Patchwork Crochet Cardigan Free Pattern + Tutorial

Whether you love a true patchwork crochet cardigan or prefer a simple project where the yarn does all the work, the Patchwork Party Cardi pattern set has you covered. Choose either version of the premium pattern or scroll down for the free patterns.

This patchwork crochet cardigan pattern set is part of a collaboration with Lion Brand Yarns. This post contains affiliate links.

All things quilted are having a real moment so let's apply the patchwork asthetic to our favorite medium--crochet! The Patchwork Party Cardi pattern set translates the nostalgic charm of quilting into modern, wearable crochet garments.

Keep reading for more yarn, pattern and tutorial details.

Crochet Patchwork Cardigan Free Pattern

If you're already in the know, here are the quick links to the pattern stages:

Free Pattern - Part 1 – ORIGINAL // LITE – Available now!
Free Pattern - Part 2 // ORIGINAL // LITE – Available now!
Free Pattern - Part 3 // ORIGINAL // LITE – Available now!
Free Pattern - Part 4 // ORIGINAL // LITE – Available now!

Complete Pattern + Tutorial // Available now in the premium PDF

Two Pattern Options

If you're down to create a multi-color patchwork masterpiece or instead want a simple project where the yarn does all the work, the Patchwork Party Cardi pattern set has you covered. You can choose either version of the pattern!

Below you'll find more details about each pattern so you can choose which one is right for you.

The Patchwork Party Cardi - Original

A true patchwork look with differentiated squares.

Made in rectangular strips to decrease the need for joining. (Optional: follow the upcoming tutorial to learn how to use a felting pen to greatly reduce the need to weave in ends!)

Lion Brand Scarfie yarn provides plenty of color variety within the skeins to mix and match your ideal color palette. (Also a great opportunity to use up category 5 scrap yarn!)

Includes sizes XS, S/M, L/1X, 2X/3X, 4X/5X to fit busts approximately 28-62".

More seaming required than the LITE version of the pattern.

Easy to lengthen or shorten sweater and add optional buttons to suit your style.

Advanced beginner skills you'll practice: extended half double crochet stitch, creating join-as-you-go ribbing with single crochet, seaming strips together and creating buttonholes (optional).

Detailed written pattern, step-by-step video tutorial and photo tutorial.

Complete printable PDF with full pattern + photo tutorials available in one easy document on Etsy or LoveCrafts.

The Patchwork Party Cardi - LITE

A more subtle approach to patchwork with the ombre yarn creating a painterly checkerboard effect.

Made with rectangles, although it requires fewer total pieces than the ORIGINAL version. This means there is about 60% less seaming involved in the LITE pattern.

Lion Brand Scarfie yarn does all the work of transitioning colors. Sweaters made with the LITE pattern have less color variety because one colorway is used throughout.

Includes sizes XS, S/M, L/1X, 2X/3X, 4X/5X to fit busts approximately 28-62".

Very easy to lengthen or shorten sweater and add optional buttons to suit your style.

Advanced beginner skills you'll practice are the same as the ORIGINAL: extended half double crochet stitch, creating join-as-you-go ribbing with single crochet, seaming strips together and creating buttonholes (optional).

Detailed written pattern and photo tutorial. Since both patterns require the same skills, following along with the ORIGINAL video tutorial will be very helpful, although it doesn't demonstrate how to make this particular LITE version step-by-step. (The photo tutorials do though!)

Complete printable PDF with full pattern + photo tutorials available in one easy document on Etsy or LoveCrafts.

Check Out the Video Overview

See the Patchwork Party Cardi patterns in action in the brief video below. Watch how the pattern comes together as you prepare to crochet your own!

(If you have an ad-blocker running, you'll need to disable it to view the video.)

So What’s a Casual Crochet Along?

Well, it’s whatever we want it to be! Typically a crochet along is a virtual community activity where crocheters all join in on making a certain pattern at the same time (from home).

I’ve decided to call this a “casual crochet along” because many of us have had a long couple of years and feeling any sort of pressure around a crochet pattern would be so silly.

So think of the Patchwork Party Cardi Casual Crochet Along as your chance to join in on a fun, low key sweater-making project. You might possibly use up some stash yarn, you can find some community support and definitely have something positive to count on for the next month.

How This Casual Crochet Along Will Work

HOW TO PRINT THE PATTERN: If you just can't wait to get started on your own patchwork crochet cardigan, you can purchase the ad-free, printable PDF patterns. Each PDF includes the full written pattern and detailed photo tutorials. The PDFs include all four sections of the pattern and tutorials in one large type, easily printable place.

Purchase the printable PDF - ORIGINAL: On Etsy ⇨ On LoveCrafts ⇨

Purchase the printable PDF - LITE: On Etsy ⇨ On LoveCrafts ⇨

HOW TO USE THE FREE PATTERN: If you'd prefer to use the free version of the patterns, you'll enjoy them right here on MakeAndDoCrew.com.

Here's how we'll divide up the free patterns + video tutorial:
• WEEK 1: Crocheting + joining Sweater Back pieces.
• WEEK 2: Crocheting + joining Sweater Front pieces.
• WEEK 3: Crocheting + joining Sleeves.
• WEEK 4: Crocheting join-as-you-go ribbing + adding buttons (if desired).

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What Yarn Do I Need?

Both of these patchwork crochet cardigan patterns employ two different yarns–one for the main sweater body and one for the ribbing–to create a sophisticated, polished crochet quilted look. Read on for the exact amounts of each yarn you'll need.

If you'd rather not go through the hassle of sourcing the yarn yourself, gift yourself an all-in-one Patchwork Party Cardi kit from Lion Brand! You'll receive the digital pattern and all the yarn you need to crochet your own patchwork sweater! (Get the ORIGINAL kit here. Get the LITE kit here.)

Main Sweater Yarn Details:

Both of these crochet patchwork cardigans absolutely shine in Lion Brand Scarfie yarn. As a category 5 wool-acrylic blend, Scarfie works up quickly without being heavy thanks to its billowy halo.

Scarfie is so fun because as you crochet, you’ll see a unique self-striping ombré effect emerge, with gradual shading from one color to the next. Each colorway has a gentle blending of a couple of colors which means you can let the yarn do it's thing to create a painterly patchwork effect as in the Patchwork Party Cardi LITE pattern or deliberately separate the colors as in the ORIGINAL pattern. See all the stunning new colors of Lion Brand Scarfie here.

If you have a lot of category 5 yarn in your stash, you can likely use it to crochet a scrappy patchwork masterpiece. Just be sure to follow the gauge swatch instructions in the pattern and adjust your hook size as necessary.

If Lion Brand Scarfie is not available near you, you can check YarnSub.com for similar suggestions.

Wool-Ease in Linen, Wheat, Antler, Canyon Sunset, Thrush, Umber and Black.

Ribbing Yarn Details:

Each pattern also uses Lion Brand Wool-Ease, a fan-favorite category 4 yarn, to add ribbing around your sweater. By using a solid color, we essentially "frame" the crochet patchwork and allow it to really shine in all it's beautiful, vintage-y glory!

For your ribbing, you'll want to choose a neutral that compliments the colors of the main sweater body. Luckily, Wool-Ease is available in a wide range of really nice neutrals. In addition, the Lion Brand Basic Stitch line of yarn offers even more color variety and is a great ribbing substitute if you don't find what you need in Wool-Ease.

Alright, let's talk about the nitty gritty of the yarn requirements for each version of the pattern. For both the ORIGINAL and the LITE, you can order a kit from Lion Brand with all the yarn you'll need, plus a digital PDF of the pattern!

ORIGINAL Pattern - Yarn + Hook Requirements

Main Crochet Patchwork Sweater Body:
• Lion Brand Scarfie (Weight: 5/bulky - 312 yds, 5.3 oz) - 5 (6, 6, 8, 8) total skeins*
Scarfie Colors Pictured in Sample:
- Seafoam/Clay [826-237]
- Rust/Cameo [826-235]
- Ice/Gold [826-232]
- Mushroom/Blush [826-231]
- Mustard/Ice Pink [826-236]
- Steel Blue/Slate [826-234]

Ribbing:
• Lion Brand Wool-Ease (Weight: 4/medium - 197 yds, 3 oz) - 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) skeins
Color Pictured in Sample: Antler [620-021]

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
• Needle felting tool (optional, but very helpful to avoid weaving in ends)
• (4-5) 1” buttons (optional)

Deliver it! Order a kit with all the yarn you'll need ⇨

Size	Fits Actual Bust	Sweater Length	# of Skeins of Scarfie for Main Body*	# of Skeins of Wool-Ease for Ribbing*
XS	28-30”	22”	5	2
S/M	34-38”	26”	6	2
L/1X	42-46”	32”	6	2
⅔X	50-54”	32”	8	3
⅘X	58-62”	32”	8	3

Sample pictured is a S/M on a model with a 38” bust. For a looser fit, don’t be afraid to size up.

* Yarn amounts listed will result in leftover yarn at the end of the project. This is intentional to allow for flexible color planning. Should you want to purchase only enough yarn to crochet the sweater without manipulating the colors, you’ll need approximately 3 (4, 5, 6, 6) skeins [(approx. 433 (583, 750, 851, 900) g)].

LITE Pattern - Yarn + Hook Requirements

Main Sweater Body:
• 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)]
Color Pictured in Sample: Cream/Silver [826-216]

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

Deliver it! Order a kit with all the yarn you'll need ⇨

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.)

How Do I Choose Colors?

When choosing a variety of colors for your crochet patchwork cardigan, it can be helpful to mentally separate your yarn into “light” and “dark” categories, noting that many colorways of Scarfie include both a light and dark color with a span of midtones mixed in. In the ORIGINAL pattern, generally alternating between squares of lighter and darker colors in a checkerboard pattern will give your sweater a balanced look.

TIP: Not sure if a color is a light or a dark? Snap a photo on your photo of your chosen yarns. Use your phone’s basic editing features to make the photo black and white. This allows you to see the relative value of each color and decide where to place them to create enough contrast

Is There A Lot of Seaming?

There's no reason to hide it. Both the ORIGINAL and LITE crochet patchwork cardigans require some seaming. In my opinion, the seaming is completely worth it to achieve the crochet patchwork aesthetic though!

In the ORIGINAL pattern, seaming is minimized by working in strips instead of individual squares. The strips are then seamed together. I kept track of the total time I spent seaming the sample at it was right about two hours. In the crochet along, the seaming is broken up into smaller sections each week though so you'll never spend more than about a half hour seaming at a time.

If crochet seaming is completely not your jam, you may choose the LITE pattern as it requires about sixty percent less seaming than the ORIGINAL. In both cases, the joining is quite straightforward and the video tutorial covers the easy technique.