Free Granny Stitch Crochet Cardigan Pattern

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Create a beautiful and cozy granny stitch cardigan with this easy-to-follow crochet pattern. Best of all, it’s completely free! Perfect for beginners or experienced skill level crocheters looking for a fun project.

This is a free granny stitch crochet cardigan pattern. It has been designed in nine sizes so everyone can make one!

The granny stitch crochet cardigan is worked bottom up starting with cute granny squares. The main body is worked in rows, then split into front and back panels.

There are only two simple seams at the shoulders. These also add a great stability and strength to your crochet garment.

Granny Stitch Crochet Cardigan Pattern Details

The granny squares are so easy to make. The main body uses the simple granny cluster stitch with 1 chain spaces for light fabric.

The finished cardigan will be a great addition to your wardrobe as it is so easy to make and wear. You can literally pair it with anything.

The pattern instructions are written out for nine sizes in an easy-to-follow way. So even adventurous beginners and make this beautiful cardigan!

You will find everything you need below to crochet your very own cardigan. All the materials including yarn, hooks, free granny stitch crochet cardigan for blog subscribers.

Disclaimer

This blog post contains affiliate links and if you click through them to make a purchase, I will earn a small commission. I link these companies and their products because of their quality and service not because of the commission I receive from your purchase.

This blog post is also supported by displays ads. I do receive a revenue from ads and affiliate links which is what allows me to share this pattern on my blog for free. However, please do not copy and paste this pattern or distribute it in any way as you will be in breach of copyright laws. This free pattern is only available for viewing directly on the blog in order to earn revenue, you are not allowed to print off a paper copy. Reproduction in any shape or form is prohibited. If you prefer, an ad-free digital PDF version of this pattern is available to purchase from my pattern shops below. Which ever form you choose, I appreciate your support.

Yarn Details For Your Granny Stitch Crochet Cardigan

I love the versatility of this granny stitch crochet cardigan. Thanks to the versatile yarn choice, you can definitely wear this cardigan all year round!

For this cardigan, I used Hobbii Acacia DK yarn which is a cotton and acrylic mix in DK, yarn weights category 3 yarn. I am a big fan of this blend of yarn as it combines the best of both worlds.

Cotton on its own is quite stiff so the addition of acrylic yarn definitely softens it. On the other hand, the durability of cotton is what makes this cardigan a great all-rounder.

The cotton adds breathability and comfort while the acrylic makes the yarn lighter and helps keep its shape. A perfect combination where both acrylic and cotton get to show their best qualities. 

Acacia is soft and completely itch-free and is of course machine washable and easy to maintain. It’s a good choice if you want to use yarn without animal fibers – or you experience discomfort with wool.

Hobbii Acacia Yarn (DK weight; 51% Acrylic, 49% Cotton; 250 m/273 yards per 100g/ 3.5 oz ball)

Suitable Yarn Substitutes

Substituting yarn can prove to be a little tricky for some people. The best option is to use the original yarn if possible.

However, sometimes budgets or availability don’t allow for this. Try to match the original yarn as close as possible. Pay particular attention to fibre content, the metres (or yards0 per gram (or ounces).

Here are some suitable alternatives I have found online:

1. Paintbox Yarns Cotton Mix DK – This 50% cotton, 50% acrylic blend gives you a breathable yarn that’s even lighter than its cotton sisters. Cotton Mix DK has a buttery texture, ideal for crafting beautiful baby project and breathable adult garments. This yarn comes in 245m balls. For each ball of the original yarn you will need 1.02 balls of this.
2. Schachenmayr Baby Smiles Easy Cotton – Baby Smiles Easy Cotton is a soft all-season yarn made from a cotton-acrylic blend. The addition of acrylic makes the yarn extremely easy to care for and has a wonderfully soft feel. This yarn comes in 120m balls. For each ball of the original yarn you will need 2.08 balls of this.
3. Rico Baby Cotton Soft DK – is a super soft blend of 50% cotton, 50% acrylic which will make your crochet projects both soft and washable.
4. Rainbow Bamboo DK – although it is not cotton/acrylic mix, at 250m per 100g is a match on thickness. This yarn is a blend of bamboo and cotton so it will have even more drape than the original yarn.
5. Friends Cotton Silk – this is a blend of cotton and silk and at 240 m per 100g it is a fairly close match. However do you gauge swatch to see how to yarn behaves.
6. Friends Cotton Silk Print – same yarn as above but rather than solid colors, it comes as variegated.
7. Portobello – this is a “chainette” style yarn, which means it is a cotton tube filled with wool fluff. I love these yarns and at 240 m per 100g it is a suitable thickness for the Annie’s Cottage Cardigan pattern. However, it will make it a garment more suitable for cold weather as the wool will add a fluffy hug factor!

Inspiration For Cardigan Color Combinations And Styling Options

As you can see I have made my cardigan in neutral colors with the combination of subtle pastel yellow and pink.

I find this color combination fits well into my wardrobe. It is quite easy to pair it up with other items.

However, you can completely change the look and feel of this granny cluster stitch crochet cardigan by choosing a different color palette.

Use bright and bold colors to make a fashion statement. Or use black yarn for the main body to make a sophisticated addition to your wardrobe.

I simply love the versatility of this granny stitch crochet cardigan! You can literally wear it with anything in your wardrobe.

Pair it with jeans, t-shirt, and sneakers for a casual everyday look. However, you can totally wear this cardigan over your dress or with a skirt for special occasions.

You could also easily add buttons to the front of the cardigan and sleeve cuffs which would completely change the look.

Grab the ad-free printable PDF version of this pattern from Etsy, Ravelry or Lovecrafts, click on the images below to be taken to the shops:

Materials And Tools Needed

• Hobbii Acacia Yarn (DK weight; 51% Acrylic, 49% Cotton; 250 m/273 yards per 100g/ 3.5 oz ball) x 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9) balls in Ecru, 1 ball in Powder Rose; 1 ball in Daffodil
• 5 mm (H/8) crochet hook
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Blocking T-pins
• Blocking Mats
• Stitch Markers

Granny Stitch Crochet Cardigan Sizing Options And Gauge

Tension/Gauge

6 x 3dc clusters  and 9 rows measures 10 x 10 cm / 4 x 4 inches before blocking

The finished granny squares measure 9 x 9 cm / 3.5 x 3.5 inches after blocking

Please note: you will need the yarn from your swatch for the main project, do not cut yarn.

The cardigan uses numbered sizes as opposed to sizes XS or XL sizing

To pick the correct size, please measure your chest (bust) circumference. Then choose the closest finished granny square cardigan circumference measurement in column A.

Subtract your chest measurement from the cardigan circumference. This will be the amount of positive ease you will have in your cardigan.

For less positive ease, please go down a size and vice versa.

Example: my chest measurement is 98 cm, I made size 3 which gives me cardigan circumference 102 cm – 98 cm = 4.5 cm positive ease.

Abbreviations And Stitches Used (US Crochet Terms)

mc – magic circle

sl st – slip stitch

st – stitch

RS – right side

Rnd – round

ch – chain

dc – double crochet

ch-sp – chain space

3dc cluster – work 3 double crochet stitches in indicated stitch/space

Granny Stitch Crochet Cardigan Pattern Instructions:

• the cardigan is worked bottom up
• the pattern starts with creating a required number of granny squares for the bottom band
• you will be joining the granny squares with the join-as-you-go method to create a strip of squares
• these need to be blocked to dimensions 9 x 9 cm / 3.5 x 3.5 inches
• you will then work across the long edge of the strip in 3dc cluster stitches and work up the main body panel in one piece, here is a video tutorial for the granny 3dc cluster stitch
• work up the length up to the armpits, the main panel is then split into two front panels and a back panel
• you will then work up each panel separately and sew them together across the shoulders to attach and create armholes
• the sleeves are worked straight onto the cardigan, you will pick up stitches around the armhole opening
• for the first round only you will be picking up stitches around the end dc stitches of each row around the opening
• sleeves are worked in joined rounds, you will turn after completing each round to match the stitches of the main body
• the cardigan is then finished off with a 3dc cluster neckline working across the front panels and the neck part of the back panel
• for the first row you will be picking up stitches around the end dc stitches of each row around the front cardigan opening

Granny Stitch Crochet Cardigan Schematics

Tips And Tricks For Achieving A Perfect Fit And Finish

To achieve a perfect fit for your cardigan, please start with making a gauge swatch and adjusting your hook size if your gauge doesn’t match the stated gauge.

To learn more about gauge, please check out How To Crochet & Measure A Gauge Swatch Tutorial on my blog.

Blocking is another great way to ensure a neat finish for your cardigan. You can block the granny square strip first to achieve a uniform look before starting the main body.

You could also use a steamer after the cardigan is finished and lightly block the cardigan.

Granny Square Pattern Written Pattern

With Daffodil, create a magic circle.

Rnd 1: 3 ch (counts as first dc here and throughout), 15 dc into mc, sl st to top of beginning 3 ch to join. [16 dc]

Fasten off, join Powder Rose.

Rnd 2: 3 ch, 2 dc in same st at the bottom of 3 ch, *1 ch, miss next st**, 3dc cluster in next; repeat from * around ending last repeat at **, sl st to top of beginning 3 ch to join. [eight 3dc clusters]

Fasten off, join Ecru.

Rnd 3: sl st backwards into last 1 ch-sp just made, 3 ch, (2 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) in same 1 ch-sp, *1 ch, miss next 3dc cluster, work 3dc cluster into next 1 ch-sp, 1 ch, miss next 3dc cluster, work (3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) into next 1 ch-sp; repeat from * another 2 times, 1 ch, miss next 3dc cluster, work 3dc cluster into next 1 ch-sp, 1 ch, miss next 3dc cluster, sl st to top of beginning 3 ch to join. [twelve 3dc clusters]

Rnd 4: sl st backwards into last 1 ch-sp just made, 3 ch, 2 dc in same 1 ch-sp, 1 ch, *(3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) into next corner 2 ch-sp, 1 ch, work 3dc cluster into each 1 ch-sp ** until you reach corner 2 ch-sp; repeat from * ending last repeat at ** until you reach first 3dc cluster, sl st to top of beginning 3 ch to join. [sixteen 3dc clusters]

Fasten off.

2ND GRANNY SQUARE

Repeat Rnds 1 – 3 pattern as for first granny square.

Rnd 4: sl st backwards into last 1 ch-sp just made, 3 ch, 2 dc in same 1 ch-sp, 1 ch, (3 dc in next 2 ch-sp, 1 ch, sl st into 2 ch-sp on previous granny square, 3 dc in same corner 2 ch-sp), sl st into next 1 ch-sp on previous granny square, work 3dc cluster into next 1 ch-sp, sl st into next 1 ch-sp on previous granny square, work 3dc cluster into next 1 ch-sp, sl st into next 1 ch-sp on previous granny square, (3 dc in next 2 ch-sp, 1 ch, sl st into 2 ch-sp on previous granny square, 3 dc in same corner 2 ch-sp), *1 ch, work 3dc cluster into each 1 ch-sp ** until you reach corner 2 ch-sp, (3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) into next corner 2 ch-sp; repeat from * ending last repeat at **, until you reach first 3dc cluster, sl st to top of beginning 3 ch to join. [sixteen 3dc clusters]

Repeat pattern for 2nd Granny Square joining them into a long strip until you have 9 (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) granny squares in total.

Sew in all ends with yarn needle but do not cut tail ends.

Granny Stitch Crochet Cardigan Main Body

Front Panels (Right And Left)

LEFT FRONT PANEL

Row 27 (27, 27, 27, 25, 23, 21, 21, 19): 3 ch, 2 dc in first 1 ch-sp, 1 ch, *miss next 3dc cluster, work 3dc cluster into the next 1 ch-sp, 1 ch; repeat from * 9 (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) times, miss next 3dc cluster, work 3dc cluster into the next 1 ch-sp, turn leaving remaining stitches unworked. [11 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19) 3dc cluster]

Row 28 (28, 28, 28, 26, 24, 22, 22, 20): 4 ch (counts as first dc + 1 ch-sp), *miss next 3dc cluster, work 3dc cluster into the next 1 ch-sp, 1 ch; repeat from * across, 1 dc into top of beginning 3 ch from previous row, turn. [10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) 3dc cluster + 2 dc]

Row 29 (29, 29, 29, 27, 25, 23, 23, 21): 3 ch, 2 dc in first 1 ch-sp, 1 ch, *miss next 3dc cluster, work 3dc cluster into the next 1 ch-sp, 1 ch; repeat from * across until last 1 ch-sp, work 2 dc into last 1 ch-sp, 1 dc into 3rd ch of beginning 4 ch from previous row, turn. [11 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19) 3dc cluster]

Repeat last two rows until you have 15 (16, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 28, 29) rows of front panel OR 41 (42, 42, 44, 44, 45, 45, 48, 48) rows in total. Fasten off.

Granny Stitch Crochet Cardigan Back Panel

Rejoin yarn in the last 1 ch-sp used for the last 3dc cluster of Left Front Panel.

Row 27 (27, 27, 27, 25, 23, 21, 21, 19): 4 ch (counts as first dc + 1 ch-sp), *miss next 3dc cluster, work 3dc cluster into the next 1 ch-sp, 1 ch; repeat from * 23 (26, 29, 32, 35, 38, 41, 44, 47) times, miss next 3dc cluster, work 1 dc into next 1 ch-sp, turn leaving remaining sts unworked. [23 (26, 29, 32, 35, 38, 41, 44, 47) 3dc cluster + 2 dc]

Row 28 (28, 28, 28, 26, 24, 22, 22, 20): 3 ch, 2 dc in first 1 ch-sp, 1 ch, *miss next 3dc cluster, work 3dc cluster into the next 1 ch-sp, 1 ch; repeat from * across until last 1 ch-sp, work 2 dc into last 1 ch-sp, 1 dc into 3rd ch of beginning 4 ch from previous row, turn. [24 (27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 48) 3dc cluster]

Row 29 (29, 29, 29, 27, 25, 23, 23, 21): 4 ch (counts as first dc + 1 ch-sp), *miss next 3dc cluster, work 3dc cluster into the next 1 ch-sp, 1 ch; repeat from * across, 1 dc into top of beginning 3 ch from previous row, turn. [23 (26, 29, 32, 35, 38, 41, 44, 47) 3dc cluster + 2 dc]

Repeat last two rows until you have 15 (16, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 28, 29) rows of back panel OR 41 (42, 42, 44, 44, 45, 45, 48, 48) rows in total. Fasten off.

RIGHT FRONT PANEL

Rejoin yarn in the last 1 ch-sp used for the last dc of Back Panel.

Row 27 (27, 27, 27, 25, 23, 21, 21, 19): 3 ch, 2 dc in first 1 ch-sp, 1 ch, *miss next 3dc cluster, work 3dc cluster into the next 1 ch-sp, 1 ch; repeat from * across until last 1 ch-sp, work 2 dc into last 1 ch-sp, 1 dc into 3rd ch of beginning 4 ch from previous row, turn. [11 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19) 3dc cluster]

Row 28 (28, 28, 28, 26, 24, 22, 22, 20): 4 ch (counts as first dc + 1 ch-sp), *miss next 3dc cluster, work 3dc cluster into the next 1 ch-sp, 1 ch; repeat from * across, 1 dc into top of beginning 3 ch from previous row, turn. [10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) 3dc cluster + 2 dc]

Row 29 (29, 29, 29, 27, 25, 23, 23, 21): 3 ch, 2 dc in first 1 ch-sp, 1 ch, *miss next 3dc cluster, work 3dc cluster into the next 1 ch-sp, 1 ch; repeat from * across until last 1 ch-sp, work 2 dc into last 1 ch-sp, 1 dc into 3rd ch of beginning 4 ch from previous row, turn. [11 (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19) 3dc cluster]

Repeat last two rows until you have 15 (16, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 28, 29) rows of front panel OR 41 (42, 42, 44, 44, 45, 45, 48, 48) rows in total. Fasten off.

Line up the stitches of the two front panels with the back panel and crochet or sew together on the wrong side at the shoulder seams. Turn right side out.

Sleeves

For the sleeves you will be picking up stitches around the armhole opening, working into the end dc st of rows.

Join yarn around the end dc st of the first row at the bottom of the armhole.

Note: To evenly distribute the clusters, you might need to work into the shoulder seam too so there isn’t a large gap between the clusters.

If you have an even number of rows of the front panel, work an extra cluster into the shoulder seam. If you have an odd number of rows of the front panel, do not work into the shoulder seam, work into the first end dc after the shoulder seam to mirror the other panel.

For balloon sleeves, you can also work 3dc cluster around each end dc of every row. Please not you will need more yarn than the stated quantities.

Rnd 1: 3 ch, 2 dc around same st = first 3dc cluster, 1 ch, *miss next end dc st, work 3dc cluster around next end dc, 1 ch; repeat from * around , sl st to top of beginning 3 ch to join, TURN. [16 (17, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 29, 31) 3dc cluster]

Rnd 2: 3 ch, 2 dc into the first 1 ch-sp, *1 ch, 3dc cluster into the next 1 ch-sp; repeat from * around, sl st to top of beginning 3 ch, TURN.

Repeat Rnd 2 another 37 (38, 38, 39, 39, 40, 40, 41, 41) times or until you reach the desired length.

Fasten off.

Assembly And Finishing Touches For Your Granny Stitch Crochet Cardigan

Neckline

Join Ecru yarn in the bottom corner 2 ch-sp of the square at the bottom of Left front panel with RS facing.

Row 1: 3 ch, 2 dc in the same 2 ch-sp, (1 ch, miss next 3dc cluster, 3dc cluster into the next 1 ch-sp) 3 times, 1 ch, 3dc cluster into the next 2 ch-sp of the square, 1 ch, *miss end dc of next row, 3dc cluster around end dc of next row, 1 ch; repeat from * across the front panel, 3dc cluster into the shoulder seam, 1 ch, 3dc cluster into the first 1 ch-sp on the back panel, *1 ch, miss next 3dc cluster, 3dc cluster into the next 1 ch-sp; repeat from * across to the other shoulder seam, 3dc cluster into the shoulder seam, 3dc cluster around end dc of next row on right front panel, *1 ch, miss end dc of next row**, 3dc cluster around end dc of next row, repeat from * across the right front panel until you reach the first 2 ch-sp of the bottom square ending last repeat at **, 3dc cluster into the next 2 ch-sp of the square, (1 ch, miss next 3dc cluster, 3dc cluster into the next 1 ch-sp) 3 times, 1 ch, 3dc cluster into the bottom 2 ch-sp of the square, turn.

Fasten off. Change to Daffodil.

Row 2: 4 ch (counts as first dc + 1 ch-sp), *miss next 3dc cluster, work 3dc cluster into the next 1 ch-sp, 1 ch; repeat from * across, 1 dc into top of beginning 3 ch from previous row, turn.

Fasten off. Change to Ecru.

Row 3: 3 ch, 2 dc in first 1 ch-sp, 1 ch, *miss next 3dc cluster, work 3dc cluster into the next 1 ch-sp, 1 ch; repeat from * across until last 1 ch-sp, work 2 dc into last 1 ch-sp, 1 dc into 3rd ch of beginning 4 ch from previous row, turn.

Repeat Rows 2-3 until you have 8 rows of the neckline or until you reach the desired width.

Work Row 4 in Powder Rose, Row 5 in Ecru, Row 6 in Daffodil, Row 7 in Ecru and Row 8 in Powder Rose.

Sew in all tail ends securely. Block to dimensions. Once blocked and dry, cut your tail ends off.

Conclusion And Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed this granny stitch crochet cardigan pattern. If you think your crafty friends will like it too, why not share it with them?

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