When the seasons shift, having a reliable, go-to layer is an absolute must, and the Free Ivory Drift Crochet Cardigan Pattern is the ultimate minimalist project.
Featuring a relaxed silhouette, an elegant classic V-stitch construction, and a beautiful matching waist tie, this gorgeous wardrobe staple looks incredibly polished yet remains completely free and easy to make!
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)
- Finished Bust: 36 (42, 45, 51, 53) in. (91.5 (106.5, 114.5, 129.5, 134.5) cm)
- Finished Length: 26 (27, 28, 29, 30) in. (66 (68.5, 71, 73.5, 76) cm)
Note: Pattern is written for smallest size with changes for larger size in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to both sizes. To follow pattern more easily, circle all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.
Materials
- Yarn: LION BRAND® SUNSET NIGHTS (Art. #507), #607 Martha’s Vineyard 5 (6, 7, 7, 8) balls
- Yarn Weight: Medium 4 (Worsted)
- Crochet Hook: LION BRAND® crochet hook size I-9 (5.5 mm)
- Notions: LION BRAND® large-eyed blunt needle
Gauge
- 9 V-sts + 13 rows = about 6 $1/2$ in. (16.5 cm) in V-st pattern.
- BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.
Abbreviations
- beg = begin(ning)
- ch = chain
- ch-space(s) = chain space(s) previously made
- dc = double crochet
- rep = repeat
- rnd = round
- RS = right side
- sc = single crochet
- sk = skip
- sl st = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- WS = wrong side
Stitch Explanations & Project Notes
Stitch Explanations
V-st: (Dc, ch 1, dc) in indicated st or sp.
Pattern Stitch
V-st Pattern
Row 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, V-st in ch-1 sp of each V-st across, dc in 3rd ch of beg ch.
Rep Row 1 for V-st pattern.
Pattern Notes
- Cardigan is made in 6 pieces: Back, 2 Fronts, 2 Sleeves and a Belt.
- Back, Fronts and Sleeves are worked back and forth in rows of V-st pattern from lower edge upwards.
- Belt is worked back and forth in rows of sc worked in back loops only.
- A collar extension is worked as part of each Front. Ends of collar extensions are sewn together and lower edge is sewn to back neck to form collar.
Instructions
Back
Ch 78 (90, 96, 108, 114).
Row 1 (RS): V-st in 6th ch from hook (5 skipped ch count as 2 base ch and first dc), *sk next 2 ch, V-st in next ch; rep from * to last 3 ch, sk next 2 ch, dc in last ch – you will have 24 (28, 30, 34, 36) V-sts, 1 dc at beg, and 1 dc at end of this row.
Work in V-st pattern for a total of 36 (36, 38, 38, 40) rows from beg.
Fasten off.
Shape Armholes
Row 1 (RS): From RS, draw up a loop in 2nd dc of 2nd (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th) V-st, ch 3 (counts as dc), V-st in ch-1 sp of each V-st to last 2 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) V-sts, dc in first dc of next V-st; leave remaining sts unworked – 20 (22, 22, 24, 24) V-sts.
Work in V-st pattern for a total of 16 (18, 18, 20, 20) rows from beg of armhole shaping.
Fasten off.
Left Front
Ch 60 (66, 69, 75, 78).
Row 1 (RS): V-st in 6th ch from hook (5 skipped ch count as 2 base ch and first dc), *sk next 2 ch, V-st in next ch; rep from * to last 3 ch, sk next 2 ch, dc in last ch – you will have 18 (20, 21, 23, 24) V-sts, 1 dc at beg, and 1 dc at end of this row.
Work in V-st pattern for a total of 36 (36, 38, 38, 40) rows from beg.
Fasten off.
Shape Armhole
Row 1 (RS): From RS, draw up a loop in 2nd dc of 2nd (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th) V-st, ch 3 (counts as dc), V-st in ch-1 sp of each V-st across, dc in top of beg ch – 16 (17, 17, 18, 18) V-sts.
Work in V-st pattern for a total of 16 (18, 18, 20, 20) rows from beg of armhole shaping.
Fasten off.
Collar Extension
Row 1 (RS): From RS, draw up a loop in 2nd dc of 7th (8th, 8th, 9th, 9th) V-st, ch 3 (counts as dc), V-st in ch-1 sp of each V-st across, dc in top of beg ch – 9 V-sts.
Rows 2-6: Work in V-st pattern for 5 rows.
Fasten off.
Right Front
Ch 60 (66, 69, 75, 78).
Row 1 (RS): V-st in 6th ch from hook (5 skipped ch count as 2 base ch and first dc), *sk next 2 ch, V-st in next ch; rep from * to last 3 ch, sk next 2 ch, dc in last ch – you will have 18 (20, 21, 23, 24) V-sts, 1 dc at beg, and 1 dc at end of this row.
Work in V-st pattern for a total of 36 (36, 38, 38, 40) rows from beg.
Do not fasten off.
Shape Armhole
Row 1 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, V-st in ch-1 sp of each V-st to last 2 (3, 4, 5, 6) V-sts, dc in first dc of next V-st; leave remaining sts unworked – 16 (17, 17, 18, 18) V-sts.
Work in V-st pattern for a total of 16 (18, 18, 20, 20) rows from beg of armhole shaping.
Collar Extension
Row 1 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn, V-st in ch-1 sp of next 9 V-sts, dc in first dc of next V-st; leave remaining sts unworked – 9 V-sts.
Rows 2-6: Work in V-st pattern for 5 rows.
Fasten off.
Sleeves (make 2)
Ch 33 (33, 39, 39, 45).
Row 1 (RS): V-st in 6th ch from hook (5 skipped ch count as 2 base ch and first dc), *sk next 2 ch, V-st in next ch; rep from * to last 3 ch, sk next 2 ch, dc in last ch – you will have 9 (9, 11, 11, 13) V-sts, 1 dc at beg, and 1 dc at end of this row.
Row 2 (Increase Row): Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, dc in first dc (increase made), V-st in ch-1 sp of each V-st across, 2 dc in 3rd ch of beg ch (increase made) -9 (9, 11, 11, 13) V-sts, 2 dc at beg and 2 dc at end.
Row 3 (Increase Row): Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, dc in first dc, dc in next dc, V-st in ch-1 sp of each V-st across, dc in next dc, 2 dc in top of beg ch -9 (9, 11, 11, 13) V-sts, 3 dc at beg and 3 dc at end.
Row 4 (Increase Row): Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, sk next st, V-st in next dc, V-st in ch-1 sp of each V-st across, sk 2nd dc of last V-st, V-st in next dc, sk next dc, dc in top of beg ch 11 (11, 13, 13, 15) V-sts, 1 dc at beg, and 1 dc at end.
Row 5: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn, V-st in ch-1 sp of each V-st across, dc in top of beg ch.
Rows 6-29 (33, 29, 33, 29): Rep Rows 2-5 for 6 (7, 6, 7, 6) times 23 (25, 25, 27, 27) V-sts, 1 dc at beg, and 1 dc at end.
Work in V-st pattern until piece measures about 20 (20 $1/2$, 21, 21 $1/2$, 22) in. (51 (52, 53.5, 53.5, 56) cm) from beg.
Fasten off.
Belt
Ch 8.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across – 7 sc.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, working in back loops only, sc in each sc across.
Rep Row 2 until piece measures about 60 in. (152.5 cm) or desired length.
Fasten off.
Finishing
Sew shoulder seams.
Sew ends of collar extensions together for back neck.
Sew edge of seamed collar extensions to back neck edge of Cardigan.
Sew in Sleeves.
Sew side and Sleeve seams.
Sleeve Edging
From RS, join yarn with sl st in wrist edge of one Sleeve.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around edge; join with sl st in first sc.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around; join with sl st in first sc.
Fasten off.
Rep edging around wrist edge of second Sleeve.
Cardigan Edging
From RS, join yarn with a sl st in lower right front corner.
Rnd 1: Work sc evenly spaced all the way around outside edge of Cardigan, working 2 sc in each corner; join with sl st in first sc.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around; join with sl st in first sc.
Fasten off.
Weave in ends.
Conclusion
Congratulations on completing your Free Ivory Drift Crochet Cardigan Pattern!
By carefully assembling the panels and crafting that beautiful seamed collar extension, you have brought the Free Ivory Drift Crochet Cardigan Pattern to life as a striking, comfortable layer.
Tie on the custom back-loop single crochet belt, style it with your favorite seasonal outfits, and enjoy the effortless fit and gorgeous drape of your lovely new masterwork!
