🧶 Beautiful ✨ Detailed 💝 Adorable

Adult's Crochet Crew Neck Cardigan Pattern

Adult's Crochet Crew Neck Cardigan Pattern
4.4★ Rating
20-30 Hours Time Needed
1.4K Made This
✂️

Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic knitting experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

All-Day Adventure

Requires 8-10 hours, ideal for a full day of immersive knitting.

🧥

Layered Comfort

Perfect for cozy, stylish layering through changing seasons with versatile, mix-and-match potential.

About This Adult's Crochet Crew Neck Cardigan Pattern

Adult's Crochet Crew Neck Cardigan Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Available in six sizes with both 'Her' and 'His' length options, this pattern ensures a perfect fit for everyone. The button band and buttonhole instructions are clearly detailed, making the finishing process straightforward and rewarding.

Why You'll Love This Adult's Crochet Crew Neck Cardigan Pattern

I absolutely love this cardigan pattern because it strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and sophistication. The rhythmic stitch pattern is easy to memorize, so you can crochet while watching your favorite shows without constantly checking the pattern. I appreciate how the ribbing adds structure and professional polish to the finished piece. The sizing options mean you can make matching cardigans for the whole family, and the neutral construction works beautifully with any yarn color you choose. Best of all, the satisfaction of completing a full wearable garment that you'll actually use season after season is absolutely unbeatable.

Adult's Crochet Crew Neck Cardigan Pattern step 1 - construction progress Adult's Crochet Crew Neck Cardigan Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Adult's Crochet Crew Neck Cardigan Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Adult's Crochet Crew Neck Cardigan Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how versatile this cardigan pattern is for customization! You can easily switch things up by choosing bold, vibrant colors instead of neutrals to make a real statement piece. Try working the body in one color and the sleeves in a contrasting shade for a modern color-block effect.

For added texture interest, I sometimes substitute the ribbing with a different stitch pattern like half double crochet or even a simple shell stitch along the edges. You could also extend the length by several inches to create a duster-style cardigan that's perfect for layering over dresses.

I've experimented with adding pockets by creating small rectangular pieces and sewing them to the fronts at hip level—such a practical and cute addition! Another fun modification is using decorative buttons or even toggle closures instead of standard buttons for a unique finishing touch.

If you want a cozier, chunkier look, try using two strands of worsted weight yarn held together with a larger hook. The drape and texture will be completely different but equally beautiful. You can also make this pattern more feminine by adding a lacy edging around all the borders using your favorite decorative stitch.

Don't be afraid to play with stripe patterns throughout the body, alternating colors every few rows for a playful, preppy vibe. The simple stitch pattern makes it easy to incorporate these creative changes without losing track of your place in the pattern!

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Not checking gauge carefully before starting can result in a cardigan that's too large or small for your intended size ✗ Forgetting to place stitch markers at armholes makes seaming sleeves difficult and can lead to uneven sleeve placement ✗ Skipping the ribbing stretch test may cause bands that are too tight or too loose around the edges ✗ Miscounting stitches during increases and decreases on sleeves results in uneven sleeve width and poor fit ✗ Not blocking finished pieces before assembly can make seams puckered and the overall garment look unprofessional

Adult's Crochet Crew Neck Cardigan Pattern

Create a timeless wardrobe staple with this versatile crew neck cardigan pattern designed for both men and women. This classic design features a comfortable ribbed texture, button-front closure, and flattering fit available in six generous sizes from XS/S to 4/5XL. The pattern combines simple yet elegant stitch work with practical construction techniques, making it perfect for crafters ready to expand their garment-making skills. Whether you're creating a cozy layer for yourself or a thoughtful handmade gift, this cardigan offers endless styling possibilities and year-round wearability.

Intermediate 20-30 Hours

Materials Needed for Adult's Crochet Crew Neck Cardigan Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Caron Simply Soft Heathers (5 oz/141.7 g; 250 yds/228 m): 5-10 balls depending on size
  • 02
    Caron Simply Soft Solids (6 oz/170.1 g; 315 yds/288 m): 5-9 balls depending on size

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Size U.S. H/8 (5 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
  • 02
    4 stitch markers
  • 03
    7 buttons (approximately 3/4 inch diameter)
  • 04
    Yarn needle for seaming
  • 05
    Scissors
  • 06
    Tape measure

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— BACK

Ribbing:

Ch 10

1st row (RS):

1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of chain. Turn. 9 sc

2nd row:

Ch 1. 1 sctbl in each st to end of row. Turn

Repeat:

Rep last row until Ribbing (when slightly stretched) measures 18½ (20¼-22¼-24½-27½-31½)" [47 (51.5-56.5-62-70-80) cm], ending on a WS row. Do not fasten off. Do not turn

Next row (WS):

Ch 1. Work 61 (67-73-81-91-103) sc evenly across long edge of Ribbing. Turn

1st row (RS):

Ch 1. 1 sc in first st. *1 dc in next st. 1 sc in next st. Rep from * to end of row. Turn

2nd row:

Ch 3 (counts as dc). *1 sc in next dc. 1 dc in next sc. Rep from * to end of row. Turn

3rd row:

Ch 1. 1 sc in first dc. *1 dc in next sc. 1 sc in next dc. Rep from * to end of row, working last sc in top of ch 3. Turn

Continue:

Rep last 2 rows for pat until work from lower edge measures 16 (16-16-16½-16½-16½)" [40.5 (40.5-40.5-42-42-42) cm] for Her Version or 17 (17-17-17½-17½-17½)" [43 (43-43-44.5-44.5-44.5) cm] for His Version, ending on a WS row. Fasten off

Shape armholes - Next row (RS):

Skip first 6 (8-10-12-14-18) sts. Join yarn with sl st to next dc. Ch 1. 1 sc in same sp as last sl st. Pat across next 48 (50-52-56-62-66) sts. Turn. Leave rem 6 (8-10-12-14-18) sts unworked

Continue:

Cont even in pat over 49 (51-53-57-63-67) sts until armhole measures 8½ (9-9-9½-10-10½)" [22.5 (23-23-24.5-25.5-27.5) cm], ending on a WS row. Fasten off. Turn

Shape shoulders - Next row (RS):

Skip first 6 (6-8-8-10-10) sts. Join yarn with sl st to next dc. Ch 1. 1 sc in same sp as last sl st. Pat across next 36 (38-36-40-42-46) sts. Fasten off. Turn. Leave rem 6 (6-8-8-10-10) sts unworked

Next row:

Skip first 7 (7-6-7-8-8) sts. Join yarn with sl st to next st. Pat across next 23 (25-25-27-27-29) sts. Fasten off

— LEFT FRONT

Ribbing:

Ch 10

1st row (RS):

1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of chain. Turn. 9 sc

2nd row:

Ch 1. 1 sctbl in each st to end of row. Turn

Repeat:

Rep last row until Ribbing (when slightly stretched) measures 9 (10-11-12-13½-15½)" [23 (25.5-28-30.5-34.5-39) cm], ending on a WS row. Do not fasten off. Do not turn

Next row (WS):

Ch 1. Work 31 (33-37-41-45-51) sc evenly across long edge of Ribbing. Turn

1st row (RS):

Ch 1. 1 sc in first st. *1 dc in next st. 1 sc in next st. Rep from * to end of row. Turn

2nd row:

Ch 3 (counts as dc). *1 sc in next dc. 1 dc in next sc. Rep from * to end of row. Turn

3rd row:

Ch 1. 1 sc in first dc. *1 dc in next sc. 1 sc in next dc. Rep from * to end of row, working last sc in top of ch 3. Turn

Continue:

Rep last 2 rows for pat until work from lower edge measures 16 (16-16-16½-16½-16½)" [40.5 (40.5-40.5-42-42-42) cm] for Her Version or 17 (17-17-17½-17½-17½)" [43 (43-43-44.5-44.5-44.5) cm] for His Version, ending on a WS row. Fasten off

Shape armhole - Next row (RS):

Skip first 6 (8-10-12-14-18) sts. Join yarn with sl st to next dc. Ch 1. 1 sc in same sp as last sl st. Pat to end of row. Turn

Continue:

Cont even in pat over 25 (25-27-29-31-33) sts until armhole measures 8 rows less than Back to shoulder, ending on a WS row

Shape neck - 1st row (RS):

Ch 1. Pat across 19 (19-20-21-24-24) sts (neck edge). Turn. Leave rem 6 (6-7-8-7-9) sts unworked

2nd row:

Ch 1. Sc2tog. Pat to end of row. Turn

3rd row:

Ch 1. Pat to last 2 sts. Sc2tog. Turn

Repeat:

Rep last 2 rows twice more. 13 (13-14-15-18-18) sts rem

Next:

Work 1 row even in pat. Fasten off

Shape left shoulder - Next row (RS):

Skip first 6 (6-8-8-10-10) sts. Join yarn with sl st to next dc. Ch 1. 1 sc in same sp as last sl st. Pat to end of row. Fasten off

— RIGHT FRONT

Work:

Work from beginning through ribbing and pattern rows same as Left Front until armhole shaping. Do not fasten off

Shape armhole - Next row (RS):

Pat to last 6 (8-10-12-14-18) sts. Turn. Leave rem sts unworked

Continue:

Cont even in pat over 25 (25-27-29-31-33) sts until armhole measures 8 rows less than Back to shoulder, ending on a WS row. Fasten off

Shape neck (RS):

With RS facing, skip first 6 (6-7-8-7-9) sts. Join yarn with sl st to next st and pat to end of row

Next row:

Ch 3. Pat to last 2 sts. Sc2tog. Turn

Next row:

Ch 1. Sc2tog. Pat to end of row. Turn

Repeat:

Rep last 2 rows twice more. 13 (13-14-15-18-18) sts rem

Next:

Work 1 row even in pat

Shape shoulder - Next row (RS):

Ch 1. Pat across first 6 (6-8-8-10-10) sts. Fasten off. Leave rem sts unworked

— SLEEVES

Ribbing:

Ch 10

1st row (RS):

1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of chain. Turn. 9 sc

2nd row:

Ch 1. 1 sctbl in each st to end of row. Turn

Repeat:

Rep last row until Ribbing (when slightly stretched) measures 9½ (9½-10-10-10½-10½)" [24.5 (24.5-25.5-25.5-26.5-26.5) cm], ending on a WS row. Do not fasten off. Do not turn

Next row (WS):

Ch 1. Work 31 (31-33-33-35-37) sc evenly across long edge of Ribbing. Turn

1st row (RS):

Ch 1. 1 sc in first st. *1 dc in next st. 1 sc in next st. Rep from * to end of row. Turn

2nd row:

Ch 3 (counts as dc). *1 sc in next dc. 1 dc in next sc. Rep from * to end of row. Turn

3rd row:

Ch 1. 1 sc in first dc. *1 dc in next sc. 1 sc in next dc. Rep from * to end of row, working last sc in top of ch 3. Turn

4th row (inc row):

Ch 1. (1 sc. 1 dc) in first sc. *1 sc in next dc. 1 dc in next sc. Rep from * to last 2 sts. 1 sc in next dc. (1 dc. 1 sc) in last sc. Turn

5th row:

Ch 3 (counts as dc). *1 sc in next dc. 1 dc in next sc. Rep from * to end of row. Turn

6th row (inc row):

Ch 3 (counts as dc). 1 sc in first dc. *1 dc in next sc. 1 sc in next dc. Rep from * to last 2 sts. 1 dc in next sc. (1 sc. 1 dc) in top of ch 3. Turn

Repeat:

Rep 3rd to 6th rows 2 (3-3-4-6-7) times more. 43 (47-49-53-63-69) sts

Sizes XS/S, M, L, XL and 2/3XL only - Next row (RS):

Ch 1. 1 sc in first dc. *1 dc in next sc. 1 sc in next dc. Rep from * to end of row, working last sc in top of ch 3. Turn

Next row (inc row):

Ch 1. (1 sc. 1 dc) in first sc. *1 sc in next dc. 1 dc in next sc. Rep from * to last 2 sts. 1 sc in next dc. (1 dc. 1 sc) in last sc. Turn

Next row:

Ch 3 (counts as dc). *1 sc in next dc. 1 dc in next sc. Rep from * to end of row. Turn

Repeat:

Rep last 3 rows 5 (5-4-3-0) time(s) more. 55 (59-59-61-65) sts

All sizes - Continue:

Cont even in pat until work from lower edge measures 17 (17-17-16½-16-16)" [40.5 (40.5-40.5-42-42-42) cm] for Her Version or 18 (18-18-17½-17-17)" [43 (43-43-44.5-44.5-44.5) cm] for His Version, ending on a WS row. Place markers at each end of last row

Final rows:

Work a further 6 (6-8-10-12-14) rows in pat. Fasten off

— FINISHING

Sew:

Sew shoulder seams

Neckband:

Ch 7

1st row (RS):

1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of chain. Turn. 6 sc

2nd row:

Ch 1. 1 sctbl in each st to end of row. Turn

Repeat:

Rep last row until Neckband (when slightly stretched) measures length to fit along neck edge, sewing in place as you work, taking care to allow stretch in seam

Button Band - 1st row (RS):

Join yarn with sl st and work 71 (73-73-77-77-81) sc for Her Version up Left Front edge to top of neckband or 75 (77-77-81-81-85) sc for His Version down Right Front to lower edge. Turn

2nd to 5th rows:

Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn

Info:

Place markers on band for 7 buttons, having bottom button ½" [1 cm] above lower edge, top button in center of neckband and rem 5 buttons spaced evenly between

Buttonhole Band - 1st row (RS):

Join yarn with sl st and work 71 (73-73-77-77-81) sc for Her Version down Right Front to lower edge or 75 (77-77-81-81-85) sc up Left Front edge to top of neckband for His Version. Turn

2nd row:

Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn

3rd row:

Ch 1. *1 sc in each sc to next button marker. Ch 2. Skip next 2 sc. Rep from * 6 times more. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn

4th row:

Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc and 2 sc in each ch-2 sp to end of row. Turn

5th row:

Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Fasten off

Final assembly:

Sew in sleeves, placing rows above markers along unworked sts of Front and Back to form square armholes. Sew side and sleeve seams

Assembly Instructions

  • Sew shoulder seams together using mattress stitch or whip stitch for a neat finish
  • Create and attach neckband by sewing ribbing strip along entire neck edge while slightly stretching
  • Work button band up left front (or right front for men's version) with 5 rows of single crochet
  • Place 7 button markers evenly spaced with bottom button 1/2 inch above lower edge and top button in neckband center
  • Create buttonholes on opposite front band in row 3 by chaining 2 and skipping 2 stitches at marker positions
  • Set in sleeves by matching markers to armhole edges and sewing rows above markers to unworked armhole stitches
  • Sew side seams and sleeve seams in one continuous line from hem to cuff for clean finish

Important Notes

  • 💡Check your gauge carefully before starting as even small differences will significantly affect the finished garment size
  • 💡The ribbing should be slightly stretched when measuring to ensure proper fit around edges
  • 💡For Her Version and His Version, the only difference is body and sleeve length measurements
  • 💡Stitch markers are essential for tracking armhole shaping and button placement
  • 💡Work buttonholes on the right front for women's version and left front for men's version
  • 💡The pattern uses US crochet terminology throughout all instructions
  • 💡Block all pieces lightly before assembly for the most professional-looking finished cardigan

This timeless crew neck cardigan pattern brings classic comfort and style to your handmade wardrobe. With its versatile design suitable for both men and women, ribbed finishing details, and range of sizes, this cardigan is destined to become a beloved staple you'll reach for season after season. The satisfying rhythm of the stitch pattern makes this an enjoyable project that builds confidence in garment construction while creating something truly wearable and special. 🧶 Happy crocheting! 🧵✨

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What's the difference between Her Version and His Version?

The only difference is the length measurements. Her Version is slightly shorter in both body and sleeve length, while His Version has additional length for a traditional men's fit. All other construction details remain the same.

Can I use a different yarn weight for this pattern?

While you can substitute yarn, it's important to maintain the gauge of 13 sts and 11 rows = 4 inches. Using a different weight yarn will require adjusting your hook size and may affect yardage requirements. Always make a gauge swatch first.

How do I know which size to make?

Measure your bust or chest circumference and compare to the 'To fit' measurements in the pattern. The finished measurements include ease, so the cardigan will be slightly larger than your actual body measurement for comfortable layering.

Why does my ribbing look different from the photos?

The ribbing is worked in single crochet through back loops only (sctbl), which creates vertical ridges. Make sure you're consistently working through only the back loop of each stitch, and the ribbing should be slightly stretched when measuring.

Can I make this cardigan without buttonholes for a wrap style?

Absolutely! Simply work both front bands identically with 5 rows of single crochet and omit the buttonholes. You can wear it open as a wrap cardigan or add a shawl pin or brooch for closure.

How do I place the sleeves correctly?

The markers on the sleeves indicate where the armhole shaping begins. Match these markers to the armhole edges on the body, and sew the rows above the markers to the unworked stitches at the armholes to create square armhole construction.