Part 3: Patchwork Party Cardi – LITE

This week we crochet sleeves and attach them to the main sweater body. Find Part 3 of the free pattern and tutorial below or you can purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here.

The ORIGINAL Version of This Pattern

As a reminder, we’ve got a companion pattern to go alongside the LITE Patchwork Party Cardi. The ORIGINAL pattern uses many of the same skills as this pattern, but in service of a more of a traditional patchwork look. Click the photo below to get the free pattern or pin the pattern for later here.

What To Expect in Part 3

In Part 2, we completed the main body of our sweaters and were able to try on our completed patchwork “vests.” (Yippee!) This week, we’re going to crochet our sleeves in the round and join them to our main sweater body.

When you’re finished with Part 3, you’ll have very close to a complete sweater and a very good idea of what your ombre Patchwork Party Cardi will look like!

New to making cardigans? Don’t miss How to Crochet a Sweater for our best beginner tips

More Free Crochet Sweater Patterns

Crochet sweater patterns don’t need to be difficult. In fact, most of ours are made with very simple shapes. Dive into the wonderful world of crochet garments with cardigans, pullovers, ponchos, shrugs and more!

See more free crochet sweater patterns →

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Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF on Etsy here and on LoveCrafts here.

Save this pattern to your Ravelry here.

Pin this pattern for later here.

Explanation:
Introducing a simpler version of the original Patchwork Party Cardi! This pattern uses the same concepts as the original with fewer total crocheted strips, which means less seaming for you. You’ll lean heavily on the ombre self-striping yarn to create a subtle, painterly patchwork effect. Adjust the length, combine a few colors, add buttons–this is a straightforward pattern you can put your mark on using beginner garment-making skills.

Supplies:
Order an all-in-one kit from Lion Brand here.
 • Lion Brand Scarfie (Weight: 5/bulky – 312 yds, 5.3 oz) – 5 (6, 7, 8, 9) total skeins [(approx. 602 (753, 903, 1068, 1212) g)]
– Cream/Silver [826-216]

For Ribbing:
• Lion Brand Wool-Ease (Weight: 4/medium – 197 yds, 3 oz) – 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) skeins
– Fisherman [620-099]

Additional Materials:
• Tapestry needle
• Size L (8.00 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain main body gauge
• Size J (6.00 mm) crochet hook for ribbing
• Stitch markers or safety pins
• Needle felting tool (optional, but very helpful to avoid weaving in ends)
• (4-5) 1” buttons (optional)

Measurements:

Size	Fits Actual Bust	Sweater Length	of Skeins of Scarfie for Main Body*	of Skeins of Wool-Ease for Ribbing
XS	28-30″	28.5″	5	2
S/M	34-38″	31″	6	2
L/1X	42-46″	32″	7	2
⅔X	50-54″	34.5″	8	3
⅘X	58-62″	36″	9	3

Sample pictured is a L/1X on a model with a 38” bust. (Intentionally sized up for a looser fit.)

Gauge:
12 ehdc x 6.5 rows = 4”

Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):
ch – chain
rep – repeat
RS – right side
sc – single crochet
scblo – single crochet through the back loop only
sk – skip
slst – slip stitch
slstblo – slip stitch through the back loop only
st(s) – stitch(es)
WS – wrong side
yo – yarn over
tch – turning chain
ehdc – extended half double crochet: yo, insert hook, yo, draw loop through, yo, draw through one loop on hook, yo, draw through all three loops on hook
ehdc2tog – extended half double crochet two together: yo, insert hook, yo, draw loop through, yo, draw through one loop on hook, yo, insert hook in next st, yo, draw loop through, yo, draw through one loop on hook, yo, draw through all five loops on hook

Tips for Planning Patchwork Look:
• Reference Part 1 of the free pattern for tips on planning your ombre patchwork effect as you crochet.

How to Minimize Ends to Weave In:
• Reference Part 1 of the video tutorial or free pattern for a recap on how to avoid weaving in ends.

Overall Pattern Notes:
• Pattern is written for smallest size, with stitch counts for larger sizes following in parentheses: XS (S/M, L/1X, ⅔X, ⅘X). It can be helpful to highlight all numbers related to your size before beginning. When only one number is given, it pertains to all sizes.

• Ch 3 counts as 1 ehdc throughout.

Sleeves

Notes:
• Each sleeve begins with a set of rows and then is joined into the round. From then on, the remainder of the sleeve is worked in turned rounds. When beginning each sleeve, keep in mind tips from the “Planning Patchwork” notes above.

• To help with seaming later, leave a 36” tail when beginning slip knot of
foundation chain.

Working in Rows for Armhole Inset:

With larger hook:

Foundation Row: Ch 42 (49, 56, 64, 71).

Row 1 (RS): Ehdc in fourth ch from hook, ehdc each ch to end; turn. (40 (47, 54, 62, 69)
sts)

Row 2 (WS): Ch 3, ehdc in each st to end; turn. (40 (47, 54, 62, 69) sts)

Rep Row 2 3 (4, 4, 5, 5) more to create a total of 5 (6, 6, 7, 7) rows.

At the end of the 5th (6th, 6th, 7th, 7th) row, slst to third ch from beginning of row to join into a circle. The remainder of the sleeve is worked in the round, turning at the end of each round.

Working in the Round:

Round 1: Ch 3, ehdc in each st to end, slst to third ch from beginning of round to join; turn. (40 (47, 54, 62, 69) sts)

Rep Round 1 twice (twice, twice, once, once) more to create a total of 8 (9, 9, 9, 9) rows/rounds.

Regular Decreases:

Round 1 (dec): Ch 3, ehdc in next st, ehdc2tog, ehdc in each st until 4 remain, ehdc2tog, ehdc in last 2 sts, slst to third ch from beginning of round to join; turn. (38 (45, 52, 60, 67) sts)

Rounds 2-4: Ch 3, ehdc in each st to end, slst to third ch from beginning of round to join; turn. (38 (45, 52, 60, 67) sts)

Sizes XS and S/M: Rep Rounds 1-4 four (four, X, X, X) more times.

Sizes L/1X and 2X/3X: Rep Rounds 1-3 X (X, 6, 8, X) times.

Size 4X/5X: Rep Rounds 1 and 2 twelve times.

The sleeve should now have 28 (29, 31, 37, 37) rows/rounds total and last round should contain 30 (37, 38, 42, 43) sts.

Working Even:

• If a longer or shorter sleeve is desired, amend the number of rounds in this section.

Round 1: Ch 3, ehdc in each st to end, slst to third ch from beginning of round to join; turn. (30 (37, 38, 42, 43) sts)

Rep Round 1 five (six, four, one, one) more time(s). The sleeve should now contain 34 (36, 36, 38, 38) rows/rounds total.

More Free Crochet Sweater Patterns You Might Like:

Joining Sleeves to Sweater

Notes:

• All joining can be done with a tapestry needle and leftover yarn tails where possible. Only add a new strand of seaming yarn if no tails are available. 
  
• All sleeve seaming uses the same running stitch joining technique as the Main Sweater Body. (See Part 1 video tutorial for a refresher.)

With RS of sleeve and RS of sweater facing out, pin sleeves in place. Take care to line up all “V” inset of sleeve with bottom of armhole as pictured at end of pattern. 

Turn sweater and sleeve WS out so the right sides of each are touching. First join all main armhole edges to sleeve using a running stitch just as in Back section. Next, join sleeve “V”  indent to bottom of armhole.

Stay Tuned for Part 4 of the Free Pattern

In our final week of the Patchwork Party Cardi pattern, we’ll finish off our cardigans with a nice knit-like ribbing and add customizations like buttons and pockets!

Remember if you just can’t wait to continue with your Patchwork Party Cardi, you can purchase the printable PDF and have full access to the complete pattern. Get the ad-free PDF on Etsy here and LoveCrafts here.

Otherwise, sign up for our emails below and I’ll send you a note when the last section of the free pattern is available.

Find Your Next Sweater Project

• Rectangle Crochet Poncho – made from two simple pieces
• Oversized Cardi – with fur collar
• Sherpa Fleece Sweater Jacket – extremely cozy cardi
• Raglan Baby Sweater – cute for Christmas
• Pullover with Removable Cowl – unique and easy design
• Hooded Sweater Pattern – Self, striping Mandala yarn pattern
• Tapestry Crochet Pattern – classic fisherman’s sweater
• Seamless Cardigan Pattern – doable first sweater for beginners

Ready to Find Your Next Project?

Whether you’re into crochet sweaters, C2C crochet blankets, Tunisian or crocheting your own fedora hat, we’ve got you covered. You can find all our free crochet patterns here.