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Get ready for fall with this new cozy lightweight cardigan. The Home Town Cardi will have you ready for apple picking, pumpkin carving and enjoying a hot coffee while the leaves crunch beneath your feet. Find the free pattern below or grab the downloadable PDF for $3.99 in my shop, Etsy or Ravelry.

*** Update: This pattern has been updated as of July 31st, 2020. The cuffs are worked differently and a new yarn is listed. It can also now be found as a kit from Lion Brand Yarn!***

If you’re looking for a simple, cozy modern cardigan to add to your wardrobe, then look no further! The Home Town Cardi is sure to be your new favorite wearable. Made with the incredibly soft Lion Brand Jeans yarn and open worked stitches, it’s light enough to wear right now and still keep you warm on those cooler fall nights.

***Update: Caron Pantone Bamboo has been discontinued. It is now suggested to use Lion Brand Jeans yarn.***

This design was originally going to be my handmade piece to wear to Our Maker Life this year in July, but sometimes the best laid plans just don’t happen. I had an idea for a light weight cardigan and I knew I wanted it to be grey. I figured with open stitches it would still work for the summer, and when I saw that Micheal’s had the Caron Pantone Bamboo on sale I figured I would go check it out. As soon as I touched it I knew I had to have it. It’s incredibly soft and I may have started snuggling it right there in the aisle. So I snatched up the seven skeins that had and figured I could knock it out in the two weeks before OML.

Needless to say, that didn’t happen, but it worked out perfectly in the end. I brought my partially finished project with me while visiting family at the end of the summer and The Home Town Cardi was born. I loved having a unique project to work on while I spent five weeks in my home town of Toledo, Ohio. It was with me while I stayed up late watching guilty pleasure shows with my sisters. It was with me when I spent the afternoons watching my kids play with their cousins. And it was with me (all finished) when I got to go on a much needed date night with my husband. Now it’s like having a warm hug from home all year long.

My sisters and my mom loved it so much they wanted to keep it for themselves so I’m sure you’ll love it too!

Here’s what you’ll need to make your very own Home Town Cardi:

Materials:

1220-2310 yards of Lion Brand Jeans Yarn in Topstitch or similar worsted weight yarn (see size for exact amounts)
Crochet hook size G (4.25mm)
Tapestry needle
Scissors

Abbreviations:

Ch- chain
St(s)- stitch(es)
Sk- skip
Sl st- slip stitch
sc- single crochet
hdc- half double crochet
Hdc2tog- half double crochet two together (yo, insert hook in 1st st, yo draw up a loop, insert hook in next st, yo draw up a loop, yo and draw through all four loops on hook.
dc- double crochet
WS- wrong side
RS- right side

Notes:

1.Pattern is worked in sections starting with a large rectangle for the lower front and back. The upper front and back are worked directly into the top of the large rectangle and shoulders are then seamed. Sleeves are worked directly into arm holes and ribbing is added at the end.

2.Chains at beginning of rounds and rows count as a stitch unless otherwise noted.

3.You may need to use a larger hook for the ribbing if you are experiencing curling.

4.The RS of the garment will have a noticeable “stripe” in the hdc rows.

Size:

XS: fits bust 28-30” (approx. 1220 yards) 5 skeins

S: fits bust 32-34” (approx. 1360 yards) 6 skeins

M: fits bust 36-38” (approx. 1430 yards) 6 skeins

L: fits bust 40-42” (approx. 1500 yards) 7 skeins

XL: fits bust 44-46” (approx. 1675 yards) 7 skeins

2X: fits bust 48-50” (approx. 1835 yards) 8 skeins

3X: fits bust 52-54” (approx. 1965 yards) 8 skeins

4X: fits bust 56-58” (approx. 2155 yards) 9 skeins

5X: fits bust 60-62” (approx. 2310 yards) 10 skeins

Gauge:

16 sts and 19 rows in sc = 4” square

Special Stitches:

Working the dc rows:

Ch 4 (counts as 1st st and ch 1), turn. Sk next st, dc in following st (3rd st from the end). Ch 1, sk 1, dc across.

Working the sc rows after the dc rows:

When working the sc rows after the dc rows make sure to sc into each dc st and ch st across. The last two stitches will be worked in the fourth and third ch. Make sure to go under both loops.

Pattern:

Lower Back and Front Section (worked as one piece):

Ch 66(68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 76, 78, 78)

Row 1: RS sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 75, 77, 77)

Row 2: ch 2 (counts as 1st st), turn, hdc in each st across. (65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 75, 77, 77)

Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 75, 77, 77)

Row 4: ch 4, (counts as 1st st and ch 1), turn, sk 1, dc in next, *ch 1, sk 1, dc, repeat from * across. (65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 75, 77, 77)

Row 5: ch 1, turn, sc in each st and ch across, working last two sts in the 4th and 3rd turning chs. (65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 75, 77, 77)

Repeat Rows 2-5 23(26, 29, 32, 35, 38, 41, 44, 47) more times for a total of 24(27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 48) repeats.

Then Repeat Rows 2-3 1 time for each size.

Do not fasten off.

Total rows: 99(111, 123, 135, 147, 159, 171, 183, 195)

Finished width is approximately: 32(36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64) inches.

Upper Back and Front Sections (worked directly into the side of the Lower Section and separately after Row 1)

Row 1: ch 1, rotate and sc across the top of the long edge of lower back and front section with RS facing you. Work 1 sc into each sc and hdc row and 2 sc into each dc row. 125(139, 155, 169, 185, 199, 213, 229, 245)

XS, M, XL, 5X: Start by working 2 sc in the first sc row then work 1 sc into each sc and hdc row and 2 sc into each dc row until the last row, work 2 sc in the last sc row.

S, L, 2X, 3X, 4X: Work 1 sc into each sc and hdc row and 2 sc into each dc row until the last row, work 2(2, 2, 1, 2) sc in the last sc row.

Upper Right Section:

XS(2X, 3X):

Row 2: ch 3 (counts as 1st hdc and ch 1) turn, sk 1, hdc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1, hdc, repeat from * 12(21, 23) times, hdc in last st. (27, 45, 49)

Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in each st and ch st across working last two sts in the 3rd and 2nd turning ch. (27, 45, 49)

Row 4: ch 4 (counts as 1st dc and ch 1) turn, sk 1, dc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1, dc, repeat from * 12(21, 23) times, hdc in last st. (27, 45, 49)

Row 5: ch 1, turn, sc in each st and ch st across working last two sts in the 3rd and 2nd turning chs. (27, 45, 49)

Repeat Rows 2-5 4(5, 6)more times.

then

Repeat Row 2 1(1, 0) times

Repeat Row 3 0(1, 0) times.

Size 2X ONLY Repeat Row 2 one more time.

Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.

S(M, L, XL, 4X, 5X)

Row 2: ch 3 (counts as 1st hdc and ch 1) turn, sk 1, hdc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1, hdc, repeat from * 14(16, 18, 20, 25, 27) times. (31, 35, 39, 43, 53, 57)

Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in each st and ch across working last two sts in the 3rd and 2nd turning ch. (31, 35, 39, 43, 53, 57)

Row 4: ch 4 (counts as 1st dc and ch 1) turn, sk 1, dc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1, dc, repeat from * 14(16, 18, 20, 25, 27) times. (31, 35, 39, 43, 53, 57)

Row 5: ch 1, turn, sc in each st and ch across working last two sts in the 3rd and 2nd turning ch. (31, 35, 39, 43, 53, 57)

Repeat Rows 2-5 4(5, 5, 5, 6, 6) more times.

then

Repeat Row 2 1(0, 1, 1, 1, 1) times.

Repeat Row 3 1(0, 0, 1, 0, 1) times.

Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Total rows: 21(23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)

With WS facing you, skip 3(4, 4, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) sts along row 1 of upper section and attach yarn. This will be to the left of the previous section worked.

Upper Back:

XS(S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)

Row 2: ch 3 (counts as 1st hdc and ch 1), sk 1, hdc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1, hdc, repeat from * 30(33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 52, 56, 60) times. (63, 69, 77, 85, 93, 101, 107, 115, 123)

Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (63, 69, 77, 85, 93, 101, 107, 115, 123)

Row 4: ch 4 (counts as 1st dc and ch 1) turn, sk 1, dc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1, dc, repeat from * 30(33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 52, 56, 60) times. (63, 69, 77, 85, 93, 101, 107, 115, 123)

Row 5: ch 1, turn, sc in each st across. (63, 69, 77, 85, 93, 101, 107, 115, 123)

Repeat Rows 2-5 4(4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6) more times.

then

Repeat Row 2 1(1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1, 1) times.

Repeat Row 3 0(1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1) times.

Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Size 2X ONLY Repeat Row 2 one more time.

Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Total rows: 21(23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)

With WS facing you, skip 3(4, 4, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4) sts along row 1 of upper section and attach yarn. This will be to the left of the previous section worked.

Upper Left Section:

XS(2X, 3X):

Row 2: ch 3 (counts as 1st hdc and ch 1) turn, sk 1, hdc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1, hdc, repeat from * 12(21, 23) times, hdc in last st. (27, 45, 49)

Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in each st and ch st across working last two sts in the 3rd and 2nd turning ch. (27, 45, 49)

Row 4: ch 4 (counts as 1st dc and ch 1) turn, sk 1, dc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1, dc, repeat from * 12(21, 23) times, hdc in last st. (27, 45, 49)

Row 5: ch 1, turn, sc in each st and ch st across working last two sts in the 3rd and 2nd turning ch. (27, 45, 49)

Repeat Rows 2-5 4(5, 6)more times.

then

Repeat Row 2 1(1, 0) times.

Repeat Row 3 0(1, 0) times.

Size 2X ONLY Repeat Row 2 one more time.

Fasten off.

S(M, L, XL, 4X, 5X)

Row 2: ch 3 (counts as 1st hdc and ch 1) turn, sk 1, hdc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1, hdc, repeat from * 14(16, 18, 20, 25, 27) times. (31, 35, 39, 43, 53, 57)

Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc in each st and ch st across working last two sts in the 3rd and 2nd turning ch. (31, 35, 39, 43, 53, 57)

Row 4: ch 4 (counts as 1st dc and ch 1) turn, sk 1, dc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1, dc, repeat from * 14(16, 18, 20, 25, 27) times. (31, 35, 39, 43, 53, 57)

Row 5: ch 1, turn, sc in each st and ch st across working last two sts in the 3rd and 2nd turning ch. (31, 35, 39, 43, 53, 57)

Repeat Rows 2-5 4(5, 5, 5, 6, 6)more times.

then

Repeat Row 2 1(0, 1, 1, 1, 1) times.

Repeat Row 3 1(0, 0, 1, 0, 1) times.

Fasten off.

Seaming Shoulders:

Laying cardigan down RS up, fold over right and left sides so RSs are together.

Using a large tapestry needle sew Upper Right section to the top of Upper Back section using your preferred method of seaming at shoulder.

Then sew the Upper Left Section to the top of the Upper Back Section at shoulder leaving a gap of 7(7, 7, 7, 7, 9, 9, 9, 9) sts in the center of the upper back section.

Total rows: 21(23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)

Sleeves:

Sleeves are worked directly into the arm hole of the sweater. They are worked in joined rounds, turning after each join.

With RS facing you attach yarn in center stitch or left of center stitch under arm.

Round 1: ch 1, sc in same st as join and evenly around (1 sc in each sc and hdc row and 2 sc in each dc row), sl st to top of 1st st to join. (57, 60, 66, 67, 69, 71, 76, 78, 80)

Round 2: ch 2 (counts as 1st hdc) turn, hdc around, sl st to top of 1st st to join. (57, 60, 66, 67, 69, 71, 76, 78, 80)

Round 3: ch 1, turn, sc in same st as join and in each st around, sl st to top of ch 2 to join. (57, 60, 66, 67, 69, 71, 76, 78, 80)

Row 4: ch 4 (counts as 1st dc and ch 1) turn, sk 1, dc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1, dc, repeat from * around, sl st to third ch to join. (57, 60, 66, 67, 69, 71, 76, 78, 80) * For sizes S, M, 3X, 4X and 5X you will need to work an additional ch before joining.

Row 5: ch 1, turn, sc in same st as join and in each each st around, sl st to top of 1st st to join. (57, 60, 66, 67, 69, 71, 76, 78, 80)

Round 6: ch 2 (counts as 1st hdc) turn, hdc2tog, hdc around until 2 sts remain, hdc2tog, sl st to top of ch 2 to join. (55, 58, 64, 65, 67, 69, 74, 76, 78)

Round 7: ch 1, turn, sc in same st as join and in each st around, sl st to top of 1st st to join. (55, 58, 64, 65, 67, 69, 74, 76, 78)

Round 8: ch 4 (counts as 1st dc and ch 1) turn, sk 1, dc in next st, *ch 1, sk 1, dc, repeat from * around, sl st to third ch to join. (55, 58, 64, 65, 67, 69, 74, 76, 78) * For sizes S, M, 3X, 4X and 5X you will need to work an additional ch before joining.

Round 9: ch 1, turn, sc in same st as join and in each each st around, sl st to top of 1st st to join. (55, 58, 64, 65, 67, 69, 74, 76, 78)

Repeat Rounds 6-9 until sleeve hits wrist bone.

Then repeat Rounds 6&7 once more and move on to cuff instructions.

Cuffs are worked in rows and connected to the bottom of the sleeve using sl sts. Do not fasten off before starting cuff.

Cuffs:

With yarn still attached to bottom of sleeve ch 9.

Row 1: hdc in 3rd ch from hook (1st 2 chs count as a st) and in each ch across. (8)

Connect to the sleeve by skipping the next st and then sl st in next two stitches on sleeve.

Row 2: turn, sk 2 sl sts, hdc in 3rd loop of each st across until 1 st remains, hdc in top of ch 2. (8)

Row 3: ch 2, turn, hdc in BLO of each st across. (8)

Connect to the sleeve by skipping the next st and then sl st in next two stitches on sleeve.

Repeat Rows 2 & 3 around entire bottom of sleeve.

Lay right sides of cuff together and sl st ends together to close.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Repeat Sleeve and Cuff instruction for second sleeve.

Bottom Ribbing:

With WS of cardigan facing you attach yarn to bottom right corner.

Set Up Row: ch 1, sc into same st as join and evenly across bottom edge (working 1 sc in every sc and hdc row and 2 sc in each dc row), turn. 125(139, 155, 169, 185, 199, 213, 229, 245)

XS, M, XL, 5X: Start by working 2 sc in the first sc row then work 1 sc into each sc and hdc row and 2 sc into each dc row until the last row, work 2 sc in the last sc row.

S, L, 2X, 3X, 4X: Work 1 sc into each sc and hdc row and 2 sc into each dc row until the last row, work 2(2, 2, 1, 2) sc in the last sc row.

Bottom ribbing is worked the same as the cuff, in rows and joined by sl sts along bottom of cardigan.

With yarn still attached ch 9.

Row 1: hdc in 3rd ch from hook (1st 2 chs count as a st) and in each ch across. (8)

Connect to the sleeve by skipping the next st and then sl st in next two stitches on sleeve.

Row 2: turn, sk 2 sl sts, hdc in 3rd loop of each st across until 1 st remains, hdc in top of ch 2. (8)

Row 3: ch 2, turn, hdc in BLO of each st across. (8)

Connect to the sleeve by skipping the next st and then sl st in next two stitches on sleeve.

Repeat Rows 2 & 3 around entire bottom of cardigan. Fasten off.

Collar:

With RS of cardigan facing you, attach yarn at bottom right edge of ribbing.

Ch 1

Row 1: sc in same st as join and in each stitch and row around entire front edge of cardigan. (again working 1 sc into each sc and hdc row and 2 sc in each dc row), turn. (213, 219, 229, 235, 241, 249, 251, 259, 261)

Row 2: ch 2 (counts as first st) hdc in each st across, turn. (213, 219, 229, 235, 241, 249, 251, 259, 261)

*You may want to move up a hook size here to avoid the edges from curling.

Row 3: ch 1, sc in each st across. (213, 219, 229, 235, 241, 249, 251, 259, 261)

Turn and sc evenly across bottom ribbing working 3 sc across every two rows of hdc ribbing, sl st to top of first st of row 3.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Wet block or steam block, especially bottom ribbing.

Now go enjoy your brand new Home Town Cardi! I hope you love this pattern as much as I do. I love to see what you make from my designs so please share by tagging me @meghanmakesdo or using hashtags #meghanmakesdo and #thehometowncardi so I can see them.

Don’t forget if you’d like a printable PDF version of the pattern you can find it in my shop, Ravelry and Etsy.

Happy Crocheting and Happy Fall!

Meghan