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My Working Girl Cardigan pattern is getting a revamp this week! This super easy crochet pattern is coming over from the old blog, so welcome this free crochet cardigan pattern, check it out below!
WORKING GIRL CARDIGAN DESIGN PROCESS
This week I am pulling one out of the archives! My Working Girl Cardigan has happily lived on my previous blog. But now it is time to bring the good old girl over, don’t you think?
I have made 3 cardigans from this pattern. My original Working Girl Cardigan in black was worn so much I have actually worn it out!
Second one I made was a gift for my friend. The third one is the mustard version where I altered the sleeves and neckline.
Both of these alternatives are explained in the pattern below, so you will have a choice to customise your very own Working Girl cardigan!
It is a beautiful cardigan with an open front and simple shaping. Paired up with some skinny jeans over a white top it is a great cardigan to keep you warm in a fashionable way!
The cardigan is super easy to make and great as your first crochet garment.
Closed V stitch stitch tutorial
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YARN I USED FOR MY WORKING GIRL CARDIGAN
For my first Working Girl Cardigan version I used Stylecraft Special DK in black. The mustard version uses Deramores Studio DK which has now been discontinued.
But this is such a versatile crochet cardigan pattern that any standard DK will do just fine.
Both of the yarns I used were acrylic, but this pattern would work well with wool for extra warmth or cotton yarn for a lightweight spring/summer cardigan.
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MATERIALS
- Stylecraft Special DK in Black (217), 298 m per 100 g ball x 5 (5, 6, 7, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) balls
- OR Deramores Studio DK in Mustard, 250m per 100g x 6 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 13)
- 4 mm crochet hook
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
TENSION
18 sts worked over 10 rows of dc measures 10 x 10 cm using 4 mm crochet hook
WORKING GIRL CARDIGAN FINISHED SIZE
| Size | Chest Circumference | Total Length | Length of sleeve from underarm |
| XS | 84cm | 62cm | 43 cm |
| S | 94 cm | 64 cm | 44 cm |
| M | 104 cm | 65 cm | 45 cm |
| L | 114 cm | 68 cm | 46 cm |
| XL | 125 cm | 69 cm | 49 cm |
| 2XL | 134 cm | 71 cm | 49 cm |
| 3XL | 144 cm | 72 cm | 52 cm |
| 4XL | 154 cm | 74 cm | 55 cm |
| 5XL | 164 cm | 75 cm | 55 cm |
The black version has textured sleeves and shawl collar. It is size L.
The mustard version has plain sleeves and mock ribbing neckline. It is size M.
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STITCHES AND ABBREVIATIONS (uses US crochet terms)
ch- chain stitch
sc- single crochet
sc in blo- single crochet worked through back loop only
hdc- half double crochet
dc- double crochet
dc in blo- double crochet worked through back loop only
beg- beginning
rep- repeat
closed V st- (worked from Row 2)- 3 ch (counts as 1 dc), *2 dc in space between 2 dc; repeat from * across, 1 dc in last st.
WORKING GIRL CARDIGAN PATTERN NOTES
- 1 ch at the start of the row doesn’t count as a stitch
- The rows of main body are worked in double crochet. As a starting stitch I prefer to chain 2 and work dc crochet into the same stitch at the bottom of ch2. I’m not keen on the look of 3 ch as a stand-alone st as it creates a large gap. You can choose your own method- free standing treble, chain 1 and pull up a loop tall enough to work treble into the same stitch or any other method. I’ve written the pattern with 3 ch as a starting stitch. It always counts as 1st stitch throughout the pattern.
- Main body is worked in closed V stitch which is 2 double crochet stitches worked between 2 stitches of the row below rather than through the loops of the stitches.
- There are 2 alternatives for sleeves- plain dc sleeves OR textured sleeves worked in closed V st
- You can also choose from 2 different necklines- the original shawl neckline or updated mock ribbing neckline (please note the mock ribbing neckline creates open front cardigan, whereas the shawl neckline meets in the middle and can be closed together with a pin or brooch.
SIZE ADJUSTMENTS FOR YOUR WORKING GIRL CARDIGAN
- The main body is worked in one piece until the armholes. The main body piece is then split between 2 front halves and back
- You can adjust the finished width of the cardigan by adding rows to the bottom hem ribbing at the start of the pattern, make sure to add even number of extra rows
- Make sure to distribute the extra stitches created by adding rows to the bottom hem evenly between back and both front halves
- Alternatively, you can “close up” the front opening by adding extra stitches evenly to both front halves
- To adjust the length, add rows to the main body before you split for the front and back
- You can adjust the size of the armhole opening by adding or leaving out rows (please bear in mind this will make the circumference of your upper sleeve bigger/smaller)
- To adjust the sleeve length, add extra rows closer to the shoulder at the widest point of the sleeve
WORKING GIRL CARDIGAN MAIN PATTERN
MAIN BODY
With 4 mm hook chain 11.
Row 1: starting in 2nd ch from hook 1 sc across, turn. [10 sc]
Row 2: 1 ch, 1 sc in blo across, turn. [10 sc]
Repeat Row 2 for pattern 105 (123, 141, 159, 179, 197, 215, 233, 251) more times.
Turn your work 90 degrees right and continue working across the long edge of the band. You will be working around end st of each row.
Row 1 (set up row): 3 ch, *(miss the end st of next row, 2 dc around the end st of next row) rep from * across until end sts of last 2 rows, miss the next end st, 1 dc around end st of last row, turn. [106 (124, 142, 160, 180, 198, 216, 234, 252) dc]
Row 2: 3 ch, closed V st across until last st, 1 dc in last, turn. [106 (124, 142, 160, 180, 198, 216, 234, 252) dc OR 52 (61, 70, 79, 89, 98, 107, 116, 125) closed V sts
Repeat Row 2 for pattern 35 (36, 36, 37, 37, 38, 38, 38, 38) more times.
Do not fasten off.
FRONT HALF
Row 1: 3 ch, 8 (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23) closed V sts, 1 dc in next dc, TURN YOUR WORK leaving rem sts unworked. [18 (22, 26, 30, 34, 38, 40, 44, 48) dc OR 8 (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23) closed V sts]
Repeat Row 1 for pattern 18 (19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28) more times. Fasten off.
BACK
Join yarn in 1st double stitch left unworked on the main body close to FIRST FRONT HALF.
Row 1: 3 ch, 34 (39, 44, 49, 55, 60, 67, 72, 77) closed V sts, 1 dc in next dc, TURN YOUR WORK leaving rem sts unworked. [70 (80, 90, 100, 112, 122, 136, 146, 156) tr]
Repeat Row 1 for pattern 18 (19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28) more times. Fasten off.
SECOND FRONT HALF
Join yarn in 1st double stitch left unworked on the main body close to BACK PART.
Row 1: 3 ch, 8 (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23) closed V sts, 1 dc in last st, turn. [18 (22, 26, 30, 34, 38, 40, 44, 48) dc OR 8 (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23) closed V sts]
Repeat Row 1 for pattern 18 (19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28) more times. Fasten off.
Line up the two front half panels with back panel and sew together at the shoulder seams.
TEXTURED SLEEVES (make 2)
With 4 mm hook chain 11.
Row 1: starting in 2nd ch from hook 1 sc across, turn. [10 sc]
Row 2: 1 ch, 1 sc in blo across, turn. [10 sc]
Repeat Row 2 for pattern 31 (33, 35, 37, 37, 39, 39, 47, 51) more times.
Turn your work 90 degrees right and continue working across the long edge of the band. You will be working around end st of each row.
Row 1: 3 ch, *(miss the end st of next row, 2 dc around the end st of next row) rep from * across until end st of last 2 rows, miss the next end st, 1 dc around end st of last row, turn [32 (34, 36, 38, 38, 40, 40, 48, 52) dc]
Row 2: 3 ch, 15 (16, 17, 18, 18, 19, 19, 23, 25) closed V sts, 1 dc in last st, turn [32 (34, 36, 38, 38, 40, 40, 48, 52) dc]
Row 3: rep Row 2 [32 (34, 36, 38, 38, 40, 40, 48, 52) dc]
Row 4 (increase row): 3 ch, miss dc at the bottom of 3 ch, 1 closed V st in space between immediately after beg 3 ch, 16 (17, 18, 18, 19, 19) closed V sts, work 1 closed V st between last two sts, 1 dc in last st, turn [36 (38, 40, 42, 42, 44, 44, 52, 56) dc]
Row 5 – Row 6: 3 ch, 1 closed V st across, 1 dc in last st, turn [36 (38, 40, 42, 42, 44, 44, 52, 56) dc]
Row 7: 3 ch, miss dc at the bottom of 3 ch, 1 closed V st in space between immediately after beg 3 ch, 1 closed V sts across, work 1 closed V st between last two sts, 1 dc in last st, turn [40 (42, 44, 46, 46, 48, 48, 56, 60) dc]
Repeat Row 5 – Row 7 for pattern 8 (8, 9, 10, 11, 11, 12, 13, 13) more times. [72 (74, 80, 86, 90, 92, 96, 108, 112) dc]
Repeat Row 5 another 3 (4, 2, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0) times.
Fasten off and sew the sleeves onto the main body, sew the sleeves together.
PLAIN SLEEVES (repeat on both sides)
You will be working around the end stitch of each row of the armhole opening.
Join yarn in the underarm.
Rnd 1: 3 ch, 1 dc around same st, (2 dc around next end st) repeat around, sl st to top of beg 3 ch. 72 (76, 80, 88, 92, 96, 100, 108, 112) dc
Rnd 2- 3: 3 ch, 1 dc around, sl st to top of beg 3 ch. 72 (76, 80, 88, 92, 96, 100, 108, 112) dc
Rnd 4 (decrease round): 3 ch, 1 dc3tog, 1 dc around until last 2 sts, 1 dc3tog, sl st to top of beg 3 ch. 68 (72, 76, 84, 88, 92, 96, 104, 108) dc
Rnd 5-6: 3 ch, 1 dc around, sl st to top of beg 3 ch. 68 (72, 76, 84, 88, 92, 96, 104, 108) dc
Repeat Rnd 4- Rnd 6 another 9 (9, 10, 10, 11, 11, 12, 13, 13) times. 32 (36, 36, 44, 44, 48, 48, 52, 56) dc
Repeat Rnd 5 another 1 (2, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1) times. Do not fasten off.
PLAIN SLEEVE CUFFS
Chain 11.
Row 1: starting in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc across the chain just made, sl st to same st on main sleeve, sl st to next st on main sleeve, turn. 10 sc
Row 2: 1 ch, 9 sc blo across sts from Row 1, 1 sc in last, turn. 10 sc
Row 3: 1 ch, 1 sc, 9 sc blo, (sl st to next st on main sleeve) twice. 10 sc
Row 4: 1 ch, 9 sc blo across sts from previous row, 1 sc in last, turn. 10 sc
Repeat Rows 3-4 across all stitches of the sleeve. Line up the stitches of last row with sts on the underside of the foundation chain and sl st together to join the cuff. Fasten off.
SHAWL COLLAR
Join yarn in 1st st of the front half.
Row 1: work 1 hdc in each st of the ribbing, 2 hdc into end st of each row of main body, 1 hdc in each dc across the back, continue working down the other front half. [266 (276, 282, 296, 304, 314, 328, 338, 342) hdc]
Row 2: 3 ch, 1 dc in blo across. [266 (276, 282, 296, 304, 314, 328, 338, 342) hdc]
Repeat Row 2 for pattern 8 (9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20) more times.
Next row: 1 sl st in each st across to strengthen the edge of the collar. Fasten off.
Sew in all ends and block to dimension.
MOCK RIBBING NECKLINE
Row 1: work 1 sc in each st of the ribbing, 2 sc into end st of each row of main body, 1 sc in each dc across the back, continue working down the other front half. [266 (276, 282, 296, 304, 314, 328, 338, 342) hdc]
Chain 11.
Row 1: starting in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc across the chain just made, sl st to same st on main body, sl st to next st on main body, turn. 10 sc
Row 2: 1 ch, 9 sc blo across sts from Row 1, 1 sc in last, turn. 10 sc
Row 3: 1 ch, 1 sc, 9 sc blo, (sl st to next st on main body) twice. 10 sc
Row 4: 1 ch, 9 sc blo across sts from previous row, 1 sc in last, turn. 10 sc
Repeat Rows 3-4 across all stitches around the neckline.
Fasten off.
THIS PATTERN WAS DESIGNED AND WRITTEN BY VERONIKA CROMWELL OF BLUE STAR CROCHET COMPANY. PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL AND DO NOT SHARE, COPY, ALTER OR RESELL THIS PATTERN AS YOUR OWN. YOU CAN SELL FINISHED ITEMS PRODUCED FROM THIS PATTERN WITH A LINK TO THE ORIGINAL PATTERN AND CREDIT TO ME AS THE DESIGNER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PURCHASE.
Final thoughts…
Happy crocheting! I hope you enjoyed the pattern. If you think your crafty friends would find this pattern helpful, why not share it with them?
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Other patterns you might like:
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- Evelyn Sweater – Free Crochet Pullover Pattern For Women
- Beautiful Montana Winter Crochet Sweater Pattern For Women
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Thank you for bringing this pattern to your blog again. I hadn’t seen it before, and I absolutely love it! I will be making this. Thank you for sharing the pattern.
thank you for your kind words! I am glad you like the pattern and can’t wait to see your version!
This is gorgeous. Love the texture!
Thank you so much Crystal!
Thank you for the lovely sweater pattern! I used two finer yarns, a multi-colored Malabrigo Mechita, and Shibui Lunar, a solid black. Turned out wonderful, with boucle look.
Ah that sounds like a lovely combination! I would love to see it!