How to Crochet a Cozy Cardigan

By
Mollie Johanson
Mollie Johanson
Mollie Johanson
Mollie Johanson is a professional needlecrafter with over 10 years of hands-on embroidery, sewing, and knitting experience. She is the author of “Stitch Love: Sweet Creatures Big & Small." Mollie also designs and sells stitching projects, co-hosts a crafting podcast, and has taught online embroidery courses.
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Updated on 10/25/20
Crochet the Cuffs

The Spruce Crafts/Mollie Johanson

Project Overview
  • Skill Level: Beginner

Cozy up in a comfy cardigan you can crochet yourself. The soft yarn and draped design feel like being wrapped in a blanket, making it perfect for cold winter days. Even if you've never made a crocheted garment before, you can make this one. The design starts as a large rectangle, then with a few folds and slip stitches, it turns into a cocoon-style cardigan.

The texture of alpine stitch, worked on a large crochet hook, has a unique look while staying soft and draping over your shoulders. This stitch pattern uses single and double crochet, with some stitched worked on the "post" of previous stitches. This one-size cocoon cardigan fits a women's size medium and is intended to be oversized like wrapping yourself in a blanket. You can easily adjust the size by starting with more or fewer stitches and working more or fewer rows.

Tip

The gauge is eight stitches and seven rows to 4 inches in alpine stitch. Turning chains count as a stitch, so you should skip working into the first stitch of each row.

What You'll Need

Materials

  • 7 skeins 5-bulky yarn in dark gray
  • US size M/N / 10-millimeter crochet hook
  • Stitch markers
  • Measuring tape
  • Tapestry needle

Instructions

  1. Crochet the Cardigan Rectangle Base

    Starting row: Foundation single crochet 94 stitches. 

    Row 2: Chain two, double crochet in every stitch, turn.

    Row 3: Chain one, single crochet in every stitch, turn.

    Row 4: Chain two, *front post double crochet, double crochet, repeat from * to the last two stitches, double crochet 2, turn.

    Tip

    When you work the regular double crochets, check to be sure you've skipped the loops from the previous stitch where the front post double crochet is.

    Row 5: Chain one, single crochet in every stitch, turn.

    Row 6: Chain two, *double crochet, front post double crochet, repeat from * to the last stitch, double crochet, turn.

    Row 7: Chain one, single crochet in every stitch, turn.

    Repeat rows four to seven until the piece measures 32 inches, ending on a single crochet row.

    Crochet in Alpine Stitch
    The Spruce / Mollie Johanson

  2. Fold and Join the Sleeves

    With the last stitch still active, lay the rectangle flat with the wrong side up. On the end with the active stitch, fold the two corners in so they form a point. Use a slip stitch to join the edges together where they meet. Join 10 inches of the seam, leaving the end with the point open. Turn the sleeve to the right side.

    Fold the Corners to Form the Sleeves
    The Spruce / Mollie Johanson

  3. Make the Cuffs

    Crochet the cuff.

    Row 1: Chain one, single crochet 21 around the opening, slip stitch to join.

    Row 2: Chain three, double crochet in every stitch, slip stitch to join.

    Row 3: Chain one, single crochet in every stitch, slip stitch to join.

    Secure the last stitch. Repeat the sleeve and cuff process for the second side. For this side, you will need to join yarn on as you start the seam and slip stitch toward the folded point.

    Crochet the Cuffs
    The Spruce / Mollie Johanson

  4. Add the Border

    Join the yarn to the center bottom of the cardigan. Crochet the trim.

    Row 1: Chain one, single crochet in every stitch around the center opening, slip stitch to join.

    Row 2: Chain three, double crochet in every stitch, slip stitch to join.

    Row 3: Chain one, single crochet in every stitch, slip stitch to join.

    Secure the last stitch. Weave in all the yarn ends.

    Crochet the Border Around the Opening
    The Spruce / Mollie Johanson

Ideas for Your Cozy Alpine Cardigan

Because of the simple shape of this cardigan, you can adapt it to suit your needs. For example, you can work more rows on the cuffs to extend the sleeves. You can also use a contrasting color for the cuffs and border. Want to hold your sweater together and give it a more traditional look? Add a button or two to one side of the border. The double crochet stitches will work as buttonholes. All you need now is a warm fire to sit near as you cozy up and crochet your next project in your new cardigan!

Cozy Alpine Cocoon Cardigan Crochet Pattern
The Spruce / Anna Johanson