Crochet Patchwork Cardigan Free Pattern + Tutorial

Patchwork in Pop Culture

All things quilted are having a real moment. Have you seen Harry Styles' infamous cardigan!? Wow!

Let's apply the popular patchwork aesthetic to our favorite medium--crochet patterns! This set of patchwork sweater patterns translates the nostalgic charm of quilting into modern, wearable crochet garments.

Keep reading for more yarn, patchwork pattern and tutorial details.

Jump to:

• Patchwork in Pop Culture
• Crochet Patchwork Cardigan Free Pattern
• Two Sweater Options
• The Original Pattern Option
• The Lite Pattern Option
• Patchwork Cardigan Pattern Video Overview
• How to Print the Pattern
• How to Use the Free Pattern
• Best Yarn for a Patchwork Sweater
• ORIGINAL Pattern - Yarn + Hook Requirements
• LITE Pattern - Yarn + Hook Requirements
• Tips for Choosing Colors
• Seaming Your Sweater
• Get Started On Your Patchwork Cardigan
• Invitation to our Facebook group
• Find Your Next Sweater Project
• More Free Patterns + Tutorials
• Invitation to our Facebook group

Crochet Patchwork Cardigan Free Pattern

Two Sweater 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 Original Pattern Option

• A true patchwork sweater 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 stash 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 Lite Pattern Option

• A more subtle approach to a patchwork crochet cardigan. The ombre yarn creates 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 between "patches." Patchwork 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 cardigan 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 and instructions do though!)

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

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 →

Patchwork Cardigan Pattern 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.)

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 patchwork sweater patterns, you'll enjoy them right here on MakeAndDoCrew.com.

Here's how the free patterns + video tutorial are divided up:
• 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).

Best Yarn for a Patchwork Sweater

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.

Main Sweater Body 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.

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.

Crochet Kit

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.)

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

* 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]

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”	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

Tips for Choosing 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

Seaming Your Sweater

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.

How to Reduce the Sewing

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.

Get Started On Your Patchwork Cardigan

I’m so excited to have you joining us on this low-key pursuit of #crochetastherapy. Here’s what you can do right now:

1. Purchase one of the ad-free PDFs HERE or jump to the free pattern links.
2. Join our Crochet Crew Facebook group HERE for help and camaraderie.
3. Use the hashtag #patchworkpartycardi when you share your progress on Instagram so that we can all admire it too. (Not following along with M&DC on Instagram yet? You can do so right here!)

Find Your Next Sweater Project

• Mandala Cardigan with Hood - crochet your own rainbow
• Poncho With Pockets - slim cut + kangaroo pocket
• The Dwell Sweater - with plus sizes + video tutorials
• Beginner Cardigan - made from rectangles
• Pullover Yoke Sweater - nearly seamless
• Long Boho Cardigan Pattern - with fringe!
• Summer Crochet Cardigan Pattern - short sleeved topper
• Lightweight Cardigan - made from hexagons