Free Crochet Pattern: The Beautiful Riverbed Cardigan

Hello hello everyone!

Another week, another beautiful pattern. I hope you guys are not tired of seeing this stitch combination because I want to share another pattern today.

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Ever since making the Riverbed Blanket, I started thinking of all the possibilities and all the things I could make with this stitch combination.

I immediately thought about a cardigan and how nice it would look.

And well, it turned out better than I imagined. A nice, cozy and super oversized cardigan for everyday wear.

Not ready to crochet yet? Pin this image and crochet later!

Sizing

This Cardigan is very oversized and loose, If you don’t like loose clothes, I recommend sizing down at least 2 times.

With that being said, I know most of you prefer the oversized fit, and if that’s the case, wear your regular size and measure around to make sure it’s the proper fit.

This piece has 14 inches of positive ease, meaning that it’s 14 inches bigger than the corresponding standard size.

How can I adjust my size?

Because this cardigan is super oversized, it’s very simple to adjust whatever you need. The construction also allows you to modify whatever you need.

If you want it to be a bit longer, you simply crochet a few more rows on the back and front panels.

If you want it a bit shorter, crochet fewer rows on the back and front panels.

Same for the sleeves, if you need them longer or shorter, crochet more or fewer rows to achieve the right length. Try it on as you crochet to see if you like the fit.

Keep in mind that I used standard American sizes and dimensions.

Switching colour on every row… or not?

As we have been doing for previous patterns, we will be switching colours every single row, but it doesn´t mean you have to!

You can always make the cardigan using only 1 colour, and I’m sure it would look just as beautiful.

To not weave in a ton of ends, we will be cutting the yarn and using the magic knot method to switch colours, that way we won’t have ANY ends to weave in.

At the end of the project, we will add a ribbing around the collar, this will also help to hide the little knots.

Wash/block your cardigan!

Regardless of the material you are using to make your cardigan, I highly recommend washing or steam-blocking your garment.

This will allow the stitches to relax and fit better, without your cardigan looking stiff.

If you don’t like blocking, just throw it in the washing machine.

I didn’t have time to wash it before taking pictures (I’m using acrylic yarn so it’s totally fine), so I steam-blocked it and that made my stitches look a bit looser and more relaxed.

If you would like the ad-free printable pattern PDF, you can get it from Etsy, Ravelry or My Shop. Complete written instructions with images to follow along. You can also get the complete KIT here.

Check out more crochet patterns

Follow along with the video tutorial on YouTube!

Stitches you should know

• Chain
• Slip Stitch
• Single Crochet
• Double Crochet
• Back Loop Only

Yarn

You will need Worsted weight yarn, category 4, of any kind. Follow accordingly: XS(S)M(L)XL(XXL)3XL(4XL)

120g/270m(130g/293m)140g/315m(150g/338m)168g/378m(184g/414m)192g/432m(200g/450) of EACH colour, PLUS the following amount for the ribbing colour of your choice: 88g/198m(93g/210m)100g/225m(110g/248m)115g/259m(125g/282m)130g/293m(140g/315m)

I used Color Theory by Lion Brand yarn in the following colours:

Canyon – Colour A (Also used for ribbing)

Himalayan Salt – Colour B

Ivory – Colour C

Raisin – Colour D

Notions

• Size 5.5 mm crochet hook
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle
• A few stitch markers

Gauge

Pattern stitch starting from the first row 4″x4″: 14 sts x 9 rows

Abbreviations

This pattern uses US standard terms

• Ch(s): Chain(s)
• St(s): Stitch (es)
• Sl st: Slip Stitch
• Sc: Single Crochet
• Dc: Double Crochet
• BLO: Back Loop Only
• Cl: Cluster (3 double crochet in the same space)
• []: Repeat the sequence in the brackets

General Notes

• IMPORTANT: Choose which colour will be your A, B, C and D
• The ch 2 at the beginning of each row counts as 1 dc.
• We will be cutting the yarn and joining a new colour on each row, feel free to use your preferred method to join a new colour, or use the magic knot method.

This cardigan has 14″ of positive ease and is considered *Oversized*. Standard bust circumferences used to calculate sizes: XS(30″), S(34″), M(38″), L(42″), XL(46″), XXL(50″), 3XL(54″), 4XL(58″)

Pattern

Colour sequence for the whole cardigan

Colour [B, C, B, C, D, C, D, A, D, A, B, A]. Repeat the colour sequence until the end of each panel and sleeve.

Back Panel (make 1)

Ribbing

Using colour A, Ch 11

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in every ch across. Ch 1 and turn. (10 sts)

Row 2-80(86)95(104)110(119)125(134): Sc BLO in each st and across the row except for the last st. Sc 1. Ch 1 and turn. (10 sts) (PHOTOS 1 & 2)

Body

Turn your ribbing sideways, we will be working on the side, and each row from the ribbing will be 1 st, meaning we will have 80(86)95(104)110(119)125(134) sts along the ribbing side.

Using colour B

Row 1: Insert hook in the right corner, bring colour B and ch 2. Make 1 dc in each row from the ribbing. Ch 1 and turn. (80(86)95(104)110(119)125(134) sts) (PHOTO 3)

Row 2: Sc in the space between the first and second st, [ch 2, skip 3 sts and sc in the space between sts]. Repeat the sequence across. Ch 2 and turn. (80(86)95(104)110(119)125(134) sts) (PHOTOS A, B, C)

Row 3: [cl in the ch space from the previous row]. Repeat the sequence across to the last st, dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (80(86)95(104)110(119)125(134) sts) (PHOTO D)

Row 4: dc in the space between the first and second st, [cl in each space between the ones from the previous row]. Repeat the sequence across to the last space, dc in the space and then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. 80(86)95(104)110(119)125(134) sts) (PHOTO E)

Row 5: [cl in the space between cl from the previous row]. Repeat the sequence to the end of the row, then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (80(86)95(104)110(119)125(134) sts) (PHOTO F)

Row 6: dc in each st available across the row (not between the spaces). Ch 1 and turn. (80(86)95(104)110(119)125(134) sts) (PHOTO G)

Row 7: Sc in the space between the first and second st, [ch 2, skip 3 sts and sc in the space between sts]. Repeat the sequence across. Ch 2 and turn. (80(86)95(104)110(119)125(134) sts) (PHOTOS A, B, C)

Row 8: [cl in the ch space from the previous row]. Repeat the sequence across to the last st, dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (80(86)95(104)110(119)125(134) sts) (PHOTO D)

Row 9: dc in the space between the first and second st, [cl in each space between the ones from the previous row]. Repeat the sequence across to the last space, dc in the space and then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (80(86)95(104)110(119)125(134) sts) (PHOTO E)

Row 10: [cl in the space between cl from the previous row]. Repeat the sequence to the end of the row, then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (80(86)95(104)110(119)125(134) sts) (PHOTO F)

Repeat rows 6 to 10 for a total of 45(46)46(46)48(48)48(48) rows.

Front Panel (make 2)

Ribbing

Using colour A, Ch 11

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in every ch across. Ch 1 and turn. (10 sts)

Row 2-38(41)44(47)50(56)59(65): Sc BLO in each st and across the row except for the last st. Sc 1. Ch 1 and turn. (10 sts) (PHOTOS 1 & 2)

Body

Turn your ribbing sideways, we will be working on the side, and each row from the ribbing will be 1 st, meaning we will have 38(41)44(47)50(56)59(65) sts along the ribbing side.

Using colour B

Row 1: Insert hook in the right corner, bring colour B and ch 2. Make 1 dc in each row from the ribbing. Ch 1 and turn. (38(41)44(47)50(56)59(65) sts) (PHOTO 3)

Row 2: Sc in the space between the first and second st, [ch 2, skip 3 sts and sc in the space between sts]. Repeat the sequence across. Ch 2 and turn. (38(41)44(47)50(56)59(65) sts) (PHOTO A, B, C)

Row 3: [cl in the ch space from the previous row]. Repeat the sequence across to the last st, dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (38(41)44(47)50(56)59(65) sts) (PHOTO D)

Row 4: dc in the space between the first and second st, [cl in each space between the ones from the previous row]. Repeat the sequence across to the last space, dc in the space and then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (38(41)44(47)50(56)59(65) sts) (PHOTO E)

Row 5: [cl in the space between cl from the previous row]. Repeat the sequence to the end of the row, then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (38(41)44(47)50(56)59(65) sts) (PHOTO F)

Row 6: dc in each st available across the row (not between the spaces). Ch 1 and turn. (38(41)44(47)50(56)59(65) sts) (PHOTO G)

Row 7: Sc in the space between the first and second st, [ch 2, skip 3 sts and sc in the space between sts]. Repeat the sequence across. Ch 2 and turn. (38(41)44(47)50(56)59(65) sts) (PHOTO A, B, C)

Row 8: [cl in the ch space from the previous row]. Repeat the sequence across to the last st, dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (38(41)44(47)50(56)59(65) sts) (PHOTO D)

Row 9: dc in the space between the first and second st, [cl in each space between the ones from the previous row]. Repeat the sequence across to the last space, dc in the space and then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (38(41)44(47)50(56)59(65) sts) (PHOTO E)

Row 10: [cl in the space between cl from the previous row]. Repeat the sequence to the end of the row, then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (38(41)44(47)50(56)59(65) sts) (PHOTO F)

Repeat rows 6 to 10 for a total of 45(46)46(46)48(48)48(48) rows.

Sleeves (make 2)

Ribbing

Using colour A, Ch 9

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in every ch across. Ch 1 and turn. (8 sts)

Row 2-31(32)33(34)35(36)37(38): Sc BLO in each st and across the row except for the last st. Sc 1. Ch 1 and turn. (8 sts) (PHOTOS 1 & 2)

Body

Turn your ribbing sideways, we will be working on the side, and each row from the ribbing will have multiple sts to reach the circumference of the sleeve.

You will need to work 74(77)80(83)86(89)92(95) st., to do this you will roughly need to be placing 2 sts in the first space, then 3 in the next one, then 2, 3, 2, 3, etc.

Using colour B

Row 1: Insert hook in the right corner, bring colour B and ch 2. Make 1 dc in the next space, then work [3 sc, 2 sc in each row space] and repeat the sequence to the end of the row, dc 1 in the last st. Ch 1 and turn. (74(77)80(83)86(89)92(95) sts along the ribbind side) (PHOTO 4 & 5)

Please note: You might end the row with a 1 dc or 2 in the last st. This won’t affect your sleeve at all, we are trying to distribute the sts along the ribbing and this might look different depending on the size you are making.

Row 2: Sc in the space between the first and second st, [ch 2, skip 3 sts and sc in the space between sts]. Repeat the sequence across. Ch 2 and turn. (74(77)80(83)86(89)92(95) sts) (PHOTO A, B, C)

Row 3: [cl in the ch space from the previous row]. Repeat the sequence across to the last st, dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (74(77)80(83)86(89)92(95) sts) (PHOTO D)

Row 4: dc in the space between the first and second st, [cl in each space between the ones from the previous row]. Repeat the sequence across to the last space, dc in the space and then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (74(77)80(83)86(89)92(95) sts) (PHOTO E)

Row 5: [cl in the space between cl from the previous row]. Repeat the sequence to the end of the row, then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (74(77)80(83)86(89)92(95) sts) (PHOTO F)

Row 6: dc in each st available across the row (not between the spaces). Ch 1 and turn. (74(77)80(83)86(89)92(95) sts) (PHOTO G)

Row 7: Sc in the space between the first and second st, [ch 2, skip 3 sts and sc in the space between sts]. Repeat the sequence across. Ch 2 and turn. (74(77)80(83)86(89)92(95) sts) (PHOTO A, B, C)

Row 8: [cl in the ch space from the previous row]. Repeat the sequence across to the last st, dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (74(77)80(83)86(89)92(95) sts) (PHOTO D)

Row 9: dc in the space between the first and second st, [cl in each space between the ones from the previous row]. Repeat the sequence across to the last space, dc in the space and then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (74(77)80(83)86(89)92(95) sts) (PHOTO E)

Row 10: [cl in the space between cl from the previous row]. Repeat the sequence to the end of the row, then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (74(77)80(83)86(89)92(95) sts) (PHOTO F)

Repeat rows 6 to 10 for a total of 25(25)26(26)26(28)28(29) rows. (PHOTO 6)

Assembly

Joining back and front panels:

Now you will decide which side will be the wrong and the right side of each piece. We will be sewing each piece from the wrong side.

Lay back panel and front panels, right side facing each other. Using the same colour yarn as your last row, join the top of the back and front panels using the whip stitch or your preferred method. (PHOTOS 7 & 8)

Make sure you align each st from the back and front panels to make it even.

You should have a small gap in between both front panels, this is to give space for the collar.

Joining the sleeves:

Now lay the body of the cardigan on a table, open, wrong side facing up. Place sleeves open on each side. Without stretching the fabric, make sure the sleeves are centred and equal on both sides (back and front panels). (PHOTO 9)

Approximately 22(23)24(26)27(28)29(30) rows down from the top. (PHOTO 10)

Using the whip st, sew the sleeves in place.

Sewing the sides and shaping the cardigan:

Once both sleeves are sewn into the cardigan, close it (inside out). Place a few stitch markers to make sure the rows are aligned (so the colours are also aligned). Using the whip stitch and your preferred colour, start sewing each side of the cardigan. (PHOTO 11)

Once both sides are sewn, turn the cardigan right side out and proceed to make the collar.

Ribbed collar

This collar will be joined to the body of the cardigan as you go. Please follow the instructions below or watch the video tutorial for a better understanding.

You will be making 1 row of the ribbing collar in each st/space from the side panels of the cardigan. Each row of dc and clusters will count as 2 sts, and each row of sc will count as 1 st.

With that information in mind, use colour A and join on the left side of your cardigan (when looking at it from the front)

For all sizes ch 9. (PHOTO 12)

Row 1: Sc all the way down your ch, sl st in the next st (from the cardigan), sl st again in the next st (from the cardigan). Turn and now work sc BLO across the collar ribbing except for the last st, sc in the last st. Ch 1 and turn. (8 sts) (PHOTOS 13, 14, 15 & 16)

Row 2: Sc BLO all the way down the row, sl st in the next st (from the cardigan), sl st again in the next st (from the cardigan). Turn, and work sc BLO across the collar ribbing except for the last st, sc in the last st. Ch 1 and turn. (8 sts) (PHOTOS 13, 14, 15 & 16)

Repeat row 2 all the way up the left panel, the back of the cardigan and down the right panel.

Finishing

• Weave in the ends
• Wash or steam-block your cardigan
• Wear it all year long!

Stitch Photo Tutorial

Diagram

Cardigan Photo Tutorial

If you liked this pattern/video please give it a like on YouTube and share your pictures online using the hashtag #Riverbedcardigan.

If you would like to get the PDF pattern, here’s the LINK. Thank you in advance to all of you who buy the Pattern, this helps me continue sharing free content with all of you!

Happy Crochet ~ Dani