Part 2: The Habitat Cardigan – Free Crochet Pattern Featuring Lion Brand Yarn

In Part 2 of the Habitat Cardigan free crochet pattern, we’ll add the ribbed collar and sleeves to complete this very simple flowy sweater featuring Lion Brand Heartland yarn. View Part 1 of the free pattern here or purchase the complete ad-free, printable PDF with Parts 1 & 2 here.

The Habitat Cardigan free crochet pattern is part of an ongoing collaboration with my friends at Lion Brand Yarn. This post contains affiliate links.

It brings me so much joy to see how many of you have already started your Habitat Cardigans since I shared the first half of this free crochet pattern on Monday. You guys are go-getters with some serious cro-jo (crochet mojo 😉 )! If you’re not already part of our little yarn party on Instagram, I’d love for you to follow along and share your stitches by tagging me (@makeanddocrew) and using the hashtag #makeanddocrew.

As I mentioned in Part 1 of the Habitat Cardigan free crochet pattern, this simple, drapey, extremely comfy sweater is nothing more than a simple rectangle with a collar and sleeves–and not complicated, tapered, lots-of-counting sleeves. Just like the rest of the sweater, these extra long sleeves are made from simple rectangles. (And if you’re into the idea of crocheting cool sweaters from simple shapes, you’ll LOVE the free Campfire Cardigan pattern!)

This sweater is perfect for beginners who want to tackle a larger, yet deceptively easy project and feel like a craft rockstar in the process.

The overall effect of this beginner crochet sweater is very flowy, figure-flattering and super soft, thanks to the Lion Brand Heartland yarn. This is the first time I’ve used this yarn and I just loved it! (In fact, I’ve already started another project using it.) Heartland is machine washable and just has a certain floppiness that works beautifully to create the nice soft drape in the Habitat Cardigan.

Stay tuned on January 19th for the complete video tutorial where I’ll walk you through exactly how to make this crochet cardigan step-by-step. In the meantime, you can order your yarn and get started on the main rectangle section of the sweater (included in Part 1 of the pattern). You can check out my video tutorial for the Suzette stitch (aka Grit Stitch) used in the main rectangle to learn the simple concepts needed to make the rectangle.

More Free Beginner-Friendly Crochet Patterns

Looking for some more easy crochet patterns? Here are some great crochet patterns for beginners. You can find all our beginner crochet patterns here.

1. 1 Hour Beanie // 2. Alfresco Top // 3. Solstice Cardigan // 4. Tributary Blanket

The Habitat Cardigan 
Free Crochet Pattern Featuring Lion Brand Yarn
Part 2

Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF of the complete pattern here on LoveCrafts.com or here on Etsy.

Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue here.

Pin it for later here.

Explanation:
Welcome to the world of beautiful, drapey fabric and tush-covering cardigans—made by YOU! No one will guess that this figure-flattering cardigan was made from a simple rectangle. The basic stitch pattern and very easy construction of this sweater make it perfect for beginners who want to make their first wearable garment. Made with extremely soft yarn for a cozy-but-not-too-bulky look, you’ll find yourself reaching for the Habitat Cardigan over and over again.

Supplies:
• Lion Brand Heartland (Weight: 4/medium –  251 yds, 5 oz)
– Grand Canyon (#136-122) – 6 (6, 7, 7, 8) skeins
• Tapestry needle
• Size K (6.6 mm) crochet hook
• Size J (6.0 mm) crochet hook
• Stitch markers or safety pins

Sizes:
The oversized nature of this sweater will accommodate many body types. The sample pictured is a M/L on a 5’9” model with a 36” bust.

Bust Size*:
S/M: 33-36”
M/L: 36-40.5”
L/XL: 40.5”-44.5”
XL/2XL: 44.5”-48.5”
2XL/3XL: 48.5”-51”
* See additional details in Overall Pattern Notes in Part 1 to determine sizing.

Gauge:
10 sts x 10 rows = 4”

Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
tch – turning chain
hdcflo – half double crochet through the front loop only (see photo below for explanation)
st – stitch
sp – space
sk – skip
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
rep – repeat

Overall Pattern + Sizing Notes:
• View Part 1 of the Habitat Cardigan free crochet pattern here.

• A complete video tutorial for this pattern will be available 1/19/2018.

• Pattern is written in size S/M with M/L, L/XL, XL/2XL and 2XL/3XL following in parenthesis. S/M (M/L, L/XL, XL/2XL, 2XL/3XL)

ADDING RIBBED COLLAR

Notes:
• Collar is worked along the edge of the shrug/tush extension back and forth in rows starting at the bottom front corner of the sweater, working around the back of the neck and returning to the bottom front corner on the other side. (See first photo above.)

• When working Row 1, be more concerned with evenly spacing the hdc stitches so that the resulting collar looks smooth rather than the total stitch count. (See second photo above.)

• Ch 2 at the beginning of each row does not count as a hdc.

Use larger hook. With RS of fabric facing you, continue using yarn strand from tush extension.

Row 1: Ch 2, work hdc stitches evenly from bottom collar corner to opposite corner. To to this: hdc in each row of the tush extension, then hdc in each st along collar edge and again hdc in each row of the tush extension of the opposite side (be certain to work into final sc of last tush extension row as it can be hard to see); turn.

Row 2: Ch 2, hdcflo in each hdc to end of row; turn. (See photo below.)

Rep Row 2   22 (24, 24, 26, 26) more times to create a total of 12 (13, 13, 14, 14) visible ribbing “bumps” or rows of “V’s” running along collar. Fasten off.

SLEEVES

Notes:
• Sleeves are worked flat and then seamed into tubes.

• As in collar, ch 2 at beginning of row does not count as a stitch.

Use smaller hook. Make 2.

Foundation Row: Ch 28 (32, 32, 32, 32).

Row 1: Sk 2 ch, hdc in each ch; turn. 26 (30, 30, 30, 30)

Row 2: Ch 2, hdcflo in each hdc; turn.

Rep Row 2  16 (18, 18, 20, 20) more times to create a total of 9 (10, 10, 11, 11) visible ribbing “bumps” or rows of “V’s” running in sleeve rectangle. Fasten off leaving 24” tail for seaming.

SEAMING SLEEVES

Lay sleeve rectangle with WS facing you (this will become RS of sleeves when sweater is finished) and the foundation ch oriented to the top of the rectangle. Fold sleeve so foundation ch and final row of sleeve are touching.

Use single strand tail from fastening off and a tapestry needle. Seam sleeve by sewing through the two vertical posts of each st in Row 1 and the two back loops of each hdc st of the last row. (See photo below.) The purpose of seaming this way is to best hide the seam within the sleeve ribbing. Do not fasten off yarn. Repeat with second sleeve. Do not turn sleeves inside out.

ATTACHING SLEEVES

Turn main sweater inside out. If you’re confused by what is the RS and WS at any point, look at the place where the hdc collar edge meets the sweater. It should look like a smooth transition on the RS of the sweater and a little rougher on the WS.

Lay sweater and sleeve as pictured in photo above. Pin with stitch markers if desired. With tail left over from seaming sleeve, use the mattress stitch to join sleeve to sweater. Fasten off. Repeat with second sleeve. Turn sweater right side out.

Wrap up in your new Habitat Cardigan and feel the pride that comes creating your own coziness.

More Free Crochet Sweater Patterns

Now that you’re a crochet sweater-making machine, you might enjoy these other simple free crochet sweater patterns from Make & Do Crew:

1. Brunch Cardigan – This incredibly comfortable crochet cardigan sweater is simpler than it looks. Made from two basic hexagons, you’ll love watching your new favorite cardigan take shape!

2. Haven Bobble Cardigan – With a super easy construction based on a rectangle, this free crochet sweater pattern is playful, fast and perfect for beginner to advanced crocheters. 

3. Dwell Sweater – Creatively constructed from a simple rectangle, this flattering chunky crochet sweater comes together easily with zero shaping, increasing or decreasing.

4. Alpine Poncho – This stylish crochet poncho with sleeves is very easy because it’s made from five simple rectangles.