chain
• St/s = stitch/es
• Sc = single crochet
• sc-blo = single crochet back loop only
• Hdc = half double crochet
• Hdc2tog = half double crochet two together
• RS= right side

 

Special Stitches used in this child’s crochet cardigan pattern:

• Modified hdc2tog: yarn over, insert hook in the next st, pull up a loop (3 loops on the hook), insert hook in the next st and pull up a loop (4 loops on the hook), yarn over, pull through all the 4 loops on the hook. 

 

Notes:

• Ch 1, does not count as a stitch.
• Where increase is mentioned, add 3 hdc in same stitch.
• Where hdc2tog or decrease is mentioned, add modified hdc2tog, which is less bulky than regular hdc2tog. But if you wish, you can use regular hdc2tog. 
• If you prefer more loose, oversized cardigan, so that child can grow into it, make one size larger or use a larger hook.
• Child’s Crochet Cardigan can be made with single yarn or stripes all over or only the striped yoke. Pattern do not have instructions for color changes. That is totally my personal preference.

The Mirage Child’s Crochet Cardigan Pattern:

** This is a free pattern on the blog. Please do not copy and paste any part of it or print this pattern out. Please bookmark this page and use the website to work up your pattern. This helps my small business greatly as it provides a little bit of ad revenue which will, in turn will allow me to continue to create free content for you!**

Yoke:

Neck ribbing:

With smaller hook,

Row 1: ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch. (5 sts)

Row 2-58 (64, 64, 70, 70, 78): ch 1, turn. sc in 1st st, sc-blo to last st, sc in last st. (5 sts)

Now turn the ribbing and work across the ribbing. 1 hdc is added across each st, while increasing 1 sc every 5th row i.e., 6 sc are added across 5 rows. You might need to adjust 1-2 sts at the end.

With larger hook, 

Row 1 (RS): ch 1, add 68 (76, 76, 84, 84, 92) hdc evenly across the ribbing. Count your sts at the end and adjust if needed.

From here onward, mark the centre sts of each of the increases (i.e 3 hdc in same st) every row. You will have total 4 marked sts.

Where increase is mentioned, add 3 hdc in same stitch.

Row 2: ch 1, turn, hdc in 8 (9, 9, 10, 11, 11) sts, inc in next st, hdc in next 16 (18, 18, 20, 20, 22) sts, inc in next st, hdc in next 16 (18, 18, 20, 20, 22) sts, inc in next st, hdc in next 16 (18, 18, 20, 20, 22) sts, inc in next st, hdc in last 8 (9, 9, 10, 11, 11) sts. (76, 84, 84, 92, 92, 100 sts)

Row 3-9 (9, 10, 10, 11, 11): ch 1, turn, add 1 hdc in each st except the 4-centre marked sts. Add 3 hdc in each of 4 marked sts. (St count will increase by 8 every row. St count for the last row: 132, 140, 148, 156, 164, 172 sts)

Body:

Row 10 (10, 11, 11, 12, 12):  Divide for front, back and sleeves.

Ch 1, turn, hdc in next 17 (18, 19, 20, 21, 22) sts, ch 4 (5, 6, 6, 6, 8), skip next 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42) sts, hdc in next 34 (36, 38, 40, 42, 44) sts, ch 4 (5, 6, 6, 6, 8), skip next 32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42) sts, hdc in last 17 (18, 19, 20, 21, 22) sts. 

(76, 82, 88, 92, 96, 104 sts for body including chs; and 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 sts plus ch for sleeves)

Now you can remove all the st markers.

Next row: ch 1, turn, hdc in each st. (76, 82, 88, 92, 96, 104 sts)

Repeat last row till the length from shoulder to hem measures 12” (13”, 15”, 16”, 18”, 18”). Cardigan length can be easily adjusted by adding fewer or more rows.

Hem ribbing:

1 ribbing row is worked across each stitch. Work total 76, 82, 88, 92, 96, 104 rows.

If you are new to this ribbing technique, here is link to the great tutorial video by TL Yarn Crafts. https://youtu.be/xsEPLeUSwmg

With smaller hook,

Row 1: ch 7 (7, 7, 7, 8, 8), sc in 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch, slip stitch to 1st stitch on hem, sl st to next st on hem. (6, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7 sts)

Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc-blo to last st, sc in last st. (6, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7 sts)

Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in 1st st, sc-blo in remaining sts, sl st into next 2 sts on hem. (6, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7 sts)

Repeat rows 2 and 3 all around. Fasten off.

Sleeves:

Sleeves are worked in rows, turning after each row and then sewn after adding the ribbing. (To avoid sewing, you can join with sl st after each row and work in rounds, turning after each round. Just make sure to count sts every round.)

Work 1st row of the sleeve from WS or RS depending upon the previous row. If previous row is WS row, work the 1st row as RS row and vice a versa. 

Row 1: Attach yarn at any centre underarm ch. Add 38 (41, 44, 46, 48, 52) hdc evenly along armhole. (There are total 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 unworked stitches plus 4 (5, 6, 6, 6, 8) underarm ch, i e. total 36, 39, 42, 44, 46, 50 sts. Add 2 more sts (preferably hdc2tog), one before and one after underarm ch. This will avoid the holes at the underarm.)

Row 2: ch 1, turn. Hdc2tog over 2 sts, hdc in all sts to last 2 sts, hdc2tog over last 2 sts. (36, 39, 42, 44, 46, 50 sts)

Work in hdc, decreasing sts on both the ends every 3rd row, 6 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) more times. Add 2 (2, 2, 1, 2, 1) more row/s of hdc without any decrease. You can add fewer or more rows to adjust the sleeve length. (Total 20, 23, 26, 28, 32, 34 rows and 24, 25, 26, 26, 26, 28 sts)

Sleeve ribbing:

With smaller hook,

Row 1: ch 6 (6, 7, 7, 7, 7) sc in 2nd ch from the hook and in each ch, slip stitch to 1st stitch on sleeve, sl st to next st on sleeve. (5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6 sts)

Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc-blo to last st, sc in last st. (5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6 sts)

Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in 1st st, sc-blo in remaining sts, sl st into next 2 sts on sleeve.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 all around. Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing the sleeves. 

Thread the yarn tail onto tapestry needle and join the sleeves using whip stitch, with right sides together. 

Repeat for another sleeve.

Button band:

For boys, button band will be on left side and for girls, it will be on right side. For boys, join yarn at the top neck edging on left side. For girls, join yarn at the bottom hem edging on right side. 

With smaller hook,

Row 1: Add sc evenly across the hdc rows. Add 6 sc across every 5 hdc rows. Add 1 sc in each ribbing st. (You can adjust number of sc added. Feel free to add fewer or more sc depending on your tension.)

Row 2-4: ch 1, turn, sc in each st. Fasten off.

Buttonhole band:

For boys, buttonhole band will be on right side and for girls, it will be on left side. For boys, join yarn at the bottom hem edging on right side. For girls, join yarn at the top neck edging on left side.

Row 1: Add sc evenly across the hdc rows, similar to the button band. 

Attach 6 markers for smaller sizes and 7 markers for larger sizes, one at top, one at bottom and remaining in between, spacing equally.

Row 2: ch 1, turn, add sc in each st. Ch 2 and skip 2 sts where you have attached the st markers. Ch 2 spaces will serve as buttonholes.

Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in each st and each ch. Fasten off.

Finishing off:

Weave in the ends and sew on buttons to correspond to the buttonholes.

 

Don’t forget to share your Mirage child’s crochet cardigan with Sashimi on social media using #joyofcreationcrochet and #miragecardigan. It is a great way of saying thank you for the free pattern!

 

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