Riverbed Cardigan, Junior: A Free Crochet Pattern And Tutorial

Hello hello everyone!

It’s pattern release day! And this pattern has been well-loved for long before I even made it!

From the moment I mentioned that I wanted to make a mini version of the Riverbed Cardigan, I got tons and tons of messages asking for the pattern, so when you ask, I deliver!

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Let me tell you, the mini version is really quick to make (especially the smaller sizes), and it’s such a fun cardigan to make and match with your minis!

I made this cardigan for my daughter, but you can change colours and materials and make it for your boys as well.

Sizing

This Cardigan is not as oversized for kids as it is for adults, so keep that in mind.

I made this cardigan in sizes 2T all the way up to 12T. We have about 4″ of positive ease (depending on size), so it’s still loose, but not crazy oversized.

How can I adjust my size?

Regardless of your size, this construction makes it super easy to adjust.

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.

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

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.

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: 2y(4y)6y(8y)10y(12y)

70g/158m(75g/169m)80g/180m(85g/191m)90g/203m(95g/214m) of EACH colour, PLUS the following amount for the ribbing colour of your choice: 30g/68m(35g/79m)40g/90m(45g/101m)50g/113m(55g/124m).

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

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 your A, B, C and D colours.
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.
You will need to wash/block your cardigan to get the desired drape and fit.

This cardigan has 4″ of positive ease and is considered *Oversized*. Sizes were calculated using standard American body measurements.

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 9 (all sizes)

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

Row 2 to 53(59)65(68)74(77): Sc BLO in each st across the row except for 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 be 1 st, meaning we will have 53(59)65(68)74(77) 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. (53(59)65(68)74(77) 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. (53(59)65(68)74(77) 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. (53(59)65(68)74(77) 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. (53(59)65(68)74(77) 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. (53(59)65(68)74(77) sts) (PHOTO F)

Row 6: dc in each st available across the row (not between the spaces). Ch 1 and turn. (53(59)65(68)74(77) 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. (53(59)65(68)74(77) 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. (53(59)65(68)74(77) 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. (53(59)65(68)74(77) 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. (53(59)65(68)74(77) sts) (PHOTO F)

Repeat rows 6 to10 for a total of 26(28)30(32)34(36) rows.

Front Panel (make 2)

Ribbing

Using colour A, Ch 9 (all sizes)

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

Row 2 to 20(23)26(29)32(32): Sc BLO in each st 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 be 1 st, meaning we will have 20(23)26(29)32(32) 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. (20(23)26(29)32(32) 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. (20(23)26(29)32(32) 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. (20(23)26(29)32(32) sts) (PHOTO D)

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. (20(23)26(29)32(32) sts) (PHOTO F)

Row 6: dc in each st available across the row (not between the spaces). Ch 1 and turn. (20(23)26(29)32(32) 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. (20(23)26(29)32(32) 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. (20(23)26(29)32(32) sts) (PHOTO D)

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. (20(23)26(29)32(32) sts) (PHOTO F)

Repeat rows 6 to 10 for a total of 26(28)30(32)34(36) rows.

Sleeves (make 2)

Ribbing

Using colour A, Ch 7 (all sizes)

Row 1: Sc in the second ch from hook and in every ch across. Ch 1 and turn. (6 sts)

Row 2 to 24(25)26(27)28(29): Sc BLO in each st across the row except for the last st. Sc 1. Ch 1 and turn. (6 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 44(47)50(56)59(65) sts., to do this you will roughly need to be placing 2 sts in each space. If needed, place 3 sts to complete with the number required.

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 [2 dc in each row space] and repeat the sequence to the end of the row, dc 1 in the last st. Ch 1 and turn. (44(47)50(56)59(65) sts along the ribbing 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. (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. (44(47)50(56)59(65) sts) (PHOTO D)

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. (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. (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. (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. (44(47)50(56)59(65) sts) (PHOTO D)

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. (44(47)50(56)59(65) sts) (PHOTO F)

Repeat rows 6 to 10 for a total of 13(17)19(21)23(26) 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, with the 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 & 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 on YouTube for a better understanding.

You will be making 1 row of the collar ribbing 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 in second ch from hook and in every ch across, 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 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.

Happy Crochet ~ Dani