Free Modern Panels Cardigan Crochet Pattern

Looking for your next statement crochet piece? This Free Modern Panels Cardigan Crochet Pattern is just the right mix of comfort and creativity.

Whether you’re dressing up your fall wardrobe or crafting a handmade piece to gift (or sell!), this vibrant, multi-textured cardigan will have everyone asking, “Where did you get that?!”

Let’s dive into the step-by-step pattern below and get you patch-working your way to something stunning.

Contents

1 Materials Needed
2 Sizes
3 Abbreviations
4 Pattern Instructions
5 Final Thoughts

Materials Needed

Yarn: Medium weight yarn 4 (approx. 502 yds/459 m per skein)
Colors used: Spiced Ginger, Boston Cream
XS/S/M: 3 skeins each color
L/XL: 4 skeins each color
2/3XL: 4 skeins each color
4/5XL: 5 skeins each color
Hook: US H/8 [5 mm] or size needed to meet gauge
Other: Yarn needle, 5–6 buttons (1″ diameter), locking stitch markers

Sizes

To fit bust measurement

XS/S/M: 28–38″ [71–96.5 cm]
L/XL: 40–46″ [101.5–117 cm]
2/3XL: 48–54″ [122–137 cm]
4/5XL: 56–62″ [142–157.5 cm]

Finished bust

XS/S/M: 45″ [114.5 cm]
L/XL: 51″ [129.5 cm]
2/3XL: 57″ [144.5 cm]
4/5XL: 65″ [165 cm]

Gauge: 13 sc and 14 rows = 4″ [10 cm]

Abbreviations

Beg = Beginning
Ch = Chain(s)
Cont = Continue(ity)
Dc = Double crochet
Hdc = Half double crochet
Hhdc = Herringbone half double crochet
Pat = Pattern
Prev = Previous
PM = Place marker
Rep = Repeat
RS = Right side
Sc = Single crochet
Scbl = Single crochet in back loop only
Scbl2tog = Working in back loops only, draw up a loop in each of next 2 stitches. Yoh and
draw through all loops on hook
Sc2tog = Draw up a loop in each of next 2 stitches. Yoh and draw through all loops on hook
Sp(s) = Space(s)
St(s) = Stitch(es)
Tog = Together
WS = Wrong side
Yoh = Yarn over hook

Pattern Instructions

Note:

To begin working with the yarn format, carefully cut the plastic tie where the ends meet.
Pull the tie to remove.
Separate colors by gently pulling apart and cutting at the color transitions. Each color is ready to use.
For this pattern, colors can be easily separated by gently pulling apart and cutting at the color transitions.
Follow the color guide shown in the Materials section (labeled Contrast A to J). You may find it helpful to place each color section in its own resealable (zip lock) bag and label each bag A to J.
Ch 2 at beginning of row does not count as a stitch.
To change color: work to the last 2 loops on the hook of the current color. Draw the new color through the last 2 loops and continue in the next color.
The cardigan is constructed from patchwork squares that are joined together as shown in the diagrams for Back, Fronts, and Sleeves.
Ribbing, button bands, and collar are added during the finishing steps.

Single Crochet Squares

(Make 5 with E and 3 with G)
Ch 19 (21-23-27).
1st row (RS): 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of chain. Turn. 18 (20-22-26) sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each st to end of row. Turn.
Rep 2nd row until work from beg measures 5½ (6-6½-6½)” [14 (15-16.5-16.5) cm]. Fasten off.

Herringbone Half-Double Crochet Squares

(Make 5 each with C and D, and 4 with I)
Ch 20 (22-24-28).
1st row (RS): 1 hhdc in 3rd ch from hook. 1 hhdc in each ch to end of row. Turn. 18 (20-22-26) sts.
2nd row: Ch 2. 1 hhdc in each st to end of row. Turn.
Rep 2nd row until work from beg measures 5½ (6-6½-6½)” [14 (15-16.5-16.5) cm]. Fasten off.

Moss Stitch Squares

(Make 6 using J as Color 1 and G as Color 2. Make 4 using A as Color 1 and I as Color 2)

Stripe Pattern:

With Color 1, work 2 rows.

With Color 2, work 2 rows.

These 4 rows form Stripe Pattern.

With Color 1, ch 20 (22-24-28).
Set up row: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Ch 1. Skip next ch. 1 sc in next ch. Rep from * to end of ch. Turn. 19 (21-23-27) sts (sc and ch-1).
First row of Stripe Pattern is complete.

Continue in Stripe Pattern as follows:
1st row (WS): Ch 1. 1 sc in first sc. 1 sc in next ch-1 sp. Ch 1. Skip next sc. Rep from * to last 2 sts. 1 sc in next ch-1 sp. 1 sc in last sc. Turn.
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in first sc. Ch 1. Skip next sc. 1 sc in next ch-1 sp. Rep from * to last 2 sc. Ch 1. Skip next sc. 1 sc in last sc. Turn.
Rep last 2 rows, maintaining stripe pattern, until work measures 5½ (6-6½-6½)” [14 (15-16.5-16.5) cm]. Fasten off.

Textured Squares

(Make 3 with J and 5 with F)
Ch 19 (21-23-27).
1st row: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 dc in next ch. 1 sc in next ch. 1 dc in next ch. Rep from * to end of chain. Turn. 18 (20-22-26) sts.
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in next st. 1 dc in next st. Rep from * to end of row. Turn.
Rep 2nd row until work from beg measures 5½ (6-6½-6½)” [14 (15-16.5-16.5) cm]. Fasten off.

Ribbing Squares

(Make 5 each in B and H)
Ch 20 (22-24-28).
1st row: 1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. 1 hdc in each ch to end of chain. Turn. 18 (20-22-26) sts.
2nd row: Ch 2. Work 1 hdc in horizontal bar created below st in previous row (bar is below loops normally worked on WS). Rep from * to end of row. Turn.
Rep 2nd row until work from beg measures 5½ (6-6½-6½)” [14 (15-16.5-16.5) cm]. Fasten off.

Finishing

Assembly:
Use diagrams on page 5. Sew motifs together with WS facing using mattress stitch.

Shoulders:
With WS facing, sew shoulder seams, leaving 10 (11-12-12)” [25.5 (28-30.5-30.5) cm] open at center back/front.

Sleeves:
Place markers at 8¼ (9¼-10½-12)” [21 (23.5-26.5-30.5) cm] from shoulder. Sew in sleeves between markers.

Cuff Ribbing

With A, ch 11.
1st row: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end. Turn. (10 sc)
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 scbl in each st across. Turn.
Repeat last row until ribbing fits around cuff slightly stretched. Sew in place as you work. Sew first and last rows together. Fasten off.

Bottom Ribbing

With A, ch 15.
1st row: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end. Turn. (14 sc)
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 scbl in each st. Turn.
Repeat to fit around cardigan. Sew in place as you work. Fasten off.

Button Band (left side)

With B, ch 10.
1st row: 1 sc in 2nd ch. Sc across. (9 sc)
2nd row: Ch 1. Scbl in each st. Turn.
Rep to length of 24 (26-28-28)” [61 (66-71-71) cm]. Fasten off. Sew to left front.

Buttonhole Band ( right side)

Same as button band until work measures 1″ [2.5 cm].

Buttonhole row: Ch 1. 1 scbl in first 3 sts. Ch 2, skip 3 sts. 1 scbl in last 3 sts. Turn.
Next row: Ch 1. 1 scbl in 3 sts, 3 sc in ch-2 sp, 1 scbl in last 3 sts.
Next row: Ch 1. 1 scbl in each st. Turn.
Repeat last row for 5 (5½–6–6)” [12.5 (14–15–15) cm] between buttonholes.
Repeat buttonhole section 4 more times.
Continue even for 1″ after last buttonhole. Sew to right front.
Sew buttons to correspond with holes.

Collar & Lapels

Left Lapel:
PM 6″ [15 cm] from top of left front neck edge.
With B, ch 23.
1st row (RS): Sc in 2nd ch and across. (22 sts)
2nd–4th rows: Scbl across.
5th row: Scbl, Scbl2tog, Scbl to end. (21 sts)
6th row: As 2nd row
Repeat rows 5–6 five more times (ending with 16 sts). PM.

Short Rows:
1st–3rd rows: Scbl across.
4th row: Scbl in 12 sts. Turn.
5th: Scbl 12 sts.
6th: Scbl 12, scbl2tog across next side and unworked st. Sc in last 3 sts.
Repeat 6-row pattern until collar fits from right front around neck to PM.
Sew in place as you go, ending on RS.

Right Lapel:
1st row (WS): Ch 1. 1 scbl in each st to last 2 sts. 2 scbl in next st. 1 scbl in last st. Turn. (17 sts)
2nd row: Ch 1. 1 scbl in each st. Turn.
3rd to 12th rows: Repeat rows 1 and 2 five more times. (22 sts)
13th to 16th rows: Repeat 2nd row.
Fasten off.

Final Thoughts

There you have it — a cozy, eye-catching cardigan defined by clean panel construction and a modern handmade look. With endless options for color combinations and yarn choices, you can easily create a piece that feels uniquely yours.

Whether you’re making it to wear or to sell, this cardigan delivers standout style with timeless appeal.