Free Crochet Cardigan Pattern PDF: Lace Summer Cardigan & Boho Cover Up (Sizes XS–XXL)
There is something truly magical about a handmade cardigan that drapes over your shoulders on a warm summer evening, catching the last golden light of the day while a gentle breeze moves through the open lace. If you have been looking for a crochet cardigan pattern that feels effortless to wear, beautiful to make, and versatile enough to take from the beach to a backyard gathering, you have just found it.
This lace summer cardigan is one of those patterns that becomes a staple in your wardrobe the moment you finish it. It is light, airy, and undeniably boho in the best possible way. It works as a beach cover up, a festival layer, a breezy topper over a sundress, or simply a pretty piece to throw on when the evening cools down but you are not quite ready to go inside. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, written for sizes XS through XXL, with full stitch counts and measurements for every size so nobody is left out.
Whether you are a confident beginner who has already mastered the basics or an intermediate crocheter looking for a satisfying project with texture and style, this pattern is designed to feel rewarding at every step. Let us walk through everything you need to know before you cast on your foundation chain.
Why You Will Love This Lace Crochet Cardigan
Before we get into the pattern details, it helps to understand what makes this particular design so special. There are dozens of crochet cardigan patterns out there, but this one stands apart for a few reasons.
First, the stitch pattern itself is a simple lace repeat that looks far more complex than it is to execute. Once you work through the first two repeats, your hands will find the rhythm and you will likely be able to crochet while watching a movie or chatting with a friend. That is the kind of meditative, enjoyable project that people come back to again and again.
Second, the construction method is straightforward and intuitive. This cardigan is worked from the top down, which means you can try it on as you go and adjust the length to suit your preference. There are no complicated seams to sew, and the armhole shaping is gentle and gradual, so even if you have never worked a top-down garment before, you will feel confident by the end of the first few rows.
Third, the finished garment is genuinely versatile. Lace cotton or bamboo yarn in a neutral shade like cream, white, sage green, or terracotta gives you something you can wear with denim shorts, linen pants, a flowy midi skirt, or a swimsuit. Choose a bold jewel tone and the same pattern reads completely differently, becoming a statement piece rather than a quiet layer.
Materials You Will Need
One of the best things about a summer lace cardigan is that it does not require expensive or heavy yarn. Lightweight yarn is actually ideal here, and it keeps the project budget-friendly.
Yarn: Look for a DK weight or light worsted cotton, cotton-blend, or bamboo yarn. You want something with good stitch definition so the lace details read clearly. Good options include 100% mercerized cotton, a cotton-linen blend, or a bamboo-cotton blend. Avoid yarn with a lot of stretch or halo, as this will obscure the lace pattern.
Yardage: Yardage varies by size. For XS, plan for approximately 800 yards. Small requires around 950 yards, Medium around 1,100 yards, Large around 1,300 yards, XL around 1,450 yards, and XXL around 1,600 yards. These estimates include a small buffer, but always buy an extra skein when possible.
Hook: A 4.0mm (US size G/6) crochet hook is recommended for most DK weight cotton yarns. However, gauge swatching is essential in garment making, and you may need to go up or down a hook size to match gauge.
Notions: You will need a yarn needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers (at least four), scissors, and a measuring tape. Blocking mats and pins are strongly recommended for finishing, especially with cotton yarn, as blocking will open up the lace beautifully and give your cardigan a polished, professional look.
Gauge
Gauge is one of those things that beginner crocheters are sometimes tempted to skip, and it is completely understandable because making a swatch feels like a detour. But for a garment that needs to fit your body, gauge is not optional. Getting gauge right is the difference between a cardigan that fits and one that ends up too big, too small, or just a little off in a way that is hard to identify but impossible to ignore.
The gauge for this pattern is 16 stitches and 10 rows in the lace repeat stitch pattern, measured over a 4-inch by 4-inch swatch after wet blocking. Work your swatch, wash it the same way you plan to wash your finished cardigan, pin it out to the measurements, and let it dry fully before measuring. If your swatch is smaller than 4 inches across, try a larger hook. If it is larger than 4 inches, try a smaller hook.
Size and Fit Information
This pattern is written for six sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL. The finished bust measurements are approximately 34 inches (XS), 38 inches (S), 42 inches (M), 46 inches (L), 50 inches (XL), and 54 inches (XXL). The cardigan is designed with a slightly relaxed fit, meaning there is a few inches of positive ease built in. This gives it that effortless, draped quality that makes it feel so wearable and so quintessentially boho.
If you prefer a slightly more fitted look, you can size down by one size. If you love a very oversized, flowy feel, sizing up by one is also a valid choice. The pattern notes include guidance on how to adjust the body length and sleeve length if you want to customize the fit further.
The cardigan has a gentle V-neckline that deepens gradually from the top down. The sleeves are three-quarter length in the pattern as written, but there are instructions for adjusting to full-length or cropped cap sleeves if you prefer. The hem is finished with a simple shell border that adds a feminine, lacy edge without adding bulk or stiffness.
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
tr — treble crochet
sp — space
rep — repeat
sk — skip
pm — place marker
yo — yarn over
Lace V-Stitch: (dc, ch 2, dc) all in the same stitch or space. This is the central motif of the stitch pattern and creates the open, lacy texture throughout the body and sleeves.
Shell Stitch: 5 dc all worked into the same stitch or space. Used in the border and as an accent.
Foundation Chain: The pattern uses a standard chain foundation. If you prefer a foundation single crochet or foundation double crochet, you may substitute either, as both will produce a stretchier, more comfortable neckline edge.
Pattern Notes
Read through all the pattern notes before beginning. This will save you time and prevent confusion as you work through the construction.
The cardigan is worked in one piece from the neckline down to the underarm, then divided for the body and sleeves, which are each worked separately and then rejoined. This means minimal seaming. The only seaming required is closing the underarm when the sleeves are reattached.
The lace pattern is a two-row repeat once established, and the written instructions include row-by-row guidance for all six sizes. Size-specific stitch counts appear in brackets throughout the pattern, listed in the order XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL.
Because this is a lace fabric, it will look somewhat loose and unpolished off the hook. This is completely normal. Blocking transforms the fabric. Do not judge the finished piece until after it has been wet blocked and dried.
The front edges of the cardigan are finished with a simple row of reverse single crochet, also called crab stitch, which creates a neat, slightly raised border that lies flat and does not curl. You can substitute a standard single crochet border if you prefer a softer edge.
The Pattern
Foundation/Yoke:
Begin at the center back neckline.
Chain [29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39]. This is the back neckline chain.
Row 1 (RS): Starting in the 4th chain from hook, work dc across, turn. You will have [27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37] dc.
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc throughout), work across in the V-stitch lace pattern as established in the stitch guide, placing markers at the 4 raglan increase points. The 4 markers divide the work into 5 sections: left front, left sleeve, back, right sleeve, right front.
At each marker, work a V-stitch increase: work to the marker, work (dc, ch 2, dc) in the marked stitch, move the marker up. Repeat for all 4 markers in every RS row.
Continue increasing at the raglan points on every right-side row, maintaining the lace pattern across all sections, until the yoke measures approximately [6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9] inches from the neckline chain, ending with a wrong-side row.
Dividing for Body and Sleeves:
On the next row, work across the right front in pattern, chain [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9] stitches for the underarm, skip all sleeve stitches, work across the back in pattern, chain [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9] stitches for the second underarm, skip all sleeve stitches, work across the left front in pattern. Turn.
Body:
Working across all body stitches plus the underarm chains, continue in the lace V-stitch pattern until the body measures [13, 13.5, 14, 14.5, 15, 15.5] inches from the underarm, or your desired length, ending with a wrong-side row.
Border:
Work one row of reverse single crochet across the hem, then work the shell border as follows: sl st to first dc, ch 3, work 4 dc in same space, skip 2 sts, sl st, skip 2 sts, 5 dc in next st; repeat across, ending with sl st in final st. Fasten off.
Sleeves:
Reattach yarn at the underarm. Pick up stitches evenly across the sleeve opening, working the lace pattern in the round. Decrease 1 stitch on each side of the sleeve every [5, 5, 4, 4, 4, 4] rounds to shape the sleeve gradually toward the cuff. Continue until sleeve measures [11, 11.5, 12, 12, 12.5, 12.5] inches, or your desired length.
Work the shell border at the cuff the same as at the hem. Fasten off.
Front and Neck Border:
Starting at the hem of the right front, work reverse single crochet up the right front edge, around the neckline, and back down the left front edge. Work 3 sc in corners to prevent pulling. Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Finishing and Blocking
Weave in all ends securely using your yarn needle, taking care to hide the ends within the lace structure so they do not show on the right side of the work.
Fill a basin or sink with cool water and a small amount of wool wash or gentle shampoo. Submerge your cardigan and let it soak for at least 20 minutes. Do not agitate the fabric. Gently lift it from the water, supporting its full weight, and press out excess water by rolling it in a clean towel. Do not wring or twist.
Lay your cardigan on blocking mats and pin it out to the finished measurements for your size. Spread the lace pattern open with your fingers so the V-stitches are fully visible. Pin the hem and cuffs to their measurements and make sure the neckline is symmetrical. Allow to dry completely, which may take 24 hours or more depending on your environment.
Once dry, remove the pins and try it on. The transformation from unblocked to blocked is one of the most satisfying moments in crochet garment making.
Care Instructions
Because this cardigan is likely made from cotton or a cotton-blend yarn, it is relatively easy to care for. Machine wash on a gentle cycle in cold water, or hand wash as described above. Lay flat to dry rather than hanging, as wet cotton is heavy and hanging can stretch the garment out of shape. Do not tumble dry.
With proper care, a cotton lace cardigan should last for many seasons and only become softer and more beautiful with washing.
Styling Your Lace Summer Cardigan
Half the joy of making this cardigan is imagining all the ways you will wear it once it is finished. Over a bikini top and high-waisted shorts at the beach, it is the perfect cover up that actually covers up without being heavy or hot. Draped over a sundress with sandals, it softens an already pretty outfit and adds a handmade touch that no shop-bought cardigan can replicate.
For a festival look, pair it with a crochet bralette underneath, high-waisted wide-leg pants, and chunky platform sandals. For a more relaxed everyday look, layer it over a fitted tank top with linen trousers and simple leather slides. In cooler summer weather, it works beautifully over a long-sleeve fitted top when layering is necessary but you still want to feel light and summery.
The beauty of a neutral shade like ivory, sand, or sage is that it goes with nearly everything. If you crochet it in a vibrant color like terracotta, cobalt, or dusty rose, it becomes the focal point of an outfit and everything else can be kept simple.
Tips for Success
A few final thoughts before you begin. Use stitch markers generously, especially in the yoke section where keeping track of your raglan increase points is critical. Moving your markers up every row takes only a moment but prevents hours of potential confusion.
Count your stitches at the end of every few rows, especially in the lace pattern. Lace is forgiving in many ways, but an accidental stitch increase or decrease in the wrong place can shift the alignment of the pattern and be difficult to spot until several rows later.
Take photos as you go. Not only is it satisfying to document your progress, but if you run into an issue, having photos of each stage can help you identify exactly where things went differently than expected.
Do not rush the blocking. It really does make all the difference.
Most importantly, enjoy the process. This kind of project, slow and rhythmic and made with your own hands, is one of the genuinely lovely things in life. When you wear the finished cardigan, every single stitch is something you made. That is worth celebrating.
Download the PDF Pattern
The full pattern PDF includes all six sizes written out in detail, a stitch diagram for the lace V-stitch repeat, schematic drawings with finished measurements, a materials checklist, and photo tutorials for any tricky steps. It is formatted for easy printing and designed to be bookmarked and referenced as you work.
Whether you are making this cardigan for yourself, as a gift for someone who loves handmade things, or as a fun summer project to share on social media, I hope it brings you real joy from the first chain to the last blocked stitch.
Happy crocheting.
