Pattern Description:
The Summer Daze Cardigan is an easy, lightweight, sleeveless crochet cardigan perfect for summer or layering.
It features a simple, lacey fabric created using chains, skipped stitches, and textured double crochet post stitches (FPDC/BPDC).
Construction is straightforward, utilizing just 3 rectangular panels that are seamed together. The pattern includes 12 sizes, ranging from toddler to adult 5X.
Materials Needed & Measurements:
Materials
- Yarn: Light (3) Weight Yarn.
- The original design used Baby Bee Sweet Delight (60% acrylic, 40% polyamide).
- A second version used Lion Brand Yarn Comfy Cotton Blend (50% cotton, 50% polyester).
- Substitutes tested and loved include Lion Brand Yarn Mandala, Lion Brand Ice Cream, Lion Brand Yarn 24/7 Cotton DK, Caron Cotton Cakes, and Bernat Soft Baby.
- Knit Picks CotLin (70% Tanguis Cotton and 30% Linen) is also recommended as a DK weight option.
- Hook: 6.50mm (K).
- Tools: Yarn Needle and Scissors.
Key Measurements and Sizing
- Size Range: The pattern includes 12 sizes, ranging from toddler sizes (Kids Small 2-4 yrs) up to adult size 5X (60”-62” bust circumference).
- Construction: The cardigan is made up of 3 rectangular panels (one back panel and two front panels) that are worked in vertical rows.
- Length Adjustment: The length is determined by the starting chain/stitch count. The starting chain must be worked in a multiple of 6 + 2.
- Width Adjustment: The width is determined by the number of rows worked. Panels must always finish on a Row 2 repeat.
- Ease: The cardigan is meant to have about 1-2” positive ease.
- Gauge: 12 stitches by 8 rows (following rows 1-7 of the pattern, repeating row 2) should measure a 4” by 4” square.
- Arm Hole: When seaming the sides, you must keep a minimum of 6” open for kids’ sizes and 8” open for adult sizes for the arm hole.
Abbreviations Used:
- ST: Stitch
- SL ST: Slip Stitch
- CH: Chain
- SK: Skip ST
- DC: Double Crochet
- FPDC: Front Post Double Crochet – YO, insert hook behind and back around the post of the next ST, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops, YO and pull through last 2 loops.
- BPDC: Back Post Double Crochet – YO, insert hook around the front of the post of the next ST, YO and pull up a loop, YO and pull through 2 loops, YO and pull through last 2 loops.
Instructions for Making the Summer Daze Cardigan Pattern:
Kid Sizes (Kids Small, Kids Medium, Kids Large)
Parenthetical numbers are for the smallest size through the largest size, respectively: (Kids Small, Kids Medium, Kids Large).
Back Panel (Make 1)
CH (62, 68, 74)
- R 1: DC in 3rd CH from the hook, then DC in each CH across. (60, 66, 72)
- R 2: CH 2 & turn. FPDC in 1st ST, BPDC in next ST, FPDC in next ST (repeat until 1 ST remains). DC in last ST. (60, 66, 72)
- R 3: CH 2 & turn. DC in 1 ST, CH 1, SK 1, DC in next 2 STs, CH 1, SK 1 (repeat until 1 ST remains). DC in last ST. (60, 66, 72)
- R 4: CH 2 & turn. DC in 1 ST, DC in CH space, DC in next 2 STs (repeat ** until 1 ST remains). DC in last ST. (60, 66, 72) Rs 5–(22, 25, 28): Repeat Rs 2–4.
- R (23, 26, 29): Repeat R 2. Tie off.
Front Panels (Make 2)
CH (62, 68, 74)
- R 1–4: Follow instructions for Back Panel R 1–4.
- Rs 5–(7, 7, 10): Repeat Rows 2–4.
- R (8, 8, 11): Repeat R 2. Tie off. Both front panels must have the same number of rows.
Adult Sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
Parenthetical numbers are listed by size starting from XS to 5X.
Back Panel (Make 1)
CH (86, 92, 92, 98, 98, 104, 104, 110, 110)
- R 1: DC in 3rd CH from hook, then DC in each CH across. (84, 90, 90, 96, 96, 102, 102, 108, 108)
- R 2: CH 2 & turn. FPDC in 1st ST, BPDC in next ST, FPDC in next ST (repeat until 1 ST remains). DC in last ST. (84, 90, 90, 96, 96, 102, 102, 108, 108)
- R 3: CH 2 & turn. DC in 1 ST, CH 1, SK 1, DC in next 2 STs, CH 1, SK 1 (repeat until 1 ST remains). DC in last ST. (84, 90, 90, 96, 96, 102, 102, 108, 108)
- R 4: CH 2 & turn. DC in 1 ST, DC in CH space, DC in next 2 STs (repeat ** until 1 ST remains). DC in last ST. (84, 90, 90, 96, 96, 102, 102, 108, 108)
- Rs 5–(31, 34, 37, 43, 46, 49): Repeat Rs 2–4.
- R (32, 35, 38, 44, 47, 50): Repeat R 2. Tie off.
Front Panels (Make 2)
CH (86, 92, 92, 98, 98, 104, 104, 110, 110)
- R 1–4: Follow instructions for Back Panel R 1–4.
- Rs 5–(10, 13, 13, 16, 16, 19): Repeat Rows 2–4.
- R (11, 14, 14, 17, 17, 20): Repeat R 2. Tie off. Both side panels must have the same number of rows.
Assembly
The piece is reversible as there is no wrong or right side. Use a long strand of yarn and a yarn needle for seaming.
Shoulder Seam
Lay the Back Panel down, then place the Front Panels on top, aligning them with the outside edge.
The starting CHs of the front panels are the edges you will seam to the back panel. Whip Stitch across the first front panel, then repeat on the second panel.
Side Seams
With the Front Panels still on top of the Back Panel, Whip Stitch starting from the bottom and working upward. Leave a minimum opening for the arm hole: 6” for kids and 8” for adults.
Ensure the exact same length is worked up on both sides. Leaving the bottom few inches open for side slits is optional.
Finishing
The garment may be left as is. Optionally, SC along the bottom to clean up the edge (working 2 SC in each DC/CH 2). Fringe can also be added to the bottom for extra flare.
