Free Nordic Breeze Crochet Cardigan Pattern

Looking for something bold, warm, and stylish to add to your handmade wardrobe? This Free Nordic Breeze Crochet Cardigan Pattern delivers striking Nordic-inspired colorwork, bulky yarn warmth, and a tailored silhouette — all made in simple stitches.

This intermediate-level crochet pattern includes full instructions for six sizes and features clear charts for easy color placement.

Let’s dive into the complete, unedited pattern!

Contents

1 Sizes
2 Materials
3 Abbreviations (US Terms)
4 Gauge
5 Instructions
6 Final Thoughts

Sizes

To fit bust measurement:

XS/S: 28-34″ [71-86.5 cm]
M: 36-38″ [91.5-96.5 cm]
L: 40-42″ [101.5-106.5 cm]
XL: 44-46″ [112-117 cm]
2/3XL: 48-54″ [122-137 cm]
4/5XL: 56-62″ [142-157.5 cm]

Finished bust:

XS/S: 42½” [108 cm]
M: 45½” [115.5 cm]
L: 47½” [120.5 cm]
XL: 53″ [134.5 cm]
2/3XL: 58″ [147.5 cm]
4/5XL: 63″ [160 cm]

Materials

Bulky weight yarn 5 (3.5 oz/100 g; 190 yds/174 m)
Contrast A: Limestone – 5 (6-6-7-8-9) balls
Contrast B: Charcoal – 4 (4-5-5-6-7) balls
Size U.S. I/9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch markers

Abbreviations (US Terms)

Beg = Beginning
Ch = Chain(s)
Dc = Double crochet
Dc2tog = (Yoh and draw up a loop in next stitch) twice. Yoh and draw through all loops on hook
Dcbp = Yoh and draw up a loop around post of indicated stitch, inserting hook from back to front to back. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice
Dcfp = Yoh and draw up a loop around post of indicated stitch, inserting hook from front to back to front. (Yoh and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice
Hdc = Half double crochet
Pat = Pattern
Rem = Remaining
Rep = Repeat
RS / WS = Right side / Wrong side
Sc = Single crochet
Sl st = Slip stitch
St(s) = Stitch(es)
Yoh = Yarn over hook

Gauge

11.5 sc and 14 rows = 4″ [10 cm]

Instructions

The instructions are written for the smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger size(s), the instructions will be written thus ( ). Numbers for each size are shown in the same color throughout the pattern. When only one number is given in black, it applies to all sizes.

Notes

Ch 2 at beg of row does not count as hdc
Ch 3 at beg of row counts as dc
When working with 2 colors within a row or from charts, carry the color not in use loosely across top of row and work stitches around it
To change colors, work to last loops on hook of last stitch, yoh with new color and proceed

Body

Note: Body is worked in 1 piece to armholes.

With B, ch 123 (133-139-153-169-183)
Row 1 (WS): 1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. 1 hdc in each ch to end. Turn. (121/131/137/151/167/181 hdc)
Row 2: Ch 2. 1 hdc in first hdc. 1 dcfp around next hdc. 1 hdc in next hdc. Rep from * to end. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 2. 1 hdc in first hdc. 1 dcbp around next st. 1 hdc in next hdc. Rep from * to end. Turn.
Row 4 (RS): Ch 1. With B, 1 sc in first st. With A, 1 sc in next st. With B, 1 sc in next st. Rep to end. Turn.
Row 5: With B, ch 3. 1 dc in each sc to end. Turn.
Row 6: With A, ch 2. 1 hdc in each of first 2 dc. 1 dcfp around next dc, 1 hdc in next dc. Rep to last st. 1 hdc in last st. Turn.
Rows 7–8: With A, ch 3. 1 dc in each st to end. Turn.

Increase Rows

XS/S, M, XL, 4/5XL only – Row 9:
With A, ch 3. 1 dc in next 60 (64-74-90) dc. 2 dc in next dc. 1 dc in each to end. (122/132/152/182 dc)

L and 2/3XL only – Row 9:
With A, ch 3. 1 dc in each st to end. (137/167 dc)

All sizes: You should now have 122 (132-137-152-167-182) dc

Begin Pattern

Row 1 (RS): With B, ch 3. 1 dc in next dc. With A, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc. With B, 1 dc in next 2 dc. Rep to end. Turn.
Row 2: With A, ch 3. 1 dc in each dc. Turn.
Rows 3–9: Work Rows 1–7 of Chart I, repeating 8-st rep 15 (16-17-19-20-22) times.

Row 10 (WS): With A, ch 3. 1 dc in each dc. Join B. Turn.
Row 11: As Row 1
Row 12: With A, ch 3. 1 dc in each dc. Turn.
Rows 13–15: Work Rows 1–3 of Chart II, repeating 5-st rep 24 (26-27-30-33-36) times.
Row 16: With A, ch 3. 1 dc in each dc. Join B. Turn.

Repeat these 16 rows until work from beg measures approx 20½” [52 cm], ending on an 8th row of pattern.

Divide for Armholes

Right Front:
Next row (RS): Pattern across 29 (31-31-35-38-42) dc. Turn. Leave remaining sts unworked.
Next row: Ch 3. Pat to last 3 sts. Dc2tog at neck edge. 1 dc in last st. Turn.
Next row: Ch 3. Dc2tog. Pat to end. Turn.
Repeat last 2 rows 4 (4-4-5-5-5) times. 19 (21-21-23-26-30) sts remain.
XS/S, M, L, 4/5XL only – Next row: Ch 3. Pat to last 3 sts. Dc2tog. 1 dc in last st. Turn. 18 (20-20-29) sts remain.
Work 0 (0-2-1-3-2) row(s) even. Fasten off.

Back

With RS facing, skip next 4 (4-6-6-8-8) dc. Rejoin yarn in next dc.
Ch 3. Pat across 55 (61-62-69-74-81) dc. Turn.
Work 11 (11-13-13-15-15) more rows even. Fasten off.

Place markers 18 (20-20-23-26-29) dc in from each side for shoulders.

Left Front

With RS facing, skip next 4 (4-6-6-8-8) sts. Rejoin yarn in next st.
Ch 3. Pat to end. Turn. (29/31/31/35/38/42 sts)
Next row: Ch 3. Dc2tog at neck edge. Pat to end. Turn.
Next row: Ch 3. Pat to last 3 sts. Dc2tog. 1 dc in last st. Turn.
Repeat last 2 rows 4 (4-4-5-5-5) times. (19/21/21/23/26/30 sts remain)
XS/S, M, L, 4/5XL only – Next row: Ch 3. Dc2tog. Pat to end. Turn. (18/20/20/29 sts)
Work 0 (0-2-1-3-2) row(s) even. Fasten off.

Sleeves

With B, ch 31 (31-37-37-41-41)
Row 1 (WS): 1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook and across. Turn. (29/29/35/35/39/39 hdc)
Row 2: Ch 2. 1 hdc, 1 dcfp, 1 hdc, rep to end. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 2. 1 hdc, 1 dcbp, 1 hdc, rep to end. Turn.
Row 4 (RS): Ch 1. With B, 1 sc. With A, 1 sc, With B, 1 sc, rep to end. Turn.
Row 5: With B, ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Turn.
Row 6: With A, ch 2. 1 hdc, 1 dcfp, rep. Turn.
Row 7: With A, ch 3. 1 dc in each st. Turn.
Row 8: Ch 3. 2 dc in first dc. 1 dc across to last, 2 dc in last dc. Turn. (31/31/37/37/41/41 dc)
Work Chart III to end (as shown on page 4). (45/45/53/53/59/59 dc) Fasten off.

Finishing

Place markers on sleeve sides 1 (1-1½-1½-2-2)” [2.5–5 cm] from top.
Sew shoulder seams.
Sew sleeves into armholes (align rows above markers to unworked body stitches).
Sew sleeve seams.

Front Edging

Row 1 (RS):
Join B with sl st at lower right front. Sc evenly up right front, across back neck, down left front. (Odd number of sts)
Row 2: Ch 2. 1 hdc in each sc to nd of row. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 2. 1 hdc in first hdc. *1 dcfp around next hdc. 1 hdc in next hdc. Rep from * to end of row. Turn.
Row 4: Ch 2. 1 hdc in first hdc. *1 dcbp around next st. 1 hdc in next hdc. Rep from * to end of row. Turn.
Repeat rows 3–4 until edging = 3½” [9 cm]. Fasten off.

Final Thoughts

This Nordic Breeze Crochet Cardigan is a cozy masterpiece with modern style. With a bold stitch pattern and detailed charts, it’s a great project for intermediate crocheters looking to level up. Wear it proudly — you made it!