Heartland Cardy Cardigan Crochet Pattern (Small/Medium Sizes)
Let me start off by saying, I never thought I would be able to crochet (let alone design) something to add to my wardrobe. Now that I've made and designed my first ever cardigan - I'm already working on the next one! Once I figured out the basic construction and sizing of a cardigan, it was pretty smooth sailing from there.
My first attempt at a cardigan was awful and my biggest mistake was not leaving a few extra inches to my measurements. This made things just a bit skin tight and discouraging as I couldn't figure out why my measurements were 'wrong'. At that point, I back tracked to a more simple style of top - a shrug. It was basically making a rectangle and sewing up the sides leaving some holes for arms. You can find that free pattern here.
Once I did more research and realized what I was doing wrong with the measurements, I did more research about some construction so I would surely get it right this time. Armed with knowledge, I dived into designing.
I knew I wanted something simple yet detailed. Just enough detail to make it seem like my wardrobe is pulled together (and it's totally not - T-shirts and leggings are my jam). So it's safe to say, if I need to look a little pulled together - this is going to be my cardigan of choice to do so.
I flipped through one of my stitch dictionaries to see what I could use to spruce up a basic cardigan. When I saw this checkered filet look I knew it would make the perfect back panel for this cardigan. I think it adds just enough detail and it's really easy to do! Just double crochets and chains.
The front panels and sleeves are just as easy. Just double crochets - plus some increases and decreases here and there for a tapered look on the top front and for fitted sleeves.
And let's talk about those sleeves. Anyone else a fan of 3/4 sleeves? With my long sleeve tops and sweaters, I'm constantly pulling the sleeves up to do dishes, pull clothes out of the laundry, assisting with the potty, cleaning up unknown substances off the floor, you know - the usual mom stuff.
With the 3/4 sleeves I can do all of those mom things comfortably without sleeves getting in the way. If you prefer long sleeves, don't worry - there are instructions in the pattern to do so!
Before beginning this cardigan, please read over the general construction notes as well as the pattern notes! Sizes Large and XLarge will be found on a separate post at the link at the very bottom of this post.
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Materials
J hook 6.0mm
Lion Brand Heartland Yarn in 180 Kings Canyon (251 yards per skein)
Tapestry needle & Scissors
Sizing Notes
Model (me) is super short (4’10”) so for my personal cardigan, I made a medium but made mine 3 rows shorter. You can easily adjust the length by adding or taking away rows in multiples of three for the back panel and both front panels. Everything else in the pattern will stay the same. Adding/taking away 3 rows will add/take away about 2 inches.
Small 32”-34” bust - 3 skeins in Lion Brand Heartland
Medium 36”-38” bust - 4 skeins in Lion Brand Heartland
Large 40”-42” bust - 4 skeins in Lion Brand Heartland
XL 44”-46” bust - 4 skeins in Lion Brand Heartland
I think the sizes run small, if you are on the fence about what size to pick or would rather a bit more of a loose fit - go a size up.
Pattern Notes
Written in US terms
Ch 3 in the beginning rounds count as a stitch. Since the Ch 3 DOES count as a stitch, when making the next stitch, you will not be working into that same ch 3 space rather the next space (unless otherwise stated)
I tend to crochet loosely. Please please check your gauge so your cardigan will not turn out too small.
Abbreviations
DC = double crochet, HDC = half double crochet, Ch = chain, St = stitch(es), FPDC = front post double crochet, BPDC = back post double crochet, DC2tog = double crochet 2 together (AKA decrease)
Gauge: 4” x 4” = 12 stitches x 7 rows in DC
General Construction Notes
The cardigan will start with making the back panel and continuing onto the back panel to make the first front panel. Yarn will be attached as indicated in pattern for the second panel.
Once back panel and front panels are made, the front panels will be folded down onto the back panel. Using the whip stitch, the front panel will be seamed together with the back panel leaving holes for sleeves.
Sleeves will be made around the holes left from seaming up the sides. Edging will be completed last around the panels and then on the bottom.
SIZE SMALL
Back Panel
Row 1: Chain 51, DC in 4th ch from hook, DC in next 5 st, [ch 1, skip 1, DC in next st] 3 times, *DC in next 6 st, [ch 1, skip 1, DC in next st] 3 times, repeat from * across, turn
Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as DC and ch 1), DC in next DC (skipping the ch 1 space), [ch. 1, skip 1, DC in next st] 2 times, DC in next 6 stitches, *[ch. 1, skip 1, DC in next st] 3 times, DC in next 6 st, repeat from * across, turn
Row 3: Ch 3, *DC in next 6 st, [Ch. 1, skip 1, DC in next st] 3 times, repeat from * across, work last DC into the 3rd ch up of the ch 4, turn
Row 4: Ch 3, *DC in next 6 st (working in the ch. 1 space and DC from previous row), [ch. 1, skip 1, DC in next st] 3 times, repeat from * across
Repeat Rows 2-4 until you have a total of 36 rows, do not fasten off
Row 37: Ch 1 (does not count as stitch) SC in same space as chain and across, turn (49)
Do not fasten off
Front Panel
Row 1: Ch 3, DC in next 17 st, turn
Row 2: Ch 3, DC across, turn (18)
Row 3: Ch 3, DC across, turn (18)
Row 4: Ch 3, DC in same st and across, turn (19)
Row 5: Ch 3, DC across, turn (19)
Row 6: Ch 3, DC in same st and across, turn (20)
Row 7: Ch 3, DC across, turn (20)
Row 8: Ch 3, DC in same st and across, turn (21)
Row 9: Ch 3, DC across, turn (21)
Row 10: Ch 3, DC in same st and across, turn (22)
Row 11: Ch 3, DC across, turn (22)
Row 12: Ch 3, DC in same st and across, turn (23)
Row 13: Ch 3, DC across, turn (23)
Row 14: Ch 3, DC in same st and across, turn (24)
Row 15: Ch 3, DC across, turn (24)
Row 16-36: Ch 3, DC across, turn (24) 19
Fasten off
Second panel
Attach yarn 12 spaces away from the first panel. You will have 11 stitches between the panels.
Row 1: Ch 3, DC in next 17 st, turn
Row 2: Ch 3, DC across, turn (18)
Row 3: Ch 3, DC across, turn (18)
Row 4: Ch 3, DC across, making 2 DC in last stitch, turn (19)
Row 5: Ch 3, DC across, turn (19)
Row 6: Ch 3, DC across, making 2 DC in last stitch, turn (20)
Row 7: Ch 3, DC across, turn (20)
Row 8: Ch 3, DC across, making 2 DC in last stitch, turn (21)
Row 9: Ch 3, DC across, turn (21)
Row 10: Ch 3, DC across, making 2 DC in last stitch, turn (22)
Row 11: Ch 3, DC across, turn (22)
Row 12: Ch 3, DC across, making 2 DC in last stitch, turn (23)
Row 13: Ch 3, DC across, turn (23)
Row 14: Ch 3, Ch 3, DC across, making 2 DC in last stitch, turn (24)
Row 15: Ch 3, DC across, turn (24)
Row 16-36: Ch 3, DC across, turn (24)
Fasten off
Sew front panels to back panel together by whip stitching up the sides. Leave 10 rows for arm holes.
**Turn inside out. Once you have turned inside out, this will be the ‘right side’ of your cardigan.
Sleeves:
Attach yarn in ‘armpit’ of the hole left from sewing up the sides.
*The stitch count for the first round around the armhole may be off by 1 stitch (less or more) without affecting the rest of the sleeve*
If your stitch count is off, each time you decrease in a row, you should have two less than the last row.
Round 1: Ch 3, DC around hole (I made 2DC per DC/Ch 3 space around the hole), join to Ch 3 (40 st)
Round 2: Ch 3, DC around, join to Ch 3 (40 st)
Round 3: Ch 3, DC2tog, DC until last 2 st, DC2tog, join to Ch 3. (38)
Round 4: Repeat Round 2 (38)
Round 5: Repeat Round 3 (36)
Round 6: Repeat Round 2 (36)
Round 7: Repeat Round 3 (34)
Round 8: Repeat Round 2 (34)
Round 9: Repeat Round 3 (32)
Round 10: Repeat Round 2 (32)
Round 11: Repeat Round 3 (30)
Round 12: Repeat Round 2 (30)
Round 13: Repeat Round 3 (28)
Round 14 - 17: Repeat Round 2 (28)
*Skip to Round 32 for ¾ sleeves
Round 18-31: Repeat Round 2 (28)
Round 32: Ch 3, alternate FPDC & BPDC, join to ch 3
Round 33: Repeat Round 32
Fasten off
Bottom Edging
Attach yarn to bottom edge of cardigan/bottom edge of right panel
Ch 3, DC across, turn
Ch 3, *FPDC, BPDC, repeat across, end with DC in Ch 3
Fasten off
Panel Edging
Attach yarn to bottom left panel
Ch 2 (counts as HDC), HDC up panel, around neck space, and back down the other panel (I made 2HDC in each DC/Ch 3 space), turn
Repeat until you have 4 rows total, fasten off
Weave in all ends
SIZE MEDIUM
Back Panel
Row 1: Chain 57, DC in 4th ch from hook, DC in next 5 st, *[ch 1, skip 1, DC in next st] 3 times, DC in next 6 st, repeat from * across, turn
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as DC), DC in next 6 st, *(Ch. 1, skip 1, DC in next st) 3 times, DC in next 6 st, repeat from * across, turn
Row 3: Repeat Row 2
Row 4: Ch 4 (counts as DC and ch 1), sk 1, DC in next st, [ch. 1, skip 1, DC in next st] 2 times, *DC in next 6 stitches (DC into the ch. 1 spaces and DC from previous row), [ch. 1, skip 1 DC, DC in next st] 3 times, repeat from * across, turn
Row 5: Ch 4 (counts as DC and ch 1), DC in next DC (skipping the ch 1 space), [ch. 1, skip 1, DC in next st] 2 times, *DC in next 6 stitches, [ch. 1, skip 1, DC in next st] 3 times, repeat from * across, turn
Row 6: Repeat Row 5
Row 7: Repeat Row 2 (the DC in 6 st across will be in ch.1 spaces and DC from previous row)
Repeat Rows 2-7 until you have a total of 31 rows
Row 32-36: Repeat Row 2-6
Row 37:Ch 1 (does not count as stitch) SC in same space as chain and across, turn (55)
Do not fasten off
Front Panel
Row 1: Ch 3, DC in next 21 st, turn
Row 2: Ch 3, DC across, turn (22)
Row 3: Ch 3, DC across, turn (22)
Row 4: Ch 3, DC in same st and across, turn (23)
Row 5: Ch 3, DC across, turn (23)
Row 6: Ch 3, DC in same st and across, turn (24)
Row 7: Ch 3, DC across, turn (24)
Row 8: Ch 3, DC in same st and across, turn (25)
Row 9: Ch 3, DC across, turn (25)
Row 10: Ch 3, DC in same st and across, turn (26)
Row 11: Ch 3, DC across, turn (26)
Row 12: Ch 3, DC in same st and across, turn (27)
Row 13: Ch 3, DC across, turn (27)
Row 14: Ch 3, DC in same st and across, turn (28)
Row 15: Ch 3, DC across, turn (28)
Row 16-36: Ch 3, DC across, turn (28)
Fasten off
Second panel
Attach yarn 12 spaces to the right of first panel. You will have 11 stitches between both panels.
Row 1: Ch 3, DC in next 21 st, turn
Row 2: Ch 3, DC across, turn (22)
Row 3: Ch 3, DC across, turn (22)
Row 4: Ch 3, DC across, making 2 DC in last stitch, turn (23)
Row 5: Ch 3, DC across, turn (23)
Row 6: Ch 3, DC across, making 2 DC in last stitch, turn (24)
Row 7: Ch 3, DC across, turn (24)
Row 8: Ch 3, DC across, making 2 DC in last stitch, turn (25)
Row 9: Ch 3, DC across, turn (25)
Row 10: Ch 3, DC across, making 2 DC in last stitch, turn (26)
Row 11: Ch 3, DC across, turn (26)
Row 12: Ch 3, DC across, making 2 DC in last stitch, turn (27)
Row 13: Ch 3, DC across, turn (27)
Row 14: Ch 3, Ch 3, DC across, making 2 DC in last stitch, turn (28)
Row 15: Ch 3, DC across, turn (28)
Row 16-36: Ch 3, DC across, turn (28)
Fasten off
Sew front panels to back panel together by whip stitching up the sides. Leave 10 rows for arm holes.
**Turn inside out. Once you have turned inside out, this will be the ‘right side’ of your cardigan.
Sleeves:
Attach yarn in ‘armpit’ of the hole left from sewing up the sides.
*The stitch count for the first round around the armhole may be off by 1 (more of less) stitch without affecting the rest of the sleeve*
If your stitch count is off, each time you decrease in a row, you should have two less than the last row.
Round 1: Ch 3, DC around hole (I made 2DC per DC/Ch 3 space around the hole), join to Ch 3 (40 st)
Round 2: Ch 3, DC around, join to Ch 3 (40 st)
Round 3: Ch 3, DC2tog, DC until last 2 st, DC2tog, join to Ch 3. (38)
Round 4: Repeat Round 2 (38)
Round 5: Repeat Round 3 (36)
Round 6: Repeat Round 2 (36)
Round 7: Repeat Round 3 (34)
Round 8: Repeat Round 2 (34)
Round 9: Repeat Round 3 (32)
Round 10: Repeat Round 2 (32)
Round 11: Repeat Round 3 (30)
Round 12: Repeat Round 2 (30)
Round 13: Repeat Round 3 (28)
Round 14 - 17: Repeat Round 2 (28)
*Skip to Round 29 for ¾ sleeves
Round 18-31: Repeat Round 2 (28)
Round 32: Ch 3, alternate FPDC & BPDC, join to ch 3
Round 33: Repeat Round 32
Fasten off
Bottom Edging
Attach yarn to bottom edge/bottom right panel
Ch 3, DC across, turn
Ch 3, *FPDC, BPDC, repeat across, end with DC in Ch 3
Fasten off
Panel Edging
Attach yarn to bottom left panel
Ch 2 (counts as HDC), HDC up the panel, around the neck space, and down the other panel (I made 2HDC in each DC/Ch 3 space), turn
Repeat until you have 4 rows total, fasten off
Weave in all ends
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