Sierra Oversized Cozy Cardigan Free Crochet Pattern
Surround yourself in cozy warmth with the Sierra Oversized Cozy Cardigan Free Crochet Pattern. This first appeared in Happily Hooked Magazine in 2018 and now i am so excited to bring it to you free to create your own cozy cardigan! The secret trick to this special cardigan is in the construction. The body is actually made in a single piece! Then you add your sleeves and trim. This is very beginner friendly and you can make it in your favorite chunky yarn.
I used Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick but for an acrylic alternative I suggest Lion Brand Color Made Easy. The Sierra Oversized Cozy Cardigan Free Crochet Pattern is designed to be long like a “coat-igan” and will keep you cozy as the days get colder. Make it in your favorite contrasting color combo!
Supply List:
Category #6 Bulky Yarn
Main Color: 645 yards
Trim Color: 185 yards
Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick Colors Hudson Bay & Fisherman shown
For an acrylic alternative I suggest Lion Brand Color Made Easy
Crochet Hook Size 15 mm
Tapestry needle to weave ends
Tape Measure
Fasteners or safety pins
Sizes: Extra Small/Small (Medium/Large, Large/1X, 2X/3X, 3X/4X)
Finished Measurements: Bust: 35.5 (41.5, 48, 54.5, 60.75)”
GAUGE:
5 sts x 4.5 rows = 4” in pattern stitch
5 sts x 6.5 rows = 4” in back loop single crochet
Stitches Used / Abbreviations:
fsc – foundation single crochet
sc - single crochet
dc – double crochet
sl st – slip stitch
ch – chain loop
PATTERN NOTES:
This pattern is written for Adult Woman Extra Small/Small (Sizes Medium/Large, Large/1X, 2X/3X, 3X/4X in parenthesis)
*** SHOWN IN SIZE XS/SMALL ON PERSON 5’1” wearing 4” boots
This pattern has been graded according to ASTM sizing standards and guidelines. But most women are not standard! Before beginning this project, take a close look at the schematic and make note of the measurements of the various parts of the finished item. You may wish to adjust some of these measurements to obtain a sweater that fits you and your unique body.
This pattern is made in one complete piece for the body and two sleeves. 3 separate pieces.
The body of this sweater is made in one piece to the armholes, then fronts and back are worked separately. Sleeves are made separately and sewn to the body.
Front edging is crocheted directly onto the body.
STITCH GUIDE: Pattern has a Stitch Guide for repeats throughout
PATTERN
BODY – BEGIN WITH TRIM COLOR:
Hem
Row 1: Fsc x 7 (alternate: ch 7, turn, ch 1, 6 sc across), turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, 6 x sc in back loop only.
Rows 3- 56 (66, 76, 84, 96): Repeat Row 2
Do not cut yarn – you will go directly to work the body.
Body
Row 1: Ch 1, work 44 (52, 60, 68, 76) sc evenly across the band you created, turn.
Fasten Off.
CHANGE TO MAIN COLOR
Row 2: Ch 1 (acts as sc), dc in last sc of previous row, *sk next sc, [1sc, 1 dc] in next sc *; repeat * to * all the way across to end, 1 sc into last sc, turn. 22 (26, 30, 34, 38) [sc, dc] groups.
Row 3: Ch 1 (acts as sc), dc in last sc of previous row, *skip next dc, [1sc, 1 dc] in next sc *; repeat * to * all the way across to end, 1 sc into last sc, turn. 22 (26, 30, 34, 38) [sc, dc] groups.
Rows 4 – 15: Repeat Row 3.
SEPARATE FRONTS AND BACK
Right Front
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1 (acts as sc), dc in last sc of previous row, *skip next dc, [1sc, 1 dc] in next sc *; repeat * to * 5 (6, 7, 8, 9) times total, skip next dc, sc in next sc, turn, leaving rem sts unworked.
Rows 2-8 (8, 8, 6, 8): Ch 1 (acts as sc), dc in last sc of previous row, *skip next dc, [1sc, 1 dc] in next sc *; repeat * to * all the way across to end, 1 sc into last sc, turn. 5 (6, 7, 8, 9) [sc, dc] groups.
Row 9 (9, 9, 7, 9) (Dec): Ch 2, sk [sc, dc], *[1sc, 1 dc] in next sc, sk next dc *; repeat * to * all the way across to end, sc in last sc, turn. 1 [sc, dc] group dec’d, 4 (5, 6, 7, 8) [sc, dc] groups remain.
Extra Small/Small Size Only:
Row 10: Repeat Row 3. 4 [sc, dc] groups
Row 11: Repeat Dec row. 3 [sc, dc] groups remain
Rows 12-13: Repeat Row 3. 3 [sc, dc] groups
Medium/Large Size Only:
Row 10: Repeat Row 3. 5 [sc, dc] groups
Row 11: Repeat Dec row. 4 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 12: Repeat Row 3. 4 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 13: Repeat Dec row. 3 [sc, dc] groups.
Large/1X Size Only:
Row 10: Repeat Row 3. 6 [sc, dc] groups
Row 11: Repeat Dec row. 5 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 12: Repeat Row 3. 5 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 13: Repeat Dec row. 4 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 14: Repeat Row 3. 4 [sc, dc] groups.
2X/3X Size Only:
Row 8: Repeat Row 3. 7 [sc, dc] groups
Row 9: Repeat Dec row. 6 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 10: Repeat Row 3. 6 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 11: Repeat Dec row. 5 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 12: Repeat Row 3. 5 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 13: Repeat Dec row. 4 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 14: Repeat Row 3. 4 [sc, dc] groups.
3X/4X Size Only:
Row 10: Repeat Row 3. 8 [sc, dc] groups
Row 11: Repeat Dec row. 7 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 12: Repeat Row 3. 7 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 13: Repeat Dec row. 6 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 14: Repeat Row 3. 6 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 15: Repeat Dec row. 5 [sc, dc] groups.
All Sizes: Fasten off.
Back
With RS facing, sk 1 [sc, dc] group over from Row 1 of Right Front, join yarn to next sc.
Row 1: Ch 1 (acts as sc), dc in last sc of previous row, *skip next dc, [1sc, 1 dc] in next sc *; repeat * to * 10 (12, 14, 16, 18) times total, skip next dc, sc in next sc, turn, leaving rem sts unworked.
Rows 2-13 (13, 14, 14, 15): Ch 1 (acts as sc), dc in last sc of previous row, *skip next dc, [1sc, 1 dc] in next sc *; repeat * to * all the way across to end, 1 sc into last sc, turn. 10 (12, 14, 16, 18) [sc, dc] groups. Fasten off.
Left Front
With RS facing, sk 1 [sc, dc] group over from Row 1 of Back, join yarn to next sc.
Rows 2-8 (8, 8, 6, 8): Ch 1 (acts as sc), dc in last sc of previous row, *skip next dc, [1sc, 1 dc] in next sc *; repeat * to * all the way across to end, 1 sc into last sc, turn. 5 (6, 7, 8, 9) [sc, dc] groups.
Row 9 (9, 9, 7, 9) (Dec): Ch 1 (acts as sc), dc in last sc of previous row, *skip next dc, [1sc, 1 dc] in next sc *; repeat * to * to last 2 [sc, dc] groups, sk next [dc, sc, dc], sc in last sc, turn. 1 [sc, dc] group dec’d, 4 (5, 6, 7, 8) [sc, dc] groups remain.
Extra Small/Small Size Only:
Row 10: Repeat Row 3. 4 [sc, dc] groups
Row 11: Repeat Dec row. 3 [sc, dc] groups remain
Rows 12-13: Repeat Row 3. 3 [sc, dc] groups
Medium/Large Size Only:
Row 10: Repeat Row 3. 5 [sc, dc] groups
Row 11: Repeat Dec row. 4 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 12: Repeat Row 3. 4 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 13: Repeat Dec row. 3 [sc, dc] groups.
Large/1X Size Only:
Row 10: Repeat Row 3. 6 [sc, dc] groups
Row 11: Repeat Dec row. 5 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 12: Repeat Row 3. 5 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 13: Repeat Dec row. 4 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 14: Repeat Row 3. 4 [sc, dc] groups.
2X/3X Size Only:
Row 8: Repeat Row 3. 7 [sc, dc] groups
Row 9: Repeat Dec row. 6 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 10: Repeat Row 3. 6 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 11: Repeat Dec row. 5 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 12: Repeat Row 3. 5 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 13: Repeat Dec row. 4 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 14: Repeat Row 3. 4 [sc, dc] groups.
3X/4X Size Only:
Row 10: Repeat Row 3. 8 [sc, dc] groups
Row 11: Repeat Dec row. 7 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 12: Repeat Row 3. 7 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 13: Repeat Dec row. 6 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 14: Repeat Row 3. 6 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 15: Repeat Dec row. 5 [sc, dc] groups.
All Sizes: Fasten off.
SLEEVES – MAKE TWO
SLEEVE NOTES:
First the Cuff is worked sideways. Stitches are then worked along the side of the joined cuff, and the Sleeve Body is worked upward in turned rounds. Finally, the Sleeve Cap will be worked flat in rows.
BEGIN WITH TRIM COLOR:
Cuff
Row 1: Fsc x 7, turn.
Rows 2-14 (14, 14, 16, 16): Ch 1, 6 x sc in back loop only.
Sl st to top of initial fsc from first row, then 7 sl st across to attach the whole band to become a circle
Do not cut yarn – you will go directly to work the Sleeve Body.
Sleeve Body
Round 1 (RS): Ch 1 (acts as first sc), sc around placing 1 sc in the side of each row of band for a total of 14 (14, 14, 16, 16) sc, join with sl st to beg ch 1.
CHANGE TO MAIN COLOR
Round 2 (WS): Ch 1 (acts as sc), dc in last sc of previous round, *sk next sc, [1sc, 1 dc] in next sc *; repeat * to * all the way across to end, join with sl st to beg ch 1, turn. 7 (7, 7, 8, 8) [sc, dc] groups.
Round 3 (RS): Ch 1 (acts as sc), dc in last sc of previous round, *sk next dc, [1sc, 1 dc] in next sc *; repeat * to * all the way across to end, join with sl st to beg ch 1, turn. 7 (7, 7, 8, 8) [sc, dc] groups.
Round 4 (Inc): Ch 1 (acst as sc), [dc, sc, dc] in last sc of previous round, *sk next dc, [1sc, 1 dc] in next sc *; repeat * to * all the way across to end, join with sl st to beg ch 1, turn. 1 [sc, dc] group inc’d, 8 (8, 8, 9, 9) [sc, dc] groups.
Extra Small/Small Size Only:
Rounds 5-15: Repeat Round 3. 8 [sc, dc] groups
Medium/Large Size Only:
Rounds 5-7: Repeat Round 3. 8 [sc, dc] groups
Round 8: Repeat Inc round. 9 [sc, dc] groups.
Rounds 9-15: Repeat Round 3. 9 [sc, dc] groups.
Large/1X & 2X/3X Sizes Only:
Rounds 5-7: Repeat Round 3. 8 (9) [sc, dc] groups
Round 8: Repeat Inc round. 9 (10) [sc, dc] groups.
Rounds 9-11: Repeat Round 3. 9 (10) [sc, dc] groups.
Round 12: Repeat Inc round. 10 (11) [sc, dc] groups.
Rounds 13-15: Repeat Round 3. 10 (11) [sc, dc] groups.
3X/4X Size Only:
Rounds 5-7: Repeat Round 3. 9 [sc, dc] groups
Round 8: Repeat Inc round. 10 [sc, dc] groups.
Round 9: Repeat Round 3. 10 [sc, dc] groups.
Round 10: Repeat Inc round. 11 [sc, dc] groups.
Round 11: Repeat Round 3. 11 [sc, dc] groups.
Round 12: Repeat Inc round. 12 [sc, dc] groups.
Rounds 13-15: Repeat Round 3. 12 [sc, dc] groups.
Shape Sleeve Cap
Note: you will now be going in Rows, turning after each row WITHOUT joining them in the round.
Row 1: Ch 1 (acts as sc), dc in last sc of previous round, *sk next dc, [1sc, 1 dc] in next sc *; repeat * to * all the way across to end, sc in last sc, turn. Do not join. 8 (9, 10, 11, 12) [sc, dc] groups.
Row 2 (Dec): Ch 2, *sk next dc, [1sc, 1dc] in next sc *; repeat * to * to last 2 groups, sk next dc, sc in next sc, sk dc, dc in last sc, turn. 2 groups dec’d, 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) groups remain.
Extra Small/Small Size Only:
Rows 3-5: Repeat Row 1. 6 [sc, dc] groups
Row 6: Repeat Dec row. 4 [sc, dc] groups remain
Rows 7-9: Repeat Row 1. 4 [sc, dc] groups
Row 10: Repeat Dec row. 2 [sc, dc] groups remain.
Rows 11-13: Repeat Row 1.
Medium/Large Size Only:
Rows 3-5: Repeat Row 1. 7 [sc, dc] groups
Row 6: Repeat Dec row. 5 [sc, dc] groups remain
Row 7: Repeat Row 1. 5 [sc, dc] groups
Row 8: Repeat Dec row. 3 [sc, dc] groups remain.
Row 9: Repeat Row 1. 3 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 10: Repeat Dec row. 1 [sc, dc] group remains.
Rows 11-13: Repeat Row 1.
Large/1X Size Only:
Rows 3-5: Repeat Row 1. 8 [sc, dc] groups
Row 6: Repeat Dec row. 6 [sc, dc] groups remain
Rows 7-8: Repeat Row 1. 6 [sc, dc] groups
Row 9: Repeat Dec row. 4 [sc, dc] groups remain.
Row 10: Repeat Row 1. 4 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 11: Repeat Dec row. 2 [sc, dc] groups remain.
Rows 12-14: Repeat Row 1.
2X/3X Size Only:
Rows 3-4: Repeat Row 1. 9 [sc, dc] groups
Row 5: Repeat Dec row. 7 [sc, dc] groups remain
Row 6: Repeat Row 1. 7 [sc, dc] groups
Row 7: Repeat Dec row. 5 [sc, dc] groups remain.
Row 8: Repeat Row 1. 5 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 9: Repeat Dec row. 3 [sc, dc] group remains.
Row 10: Repeat Row 1. 3 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 11: Repeat Dec row. 1 [sc, dc] group remains.
Rows 12-14: Repeat Row 1.
3X/4X Size Only:
Rows 3-5: Repeat Row 1. 10 [sc, dc] groups
Row 6: Repeat Dec row. 8 [sc, dc] groups remain
Row 7: Repeat Row 1. 8 [sc, dc] groups
Row 8: Repeat Dec row. 6 [sc, dc] groups remain.
Row 9: Repeat Row 1. 6 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 10: Repeat Dec row. 4 [sc, dc] group remains.
Row 11: Repeat Row 1. 4 [sc, dc] groups.
Row 12: Repeat Dec row. 2 [sc, dc] groups remain.
Rows 13-15: Repeat Row 1.
All Sizes: Fasten off.
BODY ASSEMBLY:
Using your stitch marker or fastener, pin the front panels to the back at shoulders. Using long tail and mattress stitch, seam shoulders to back panel. You will now have a “vest” shape
SLEEVES ASSEMBLY:
Using your fasteners, attach your sleeve on the RIGHT SIDE to the body. Pin top center of Sleeve Cap to shoulder seam.
Working on the inside of the garment, beginning at bottom center of armhole, attach sleeve by either whip stitch or sc around.
COLLAR:
Note: The Collar is worked sideways and is joined to the body at the end of every other row. AND ADDED AFTER ASSEMBLY
Join TRIM COLOR to lower Right LEFT Panel, with right side facing out.
Set Up Row (RS): Sc evenly all the way around around entire front opening.
When you get to the opposite bottom corner:
Row 1: Ch 7, turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, 6 x sc in back loop only, sl st to the NEXT sc on the collar
Row 3: Sl st to the NEXT sc on the collar, Turn, 6 x sc in back loop only, Turn.
Alternate Rows 2 & 3 until you reach the first Collar Shaping (Row 9 (9, 9, 7, 9) from Front).
Collar Shaping:
Row 1: Ch 1, 6 x sc in back loop only, sl st to the SAME sc on the collar
Row 2: Turn, 6 x sc in back loop only, Turn.
Repeat this 3 times to shape the side of the neck of the collar.
Then continue alternating Rows 2 & 3 as on the sides until you reach the other first Collar Shaping (Row 9 (9, 9, 7, 9) from Front).
Row 1: Ch 1, 6 x sc in back loop only, sl st to the SAME sc on the collar
Row 2: Turn, 6 x sc in back loop only, Turn.
Repeat this 3 times to shape the side of the neck of the collar.
Continue Alternate Rows 2 & 3 until you reach the end of the Set-up Row.
Fasten off.
Weave in all ends