Looking for a timeless handmade garment that is just as fun to make as it is to wear? This color block crochet cardigan pattern is an absolute must-have for the little ones in your life. With its gorgeous texture and endless color-blocking possibilities, you’ll fall in love with the stitchwork from the very first row—and the best part is that it makes a stunning, versatile piece for either a boy or a girl!
Get Creative with the Color Block Crochet Cardigan Pattern
Before you dive into your stitches, let’s gather everything you need to bring this charming cardigan to life! Below you will find the exact yarn details, recommended hook sizes, and a quick stitch guide to help make your crocheting journey smooth, fun, and completely stress-free.
This pattern is written in American Terminology.
Yarn
Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, 3.5 ounces/100g, 186 yards/170 m, #4 medium weight
3 CA – Ecru
1 CB – Amber
1 CC- Bayleaf
Other materials:
A size G6 hook (4 mm) is recommended to obtain the gauge.
(5) buttons size 5/8”
Scissors
Needle for weaving in ends.
Gauge
4 x 4 inch = 12 rows of beginning pattern and 19 stitches
Size
18-24 months
Chest 18-19”
Arm length 9.5”
Arm Depth 3.5”
Back to waist length 9.5”
Notes:
At the beginning of each row, a sdc (standing double crochet) was used.
Turn at the end of each row.
Crochet into the top of the turning chain at the end of the row. On Row 11, you will alternate between the fptr st and the dc st across the row.
Stitches:
ch(s) – chain(s)
sdc – standing double crochet
sc -single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
dc – double crochet
dc2tog – dc 2 together
dc3tog – dc 3 together
hdc – half double crochet
fptr – front post treble crochet
fpdc – front post double crochet
repeat – rep
rnd – round
yo – yarn over
CA – color A Ecru
CB – color B Amber
CC – color C Bayleaf
Get Creative with the Color Block Crochet Cardigan Pattern
Crocheting the Cardigan Body
First, we will begin by working the main body from the top down. Then, once those initial rows are complete, you will find it easy to shape the armholes. As a result, the sweater will begin to take its proper shape before you move on to the sleeves.
Ch 72,
dc in 4th ch from the hook (counts as dc), dc in the next 13 chs, 3 dc in the next ch, dc in the next 7 chs, 3 dc in the next ch, dc in the next 25 chs, 3 dc in the next ch, dc in the next 7 chs, 3 dc in the next ch, dc in the next 14 chs. (79 dc)
Row 2:
Sdc in the first st, dc in the next 14 sts, 3 dc in the next st, dc in the next 9 sts, 3 dc in the next st, dc in the next 27 sts, 3 dc in the next st, dc in the next 9 sts, 3 dc in the next st, dc in the next 15 sts. (87 dc)
Row 3:
Sdc in the first st, fptr in the next 15 sts, 3 dc in the next st, fptr in the next 11 sts, 3 dc in the next st, fptr in the next 29 sts, 3 dc in the next st, fptr in the next 11 sts, 3 dc in the next st, fptr in the next 16 sts. (95 dc)
Row 4:
Sdc in the first st, dc in the next 16 sts, 3 dc in the next st, dc in the next 13 sts, 3 dc in the next st, dc in the next 31 sts, 3 dc in the next st, dc in the next 13 sts, 3 dc in the next st, dc in the next 17 sts. (103 dc)
Row 5:
sc in the first st, sc in the next 17 sts, 3 sc in the next st, sc in the next 15 sts, 3 sc in the next st, sc in the next 33 sts, 3 sc in the next st, sc in the next 15 sts, 3 sc in the next st, sc in the next 18 sts. (111 dc)
Row 6:
Sdc in the first st, dc in the next 18 chs, 3 dc in the next ch, dc in the next 17 chs, 3 dc in the next ch, dc in the next 35 chs, 3 dc in the next ch, dc in the next 17 chs, 3 dc in the next ch, dc in the next 19 chs. (119 dc)
Row 7:
Sdc in the first st, fptr in the next 19 sts, 3 dc in the next st, fptr in the next 19 sts, 3 dc in the next st, fptr in the next 37 sts, 3 dc in the next st, fptr in the next 19 sts, 3 dc in the next st, fptr in the next 20 sts. (127 dc)
Row 8:
Sdc in the first st, dc in the next 20 chs, 3 dc in the next ch, dc in the next 21 chs, 3 dc in the next ch, dc in the next 39 chs, 3 dc in the next ch, dc in the next 21 chs, 3 dc in the next ch, dc in the next 21 chs. (135 dc)
Row 9:
sc in the first st, sc in the next 21 sts, 3 sc in the next st, sc in the next 23 sts, 3 sc in the next st, sc in the next 41 sts, 3 sc in the next st, sc in the next 23 sts, 3 sc in the next st, sc in the next 22 sts. (143 dc)
Row 10:
Sdc in the first st, dc in the next 22 chs, 3 dc in the next ch, dc in the next 25 chs, 3 dc in the next ch, dc in the next 43 chs, 3 dc in the next ch, dc in the next 25 chs, 3 dc in the next ch, dc in the next 23 chs. (151 dc)
Row 11:
Sdc in the first st, *fptr in the next st, dc in the next st, repeat from * 22 more times, ch 5, sk the next 27 sts, *fptr in the next st, dc in the next st, repeat from * 45 more times, ch 5, sk the next 27 sts, *dc in the next st, fptr in the next st, rep from * 23 more times, dc in turning ch. (104 sts)
Row 12:
sdc in the first st, and dc in each st across.
Row 13:
sc in the first st and in each st across.
Row 14:
sdc in the first st, and dc in each st across.
Row 15:
sdc in the first st, fptr in the next, dc in the next, rep from * across.
Rep rows 12-15 six more times.
Armhole Row: See Notes
Now that you’ve beautifully shaped the main body and created those armhole openings, it’s time to bring the cardigan together piece by piece! In this next section, we’ll dive into working the sleeves in the round, shaping the cozy neckline, and adding that clean, polished button band to finish off your handmade piece.
Get Creative with the Color Block Crochet Cardigan Pattern Con’t
Working the Sleeves and Neckline
Sleeves:
Join with a sl st CB at the center under the arm. I continue to turn after each row. It tends to keep the joins straight.
Rnd 1:
sdc in same st as join, dc in each st around.
Rnd 2:
sdc in the first st, fptc in the next st, alternate the dc and fptr around.
Rnd 3:
Sdc in the first st and dc in each stitch around.
Rnd 4:
Ch 1, sc in the first st and in each st around.
Rnd 5:
Sdc in the first st and dc in each st around.
Rnd 6:
Sdc in the first st, fptc in the next st, alternate the dc and fptr around.
Rnd 7:
Sdc in the first st, dc in the next st, dc2tog, dc around to the last 4 sts, dc2tog, dc the last 2 sts.
Rnd 8:
Ch 1, sc in the first st and in each st around.
Rnd 9:
Sdc in the first st and dc in each st around.
Rnd 10:
Sdc in the first st, fptc in the next st, alternate the dc and fptr around.
Rnd 11:
Sdc in the first st, dc in the next st, dc2tog, dc around to the last 4 sts, dc2tog, dc the last 2 sts.
Rnd 12:
Ch 1, sc in the first st and in each st around.
Rnd 13:
Sdc in the first st and dc in each st around.
Rnd 14:
Sdc in the first st, fptc in the next st, alternate the dc and fptr around.
Rnd 15:
Sdc in the first st, dc in the next st, dc2tog, dc around to the last 4 sts, dc2tog, dc the last 2 sts.
Rnd 16:
Ch 1, sc in the first st and in each st around.
Rnd 17:
Sdc in the first st, and dc in each st around.
Rnd 18:
Sdc in the first st, fptc in the next st, and alternate the dc and fptr around.
Rnd 19:
Sdc in the first st, and dc in each st around.
Rnd 20:
Ch 1, sc in the first st and each st around.
Rnd 21:
Sdc in the first st, and dc in each st around.
Rnd 22:
Sdc in the first st, fptc in the next st, and alternate the dc and fptr around.
Rep Rnds 19-22 two more times
Rnd 31:
Ch 1, sc in the first st and each st around.
Rnd 32:
Ch 1, hdc in the same st, hdc in each st around.
Rnds 33-36: repeat row 32.
Rnd 37:
Ch1, crab st around. Finish off and weave in ends.
Neck
Rnd 1
Sdc in the first st, dcfp in the next 13 sts, dcfp3tog, dcfp next 5 sts, dcfp next st, dc in the next st, dcfp3tog, dcfp next 23 sts, dcfp3tog, fpdc next 5 sts, fpdc next 5 sts, dcfp3tog, dcfp to end.
Rnd 2:
Ch 1, sc same st, sc in each st around.
Rnd 3:
Fpdc over the next 11 sts, fpdc3tog, fpdc over the next 3 sts, fpdc3tog, fpdc over the next 21 sts, fpdc3tog, fpdc over the next 3 sts, fpdc over the remaining sts.
Rnd 4:
Ch 1, sc same st, sc in each st around. Finish off and weave in ends.
Outside of the cardigan.
Row 1:
Start at the right side of the cardigan:
Ch 1, sc evenly over 64 stitches along the whole side of the cardigan.
Row 2:
Ch 1, hdc in the same st, hdc in the next 5 sts, *ch 5, sk 4sts, hdc in the next 8 sts, repeat from * 3 more times, ch 5, sk 4 sts, hdc in the last 6 sts.
Row 3:
Ch 1, hdc in the same st, hdc in the next 5 sts, *4 hdc in the ch sp, hdc in the next 8 sts, repeat from * 3 more times, 4 hdc in the ch 5 sp, hdc in the last 6 sts. Turn
Row 4
Ch 1, hdc in the same st, hdc flo in each stitch across. Finish off and weave in ends.
Left side
Row 1:
Ch 1, sc evenly over 64 stitches along the whole side of the cardigan. Turn
Row 2:
Ch 1, hdc in the same st, hdc in the next 63 sts. Turn
Row 3: repeat row 2
Row 4:
Ch 1, hdc in the same st, hdc flo in each stitch across. Finish off and weave in ends.
Finish off and weave in ends.
And just like that, your darling color-block cardigan is finally complete! Once you have woven in all your ends and sewn on your buttons, you will have a gorgeous, handmade wardrobe staple ready to gift or dress up your little one. Whenever you show off your finished creation, ultimately, don’t forget to share your photos so we can admire your lovely stitchwork!
I would love to see your finished projects! Be sure to share your progress and completed projects on Instagram or Facebook, and tag @CountryWillowDesigns so I can see and share your beautiful work.
Happy crocheting, and as always, if you have any questions along the way, feel free to reach out at sheri@thecountrywillows.com!
Prefer a printable, ad-free PDF version to keep in your yarn bag? You can grab the full pattern in my Ravelry shop!
Thank you so much for supporting my small business. Happy crocheting!
