Wrap yourself in handmade comfort with the Free Willow Path Crochet Cardigan Pattern. Featuring beautiful texture, a relaxed fit, and timeless style, this cardigan is the perfect layering piece for cool mornings, cozy evenings, and everything in between.
Whether you’re updating your wardrobe or creating a thoughtful handmade gift, this crochet cardigan offers a rewarding project you’ll love to wear season after season.
Pattern Details & Materials
Before picking up your hook, let’s review the sizing, structure, and required tools to prepare your workspace.
Skill Level
-
Easy
Sizes
- S (M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
- Finished Chest: About 39 (43, 47, 51, 55, 59, 63, 67) in. (99 (109, 119.5, 129.5, 139.5, 150, 160, 170) cm)
- Finished Length: About 26 $1/4$ (27, 27, 27, 27 $1/2$, 27 $1/2$, 27 $1/2$, 28 $1/4$) in. (66.5 (68.5, 68.5, 68.5, 70, 70, 70, 72) cm)
Note: Pattern is written for smallest size with changes for larger sizes in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. To follow pattern more easily, circle all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.
Materials
- Yarn: Lion Brand® Re-Tweed (Art. #253), #123 Elmwood 6 (7, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10, 11) balls
- Yarn Weight: Medium 4 (Worsted)
- Crochet Hook: Lion Brand® crochet hook size K-10.5 (6.5 mm)
- Lion Brand® stitch markers
- Lion Brand® large-eyed blunt needle
Gauge
- 12 dc + 6 rows = about 4 in. (10 cm).
- BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.
Abbreviations
- beg = begin(ning)(s)
- ch = chain
- dc = double crochet
- rem = remain(ing)
- rep = repeat
- RS = right side
- sc = single crochet
- sk = skip
- st(s) = stitch(es)
Stitch Explanations & Project Notes
Stitch Explanations
-
dc2tog (dc 2 sts together): (Yarn over, insert hook in next st and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops) twice, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook – 1 st decreased.
-
sc-blo (single crochet in back loop only): Insert hook in back loop only of indicated st and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook.
Pattern Notes
- Back and Fronts are worked first, then the shoulders are seamed. The sleeves are worked from stitches picked up around the armholes.
- The front band is worked separately then sewn to front and neck edges.
- When you see ‘work even’ in the instructions, this means to continue on in the pattern st you have established without changing the st count by increasing, decreasing, or binding off.
Instructions
Back
Lower Ribbing
Ch 11.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across you will have 10 sc in this row.
Rows 2-50 (56, 62, 68, 72, 78, 82, 88): Ch 1, turn, sc-blo in each st to last st; working in both loops, sc in last st.
Body
Row 1 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc), do not turn; working in ends of rows along long edge of ribbing, work 58 (64, 70, 76, 82, 88, 94, 100) more dc as evenly spaced as possible along edge 59 (65, 71, 77, 83, 89, 95, 101) dc.
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, sk first st, dc in each st across working last dc in top of beg ch-3.
Rep Row 2 until piece measures about 24 $1/4$ (25, 25, 25, 25 $1/2$, 25 $1/2$, 25 $1/2$, 26 $1/4$) in. (61.5 (63.5, 63.5, 63.5, 65, 65, 65, 66.5) cm) from beg.
Shape Back Neck and Shoulder
First Shoulder
Row 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, sk first st, dc in next 16 (19, 21, 24, 26, 29, 31, 34) sts; leave rem sts unworked for back neck and second shoulder – 17 (20, 22, 25, 27, 30, 32, 35) sts.
Row 2 (Decrease Row): Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, sk first st, dc2tog, dc in each st across working last dc in top of beg ch-3 – 16 (19, 21, 24, 26, 29, 31, 34) sts.
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, sk first st, dc in each st to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in top of beg ch-3 – 15 (18, 20, 23, 25, 28, 30, 33) sts.
Fasten off.
Second Shoulder
Row 1: Sk next 25 (25, 27, 27, 29, 29, 31, 31) unworked sts following Row 1 of first shoulder, draw up a loop of yarn in next st, ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next st and each st across working last dc in top of beg ch-3 – 17 (20, 22, 25, 27, 30, 32, 35) sts.
Row 2 (Decrease Row): Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, sk first st, dc in each st to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in top of beg ch-3 – 16 (19, 21, 24, 26, 29, 31, 34) sts.
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, sk first st, dc2tog, dc in each st across working last dc in top of beg ch-3 – 15 (18, 20, 23, 25, 28, 30, 33) sts.
Fasten off.
Left Front
Lower Ribbing
Ch 11.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across – 10 sc.
Rows 2-24 (26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40): Ch 1, turn, sc-blo in each st to last st; working in both loops, sc in last st.
Body
Row 1 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc), do not turn; working in ends of rows along long edge of ribbing, work 25 (28, 31, 34, 37, 40, 43, 46) more dc as evenly spaced as possible along edge – 26 (29, 32, 35, 38, 41, 44, 47) dc.
Place a marker in end of Row 1 to indicate front edge.
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, sk first st, dc in each st across working last dc in top of beg ch-3.
Rep Row 2 until piece measures about 18 $1/4$ (19, 18 $1/2$, 18 $1/2$, 18 $1/4$, 18 $1/4$, 17 $1/2$, 18 $1/4$) in. (46.5 (48.5, 47, 47, 46.5, 46.5, 44.5, 46.5) cm) from beg.
Shape Front V-Neck
Row 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, sk first st, dc in each st across working a dc2tog at marked edge – 25 (28, 31, 34, 37, 40, 43, 46) dc.
Rep Row 1 for 10 (10, 11, 11, 12, 12, 13, 13) more times – 15 (18, 20, 23, 25, 28, 30, 33) sts when all decreases have been completed.
Next Row: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, sk first st, dc in each st across working last dc in top of beg ch-3.
Rep last row until piece measures same as Back.
Fasten off.
Right Front
Lower Ribbing
Make same as Left Front ribbing.
Body
Row 1 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc), do not turn; working in ends of rows along long edge of ribbing, work 25 (28, 31, 34, 37, 40, 43, 46) more dc as evenly spaced as possible along edge – 26 (29, 32, 35, 38, 41, 44, 47) dc.
Place a marker in beg of Row 1 to indicate front edge.
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, sk first st, dc in each st across working last dc in top of beg ch-3.
Rep Row 2 until piece measures about 18 $1/4$ (19, 18 $1/2$, 18 $1/2$, 18 $1/4$, 18 $1/4$, 17 $1/2$, 18 $1/4$) in. (46.5 (48.5, 47, 47, 46.5, 46.5, 44.5, 46.5) cm) from beg.
Shape Front V-Neck
Work same as Left Front Shape Front V-Neck, working neck decreases at marked edge.
Sew shoulder seams.
Sleeves
Place markers on both side edges of Back and Fronts, 9 1/4 (10, 10, 10, 10 1/2, 10 1/2, 10 1/2, 11 1/4) in. (23.5 (25.5, 25.5, 25.5, 26.5, 26.5, 26.5, 28.5) cm) below shoulder seams.
Row 1 (RS): From RS, join yarn with sl st at first marker on one side edge, ch 3 (counts as dc), work 54 (59, 59, 59, 62, 62, 62, 66) more dc evenly spaced along edge to second marker – 55 (60, 60, 60, 63, 63, 63, 67) dc.
Size S Only
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, sk first st, dc in each st across working last dc in top of beg ch-3.
Row 3 (Decrease Row): Ch 3, turn, sk first st, dc2tog, dc in each st across to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in top of beg ch-3 – 53 dc.
Row 4: Rep Row 2.
Rows 5 and 6: Rep Row 3 twice – 49 dc in Row 6.
Rows 7-16: Rep Rows 2-6 twice – 37 dc in Row 16.
Rows 17-24: Rep Rows 2 and 3 for 4 more times – 29 dc in Row 24.
Proceed to ALL Sizes.
Size M Only
Row 2 (Decrease Row): Ch 3, turn, sk first st, dc2tog, dc in each st across to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in top of beg ch-3 – 58 dc.
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, sk first st, dc in each st across working last dc in top of beg ch-3.
Rows 4 and 5: Rep Row 2 twice – 54 dc.
Row 6: Rep Row 3.
Rows 7-21: Rep Rows 2-6 for 3 more times – 36 dc in Row 20.
Rows 22 and 23: Rep Row 2 twice – 32 dc.
Proceed to ALL Sizes.
Size L Only
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, sk first st, dc in each st across working last dc in top of beg ch-3.
Row 3 (Decrease Row): Ch 3, turn, sk first st, dc2tog, dc in each st across to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in top of beg ch-3 – 58 dc.
Row 4: Rep Row 2.
Rows 5 and 6: Rep Row 3 twice – 54 dc in Row 6.
Rows 7-21: Rep Rows 4-6 for 5 more times – 34 dc in Row 21.
Rows 22 and 23: Rep Rows 2 and 3 – 32 dc in Row 23.
Proceed to ALL Sizes.
Size 1X Only
Rows 2 and 3 (Decrease Row): Ch 3, turn, sk first st, dc2tog, dc in each st across to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in top of beg ch-3 – 56 dc in Row 3.
Row 4: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, sk first st, dc in each st across working last dc in top of beg ch-3.
Rows 5 and 6: Rep Rows 2 and 3 – 52 dc in Row 6.
Rows 7-21: Rep Rows 4-6 for 5 more times – 32 dc in Row 21.
Proceed to ALL Sizes.
Size 2X Only
Rows 2 and 3 (Decrease Rows): Ch 3, turn, sk first st, dc2tog, dc in each st across to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in top of beg ch-3 – 59 dc in Row 3.
Row 4: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, sk first st, dc in each st across working last dc in top of beg ch-3.
Rows 5 and 6: Rep Row 2 twice – 55 dc in Row 6.
Rows 7-18: Rep Rows 4-6 for 4 more times – 39 dc in Row 18.
Rows 19-21: Rep Row 2 for 3 more times – 33 dc in Row 21.
Proceed to ALL Sizes.
Size 3X Only
Rows 2-4 (Decrease Rows): Ch 3, turn, sk first st, dc2tog, dc in each st across to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in top of beg ch-3 – 57 dc in Row 4.
Row 5: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, sk first st, dc in each st across working last dc in top of beg ch-3.
Rows 6-17: Rep Rows 2-5 for 3 more times – 39 dc in Row 17.
Rows 18-20: Rep Rows 2-4 – 33 dc in Row 20.
Proceed to ALL Sizes.
Size 4X Only
Rows 2-14 (Decrease Rows): Ch 3, turn, sk first st, dc2tog, dc in each st across to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in top of beg ch-3 – 37 dc in Row 14.
Row 15: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, sk first st, dc in each st across working last dc in top of beg ch-3.
Row 16: Rep Row 2 – 35 dc.
Rows 17 and 18: Rep Rows 15 and 16 – 33 dc in Row 18.
Proceed to ALL Sizes.
Size 5X Only
Rows 2-17 (Decrease Rows): Ch 3, turn, sk first st, dc2tog, dc in each st across to last 3 sts, dc2tog, dc in top of beg ch-3 – 35 dc in Row 17.
Proceed to ALL Sizes.
All Sizes
Work even in rows of dc until sleeve measures about 16 1/2 (16, 15 1/4, 14 1/2, 14, 13 1/4, 12 1/2, 12) in. (42 (40.5, 38.5, 37, 35.5, 33.5, 32, 30.5) cm) from beg.
Fasten off.
Sleeve Ribbing
Ch 11.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across – 10 sc.
Rows 2-24 (26, 26, 26, 28, 28, 28, 30): Ch 1, turn, sc-blo in each st to last st; working in both loops, sc in last st.
Fasten off.
Sew one long edge of ribbing to last row of sleeve.
Rep to make second sleeve.
Finishing
Block to measurements.
Sew side and Sleeve seams.
Front Band
Ch 11.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across – 10 sc.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc-blo in each st to last st; working in both loops, sc in last st.
Rep Row 2 until piece, when slightly stretched, fits all the way from lower right front corner, up right front edge, along neck, and down left front edge to lower left front corner.
Fasten off.
Sew one long edge of band along front and neck edges.
Weave in yarn ends.
Conclusion
Congratulations on completing your Free Willow Path Crochet Cardigan Pattern!
By carefully assembling the panels and crafting that beautiful separate ribbed front band, you have brought the Free Willow Path Crochet Cardigan Pattern to life as a striking, comfortable layer.
Throw this timeless everyday staple over any casual outfit, feel the satisfying warmth of your work, and enjoy the effortless fit and structural drape of your lovely new masterwork!
