Adult Crochet Crew Neck Cardigan Pattern
This Crochet Crew Neck Cardigan Pattern creates a classic button-front cardigan with a comfortable crew neckline, ribbed lower edges and cuffs, and simple textured crochet fabric.
The pattern includes six adult size ranges and provides separate length options for the Her Version and His Version. The cardigan is worked in separate pieces, including the back, two front panels, and sleeves, before the pieces are seamed and finished with a crocheted neckband, button band, and buttonhole band.
The original pattern is rated Easy and uses Caron Simply Soft yarn.
About This Crochet Pattern
This adult cardigan uses alternating single crochet and double crochet stitches to create the main textured fabric.
The construction includes:
- One Back
- One Left Front
- One Right Front
- Two Sleeves
- One Neckband
- One Button Band
- One Buttonhole Band
The lower cardigan edges and sleeve cuffs begin with ribbing worked in single crochet through the back loop.
The cardigan is then assembled with shoulder, side, and sleeve seams.
Available Sizes
The size order used throughout the pattern is:
XS/S (M, L, XL, 2/3XL, 4/5XL)
| Size | To Fit Bust/Chest | Finished Bust/Chest |
|---|---|---|
| XS/S | 28–34″ [71–86.5 cm] | 37″ [94 cm] |
| M | 36–38″ [91.5–96.5 cm] | 40½” [103 cm] |
| L | 40–42″ [101.5–106.5 cm] | 44½” [113 cm] |
| XL | 44–46″ [112–117 cm] | 49″ [124.5 cm] |
| 2/3XL | 48–54″ [122–137 cm] | 55″ [140 cm] |
| 4/5XL | 56–62″ [142–157.5 cm] | 63″ [160 cm] |
Materials You Will Need
Yarn
Caron Simply Soft – Heathers
5 oz / 141.7 g per ball
250 yds / 228 m per ball
| Size | Balls |
|---|---|
| XS/S | 5 |
| M | 6 |
| L | 7 |
| XL | 8 |
| 2/3XL | 9 |
| 4/5XL | 10 |
OR
Caron Simply Soft – Solids
6 oz / 170.1 g per ball
315 yds / 288 m per ball
| Size | Balls |
|---|---|
| XS/S | 5 |
| M | 5 |
| L | 6 |
| XL | 7 |
| 2/3XL | 8 |
| 4/5XL | 9 |
Additional Materials
- U.S. H/8 [5 mm] crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge
- 4 stitch markers
- 7 buttons
The pattern does not specify a particular yarn color.
Gauge
13 sts and 11 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in pattern.
Use the hook size needed to obtain the stated gauge.
Crochet Abbreviations
Beg = Beginning
Ch = Chain(s)
Cont = Continue / Continuity
Dc = Double crochet
Inc = Increase / Increasing
Pat = Pattern
Rem = Remaining
Rep = Repeat
RS = Right side
Sc = Single crochet
Sctbl = Single crochet in back loop only of next stitch
Sc2tog = Draw up a loop in each of next 2 stitches, yarn over and draw through all loops on hook
Sl st = Slip stitch
Sp(s) = Space(s)
St(s) = Stitch(es)
WS = Wrong side
Yoh = Yarn over hook
Pattern Notes
The instructions are written for the smallest size first. Numbers for the larger sizes appear inside parentheses.
Use this size order throughout:
XS/S (M-L-XL-2/3XL-4/5XL)
When only one number is given, it applies to every size.
The cardigan includes separate body and sleeve lengths for the Her Version and His Version.
Measurements below are retained as printed in the original pattern.
Crochet Cardigan Instructions
How to Crochet the Back
Back Ribbing
Ch 10.
Row 1 (RS): Work 1 sc in the 2nd ch from hook and 1 sc in every remaining ch. Turn.
9 sc.
Row 2: Ch 1. Work 1 sctbl in every st across. Turn.
Repeat Row 2 until the ribbing, when slightly stretched, measures:
18½ (20¼-22¼-24½-27½-31½)”
[47 (51.5-56.5-62-70-80) cm]
End on a WS row.
Do not fasten off and do not turn.
Set Up the Back
Next Row (WS): Ch 1. Work 61 (67-73-81-91-103) sc evenly across the long edge of the ribbing. Turn.
Main Back Pattern
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1. Work 1 sc in the first st. *1 dc in next st, 1 sc in next st. Repeat from * across. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 3; this counts as dc. *1 sc in next dc, 1 dc in next sc. Repeat from * across. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in first dc. *1 dc in next sc, 1 sc in next dc. Repeat from * across, working the final sc in the top of ch 3. Turn.
Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until the work measured from the lower edge reaches:
Her Version
16 (16-16-16½-16½-16½)”
[40.5 (40.5-40.5-42-42-42) cm]
His Version
17 (17-17-17½-17½-17½)”
[43 (43-43-44.5-44.5-44.5) cm]
End on a WS row and fasten off.
Shape the Back Armholes
Next Row (RS): Skip the first 6 (8-10-12-14-18) sts.
Join yarn with a sl st to the next dc.
Ch 1 and work 1 sc in the same sp as the sl st.
Work in pattern across the next:
48 (50-52-56-62-66) sts
Turn.
Leave the remaining 6 (8-10-12-14-18) sts unworked.
Continue evenly in pattern over:
49 (51-53-57-63-67) sts
Continue until the armhole measures:
8½ (9-9-9½-10-10½)”
[22.5 (23-23-24.5-25.5-27.5) cm]
End on a WS row. Fasten off and turn.
Shape the Back Shoulders
Next Row (RS): Skip the first 6 (6-8-8-10-10) sts.
Join yarn with a sl st to the next dc.
Ch 1. Work 1 sc in the same sp as the sl st.
Work in pattern across the next:
36 (38-36-40-42-46) sts
Fasten off and turn.
Leave the remaining 6 (6-8-8-10-10) sts unworked.
Next Row: Skip the first:
7 (7-6-7-8-8) sts
Join yarn with a sl st to the next st.
Work in pattern across the next:
23 (25-25-27-27-29) sts
Fasten off.
How to Crochet the Left Front
Left Front Ribbing
Ch 10.
Row 1 (RS): Work 1 sc in the 2nd ch from hook and 1 sc in each remaining ch. Turn.
9 sc.
Row 2: Ch 1. Work 1 sctbl in each st across. Turn.
Repeat the last row until the slightly stretched ribbing measures:
9 (10-11-12-13½-15½)”
[23 (25.5-28-30.5-34.5-39) cm]
End on a WS row.
Do not fasten off and do not turn.
Set Up the Left Front
Next Row (WS): Ch 1. Work:
31 (33-37-41-45-51) sc
evenly across the long edge of the ribbing. Turn.
Main Left Front Pattern
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1. Work 1 sc in first st. *1 dc in next st, 1 sc in next st. Repeat from * across. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 3, counting as dc. *1 sc in next dc, 1 dc in next sc. Repeat from * across. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in first dc. *1 dc in next sc, 1 sc in next dc. Repeat from * across, working the last sc into the top of ch 3. Turn.
Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until the lower-edge measurement is:
Her Version:
16 (16-16-16½-16½-16½)”
[40.5 (40.5-40.5-42-42-42) cm]
His Version:
17 (17-17-17½-17½-17½)”
[43 (43-43-44.5-44.5-44.5) cm]
End on a WS row.
Fasten off.
Shape the Left Front Armhole
Next Row (RS): Skip the first:
6 (8-10-12-14-18) sts
Join yarn with a sl st to the next dc.
Ch 1 and work 1 sc in the same sp as the sl st.
Continue in pattern to the end of the row. Turn.
Continue evenly in pattern over:
25 (25-27-29-31-33) sts
Continue until the armhole measures 8 rows less than the Back to the shoulder, ending on a WS row.
Shape the Left Front Neck
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1. Work in pattern across:
19 (19-20-21-24-24) sts
Turn.
Leave the remaining:
6 (6-7-8-7-9) sts
unworked at the neck edge.
Row 2: Ch 1. Sc2tog. Continue in pattern to the end. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 1. Work in pattern to the final 2 sts. Sc2tog. Turn.
Repeat Rows 2 and 3 twice more.
You will have:
13 (13-14-15-18-18) sts remaining.
Work 1 row evenly in pattern.
Fasten off.
Shape the Left Shoulder
Next Row (RS): Skip the first:
6 (6-8-8-10-10) sts
Join yarn with a sl st to the next dc.
Ch 1 and work 1 sc in the same sp as the sl st.
Continue in pattern to the end of the row.
Fasten off.
How to Crochet the Right Front
Work the ribbing and main front section in the same way as instructed for the Left Front through the body-length section.
Do not fasten off.
Shape the Right Front Armhole
Next Row (RS): Work in pattern to the final:
6 (8-10-12-14-18) sts
Turn and leave these remaining stitches unworked.
Continue evenly in pattern over:
25 (25-27-29-31-33) sts
Continue until the armhole measures 8 rows less than the Back to the shoulder, ending on a WS row.
Fasten off.
Shape the Right Front Neck
With RS facing, skip the first:
6 (6-7-8-7-9) sts
Join yarn with a sl st to the next st and work in pattern to the end of the row.
Next Row: Ch 3. Work in pattern to the final 2 sts. Sc2tog. Turn.
Next Row: Ch 1. Sc2tog. Continue in pattern to the end. Turn.
Repeat the previous 2 rows twice more.
You will have:
13 (13-14-15-18-18) sts remaining.
Work 1 row evenly in pattern.
Shape the Right Shoulder
Next Row (RS): Ch 1. Work in pattern across the first:
6 (6-8-8-10-10) sts
Fasten off.
Leave the remaining stitches unworked.
How to Crochet the Sleeves
Make the sleeves following the instructions below.
Sleeve Ribbing
Ch 10.
Row 1 (RS): Work 1 sc in the 2nd ch from hook and 1 sc in each ch across. Turn.
9 sc.
Row 2: Ch 1. Work 1 sctbl in each st across. Turn.
Repeat Row 2 until the slightly stretched ribbing measures:
9½ (9½-10-10-10½-10½)”
[24.5 (24.5-25.5-25.5-26.5-26.5) cm]
End on a WS row.
Do not fasten off and do not turn.
Set Up the Sleeve
Next Row (WS): Ch 1. Work:
31 (31-33-33-35-37) sc
evenly across the long edge of the ribbing. Turn.
Sleeve Pattern and Increases
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1. Work 1 sc in first st. *1 dc in next st, 1 sc in next st. Repeat from * across. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 3, counting as dc. *1 sc in next dc, 1 dc in next sc. Repeat from * across. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in first dc. *1 dc in next sc, 1 sc in next dc. Repeat from * across, placing the last sc in the top of ch 3. Turn.
Row 4 – Increase Row: Ch 1. Work (1 sc, 1 dc) in first sc. *1 sc in next dc, 1 dc in next sc. Repeat from * to the final 2 sts. Work 1 sc in next dc and (1 dc, 1 sc) in last sc. Turn.
Row 5: Ch 3, counting as dc. *1 sc in next dc, 1 dc in next sc. Repeat from * across. Turn.
Row 6 – Increase Row: Ch 3, counting as dc. Work 1 sc in first dc. *1 dc in next sc, 1 sc in next dc. Repeat from * to final 2 sts. Work 1 dc in next sc and (1 sc, 1 dc) in the top of ch 3. Turn.
Repeat Rows 3 through 6:
2 (3-3-4-6-7) more times
You will have:
43 (47-49-53-63-69) sts.
Additional Increases for XS/S, M, L, XL and 2/3XL Only
The following section does not apply to size 4/5XL.
Next Row (RS): Ch 1. Work 1 sc in first dc. *1 dc in next sc, 1 sc in next dc. Repeat from * across, working the final sc into the top of ch 3. Turn.
Next Row – Increase Row: Ch 1. Work (1 sc, 1 dc) in first sc. *1 sc in next dc, 1 dc in next sc. Repeat from * to the final 2 sts. Work 1 sc in next dc and (1 dc, 1 sc) in last sc. Turn.
Next Row: Ch 3, counting as dc. *1 sc in next dc, 1 dc in next sc. Repeat from * across. Turn.
Repeat these last 3 rows:
5 (5-4-3-0) more times
Stitch counts for these five sizes are:
55 (59-59-61-65) sts.
For size 4/5XL, the preceding size-specific increase section is skipped, leaving the previously established 69 sts.
Complete the Sleeves
For all sizes, continue evenly in pattern until the work measured from the lower edge reaches:
Her Version
17 (17-17-16½-16-16)”
[40.5 (40.5-40.5-42-42-42) cm]
His Version
18 (18-18-17½-17-17)”
[43 (43-43-44.5-44.5-44.5) cm]
End on a WS row.
Place a marker at each end of the last row.
Continue in pattern for another:
6 (6-8-10-12-14) rows
Fasten off.
Assembly and Finishing
Sew the Shoulder Seams
Sew the shoulder seams before adding the neckband.
Crochet the Neckband
Ch 7.
Row 1 (RS): Work 1 sc in the 2nd ch from hook and 1 sc in each ch to the end. Turn.
6 sc.
Row 2: Ch 1. Work 1 sctbl in every st across. Turn.
Repeat Row 2 until the neckband, when slightly stretched, is long enough to fit along the entire neck edge.
Sew the neckband into position as you work, taking care to allow enough stretch in the seam.
Crochet the Button Band
Row 1 – Her Version
With RS facing, join yarn with a sl st and work:
71 (73-73-77-77-81) sc
up the Left Front edge to the top of the neckband.
Row 1 – His Version
Work:
75 (77-77-81-81-85) sc
down the Right Front to the lower edge.
Rows 2–5
Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each sc across. Turn.
Button Placement
Place markers on the band for 7 buttons.
Position:
- The bottom button ½” [1 cm] above the lower edge
- The top button in the center of the neckband
- The remaining 5 buttons evenly spaced between them
Crochet the Buttonhole Band
Row 1 – Her Version
With RS facing, join yarn with a sl st and work:
71 (73-73-77-77-81) sc
down the Right Front to the lower edge.
Row 1 – His Version
Work:
75 (77-77-81-81-85) sc
up the Left Front edge to the top of the neckband.
Row 2: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each sc across. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 1. *Work 1 sc in each sc to the next button marker. Ch 2 and skip the next 2 sc. Repeat from * 6 more times. Work 1 sc in each remaining sc. Turn.
Row 4: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each sc and 2 sc in each ch-2 sp across. Turn.
Row 5: Ch 1. Work 1 sc in each sc across.
Fasten off.
Attach the Sleeves
Sew the sleeves into the cardigan.
Position the rows above the sleeve markers along the unworked stitches of the Front and Back sections to create the square armholes.
Finish by sewing the side seams and sleeve seams.
Helpful Crochet Tips
Check your gauge before beginning the full cardigan, since the pattern specifically allows you to change hook size as needed to obtain gauge.
Measure the ribbing while it is slightly stretched, as directed in the instructions.
Keep track of the sleeve increase rows carefully and verify your stitch count before continuing to the straight section of each sleeve.
The sleeve markers are important during assembly because they identify how the upper sleeve section fits into the unworked stitches around the square armhole.
When following the multi-size instructions, highlight or mark the number that belongs to your chosen size before starting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this Crochet Crew Neck Cardigan Pattern beginner-friendly?
The original pattern is rated Easy. It mainly uses single crochet, double crochet, back-loop single crochet, decreases, increases, and basic seaming.
What crochet hook size is used?
The pattern specifies a U.S. H/8 [5 mm] crochet hook, or the hook size required to obtain the stated gauge.
What yarn does the pattern use?
The specified yarn is Caron Simply Soft, with separate yardage information provided for Heathers and Solids.
What is the gauge for this cardigan?
The gauge is:
13 stitches and 11 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in pattern.
How many sizes are included?
The pattern includes six adult size ranges:
XS/S, M, L, XL, 2/3XL, and 4/5XL.
Finished bust/chest measurements range from 37″ [94 cm] to 63″ [160 cm].
How many buttons are needed?
The materials list specifies 7 buttons, and the finishing instructions include seven evenly distributed button positions.
Can I use a different yarn?
The source pattern specifically calls for Caron Simply Soft. As general crochet guidance, a substitute yarn may be possible if it allows you to reproduce the required gauge, but the PDF does not provide an alternative yarn recommendation.
Final Thoughts
This Crochet Crew Neck Cardigan Pattern combines classic cardigan construction with a simple textured stitch pattern, ribbed edges, a crew neckline, and a traditional button-front finish.
With six adult size ranges and separate Her and His length options, the pattern provides detailed instructions for creating a versatile handmade cardigan while keeping the stitch pattern straightforward throughout the main pieces.