Camille Cardi: Free Crochet Pattern for a Stunning Everyday Cardigan

There is something deeply satisfying about wearing a garment you made with your own hands. The texture of the yarn between your fingers, the rhythmic click of your hook, and the slow, meditative process of watching a flat piece of fabric transform into something wearable — these are the quiet joys that keep crocheters coming back to their craft again and again. If you have been searching for a free crochet pattern that is both beginner-friendly and beautiful enough to wear on repeat, the Camille Cardi might be exactly what you have been looking for.

This pattern creates a relaxed, drape-forward cardigan with a lightweight feel and effortlessly bohemian aesthetic. Whether you are new to garment crochet or a seasoned maker looking for your next cozy project, the Camille Cardi delivers a satisfying experience from cast-on to final weave-in. In this post, you will find everything you need to make it: a full free pattern, material suggestions, sizing guidance, stitch breakdowns, and tips for customizing the fit.

Why the Camille Cardi Is the Perfect Crochet Project

Not all crochet cardigans are created equal. Some are stiff and boxy. Others involve complex construction methods that can feel intimidating. The Camille Cardi threads the needle beautifully between accessible construction and a polished, wearable result.

The silhouette is relaxed and open, with a natural drape that flatters a wide range of body shapes. It works up quickly because the construction is mostly done in large flat panels that are seamed together, meaning you are never wrestling with a massive piece in the round. The stitch pattern itself is simple enough that you can watch television or have a conversation while you work, but the finished texture is interesting enough to make the piece look intentional and carefully crafted.

It is also the kind of cardigan that genuinely gets worn. You know the type: it ends up on the back of every chair in the house, gets grabbed on the way out the door on cool mornings, and becomes that one piece people ask about at the farmers market or coffee shop. That is the spirit of the Camille Cardi.

Materials You Will Need

Before diving into the pattern, gather your materials. Part of what makes the Camille Cardi such a versatile project is that it works beautifully in a wide variety of yarns, so you have real flexibility depending on your budget and style preferences.

Yarn: You will need approximately 900 to 1,400 yards of DK or light worsted weight yarn, depending on your size. A yarn with some drape works best for this pattern. Cotton-acrylic blends, bamboo-cotton blends, and soft merino wools all perform beautifully. For a more casual, summery version, try a linen-cotton blend. For a cozy cold-weather option, a soft merino or alpaca-blend will give you incredible warmth with beautiful stitch definition.

Hook: A 5.0mm (H/8) or 5.5mm (I/9) crochet hook works well for most DK and light worsted yarns. Because drape is important in this pattern, you may want to go up half a size from what your yarn label recommends.

Notions: You will also need a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, a few stitch markers, scissors, and a tape measure. Optional but helpful: blocking mats and rust-proof pins if you plan to wet block your finished piece.

Gauge: 14 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches in half double crochet. Gauge is important in garment crochet, so please take the time to make a gauge swatch before starting. A quick swatch now can save you from a cardigan that does not fit later.

Sizing Information

The Camille Cardi is written in six sizes to accommodate a wide range of bodies. The pattern is designed with approximately 4 inches of positive ease, meaning the finished garment will measure 4 inches larger than your actual bust measurement. This gives the cardigan its relaxed, lived-in feel.

To choose your size, measure around the fullest part of your bust and refer to the chart below.

Size 1 (XS): 30–32 inch bust / finished bust 34–36 inches
Size 2 (S): 34–36 inch bust / finished bust 38–40 inches
Size 3 (M): 38–40 inch bust / finished bust 42–44 inches
Size 4 (L): 42–44 inch bust / finished bust 46–48 inches
Size 5 (XL): 46–48 inch bust / finished bust 50–52 inches
Size 6 (2XL): 50–52 inch bust / finished bust 54–56 inches

When in doubt between two sizes, size up rather than down. The open, drapey construction looks best with a bit of room, and you can always adjust the length at the hem or sleeve to customize the fit further.

Abbreviations and Stitch Guide

This pattern uses US crochet terminology throughout.

ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
sp — space
st(s) — stitch(es)
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
rep — repeat
sk — skip
t-ch — turning chain
BLO — back loop only
FLO — front loop only
pm — place marker
sm — slip marker

The primary stitch used in the body of the Camille Cardi is the back loop only half double crochet (BLO hdc). Working into the back loop only creates a subtle horizontal ridge on the right side of the fabric that gives the finished piece a beautiful woven-like texture. It also adds just a little extra stretch to the fabric, which contributes to the comfortable, forgiving fit.

To work BLO hdc: insert your hook through the back loop only of the indicated stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 3 loops. That is one BLO hdc complete.

The Camille Cardi Free Crochet Pattern

Back Panel

Foundation chain: Ch 61 (69, 77, 85, 93, 101).

Row 1 (WS): Hdc in the 3rd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn. — 59 (67, 75, 83, 91, 99) hdc.

Row 2 (RS): Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch here or throughout), BLO hdc in each stitch across. Turn.

Row 3: Ch 2, BLO hdc in each stitch across. Turn.

Repeat Row 3 until the back panel measures 14 (14.5, 15, 15.5, 16, 16.5) inches from the foundation chain, ending on a WS row.

Armhole shaping:

Sl st across the first 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8) stitches, ch 2, BLO hdc across to the last 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8) stitches. Leave remaining stitches unworked. Turn. — 49 (55, 63, 69, 77, 83) sts.

Continue in pattern (BLO hdc across each row) until the armhole measures 8 (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5) inches from the beginning of armhole shaping.

Fasten off. Place stitch markers at the center 15 (17, 19, 21, 23, 25) stitches to mark the neck opening.

Left Front Panel

Foundation chain: Ch 31 (35, 39, 43, 47, 51).

Row 1 (WS): Hdc in the 3rd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn. — 29 (33, 37, 41, 45, 49) hdc.

Row 2 (RS): Ch 2, BLO hdc in each stitch across. Turn.

Row 3: Ch 2, BLO hdc in each stitch across. Turn.

Repeat Row 3 until the left front panel measures the same as the back panel to the armhole shaping, ending on a WS row.

Armhole shaping (worked on the side seam edge):

Sl st across the first 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8) stitches, ch 2, BLO hdc across to the end. Turn. — 24 (27, 31, 34, 38, 41) sts.

Continue in pattern until the armhole measures 5 (5.5, 6, 6, 6.5, 7) inches from the beginning of armhole shaping, ending on a RS row.

Neck shaping:

Next row (WS): Ch 2, BLO hdc across to the last 6 (7, 8, 8, 9, 9) stitches. Leave remaining stitches unworked. Turn. — 18 (20, 23, 26, 29, 32) sts.

Decrease row: Ch 2, hdc2tog, BLO hdc to the end. Turn.

Repeat the decrease row 1 (1, 2, 2, 3, 3) more time(s). — 16 (18, 20, 23, 25, 28) sts.

Continue without shaping until the armhole matches the back armhole in total length.

Fasten off.

Right Front Panel

Work as for the Left Front Panel, reversing all shaping. The armhole shaping will be worked at the end of the RS row instead of the beginning, and the neck shaping will leave stitches unworked at the beginning of the WS row.

Sleeves (Make Two)

Foundation chain: Ch 35 (37, 39, 41, 43, 45).

Row 1 (WS): Hdc in the 3rd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Turn. — 33 (35, 37, 39, 41, 43) hdc.

Row 2 (RS): Ch 2, BLO hdc in each stitch across. Turn.

Row 3: Ch 2, BLO hdc in each stitch across. Turn.

Increase row (RS): Ch 2, 2 hdc in the first stitch, BLO hdc across to the last stitch, 2 hdc in the last stitch. Turn. — 2 sts increased.

Work the increase row every 6th row until you have 49 (53, 57, 61, 65, 69) stitches total.

Continue without shaping until the sleeve measures 17 (17, 17.5, 17.5, 18, 18) inches from the foundation chain, or your desired length.

Sleeve cap shaping:

Sl st across the first 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8) stitches, ch 2, BLO hdc across to the last 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8) stitches. Leave remaining stitches unworked. Turn.

Decrease row: Ch 2, hdc2tog, BLO hdc to the last 2 stitches, hdc2tog. Turn.

Repeat the decrease row until 17 (19, 21, 21, 23, 23) stitches remain.

Fasten off.

Assembly

Block all pieces before seaming. Wet blocking works especially well for this pattern and will open up the stitch texture beautifully, give the fabric a lovely drape, and make seaming much easier.

Once your pieces are dry and blocked, use a tapestry needle and the mattress stitch or a whip stitch to seam the shoulder seams first. Then set in the sleeves, pinning them into place before seaming to ensure even distribution. Finally, seam the side seams and sleeve underarms.

Finishing: Body Border

With RS facing, join yarn at the lower right front corner. Work a row of sc evenly up the right front edge, around the back neck, and down the left front edge. Work 3 sc in each corner at the beginning of the neck shaping to keep the corners neat. Join with a sl st and fasten off.

For a slightly more polished look, work a second row of sc into the BLO of the border row just completed.

Finishing: Cuff Border

With RS facing, join yarn at the sleeve seam. Work a round of sc evenly around the cuff opening. Join with a sl st, turn, and work one more round in the BLO. Fasten off.

Weave in all ends thoroughly. Give your finished cardigan a final light steam block if desired to set the seams and smooth the borders.

Tips for Getting the Best Results

Garment crochet can feel intimidating if you are used to making smaller items, but a few simple habits will make a big difference in the quality of your finished Camille Cardi.

Swatch and block your swatch. Yarn can behave very differently after washing and blocking, and your gauge may shift. Block your swatch the same way you plan to block your finished cardigan, then measure it again before calculating your size.

Keep consistent tension. The BLO hdc creates a stretchy, forgiving fabric, but dramatic tension changes between rows will show in the finished piece. If you tend to crochet more tightly when you are tired or distracted, try to work on the body of your cardigan when you are relaxed and focused.

Use stitch markers generously. Mark your armhole shaping points, the center of your back neck, and the midpoint of your sleeves when setting them in. A few extra stitch markers cost nothing and can prevent a lot of frustration during assembly.

Join yarn with a Russian join or a splice. Because the Camille Cardi is a wearable garment, minimizing the number of woven-in ends visible from the right side is worth the effort. Learning the Russian join technique means you will never have a loose end work its way through to the outside during washing.

Customization Ideas

One of the best things about a simple, well-constructed pattern is how easily it adapts to your personal style.

For a cropped version, simply stop the body panels when the length reaches your natural waist or just below. The proportions of the sleeves and border all still work beautifully with a shorter body.

For an oversized, cozy version, size up one or two sizes and lengthen the body to hip length. Pair with a chunky yarn for a dramatically different look that still uses the same fundamental pattern.

For a more polished, structured look, work the border in a contrasting color. A neutral like cream or oatmeal against a deep jewel tone makes the cardigan feel almost tailored.

You can also add pockets by crocheting two simple rectangle panels and slip-stitching them into place along the side seams before joining. A patch pocket approximately 6 inches wide and 7 inches tall sits perfectly at hip level and adds both function and charm.

Yarn Substitution Suggestions

The Camille Cardi shines in yarns with a smooth-to-slightly-textured finish and some natural drape. Here are a few yarn types worth exploring.

Cotton-linen blends tend to produce a crisp, structured fabric that softens beautifully with washing and wearing. They are a wonderful choice for spring and summer versions.

Superwash merino in DK weight gives a softer, more fluid drape with excellent stitch definition. It also washes easily in the machine, making the finished cardigan a practical everyday piece.

Bamboo-cotton blends are exceptionally drapey and have a subtle natural sheen that makes the BLO texture really pop. They tend to be a bit more slippery to work with, but the finished fabric is stunning.

Avoid very fuzzy or heavily textured yarns for this pattern. Mohair, boucle, and thick-and-thin novelty yarns tend to obscure the stitch detail and can make the BLO technique difficult to execute cleanly.

Caring for Your Camille Cardi

Once your cardigan is finished, a little care will keep it looking beautiful for years.