Made for yourself or someone special, our festive free crochet cardigan pattern by Fran Morgan will transform anyone into the perfect Christmas hostess. Cut high at the waist, it’s a wonderful little cover-up to wear over a dress or just a plain top. It’s the little details you’ll love though: the rib at the cuffs and hem, and the lacy pattern that runs around the yoke and down each front. Start hooking it up today and you'll easily have this free crochet cardigan pattern made in time for Christmas Day!
You will need
Novita 7 Veljesta Aran Yarn (75% wool, 25% polyamide,100g/200m), Christmas (549) - or alternative Aran weight yarn, see table below for yarn quantities and measurements
Please note: this crochet cardigan pattern was originally designed in West Yorkshire Spinners Aire Valley Aran (75% British Wool, 25% Nylon, 100g/200m) which has since been discontinued. We have substituted it for a yarn with the same weight/length/thickness, but you should still check you tension to ensure it matches the pattern. If you would like to substitute the yarn for an alternative yarn by West Yorkshire Spinners, you could try the West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft Shetland Colours, which is a 100% Shetland wool yarn and the 100g balls come with 166m, so you will need to adjust your yarn quantities to account for this.
Tension
20 sts and 16 rows to measure 10 x 10cm (4 x 4in) over moss stitch pattern using a 4mm hook or size required to achieve tension
Abbreviations
You can find a full list of all abbreviations we use in our abbreviations and conversions guide. This free crochet cardigan pattern is written in UK terminology but you can easily convert it to US terms using the guide.
This free crochet cardigan pattern uses Front Post Treble crochet (FPtr) and Back Post Treble crochet (BPtr) stitches. You can check out our How to crochet post stitches tutorial if you need any help with these.
Notes
Cardigan is worked top down in one piece, dividing at base of armholes for Sleeves and Back/Front. If you prefer a looser waist fit, work with either less dec or no dec, adjusting accordingly so the stitch count for Border is a multiple of 12 sts plus 5. Stitch patterns you need are written out below. Length stated is from shoulder to hem (without top rib).
Moss Stitch Pattern
Foundation row (Dc in next st, ch1, skip next st) repeat to end, turn.
Row 1 Dc in every ch-sp, ch1 above every dc, skipping that dc, unless stated otherwise.
Row 1 sets pattern.
Increasing in Moss Stitch Patt
(Dc, ch1, dc, ch1) in ch-sp to work one inc. Each inc worked increases by 2 sts.
Decreasing in Moss Stitch Patt
(Dc, ch1) in next ch-sp, skip next ch-sp, dc in next ch-sp. Each decrease worked decreases by 2 sts.
Border Pattern
Worked over a multiple of 12 5 sts.
Row 1 Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), dc in first st, *ch3, skip each of next 3 sts, (dc in next st, ch1, skip next st) 4 times, dc in next st; rep from * to last 4 sts, ch3, skip next 3 sts, dc in last st, turn.
Row 2 Ch1, dc in first st, *(dc, ch1, dc) in next ch-3 sp, ch3, skip next 3 sts, dc in next ch-sp, ch1, skip next st, dc in next ch-sp, ch3, skip next 3 sts; rep from * to last 4 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next ch-3 sp, dc in last st, turn.
Row 3 Ch1, dc in first st, *ch1, dc in next ch-sp, ch1, (dc, ch1, dc) in next ch-3 sp, ch3, skip next 3 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next ch-3 sp; rep from * to last 4 sts, ch1, dc in next ch-sp, ch1, dc in last st, turn.
Row 4 Ch1, dc in first st, *dc in next ch-sp, ch1, dc in next ch-sp, ch3, skip next 3 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next ch-3 sp, ch3, skip next 3 sts; rep from * to last 4 sts, dc in next ch-sp, ch1, dc in next ch-sp, dc in last st, turn.
Row 5 Ch1, dc in first st, *ch3, skip next 3 sts, (dc, ch1, dc) in next ch-3 sp, ch1, dc in next ch-sp, ch1, (dc, ch1, dc) in next ch-3 sp; rep from * to last 4 sts, ch3, dc in last st, turn.
Rows 2-5 set pattern.
Free Crochet Cardigan Pattern
Body
Rib
Ch113 (121: 139).
Foundation row Tr in third ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn. [112 (120: 138) sts]
Row 1 (RS) Ch2 (counts as st for Rib section), *FPtr around each of next 2 sts, BPtr around each of next 2 sts; rep from * to last 3 sts, 1FPtr around each of next 2 sts, tr in last st, turn.
Row 2 Ch2, *BPtr around each of next 2 sts, FPtr around each of next 2 sts; rep from * to last 3 sts, BPtr around each of next 2 sts, tr in beg ch-2, turn.
Rows 3-4 Rep Rows 1-2 once more.
Yoke
Row 5 Ch1 (does not count as first st throughout), 1dc (2dc: 2dc) in first st, dc in each st to end, turn. [112 (121: 139) sts]
Row 6 (Inc row) Ch1, dc in next st, (2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 2 sts) repeat to end, turn. [149 (161: 185) sts]
Rows 7-12 Work Rows 1-5 of Border Patt, then rep Row 2 of Border Patt.
Row 13 (Inc Row) Work 10 sts as for the beg of Row 3 of Border Patt, work the Foundation Row of Moss Stitch Patt beg with a dc to last 10 sts, increasing 24 (26: 30) times evenly over these Moss sts, work the last 10 sts of Row 3 of Border Patt, turn. [Inc by 48 (52: 60) sts, total st count of 197 (213: 245) sts]
Row 14 Work 10 sts as for the beg of correct Border Patt row, work central stitches as for Row 1 of Moss Stitch Patt, work the last 10 sts as for the end of the correct Border Patt row, turn.
Cont working 10 sts in Border Patt at beg and end of each row, keeping Patt correct, and working the centre sts by repeating Row 1 of Moss Stitch Patt:
Work 6 (7: 8) more rows as the last row.
Next row (Inc row) Work 10 sts in Border Patt, work 33 (35: 40) inc evenly along Moss St centre, ending with 10 sts in Border Patt. [Inc by 66 (70: 80) sts, total st count of 263 (283: 325) sts]
Work 6 (7: 8) plain rows (as Row 14).
Looking for more free Christmas crochet patterns? We've got plenty for you to choose - From small makes like our Free mini Christmas tree crochet pattern and our Free Santa motif crochet pattern, to super-fun projects like our Free Amigurumi Christmas pudding crochet pattern and our Free crochet Christmas heart tutorial!
Divide for Front and Back
Next row (WS) Work 10 sts in Border Patt, 29 (32: 38) sts in Moss St, ch8 (10: 10) for underarm, skip 54 (58: 66) sts for first sleeve, Moss St 77 (83: 97) for Back, ch8 (10: 10) for underarm, skip 54 (58: 66) sts for second sleeve, Moss St 29 (32: 38) sts, work 10 sts in Border Patt. [171 (187: 213) working sts]
Next row Work in Border Patt as set over first 10 and last 10 sts, and Moss St in each remaining st and chain. Fold work flat and place a stitch marker in the ch-sp closest to each side fold, at the centre of each underam.
Work 4 more rows in pattern as set.
Waist decreases
Next row (Dec row) Work in pattern as set up to first marker, decreasing by skipping marked ch-sp as explained in Moss Stitch Patt Notes. Move marker up to second ch-sp of this dec. Work in patt up to second marker and dec as before, moving marker up to first ch-sp of this dec, work in patt to end, turn. [167 (183: 209) sts]
Next row Work in patt as set without shaping, moving markers up.
Repeat the last 2 rows 4 (5: 6) more times. [151 (163: 185) sts]
Work 9 (7: 5) rows without shaping.
Next row Work in patt as set with 1 (1: 0) decreases placed centrally in the Moss St section. [149 (161: 185) sts]
If you are adjusting the waist, your sts need to be a multiple of 12 5 at this point. Work Rows 1-5 of Border Pattern.
Next row Work in patt as set (using Foundation Row of Moss St Patt) with 7 (3: 5) dec placed evenly across the Moss St section. [135 (155: 175 sts]
Rib
Work Rows 1-3 of Rib Patt. You’ll need to adjust to an even number of sts for first row, so dec one st by skipping one st at the beginning of the next row. [134 (154: 174) sts]
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Sleeves
Work out which sts of the underarm ch need to have a dc worked into them in order for the Moss Stitch patt around the Sleeve to remain correct. Rejoin yarn in most central of those underarm sts with RS facing ready to work in rounds. Do not close off each round with a ss, but continue working in a spiral. Use a st marker in the first st of each round, moving it up as you work.
Round 1 (RS) Ch1 (does not count as st), dc in first st and continue in Moss st across underarm chain, skipped Sleeve sts and underarm ch at end of round. Once you’ve worked last ch1 of round, work an extra dc in same st as first dc of round. This is to make total number of Sleeve sts an odd number, which is required in order to work Moss Stitch in the round. [63 (69: 77) sts]
Round 2 Ch1 (this is first st of Moss St of round, so mark this st), dc in next ch-sp, cont working Moss St around.
Rounds 3-11 Continue working in Moss St in the round.
Round 12 (Dec row) Continuing in Moss St, work a dec at the beg and end of the round. [59 (65: 77) sts]
Work a Dec row on every following 12th row, 4 more times. [42 (48: 56) sts]
Next row Ch1 (does not count as st), dc in each st and ch around, ss in next st to smooth edge.
Rib
Rounds 1-4 Ch2 (counts as st), *FPtr around each of next 2 sts, BPtr around each of next 2 sts; rep from * to last 3 sts, 1FPtr around each of next 2 sts, tr in last st, ss to top of beg ch-2.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
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Button band
Rejoin yarn with RS facing at top corner of Left Front. Work 60 (62: 64)dc evenly down Left Front.
Next row Ch1 (does not count as st), *dc in next st, ch1, skip 1 st; rep from * to last 2 sts, dc in last 2 sts, turn.
Repeat the last row 5 more times.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Buttonhole band
Rejoin yarn with RS facing at bottom corner of Right Front. Work 60 (62: 64)dc evenly up Right Front.
Next row Ch1 (does not count as st), *dc in next st, ch1, skip 1 st; rep from * to last 2 sts, dc in last 2 sts, turn.
Repeat the last row twice more.
Next row (buttonhole row) Ch1 (does not count as st), work 2 (3: 2) sts in Moss St beg with a dc, dc in next st, ch3, skip 3 sts, dc in next st (buttonhole made), *5 (5: 6) sts in Moss St, dc in next st, ch3, skip 3 sts, dc in next st; rep from * 4 more times, Moss St to last 2 sts, dc in last 2 sts, turn.
Next row Ch1 (does not count as st), *dc in next st, ch1, skip 1 st; rep from * to last 2 sts, dc in last 2 sts, turn.
Repeat last row.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
To Finish
Sew on buttons to match buttonholes.
Block to measurements.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this free crochet cardigan pattern, don’t forget if you need any help with your crochet stitches you can always check out our crochet for beginners guide. And if you’re looking to treat yourself, check out our list of the best crochet hooks and the best crochet kits for beginners.
