Part 1: Day Date Easy Crochet Sweater Pattern – Free!

Two simple crochet hexagons transform into a lightweight, on-trend cardigan complete with cozy pockets and roomy bishop sleeves. Get Part 1 of this free easy crochet sweater pattern below or purchase the ad-free PDF of the complete pattern with a stitch chart for $2.99 here. Find Part 2 of the free pattern here and watch the video tutorial here.

This easy crochet sweater pattern is part of a collaboration with Lion Brand Yarns. This post contains affiliate links.

Lately a couple of secret projects have been creating quite a hefty crochet to-do list for me. Yet, despite all these exciting evolutions for Make & Do Crew, I kept finding myself being drawn back to the same WIP (work in progress).

MORE MAKE & DO CREW TUTORIALS

Perhaps it was because of the meditative rounds that seem to strike just the right balance of mindlessness and slight challenge. Maybe it was because I’m a total sucker for a good cardigan and I was hopeful this would be one I could wear every.single.day. Either way, today I’m so excited to share this easy crochet sweater pattern with you as I love wearing it even more than I thought it would and I hope you do too! (You can find all my free crochet sweater patterns here.)

Easy Crochet Sweater Patterns Made From Hexagons

If we’ve been crochet friends for a while, you know that I have quite a thing for hexagons. Last year, I designed the Campfire Cardigan, which is a super fun exploration of granny hexagons that magically turn into a hooded cardigan. Then a few months ago, I use a similar concept but different stitch to design the hooded XO Cardigan for children (sizes newborn – 14) because my 5-year-old politely pointed out kids patterns are sorely underrepresented in my arsenal.

The XO Cardigan  //  The Campfire Cardigan

A Drapey, Oversized Crochet Cardigan You Can Wear Year Round

Many of you on Instagram encouraged me to create an adult version of the kids XO Cardigan. You might actually notice that today’s Day Date Cardigan uses the same stitch as the XO Cardigan to create subtle rows of little open “windows” around the sweater. For this sweater though, I felt inspired to create an equally easy cardigan that felt a little more adult-like and stylish.

I didn’t know this until my sister informed me a couple of days ago, but these poofy sleeves are called “bishop sleeves” and they add such a deliberate, statement-y (and comfortable!) effect to this easy crochet sweater pattern.

The Yarn

To make a sweater that felt easy and breezy enough to wear in the spring and summer, I knew that some chain space windows would not be enough. The yarn needed to feel lightweight and the color needed to make you want to get outside and celebrate life.

Lion Brand Vanna’s Style turned out to be the PERFECT choice! It’s a lightweight category 3 yarn that is easily washable and the stitch definition is beautiful. If you’ve ever used Lion Brand Woolspun, you can expect Vanna’s Style to have a similar multi-ply look, but just without the wool.

And this color! It’s even more stunning in person. I’d describe it as a gentle pink-ish red. I’m not always into super bright colors, and this beautiful shade is just desaturated enough to be eye catching, while still retaining a bit of sophistication. I just adore it!

And now you can grab a kit with all the yarn you’ll need plus a printed copy of the pattern from LionBrand.com. This affordable yarn is so lovely and not readily available in stores, so snag you kit here or choose from any of the 18 gorgeous colors sold individually here! (The kit is 20% off through Sunday May 6, 2018!)

Crocheters of All Levels Can Make This Hexagon Sweater

In addition to making this cardigan construction as easy as possible, I wanted to add a few bonuses to the ad-free, printable PDF that will be an extra help to more beginner-level crocheters and anyone who learns visually.

The PDF contains the entire pattern, plus all the tutorial pictures, but I’ve also included a stitch chart for the hexagon as well as a schematic that lists all the measurements you can expect in each pattern size. I find stitch charts to be by far the easiest way to learn and in the case of this hexagon, I think it’s particularly helpful. You can grab the pattern PDF for $2.99 here.

I’ve also been thinking that this cardigan could be a great candidate for a video tutorial. If that’s something you’d be interested in, please let me know in the comments below. Thanks! UPDATE: Thanks for your positive response! You can find the full step-by-step video tutorial here!

When you’re ready, you can find Part 2 of the Day Date Hexagon Cardigan here. (Or if you like everything in one tidy place, purchase the complete pattern and tutorial in the ad-free, printable PDF here.)

The Day Date Hexagon Cardigan
Free, Easy Crochet Sweater Pattern – Part 1

Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF with stitch chart and schematic here.

Save this to your Ravelry favorites and queue here.

Pin it for later here.

Watch the video tutorial here.

Explanation:
This oversized, lightweight cardigan comes together almost like a magic trick. Two simple hexagons transform into an on-trend sweater complete with cozy pockets and roomy bishop sleeves. Because it’s built from two large hexagons, you can try on the sweater as you work, plus avoid most of the shaping and seaming that comes typical sweaters. This pattern is perfect for less experienced crocheters looking to make a super wearable first garment or more advanced crocheters who want an easy, satisfying project that’s different from the same old cardigan pattern.

Skills required include double crochet, working in the round, double crochet decreases and seaming (tutorial photos included in the pattern below).

Supplies:
This pattern contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
• Lion Brand Vanna’s Style (Grab your kit here!)
(Weight: 3/light –  254 yds, 3.5 oz)
– Tomato (#867-143) – 6 (7, 7, 8, 8)) skeins [(approx. 580 (625, 670, 715, 760) g)]
• Tapestry needle
• Size J (6.0 mm) crochet hook
• Stitch markers or safety pins

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

Finished Measurements:
Back Width: 26.25 (28.25, 30.25, 32.25, 34.25)”

The oversized nature of this sweater fits a variety of body types, but to achieve the fit of the sample pictured, choose the size that corresponds with your actual bust measurements below:

Bust Measurement: 30-34 (36-40, 42-46, 48-52, 56-60)”

Choose Size: XS/S (M/L, L/XL, 2X/3X, 4X/5X)

See schematic in printable pattern PDF for more detailed pattern measurements.

Sample pictured is a M/L on a 5’9” model with a 36” bust.

Gauge:
16 dc = 4”
9 rows = 4.125”

PLEASE CHECK YOUR GAUGE and adjust your hook size accordingly to ensure your sweater fits!

Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
dc3tog – double crochet three together (see photo below)
PM – place marker
rep – repeat
RS – right side
sl st – slip stitch
sp – space
st(s) – stitch(es)
tch – turning chain
WS – wrong side

Overall Pattern + Sizing Notes:
• Pattern is written in smallest size with larger sizes following in parenthesis.

• Sweater is constructed by creating two hexagons, folding them and then seaming them together at the back and top of arms. Each hexagon begins the same, but then undergoes some adjustments to make two hexagons that mirror each other.

• In order to make the sleeve side of the hexagon (Side 1) more fitted than the other sides, a dc3tog decrease is worked on the even rounds after Round 2. See photo below for details on this stitch.

• Ch 3 at the beginning of a row/round always counts as a dc.

• Ch 4 at the beginning of a row/round always counts as a dc and a ch-1 sp.

MAIN HEXAGONS

Notes:
• If you’re a visual learner, you might find the stitch chart at end of printable pattern PDF very helpful. You can purchase the PDF for $2.99 here.

• Because of the dc3tog decrease on rounds 4, 6, 8, 10, etc, Side 1 will always have fewer total stitches/spaces than the other sides. This is intentional. (See photo above for instructions on dc3tog.)

Make 2.

Foundation: Ch 4, sl st to first ch to join.

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc here and throughout), 2 dc in ring, ch 1, [3 dc in ring, ch 1] 5 times, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (3 dc per side)

Round 2: Ch 3, dc in each dc to ch-1 sp, [(2 dc , ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-1 sp corner, dc in each dc to next ch-1 sp corner] 5 times, (2 dc , ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-1 sp corner, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (7 dc per side)

Round 3: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc and 1 ch-1 sp here and throughout), sk 1 dc, dc in next dc, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc] to corner, * [ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1] in corner sp, dc in next dc, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc] to corner; rep from * 4 more times, [ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1] in corner sp, dc in next dc, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc] to last st, ch 1, sk last st, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (5 ch-1 sp per side)

Round 4: Ch 3, dc3tog over next [ch-1 sp, dc, ch-1 sp], dc in each dc and ch-1 sp to corner, [(2 dc , ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp corner, dc in each dc and ch-1 sp to corner] 5 times, (2 dc , ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp corner, dc in each dc and ch-1 sp to end of round, sl st to 3rd ch from beginning of round to join. (15 dc for sides 2-6, 13 dc for side 1)

All Sizes:
Repeat Rounds 3 and 4 (10) times total to create a total of 22 rounds. Stitch counts should be as follows:

Round 5: Rep Round 3 (9 ch-1 sps for sides 2-6, 8 ch-1 sps for side 1)

Round 6: Rep Round 4 (23 dc for sides 2-6, 19 dc for side 1)

Round 7: Rep Round 3 (13 ch-1 for sides 2-6, 11 ch-1 for side 1)

Round 8: Rep Round 4 (31 dc for sides 2-6, 25 dc for side 1)

Round 9: Rep Round 3 (17 ch-1 sps for sides 2-6, 14 ch-1 for side 1)

Round 10: Rep Round 4 (39 dc for sides 2-6, 31 dc for side 1)

Round 11: Rep Round 3 (21 ch-1 sps for sides 2-6, 17 ch-1 for side 1)

Round 12: Rep Round 4 (47 dc for sides 2-6, 37 dc for side 1)

Round 13: Rep Round 3 (25 ch-1 sps for sides 2-6, 20 ch-1 for side 1)

Round 14: Rep Round 4 (55 dc for sides 2-6, 43 dc for side 1)

Round 15: Rep Round 3 (29 ch-1 sps for sides 2-6, 23 ch-1 for side 1)

Round 16: Rep Round 4 (63 dc for sides 2-6, 49 dc for side 1)

Round 17: Rep Round 3 (33 ch-1 sps for sides 2-6, 26 ch-1 for side 1)

Round 18: Rep Round 4 (71 dc for sides 2-6, 55 dc for side 1)

Round 19: Rep Round 3 (37 ch-1 sps for sides 2-6, 29 ch-1 for side 1)

Round 20: Rep Round 4 (79 dc for sides 2-6, 61 dc for side 1)

Round 21: Rep Round 3 (41 ch-1 sps for sides 2-6, 32 ch-1 for side 1)

Round 22: Rep Round 4 (87 dc for sides 2-6, 67 dc for side 1)

Size XS/S:
Fasten off. Move on to Extensions section.

Sizes (M/L, L/XL, 2X/3X, 4X/5X) only:
Repeat Rounds 3 & 4, (1, 2, 3, 4) more times. After the last round worked, there are 95 (103, 111, 119) dc for sides 2-6, and 73 (79, 85, 91) dc for side 1.

Fasten off. Move on to Extensions section.

HEXAGON EXTENSIONS

Notes:
• Extra length is added to certain hexagon sides to extend the back, bottom and sleeves of the sweater. Right and left sides are worked differently, so please follow separate instructions for both.

• Pattern refers to different sides of the hexagon by number, which is illustrated in the chart on p. 12. Think of these side numbers as fixed to the orientation of looking at the right side of the hexagon. For example, Side 3 is always Side 3, whether you flip the hexagon over or not. Side 3 does not become Side 5, just because the hexagon is flipped to the wrong side. If you’re feeling confused, lay hexagon out with RS facing and safety pin a paper “name tag” to each side so that you can easily identify them when you turn your hexagon over to the WS to begin attach yarn.

• Each extension is worked back and forth in rows.

• When working Row 1, check to make sure ch-1 sps line up with ch-1 spaces from last ch-1 sp row of hexagon.

BACK and BOTTOM EXTENSIONS

Right Half of Sweater:

Notes:
• Back extension is worked along Side 3. Bottom extension is worked along Side 4. See chart above for more details.

With WS facing, attach yarn in ch-2 corner sp at beginning of Side 4. (Lefties: With WS facing, attach yarn in ch-2 corner sp at beginning of Side 3.)

Important: Begin Row 1 with WS facing.

Row 1: Ch 4, dc in first dc of side, ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc] to last dc of side, [ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1] in corner sp; continue onto next side to work: dc in first dc of side, ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc] to last dc of side, ch 1, dc in corner sp; turn. (45 (49, 53, 57, 61 ch-1 sps per side)

Row 2: Ch 3, dc in each dc and ch-1 sp to end of side, [(2 dc , ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp corner, dc in each dc and ch-1 sp to end of second side; turn. (95 (103, 111, 119, 127) dc per side)

Row 3: Ch 4, sk 2 dc, dc in next dc, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc] to last dc of side, [ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1] in corner sp; continue onto next side to work: dc in first dc of side, ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc] to last dc of side; turn.  (49 (53, 57, 61, 65 ch-1 sps per side)

Row 4: Rep Row 2 (103 (111, 119, 127, 135 dc per side)

Fasten off.

Left Half of Sweater:

Notes:
• Back extension is worked along Side 5. Bottom extension is worked along Side 4. See chart at end of pattern for more details.

With WS facing, attach yarn in ch-2 corner sp at beginning of Side 5. (Lefties: With WS facing, attach yarn in ch-2 corner sp at beginning of Side 4.)

Important: Begin Row 1 with WS facing.

Row 1: Ch 4, dc in first dc of side, ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc] to last dc of side, [ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1] in corner sp; continue onto next side to work: dc in first dc of side, ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc] to last dc of side, ch 1, dc in corner sp; turn. (45 (49, 53, 57, 61 ch-1 sps per side)

Row 2: Ch 3, dc in each dc and ch-1 sp to end of side, [(2 dc , ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp corner, dc in each dc and ch-1 sp to end of second side; turn. (95 (103, 111, 119, 127  dc per side)

Row 3: Ch 4, sk 2 dc, dc in next dc, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc] to last dc of side, [ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1] in corner sp; continue onto next side to work: dc in first dc of side, ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc] to last dc of side; turn.  (49 (53, 57, 61, 65 ch-1 sps per side)

Row 4: Rep Row 2 (103 (111, 119, 127, 135dc per side)

Fasten off.

Now head to Part 2 of the Day Date Hexagon Cardigan pattern where we’ll work the sleeve extensions, seam the hexagons and add pockets! Or grab the ad-free, printable PDF that contains the complete pattern for $2.99 here!

You might also enjoy these easy crochet sweater patterns. They’re all FREE!

1. Staycation Cardigan – free oversized crochet cardigan pattern

2. The Habitat Cardigan – beginner crochet sweater made from a rectangle + video tutorial

3. Dwell Sweater – easy chunky crochet cardigan made from a rectangle + video tutorial

4. The Stonewash Shrug – very simple shrug with sleeves made from a crochet rectangle