Intermediate
What the pattern's own author called it. Nothing here is graded again.
Garments 14 Laid out for paper No account, no download
Textured panel crochet cardigan with ribbed border
Open-front cardigan, 5 rectangular panels, hdc and fpdc texture, 5.5mm hook. Written pattern only.
- Skill
- Intermediate
- Time
- 8-12 hours
- Yarn weight
- Worsted (Category 4)
- Hook
- 5.5 mm
- Rounds
- 14
Worsted (Category 4)
What the sample was worked in. Any weight works; the size moves with it.
14
Each one is typed out whole and gets its own line.
This cardigan is built from five flat rectangles: one back panel, two front panels, and two sleeves, each worked in rows of half double crochet with a front post stitch repeated to form a raised texture. Rows 1 and 2 set a plain hdc base before the texture row introduces the fpdc sequence, and that two-row pattern repeats until each panel reaches its length. Before starting, have a 5.5 mm (US I-9) hook, category 4 yarn, stitch markers, and a measuring tape on hand, since panel length is checked by the tape rather than by a row count.
The pictured inspiration uses a warm brown shade, but the pattern works beautifully in many colors including cream, sage green, charcoal, dusty rose, and other natural neutrals. It is suggested for confident beginners through intermediate crocheters and works well with soft acrylic, wool blend, or cotton blend yarn.
Common mistakes and their fixes
- Uneven edges
- Count stitches at the end of every row to keep panels square.
- Incorrect sizing
- Check gauge before completing the full cardigan.
- Tight seams
- Sew panels with a flexible joining method to maintain drape.
- Uneven texture
- Place stitch markers at texture repeats when needed.
The materials list
- Category 4 medium weight yarn, approximately 2200 yards (2012 meters)
- 5.5 mm crochet hook (US I-9)
- Yarn needle for weaving ends
- Stitch markers
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
Listed by the pattern's own author, in their words.
Key to this pattern, 9 short forms
Back Panel
Chain 79.
Round 1
Hdc in second chain from hook and across. Turn. (78 hdc)
Round 2
Ch 1, hdc across. Turn. (78 hdc)
Round 3
Ch 1, hdc in first 2 stitches, fpdc around next stitch, hdc in next 2 stitches. Repeat this sequence across. Turn. (78 stitches)
Round 4
Ch 1, hdc across. Turn. (78 hdc) Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until the panel measures approximately 26 inches (66 cm).
Front Panels
Make two matching panels.
Chain 40.
Round 1
Hdc in second chain from hook and across. Turn. (39 hdc)
Round 2
Ch 1, hdc across. Turn. (39 hdc)
Round 3
Ch 1, hdc in first 2 stitches, fpdc around next stitch, hdc in next 2 stitches. Repeat across. Turn. (39 stitches)
Round 4
Ch 1, hdc across. Turn. (39 hdc) Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until the panel length matches the back panel.
Sleeves
Make two sleeves.
Chain 44.
Round 1
Hdc in second chain from hook and across. Turn. (43 hdc)
Round 2
Ch 1, hdc across. Turn. (43 hdc)
Round 3
Ch 1, work texture stitch pattern across. Turn. (43 stitches)
Round 4
Ch 1, hdc across. Turn. (43 hdc) Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until sleeve measures approximately 17 inches (43 cm).
Border and Finishing
Join yarn at the bottom front edge.
Round 1
Ch 1, work sc evenly around both front edges and neckline.
Round 2
Ch 1, sc in each stitch around. Join with sl st.Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Special Stitch
Texture Stitch: Work one hdc in each stitch across. On texture rows, alternate fpdc around every third stitch to create raised vertical details.
Assembly, in order
Step 1Place the front panels beside the back panel with right sides facing.
Step 2Seam shoulders using slip stitch or whip stitch, leaving a neckline opening of approximately 10 inches (25 cm).
Step 3Attach sleeves by matching the sleeve center with the shoulder seam.
Step 4Fold the cardigan and sew side seams from the bottom edge upward, leaving the sleeve opening free.
Check these before you start
- The 5.5 mm hook is sized for structure, not drape; if your fpdc rounds pull the fabric narrower than the plain hdc rows, drop to a looser tension on the texture row only.
- Mark the first and last stitch of each row on the front panels, since the 39-stitch count is easy to lose when the fpdc repeat does not divide evenly at the edges.
- Turning chains are not counted as stitches anywhere in this pattern, so count only the hdc and fpdc stitches named in the row when checking totals.
- 14 stitches and 10 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in textured stitch pattern.
- Approximate medium size: Bust 44 inches (112 cm), Length 26 inches (66 cm).
- Slip stitches are used only for joining and do not count as stitches.
On one line
| Rounds | 14 |
|---|---|
| Parts | 5 |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Time | 8-12 hours |
| Hook | 5.5 mm |
| Yarn | Worsted (Category 4) |
Set-up
- Confirm total yarn yardage against your gauge swatch before chaining the 79-stitch back panel, since the body is the largest single piece.
- Work a small swatch in the Row 3 texture sequence (hdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc, hdc) to check that your fpdc sits forward and does not tighten the row width.
- Place a stitch marker at the start of each row on the back and front panels so the 78-stitch and 39-stitch counts are easy to verify after every fpdc row.
- Read Row 3 of the Back Panel in full before casting on, since the hdc/fpdc repeat is the stitch pattern reused across all three main pieces.
Finishing
- Weave in all ends from the back panel, two front panels, and two sleeves separately before joining, so no tails are trapped inside a seam.
- Block each of the five panels flat and let them dry completely, which relaxes the fpdc texture rows and squares off the long edges before seaming.
- Seam the front panels to the back panel, set in the sleeves, then work the front border last so the ribbed edge finishes over a seam that is already flat and settled.
- Blocking helps relax the stitches and improves the final shape of the crochet cardigan. Lay each piece flat, gently adjust the edges, and allow the fabric to dry completely before wearing. For care, follow the yarn label recommendations: many acrylic blends can be machine washed gently, while natural fibers may require hand washing and careful drying.
Construction
Each panel is worked flat and turned after every row rather than joined in rounds, which keeps the fpdc texture stitch oriented the same way on every right-side row.
The texture repeat (hdc, hdc, fpdc, hdc, hdc) sits on alternating rows with a plain hdc row between, so the raised stitch appears every other row rather than continuously.
Time per section
| Back Panel | about 3-4 hours because the 78-stitch row width and 26-inch length require many repeats of the texture pattern |
|---|---|
| Front Panels (both) | about 2-3 hours because each panel repeats the same 39-stitch texture rows as the back, worked twice |
| Sleeves and assembly | about 3-4 hours because two 43-stitch sleeve panels must be seamed flat, then all five pieces joined and the front border added |
Common questions
These answers came from whoever first published the pattern, kept word for word.