Crochet women’s cardigan jacket – double crochet stitch
Step-by-step crochet instructions
Start crocheting the cardigan from the top to bottom.
Step 1
(use crochet hook US F 3.75 mm )
Make a foundation chain of 99 chs (breakdown of the number of chs: 28 chs for each shoulder piece, 34 chs for the back part, and 9 additional chs). I count all the loops, including the loop on the hook.
Step 2
Increase
1st row (right side) – h3ch*, dc1, inc1, dc28, inc1, dc34, inc1, dc28, inc1, dc1 + RC2
*h3ch – insert a hook into the 3rd ch from the hook
2nd row (wrong side) – h3ch, inc1, dc1, inc1 into inc of prev.row, dc30, inc1 into inc of prev.row, dc36, inc1 into inc of prev.row, dc30, inc1 into inc of prev.row, dc1, inc1 + RC2
Step 3
(use crochet hook G/6 4.25mm)
3rd row – h3ch, inc1, [dc to inc of prev.row, dc1 above first dc of inc, inc1 into inc of prev.row, dc1 above second dc of inc] x 4, dc to last 1ch; inc1 + RC2
4 – 17 rows = 3rd row
Double crochet rows increasing chains until your front and back parts become wide enough to your chest circumference accordingly.
For a Size L, work 18 rows or more before joining the front and back parts together.
For a Size XL, work 19 rows or more increasing chs.
The exact number of rows will depend on your gauge and preferences how it should fit.
Step 4
Join front and back parts together
18th row – h3ch, [dc to inc of prev.row, dc1 above 1st dc of inc, CL1*, dc1 above 2nd dc of inc] x 2, dc to end + RC2
*CL1 – insert a hook between two dcs of the prev.row increase, grab the yarn, and pull it through. You should have 3 loops on your crochet hook. Yo and draw the yarn through the first two loops on the hook. You have 2 remaining loops on your hook. Skip all chs to your following inc of the prev.row, insert the hook between 2 dcs of the inc, grab the yarn, and pull it though, resulting in 4 loops on your hook. Yo, draw the yarn through the 1st two loops on the hook, yo, and pull the yarn through the remaining 3 loops on your hook.
Step 5
Work dc rows without increasing chains
19th row – h3ch, dc to end + RC2
20 – 28 rows = 19th row
Step 6
Decrease
(use crochet hook H/8.5mm)
29th row – h4ch, dc to last 2 chs; dec1 + RC2
30th row – h4ch, dc to a 1st side (underarm), inc1, dc to a 2nd side (underarm), inc1, dc to last 2 chs; dec1 + RC2
31st and all other rows work as 29th row.
Step 7
Edges
1st round – sc to end
2nd round – work cluster pattern to end using a crochet hook F/5 3.75 mm
Cut the yarn and secure it.
Step 8
Sleeves
(use crochet hook G/6 4.25mm)
Attach the yarn
1st round – ch2, dc to end + sl.st.1 into 3rd ch
2nd round – ch3, dc to end + sl.st.1 into 3rd ch
Alternate 1st and 2nd rounds until you crochet the desired length of sleeves.
Repeat step 7.