Let me introduce you to my newest design, the Cabana Crochet Cardigan! If you have been looking for an easy crochet cardigan pattern that is fun to make and perfect for summer, this one is for you. Designed with beginners in mind, this lightweight crochet cardigan is made from simple rectangles and uses easy stitches to create a beautiful, airy fabric that you will love wearing all season long. Whether you are making your very first crochet garment or adding another handmade piece to your wardrobe, this free crochet cardigan pattern is relaxing, quick to work up, and easy to customize with your favorite color combinations.
One of my favorite things about the Cabana Crochet Cardigan is how simple it is while still looking like a piece you would find in a boutique. It features a fun combination of classic stitches that creates lots of texture without being complicated, making it a great project for beginners and experienced crocheters alike. The airy fabric keeps it lightweight and breathable, while the stripes add just the right amount of color to make it feel fresh and summery. It is the kind of cardigan you can throw on over a tank top, a sundress, or even your swimsuit, making it one of those handmade pieces you’ll find yourself reaching for again and again.
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Keep scrolling for the full free pattern and all the details to make your own Cabana Cardigan.
Who This Pattern Is For
The Cabana Crochet Cardigan is perfect for anyone who loves easy, relaxing crochet projects that don’t require complicated shaping or advanced techniques. If you’ve been wanting to make your first crochet cardigan but felt intimidated by garment making, this pattern is a great place to start. Since it’s made from simple rectangles with straightforward construction, you’ll be surprised at how easily it comes together. It’s also a wonderful project for experienced crocheters who are looking for a quick, enjoyable make that results in a lightweight cardigan they’ll actually wear all summer long.
The Construction of this Cardigan
The Cabana Crochet Cardigan is made using simple rectangles, making the construction easy to follow from start to finish. You’ll crochet the back panel, two front panels, and two sleeves separately before seaming everything together. The panels are crocheted lengthwise first, and adding rows for the width. Same for the sleeves.
Sizes Included
This pattern includes a full range of sizes from XS to 5XL, designed to fit a variety of body types with a comfortable, slightly oversized fit.
Sizes are written as:
XS (S, M) L (XL, 2XL) 3XL (4XL, 5XL)
The cardigan is designed with positive ease, meaning it will fit loosely and comfortably over your body. If you prefer a more fitted look, you can choose to size down.
The positive ease ranges from 4″-9″ depending on the size you are making.
It is also worth mentioning that all measurements are taken after the cardigan is properly blocked, each piece separately.
If you would like the ad-free printable pattern PDF, you can get it from Etsy or My Shop. Complete written instructions with images to follow along. Shop the Kit here.
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Follow along with the video tutorial on YouTube!
Coming soon!…
Stitches you should know
- Chain
- Single Crochet
- Double Crochet
Materials You Will Need
Yarn
DK weight yarn #3. I used Coboo by Lion Brand Yarn (51% Cotton and 49% Rayon from bamboo) in Russet, Vanilla Blossom and Tan.
Notions
Abbreviations
This pattern uses US standard terms
- ch(s) – Chain(s)
- st(s) – Stitch(es)
- sc – Single Crochet
- dc – Double Crochet
- MC – Main Colour
- CC1 – Contrast Colour #1
- CC2 – Contrast Colour #2
- [] – Repeat the sequence in the brackets
General Notes
- There is a link to a video tutorial explaining how to crochet the stitch pattern in the last page of this pattern.
- Check instructions on page 3 if you’d like to make your cardigan longer or wider.
- You will need to wash/block your cardigan to achieve the desired drape/fit.
- For the starting chains of both the back and front panels, it is very important not to chain too tightly, as this can affect the final sizing of your cardigan. Try to keep your chains loose and relaxed. If you tend to crochet tightly, I recommend using a 6 mm hook for the starting chains and then switching back to the 5 mm hook to begin the pattern. This will help create a more even tension and ensure your starting edge has enough stretch.
Fit
This cardigan has 4″-9″” of positive ease (it varies per size)
Standard bust circumferences used to calculate sizes:
XS (30″), S(34″), M(38″)
L(42″), XL(46″), 2XL(50″)
3XL(54″), 4XL(58″), 5XL (62″)
Schematics
Finished Measurements Chart
Notes: These measurements are approximate and may vary depending on how loosely or tightly you crochet. To achieve the most accurate sizing, it is important to check and match the gauge before starting your cardigan.
These measurements were taken after washing or blocking the cardigan. After washing and blocking, you can expect the cardigan to grow by approximately 1 to 2 inches in both width and length.
Pattern
Back Panel
Follow your size accordingly: XS(S, M) L(XL, 2XL) 3XL(4XL, 5XL)
** with your MC **
Ch 118(122, 122) 122(122, 122) 122(126, 126)
Row 1: Sc into second ch from hook and in every ch across. Turn. (117(121, 121) 121(121, 121) 121(125, 125) sts in total) (Photo A)
Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc into each st across. Turn. (117(121, 121) 121(121, 121) 121(125, 125) sts in total) (Photo B)
Row 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), [ch, skip a st, 1 dc into the next st], repeat the sequence all the way across the row. Turn. (117(121, 121) 121(121, 121) 121(125, 125) sts in total) (Photo C)
Row 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc into each st across (each dc and each ch). Turn. (117(121, 121) 121(121, 121) 121(125, 125) sts in total) (Photo D)
** switch to CC1 **
Row 5: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), skip a st, [work (1 dc, ch, 1 dc) into the same st, skip a st, 1 dc into the next st], repeat the sequence all the way across the row. Turn. (117(121, 121) 121(121, 121) 121(125, 125) sts in total) (Photo E)
** switch to CC2 **
Row 6: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), [skip a st, 3 dc into the ch space from the previous row, skip a st, 1 dc into the next dc from the previous row], repeat the sequence all the way across the row. Turn. (117(121, 121) 121(121, 121) 121(125, 125) sts in total) (Photo F)
Repeat rows 2 to 6: 5(5, 6) 7(7, 8) 9(10, 10) more times, then work one more sequence of rows 2-4 with the MC.
Ch 1 and make one last row of sc to finish the panel the same way as we started it. Fasten off.
Front Panels (x2)
Follow your size accordingly: XS(S, M) L(XL, 2XL) 3XL(4XL, 5XL)
** with your MC **
Ch 118(122, 122) 122(122, 122) 122(126, 126)
Row 1: Sc into second ch from hook and in every ch across. Turn. (117(121, 121) 121(121, 121) 121(125, 125) sts in total) (Photo A)
Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc into each st across. Turn. (117(121, 121) 121(121, 121) 121(125, 125) sts in total) (Photo B)
Row 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), [ch, skip a st, 1 dc into the next st], repeat the sequence all the way across the row. Turn. (117(121, 121) 121(121, 121) 121(125, 125) sts in total) (Photo C)
Row 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc into each st across (each dc and each ch). Turn. (117(121, 121) 121(121, 121) 121(125, 125) sts in total) (Photo D)
** switch to CC1 **
Row 5: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), skip a st, [work (1 dc, ch, 1 dc) into the same st, skip a st, 1 dc into the next st], repeat the sequence all the way across the row. Turn. (117(121, 121) 121(121, 121) 121(125, 125) sts in total) (Photo E)
** switch to CC2 **
Row 6: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), [skip a st, 3 dc into the ch space from the previous row, skip a st, 1 dc into the next dc from the previous row], repeat the sequence all the way across the row. Turn. (117(121, 121) 121(121, 121) 121(125, 125) sts in total) (Photo F)
Repeat rows 2 to 6: 1(1, 2) 2(2, 3) 3(4, 4) more times, then work one more sequence of rows 2-4 with the MC.
Ch 1 and make one last row of sc to finish the panel the same way as we started it. Fasten off.
Sleeves (x2)
Follow your size accordingly: XS(S, M) L(XL, 2XL) 3XL(4XL, 5XL)
** with your MC **
Ch 62(66, 70) 74(74, 78) 82(86, 90)
Row 1: Sc into second ch from hook and in every ch across. Turn. (61(65, 69) 73(73, 77) 81(85, 89) sts in total) (Photo A)
Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc into each st across. Turn (61(65, 69) 73(73, 77) 81(85, 89) sts in total) (Photo B)
Row 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), [ch, skip a st, 1 dc into the next st], repeat the sequence all the way across your row. Turn. (61(65, 69) 73(73, 77) 81(85, 89) sts in total) (Photo C)
Row 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc into each st across (each dc and each ch). Turn. (61(65, 69) 73(73, 77) 81(85, 89) sts in total) (Photo D)
** switch to CC1 **
Row 5: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), skip a st, [work (1 dc, ch, 1 dc) into the same st, skip a st, 1 dc into the next st], repeat the sequence all the way across the row. Turn. (61(65, 69) 73(73, 77) 81(85, 89) sts in total) (Photo E)
** switch to CC2 **
Row 6: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), [skip a st, 3 dc into the ch space from the previous row, skip a st, 1 dc into the next dc from the previous row], repeat the sequence all the way across the row, your last dc will be on top of the turning ch from the previous row. Turn. (61(65, 69) 73(73, 77) 81(85, 89) sts in total) (Photo F)
Repeat rows 2 to 6: 1(1, 1) 1(1, 1) 1(2, 2) more times, then work one more sequence of rows 2-4 with the MC.
Ch 1 and make one last row of sc to finish the sleeve the same way as we started it. Fasten off.
Assembly
If you plan on blocking your cardigan, I recommend doing so before assembly. This makes it much easier to pin each piece into shape and ensures that all panels are the same size before joining them together.
Joining back and front panels
We will be using the MC to join all pieces together. We’ll be sewing all pieces from the wrong side, the pattern looks the same from both sides, so pick which one will be your wrong and right side.
Place the back panel and both front panels together with the right sides facing each other. Using the whip stitch method, join the first front panel to the back panel along the shoulder, making sure the colour sequences are aligned so they flow seamlessly from the front to the back. (Photo 1)
Once the first front panel is attached, fasten off. Leave space for the neckline opening, this opening is created by extra rows worked in the centre of the back panel (the number of rows will be different for each size). Then, join the second front panel to the back panel, again making sure the colour sequences are properly aligned for a seamless look.
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 panel). (Photos 2 & 3)
Using the whip stitch method, sew the sleeves in place.
Sewing the sides
Once all pieces are attached, close it (inside out). Place a few stitch markers or binding clips to make sure the sides are aligned. Measure approximately 10 inches up from the bottom edge of the cardigan and place a marker on each side. Using the whip stitch method, sew the sides of the cardigan from the marker up toward the underarm.
The 10-inch opening is completely optional and can be adjusted to your preference. Leave a larger opening if you would like a higher side slit, a smaller opening for more coverage, or sew the sides closed completely. Feel free to customize the fit and look to suit your style. (Photo 4)
Finishing
- Weave in the ends
- Wear it all year long!
Stitch Photo Tutorial
Cardigan Photo Tutorial
FAQ
Is this crochet cardigan beginner friendly?
Yes! This pattern is designed with beginners in mind. It uses simple stitches, easy rectangle construction, and detailed step by step instructions to guide you through the entire project.
What stitches do I need to know?
The cardigan uses basic crochet stitches like chains, single crochet and double crochet, making it a great project if you’re ready to move beyond scarves and blankets and try your first garment.
Can I make the cardigan longer or shorter?
Absolutely! The length is easy to customize by adding or removing chains to your foundation chain, make sure the foundation chain has a multiple of 4+2. For the width you will need to add more rows, but you need to make sure back and front panels align with the modifications you are making.
What sizes are included?
The pattern includes sizes XS through 5XL so you can make a cardigan that fits you comfortably.
Is this a good summer cardigan?
Definitely! The airy stitch pattern creates a lightweight fabric that is breathable and perfect for layering during the warmer months.
Can I use a different yarn?
Yes! You can substitute another yarn with a similar weight as long as you meet the gauge. Keep in mind that different fibres will slightly change the drape and feel of the finished cardigan. Make sure your yarn is a DK weight or #3, if you are planning on using a different weight yarn, you need to keep in mind that this will change the final size of your cardigan.
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