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Short Sleeve Crochet Cardigan Pattern For Summer

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The Summer’s End Cardigan is a short sleeve cardigan that’s the perfect warm weather layering piece. Easily crocheted and adjustable it will be your favorite make this summer.

The short sleeves and hip length make this crochet cardigan the perfect grab and go for those cool mornings that aren’t quite freezing just yet! This one is written for women’s sizes XS – 5X.

Short sleeve cardigan tied in front.

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While we’ll miss those warm days at the pool, autumn brings fun of it’s own. Say goodbye to summer and hello to fall with the Summer’s End Cardigan.

I love fall. The cooler weather, the autumn activities, but most I love all.the.crocheting. But, cool mornings and warm afternoons require layers.

So I wanted a go to short sleeve cardigan that would be easy to wear and easy to layer over a tank top. With three different ways to wear it, it doesn’t get much more flexible than this cardigan.

picture of short sleeve cardigan open front

You can purchase the ad-free, well formatted PDF Pattern in one of my shops. Scroll down for the free pattern!

I’m so happy with the lacy look of my new lightweight crochet cardigan, and it’s such an easy pattern!

Woman turned with back of summers end cardigan.

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Construction

Beginner crocheters will love how this piece is worked in two long rectangles. Then it’s seamed together to form the back panel.

Once you learn seaming (thank you YouTube for so many great videos), you really open up what you can do with your crochet. Seaming a sweater is not unlike seam squares of a blanket. I dare say it’s easy, as there are fewer seams.

After seaming the back and sides then you add the sleeve edging and hem edging. The bottom hem, lapel and neckline are all crocheted in one long round.

Adding the hem at this point allows you to add a few extra inches. But if you prefer a longer cardigan I’ve added a few notes on that as well. Or you can get the, sister pattern the Midsummer Cardigan which has long sleeves and is also a free crochet pattern.

Short sleeve cardigan tied in front.

You can purchase the ad-free, well formatted PDF Pattern in one of my shops. Scroll down for the free pattern!

Materials

  • 6 mm US Size J-10 hook* or hook size needed to meet gauge.
  • #3 lightweight/DK yarn, I used Lion Brand’s Flikka* (50% cotton yarn, 50% polyester, 196 yds/179m, 3.5ox/100g, color: keepsake). XS (4), S (5), M (6), L (7), XL (8), 2X (9), 3X (10), 4X (11), 5 (12) balls
  • Measuring tape or ruler
  • Yarn needle
  • Stitch marke
  • Scissors

Estimated yardage by size: 

XS-800yds/732m

S-900yds/823m

M-1000ds/914m

L-1200yds/1097m

XL-1400yds/1280m

2X-1600yds/1463m

3X-1800yds/1646m

4X-2000yds/1829m

5X-2200yds/2012m

Summer's end cardigan hanging.

Notes

  • This cardigan is worked in two panels of back and forth rows, then they’re are sewn together forming the back. The sides are then sewn together, leaving the armhole open. The sleeves and edge/hem are added in rounds.
  • Ch 3 counts as a stitch, I highly recommend using a ch 3 alternative, here’s my favorite.
  • The stitch multiple is 3 plus 4 if chaining for the foundation row, or 3 plus 2 if using fdc.
  • Pattern is written as XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)

Stitches/Abbreviations

fdc-foundation double crochet {chain instructions also provided}

RS-right side WS-wrong side

ch-chain

dc-double crochet 

sc-single crochet

sl st-slip stitch

dc3tog-Cluster Stitch: tutorial here

Gauge

4 rows in the pattern {3 dc rows +1 cluster row} = 2.5” tall & 7 dc in 2”

Swatch

Row 1. Fdc 14 or ch 16, dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across, turn.

Row 2. Ch 3, dc in each st across, turn.

Row 3. Rep last row again.

Row 4. Ch 4 (counts as a dc + ch 1), in next 3 sts dc3tog, *{ch 2, in next 3 sts dc3tog} rep from * across, ch 1, dc in last st (3rd ch).

Rep row 2 three times and then rep row 4 again.

Measure gauge and adjust hook size if needed.

Video Tutorials available

I’ve created a step by step video tutorial for each of the sections. You can check them out here: Summer’s End Cardigan Video Playlist. I’ve also linked up the videos under each section of the pattern.

Fit

The pattern is written to include positive ease, meaning the garment measurements are larger than the actual body measurements.

This cardigan has a relaxed fit and is hip length. I can easily overlap the front panels over my chest. The bottom hem reaches just past my bottom. 

Short sleeve cardigan with front wrap tie.

Adjustments 

To customize the length of this cardigan measure from your shoulder down to where you’d like the hem to hit on you. Multiply this number by 2. This is the desired length of your panels.

These measurements do not include the sc edging rounds. If you are adding rows to get extra length be sure to end after 3 dc rows.

To adjust width, increase the stitch count of your foundation chain in multiples of 3. Keep in mind adjustments will affect the amount of yarn you need. 

Fit/Sizing

To fit bust size

  • (XS) 32″/81.3cm
  • (S) 34”/86.4cm
  • (M) 38”/96.5cm
  • (L) 42”/106.7cm
  • (XL) 46”/116.8cm
  • (2X) 50″/127cm
  • (3X) 54”/137.2cm
  • (4X) 58”/147.3cm
  • (5X) 62”/157.5cm

Finished bust size

*These measurements do not include the sc edging rounds.

  • (XS) 36″/91cm
  • (S) 40″/102cm
  • (M) 44″/112cm
  • (L) 47″/119cm
  • (XL) 50″/127cm
  • (2X) 60″/152cm
  • (3X) 68″/173cm
  • (4X) 71″/180cm
  • (5X) 74″/188cm

Cardigan Length

  • (XS) 20.5″/52cm
  • (S) 22″/55.9cm
  • (M) 23.5″/59.7cm
  • (L) 24.5″/62.2cm
  • (XL) 26″/66cm
  • (2X) 29.5″/75cm
  • (3X) 31″/78.7cm
  • (4X) 33.3″/84.6cm
  • (5X) 34.8″/88.4cm

Pin It

Woman wearing speckled crochet cardigan tied in front with text overlay.

Scroll down for the short sleeve cardigan pattern in sizes XS-5X!

Pattern Instructions

Woman outside in short sleeve cardigan tied in front.

Short Sleeve Cardigan Crochet Pattern

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Active Time: 10 hours
Additional Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 hours 20 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: $25-$50

A short sleeve cardigan in sizes XS – 5X!

Materials

  • #3 lightweight/DK yarn, estimated yardage by size:
  • XS-800yds/732m
  • S-900yds/823m
  • M-1000ds/914m
  • L-1200yds/1097m
  • XL-1400yds/1280m
  • 2X-1600yds/1463m
  • 3X-1800yds/1646m
  • 4X-2000yds/1829m
  • 5X-2200yds/2012m

Tools

  • 6mm J hook, or hook needed to meet gauge
  • Measuring tape
  • tapestry needle
  • Stitch marker
  • scissors

Instructions

Make 2

Panels Video Tutorial

  1. Row 1. (WS) Fdc 32 (35, 38, 41, 44, 53, 59, 62, 65) or Ch 34 (37, 40, 43, 46, 55, 61, 64, 67) and dc in 4th ch from hook (2 dcs formed) and in each ch across, turn. (32, 35, 38, 41, 44, 53, 59, 62, 65 sts)
  2. Row 2. Ch 3, dc in next dc and in each dc across, turn.
  3. Row 3. Rep last row.

    **
  4. Row 4. (RS) Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), in next 3 sts dc3tog, *{ch 2, dc3tog} rep from * across until last stitch, ch 1, dc into last st (3rd ch), turn. (32, 35, 38, 41, 44, 53, 59, 62, 65 sts)
  5. Row 5. Ch 3, dc in each ch sp (placing 2 dc in each ch 2 sp) and st across, the last 2 dcs will go in the 4th and 3rd ch, turn.
  6. Row 6. Ch 3, dc in next dc and in each dc across, turn.
  7. Row 7. Rep last row.

    **

    Rep Rows 4-7: 15 (16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 25, 26) more times, for a total of 67 (71, 75, 79, 83, 95, 99, 107, 111) rows, or 41 (44, 47, 49, 52, 59, 62, 66.5, 69.5).”

    Cut yarn & weave in ends.Two long crochet cardigan panels.

Assembly

    Seaming Video Tutorial

    Seam the back

    Panels folded over for seaming sides.

    Back seam on cardigan.

    *Since the panels are seamed to form the back and then folded over the shoulder to form the front panels this will result in one side (your front or back) being “upside down.”

    If you have a preference on which you see in the front then orient them that way. Just be sure both panels are facing the same way (ie. both row 1 on the bottom) before seaming them together.

    1. Lay the two panels side by side, with the “right sides” facing down.
    2. Use your stitch marker to mark where to stop sewing for the back seam: Seam together bottom up (row 1) through:Row 33 (34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 41, 45, 47), or for 20 (21, 22, 22.5, 23, 24, 26, 28, 29) inches.
    3. Thread needle with a length of yarn (double the number of inches you need to sew is usually plenty), and sew the back panels together. You may use a whip stitch or mattress stitch to sew. Start from the bottom and stop where you marked. If sewing isn’t your thing, use a slip stitch.

    Seam the sides

    Fold over the front panels, line up the bottoms so they’re even-notice the back is not sewn all the way up to the top of the shoulder.
    Sew front panel sides up until 6.5” (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5) inches are left to the fold of the shoulder.Side seams and armhole placement.

Sleeves

    Sleeves Video Tutorial

    Join yarn with a sl st to the underside of armhole.

    Ch 1, sc in the same st and evenly around the armhole, join with sl st to the first sc.
    Ch 1, sc in the same st and in each sc around, join with sl st to the first sc.
    -10. Rep Round 2. Finish off. 10 rounds = 2.25”
    Rep for other sleeve.

Edging

    Edging Video Tutorial
    Arrow showing where to start edging.

    Back of NeckBack of neck on cardigan.

    The bottom hem and lapel are worked all together in rounds.

    Ch 1, sc in the same and in each st around, at the corners place (sc,ch1, sc) all in the same st and continue to sc evenly up the inside lapel, back down and around, joining to the first sc with a sl st.
    Ch 1, sc in same and in each sc around, placing (sc, ch 1, sc) all in the ch 1 sp at the corners.
    -5. Rep Round 2. Finish off.

Belt (optional)


First decide if you’d like to add belt loops or thread your belt through the holes.

If you’d like a thin belt to thread through the holes then do a foundation single crochet to your desired length-long enough to wrap around your waist with extra to tie a bow. I like this option because it’s thin and stretchy.

Belt Pattern 1.5” wide

Ch 7, sc in the 2nd chain from your hook and across, turn. (6)
Ch 1, sc in the same and in each sc across, turn. (6)
Rep Row 2 until the desired length is reached. Cut yarn & weave in ends.

Add Belt Loops

Find your natural waist while wearing the cardigan. Mark the sides of the cardigan at the waist. Since our belt is 1.5” wide we want the belt loop to be a little bigger to facilitate easy of threading the belt through, but not so big that the belt sags. So let’s add .25” to the width of our belt loop placing. Mark two spots for the top of the belt loop and the bottom, 1.75” apart. The belt loop itself will be a little larger than this space, allowing room for the belt to fit.

Join yarn with a sl st to the top marked stitch, chain 9 (2” for a 1.5” belt) and sl st to the bottom marked stitch and finish off. Thread your belt through and tie!

I added my belt loop in green-below (so you could see it). Join yarn with a sl st to the top marked stitch, chain 9 (2” for a 1.5” belt) and sl st to the bottom marked stitch and finish off. Thread your belt through and tie! Belt loop on cardigan.

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19 Comments

  1. Could not find how to enter sweepstakes for yarn and needles giveaway
    If possible please enter me..

  2. Hi Beverly, at the bottom of the giveaway post there is a rafflecopter widget, click on that and it will take you through the steps. I hope this helps!

  3. This looks so pretty and light to wear. I hope to make this for myself when the weather gets warmer.

  4. Definitely! Several of my testers used Comfy Cotton for this one and it worked up beautifully!

  5. Love this pattern it is so easy. Your video was fabulous and easy to understand. Love the alternate chain 3 stitch for the double crochet.
    Makes my project look so, much nicer.

  6. Your links on your blog post take me to a Knit sweater on Ravely not to your cardigan sweater pattern.