Lakeside Crochet Cardigan: Free Pattern + Video Tutorial
There is something about a handmade cardigan that feels like a quiet act of love toward yourself. When you slip it on for the first time, still a little stiff from its first wash, warm from the fiber you chose so carefully, it feels different from anything you could pull off a rack. The Lakeside Crochet Cardigan is that kind of project. It is the kind of pattern that becomes a favorite, one you return to again and again, making it in different weights and colorways as the seasons change around you.
This free crochet pattern is beginner-friendly with just a handful of techniques, yet it produces a finished garment that looks polished and intentional. Whether you are working through your first wearable project or you are a seasoned maker looking for a relaxing make that still has visual interest, the Lakeside Cardigan is designed to meet you exactly where you are.
Why You Will Love the Lakeside Crochet Cardigan
The design of this cardigan was inspired by the quiet beauty of early mornings at the water’s edge, the way the light shifts through cool mist, the way layers feel necessary and welcome. It is an open-front, relaxed-fit cardigan with a cozy drape that works over everything from a sundress to a pair of jeans and a tank top.
A few things make this pattern especially enjoyable to work up. First, it is worked in one piece from the top down, which means there is very little seaming involved. If you have ever finished a project only to spend three evenings dreading the assembly, you will appreciate this tremendously. Second, the stitch pattern is simple enough to memorize after just a couple of rows, so you can work through it while watching a movie or sitting by a fire without losing your place. Third, it is highly customizable. You can adjust the length, the sleeve style, and the overall drape simply by changing your yarn weight and hook size, making it a truly versatile addition to your pattern collection.
Materials You Will Need
Before you cast on, gather your materials. Having everything in front of you before you begin makes the process smooth and enjoyable.
Yarn: You will need approximately 800 to 1,200 yards of a worsted weight yarn depending on your size. A yarn with good drape works beautifully here. Look for something in a bamboo blend, merino, or cotton blend for a finished cardigan that falls softly and moves well. If you prefer a cozier, slightly structured feel, a wool or wool-blend worsted will serve you just as well. The sample shown in the video is crocheted in a warm oatmeal neutral, but this pattern shines in every color imaginable.
Hook: A 5.0mm or 5.5mm crochet hook is recommended for worsted weight yarn. Always swatch before you begin. Gauge will affect the final fit of your cardigan significantly, and adjusting your hook size is the easiest way to correct it.
Notions: A yarn needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers, scissors, and a tape measure are all you will need beyond your hook and yarn.
Gauge: Approximately 14 stitches and 16 rows equals 4 inches in the main stitch pattern. Check your gauge with a swatch before beginning.
Sizing
This pattern is written for a range of sizes from XS through 3XL with positive ease built in. Crochet cardigans tend to look and feel best with at least two to four inches of ease, so choose your size based on your actual bust measurement and the amount of drape you prefer.
XS: 32–34 inch bust, approximately 850 yards
S: 34–36 inch bust, approximately 900 yards
M: 36–38 inch bust, approximately 1,000 yards
L: 40–42 inch bust, approximately 1,050 yards
XL: 44–46 inch bust, approximately 1,100 yards
2XL: 48–50 inch bust, approximately 1,150 yards
3XL: 52–54 inch bust, approximately 1,200 yards
When in doubt, going up a size in crochet garments is almost always the right call. The oversized, relaxed silhouette of this cardigan is part of its charm.
Stitches and Abbreviations
The following stitches are used in this pattern. All stitches are standard US crochet terminology.
ch — chain
sl st — slip stitch
sc — single crochet
hdc — half double crochet
dc — double crochet
sk — skip
sp — space
st(s) — stitch(es)
rep — repeat
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
PM — place marker
The main body stitch is a variation of the extended half double crochet worked in rows, which creates a fabric that is both stretchy and beautifully textured. Once you work through the first pattern repeat, you will find yourself moving through each row instinctively.
Pattern Notes
This cardigan is worked from the top down in a single piece through the yoke, then the sleeves are separated and worked independently. The body is worked flat in rows and the sleeves can be worked either flat or in the round, depending on your preference. If you prefer to avoid seaming sleeves, work them flat and seam the underarm with a simple slip stitch join.
The front bands and neckline are finished with a single crochet border, which gives the garment a clean, structured edge. You can optionally add a simple button or tie closure at the neckline, but the open-front style is equally lovely on its own.
The Pattern
Setting Up Your Foundation: The Yoke
Begin at the back of the neck and work down through the yoke. The yoke is where your increases will happen to create the shape of the shoulders and the bust, and it is the part of the pattern that requires the most attention. After the yoke is complete, the rest of the cardigan works up quickly and rhythmically.
Foundation Chain: Chain 48 (56, 64, 72, 80, 88, 96). This forms the back neck.
Row 1 (WS): Starting in the second ch from the hook, hdc across. Turn. (47, 55, 63, 71, 79, 87, 95 sts)
Row 2 (RS): Ch 2, hdc in each st across. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 2, PM in first st, hdc across to last st, PM in last st, hdc in last st. Turn.
Continue placing markers at each end to track your increase points. Your increase rows will work as follows: at each increase row, you will work two stitches into the first and last marked stitch, adding two stitches per row. Work one plain row between each increase row for the first eight rows of the yoke, then increase every row until the yoke reaches the desired depth.
The yoke depth for each size is as follows: 7 inches (XS), 7.5 inches (S/M), 8 inches (L/XL), 8.5 inches (2XL/3XL).
Once the yoke is complete, you will divide your work to separate the sleeve stitches from the body stitches.
Separating the Sleeves
With the right side facing you, work across the first set of stitches for the right front, then chain a small number of stitches over the sleeve opening (this will become the underarm), skip the sleeve stitches, work across the back, chain again for the other underarm, skip the second sleeve section, and work across the left front. This creates the body of the cardigan in one continuous piece.
The sleeve stitches will be returned to later, either picked up for a top-down sleeve or set aside for a separate construction.
Working the Body
The body is worked flat from the underarm to the hem. This is where the pattern becomes wonderfully meditative. You are simply working back and forth in your chosen stitch pattern, shaping the body with the ease built into the rows.
Main Body Rows: Ch 2, hdc in each st across. Turn.
Continue until the body measures 14 inches (15, 16, 17, 17, 18, 18) from the underarm, or until it reaches your desired length. This cardigan looks beautiful cropped just below the hip, but lengthening it to a midi or maxi silhouette is simply a matter of adding rows.
Hem: Work two rows of single crochet across the bottom edge for a neat, even finish. Fasten off.
Working the Sleeves
Return to your held sleeve stitches. With the right side facing and starting at the underarm, join your yarn and work in the round (or pick up the underarm chain stitches and work flat, joining at the end).
Work hdc around evenly, decreasing every 6th round at the underarm by working an hdc2tog at the beginning and end of the decrease rounds. Continue until the sleeve measures 16 inches (or your desired length) from the underarm. Work two rounds of single crochet for the cuff and fasten off.
Repeat for the second sleeve.
Finishing the Neckline and Front Bands
With the right side facing, join yarn at the bottom right front edge. Work a row of single crochet evenly up the right front, around the back of the neck, and down the left front. Be sure to space your stitches evenly to avoid pulling or rippling. Work a second row of single crochet for stability and fasten off.
Weave in all ends, wet block the cardigan, and allow it to dry flat.
Tips for a Beautiful Finished Cardigan
Blocking makes a tremendous difference. Even a quick wet block will even out your stitches, open up the texture, and help the garment hang exactly as it should. Pin the cardigan to your blocking mat at the correct dimensions and allow it to dry completely before wearing.
Swatch, swatch, swatch. This cannot be said enough for garment construction. A gauge swatch that is even half a stitch off per four inches will result in a cardigan that is several inches too large or too small. Take the time to check your gauge before you begin.
Choose your yarn wisely. A yarn with memory, like wool, will hold its shape beautifully over time. Cottons and cotton blends have less elasticity and will stretch slightly with wear, so size down by one if using a cotton. Bamboo blends offer gorgeous drape and a beautiful sheen.
Use stitch markers generously. Marking the beginning and end of each section, particularly through the yoke, will save you from having to recount every few rows and will make any adjustments much easier.
Do not rush the yoke. The yoke is the structural foundation of the whole cardigan. Work slowly and check your stitch counts often. Fixing a mistake at row four is much easier than discovering it at row forty.
Customizing Your Lakeside Cardigan
One of the greatest joys of working from a pattern you understand is the ability to make it truly your own. Here are a few ways to customize the Lakeside Cardigan.
Add a textured stitch. Swap out the simple hdc body rows for a shell stitch, a moss stitch, or a woven stitch for a completely different look and feel. The open-front construction means you can experiment with more intricate stitches without worrying about how they interact with a button band.
Make it sleeveless. Simply finish the sleeve openings with a round of single crochet instead of working the sleeves. The result is an airy vest that works beautifully through the warmer months.
Add pockets. A surface-attached patch pocket is easy to add after the fact. Work a rectangle approximately five by six inches, weave in your ends, and sew it to the front of the body at hip height. Practical and charming.
Try a different edge. Swap the simple single crochet border for a picot edge, a crab stitch edge, or a shell border for a more decorative finish.
Change the length. The yoke-down construction makes it easy to try the garment on as you go, which means you can stop at exactly the length that flatters you most. Shorter for a cropped style, longer for a cozy, oversized drape.
Watch the Free Video Tutorial
If written patterns are not your preferred way of learning, or if you simply want to see the techniques demonstrated in real time, the free video tutorial walks through every step of this pattern from beginning to end. The video covers setting up the foundation chain, working through the yoke increases, separating the sleeves, constructing the body, finishing the sleeves, and adding the front band. It also includes tips for blocking and customizing the fit.
The video is designed for all skill levels, so even if you have never made a garment before, you will be able to follow along confidently. Pause, rewind, and work at your own pace. There is no rush.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this cardigan with bulky yarn? Yes, absolutely. Use a 6.5mm or 7mm hook and reduce your stitch count accordingly. A bulky cardigan works up incredibly quickly and has a wonderful, cozy feel. Reduce your yard estimate by about 30 percent since the stitches will be larger.
What if my gauge is off? If your gauge is tighter than recommended, go up a hook size. If your gauge is looser, go down a hook size. Adjust and re-swatch until you hit the gauge. Do not try to compensate by choosing a different size, as the proportions of the pattern are written for the gauge given.
Can beginners make this? Yes. If you are comfortable with the chain, single crochet, and half double crochet, you have the skills you need. The yoke shaping requires counting, but the video tutorial walks through it step by step.
Can I sell items made from this pattern? You are welcome to sell finished items made from this free pattern. Please credit the pattern and link back to this post when selling or sharing your makes.
Share Your Make
When you finish your Lakeside Cardigan, share it. Pin it, post it, tag it, and show it off. Handmade garments deserve to be seen, and your version of this pattern will be completely your own, shaped by your hands, your yarn, and your choices. Every finished cardigan is a different garment even when it comes from the same set of instructions.
If you share your project online, use the hashtag so the community can find and celebrate your work alongside theirs. There is something genuinely wonderful about seeing the same pattern interpreted in dozens of different fibers and colorways, each one a small portrait of the person who made it.
The Lakeside Crochet Cardigan is waiting for you. Your yarn and hook are ready. Cast on, settle in, and enjoy every stitch.
Happy crocheting, and welcome to one of the most satisfying projects you will ever make.
