Crochet Crew-Neck Cardigan Pattern for Adults

Published by The Outfit Compass

Pattern correction under review: The sleeve instructions cannot reach the stated stitch counts for XS, L, XL, 4X and 5X. We also found sleeve-length and larger-size neckline inconsistencies. Please pause work on this pattern while it is technically reviewed. The illustrations are AI-generated; no physical testing is documented.

Crochet crew-neck cardigan pattern at a glance

• Skill level: confident beginner to intermediate
• US sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
• Construction: drop-shoulder pieces seamed at the shoulders and sides
• Yarn: medium weight #4
• Terminology: US crochet terms

This crochet crew-neck cardigan pattern creates a useful layer that works with clothes you already wear. It has a clean neckline, a straight body, full-length sleeves, and a simple button band. The shape looks polished over a T-shirt or blouse without becoming fussy, making it useful for workdays, travel, dinners, and ordinary weekends.

The pattern uses half double crochet for a fabric that feels substantial without becoming stiff. It is written in nine adult sizes with finished measurements, yardage estimates, and adjustment notes. Read the sizing and gauge sections before choosing a size. This pattern has not been independently tech-edited, so keep notes as you work and check each piece against the measurements.

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In this pattern

1. Materials
2. US abbreviations
3. Sizes and finished measurements
4. Gauge and fit
5. Back panel
6. Front panels
7. Sleeves
8. Assembly and button band
9. Easy adjustments
10. Blocking and care

Materials

• Medium weight #4 yarn: approximately 1,100 (1,250, 1,400, 1,550, 1,700, 1,850, 2,000, 2,150, 2,300) yards
• US H/8 (5 mm) crochet hook, or the size needed to meet gauge
• Five 3/4-inch buttons
• Locking stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors and flexible measuring tape

Choose a smooth yarn with good stitch definition. Wool blends provide warmth and resilience, while washable acrylic or cotton blends can make care simpler. Buy all skeins from the same dye lot when possible.

Check the Craft Yarn Council yarn-weight guide when substituting yarn, and browse more outfit ideas for ways to wear the finished cardigan.

US crochet abbreviations

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• hdc2tog: half double crochet two stitches together
• st(s): stitch(es)
• RS / WS: right side / wrong side
• rep: repeat

The turning chain does not count as a stitch unless the instruction says otherwise.

Sizes and finished measurements

Choose a size by finished bust measurement, not by the size name alone. The cardigan is designed with approximately 4 to 6 inches of positive ease. Measure a cardigan you already like and compare that garment with the table.

Size	Finished bust	Back width	Finished length
XS	36 in	18 in	21 in
S	40 in	20 in	22 in
M	44 in	22 in	22 in
L	48 in	24 in	23 in
XL	52 in	26 in	23 in
2X	56 in	28 in	24 in
3X	60 in	30 in	24 in
4X	64 in	32 in	25 in
5X	68 in	34 in	25 in

If your measurements fall between sizes, decide where you want more room. A larger size gives more layering space through the body. A smaller size creates a closer fit for wearing over lightweight tops.

Gauge and fit

14 hdc and 11 rows = 4 inches after blocking.

Make a swatch at least 6 inches square. Wash and dry it the way you plan to care for the cardigan, then measure the center. If you have more than 14 stitches in 4 inches, use a larger hook. If you have fewer, use a smaller hook. Row gauge controls length, so measure as you work instead of relying only on row counts.

The cardigan uses drop shoulders. The shoulder seam sits below the natural shoulder and the sleeve joins to a straight armhole. This keeps the construction approachable and makes sleeve length easy to adjust.

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Back panel

Foundation row: Work 63 (70, 77, 84, 91, 98, 105, 112, 119) foundation hdc. Turn.

Row 1: Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.

Repeat Row 1 until the panel measures 21 (22, 22, 23, 23, 24, 24, 25, 25) inches from the lower edge. End after a WS row. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming.

Check the panel width before continuing. It should measure approximately 18 (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34) inches after blocking.

Front panels

Make two panels. Work the second as a mirror image so the neckline shaping sits at the center front.

Left front

Foundation row: Work 32 (35, 39, 42, 46, 49, 53, 56, 60) foundation hdc. Turn.

Body rows: Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn. Continue until the panel is 3 inches shorter than the finished back panel.

Neck shaping: At the neck edge, hdc2tog once on the next 6 (7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9, 10, 10) rows. Work even until the front matches the back length. Fasten off.

Right front

Work as for the left front, placing every neckline decrease at the opposite edge. Lay both fronts beside each other before assembly. The shaped edges should face inward and form a balanced crew neckline.

Sleeves

Make two.

Foundation row: Work 30 (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38) foundation hdc. Turn.

Row 1: Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.

Increase row: Ch 1, 2 hdc in first st, hdc across to last st, 2 hdc in last st. Turn. Two stitches increased.

Repeat the increase row every fourth row until you have 49 (53, 56, 60, 63, 67, 70, 74, 77) stitches. Then work even until the sleeve measures approximately 18 inches, or your preferred underarm-to-cuff length. Fasten off with a long seaming tail.

For a cleaner cuff, work three final rows of sc with a hook one size smaller. Skip this step if you prefer the hdc texture to continue to the edge.

Assembly and button band

1. Block the pieces. Bring every panel to the measurements in the size table without stretching the fabric beyond its natural shape.
2. Join the shoulders. With RS together, seam each front to the back. Leave the center back unseamed for the neckline.
3. Attach the sleeves. Mark the center of each sleeve top and match it to the shoulder seam. Pin the sleeve evenly across the front and back, then seam it in place.
4. Close the sides. Fold the cardigan at the shoulders. Seam from cuff to underarm and continue down the side to the lower hem.

Button band and crew neckline

With the RS facing, join yarn at the lower right front. Work sc evenly up the right front, around the shaped neckline and back neck, and down the left front. Aim for a flat edge: too many stitches create waves, while too few make the band pull.

Work five rows of sc. On Row 3, place five evenly spaced buttonholes on the right front by working ch 2 and skipping 2 stitches at each marked position. On the following row, work 2 sc into each ch-2 space. Fasten off after Row 5.

Sew the buttons to the left front opposite the buttonholes. Reinforce each button with several secure passes through the fabric.

Easy fit adjustments

• More or less length: add or remove body rows before beginning the neckline shaping.
• Different sleeve length: measure from the dropped shoulder point to your preferred cuff position and adjust the straight rows.
• A firmer band: use a hook one size smaller for the button band.
• More layering room: choose the finished bust that gives at least 6 inches of ease over the fullest garment you plan to wear underneath.
• A closer shape: choose approximately 2 to 4 inches of ease and confirm that the fronts still meet comfortably when buttoned.

Blocking and care

Follow the yarn label. For washable yarn, use cool water and mild detergent, support the cardigan when lifting it, and dry it flat. Smooth the button band and neckline into shape while damp. Store the cardigan folded so the weight does not stretch the shoulders.

How to wear the finished cardigan

The burnt-orange sample adds warmth while remaining easy to combine with wardrobe basics. For work, button the center buttons over a cotton tee and add navy trousers with loafers. On weekends, wear it open with denim and walking shoes. Navy, charcoal, oatmeal, or forest green yarn gives the same pattern a quieter finish.

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Crochet crew-neck cardigan FAQ

Is this cardigan suitable for a beginner?

It suits a confident beginner who can maintain gauge, increase, decrease, seam pieces, and pick up stitches evenly. Make a swatch and read the assembly section before starting.Can I substitute another yarn?How much positive ease should I choose?Can I make the cardigan without buttons?

Pattern correction under review: The sleeve instructions cannot reach the stated stitch counts for XS, L, XL, 4X and 5X. We also found sleeve-length and larger-size neckline inconsistencies. Please pause work on this pattern while it is technically reviewed. The illustrations are AI-generated; no physical testing is documented.

Printable crochet pattern reference

Save or print this section for a quick reference while you work. All measurements use US crochet terms and inches.

Stitch key

Abbreviation	US stitch	How it is used
ch	chain	Turning and buttonholes
sc	single crochet	Button band, neckline, and optional cuffs
hdc	half double crochet	Main cardigan fabric
hdc2tog	half double crochet two together	Front neckline shaping

Cardigan construction map

Join at shoulder seams

Left front
Neck shaping at center edge

Back
Work straight to finished length

Right front
Mirror left-front shaping

Sleeve 1

Sleeve 2

Block pieces → join shoulders → attach sleeves → seam sleeves and sides → crochet neckline and button band.

Size, stitch count, and yarn chart

Size	Finished bust	Back foundation hdc	Each front foundation hdc	Approx. yarn
XS	36 in	63	32	1,100 yd
S	40 in	70	35	1,250 yd
M	44 in	77	39	1,400 yd
L	48 in	84	42	1,550 yd
XL	52 in	91	46	1,700 yd
2X	56 in	98	49	1,850 yd
3X	60 in	105	53	2,000 yd
4X	64 in	112	56	2,150 yd
5X	68 in	119	60	2,300 yd

Before you begin

• Gauge: 14 hdc and 11 rows = 4 inches after blocking.
• Ease: choose a finished bust 4–6 inches larger than the fullest garment worn underneath.
• Yarn: buy a little extra when changing length, adding pockets, or matching stripes.
• Check: measure each blocked piece against the size chart before seaming.

Save this crochet cardigan pattern

Keep the measurements and instructions handy by saving this pattern to your crochet board on Pinterest.

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Image provenance: the featured outfit image is AI-generated for The Outfit Compass. Pattern measurements should be checked against your blocked gauge before assembly.