Free crochet pattern · beginner wearable

Easy Crochet Cardigan Pattern: Meadow Stripe Raglan for Beginners

Make this easy crochet cardigan pattern with top-down raglan shaping, a simple two-row Meadow Stripe repeat, two adult sizes, patch pockets, and clean contrast edging.

Written by Sophie Lane•Published September 22, 2026•About 18 minutes to read

Easy+U.S. crochet termsTop-down raglan2 adult sizes

Quick answer Jump to pattern

Start here

Start your first wearable with a simple top-down cardigan

This easy crochet cardigan pattern is an open-front wearable built with basic stitches, measured raglan shaping, and straightforward finishing. The Meadow Stripe uses a two-row repeat: a chain-one mesh row followed by a solid single crochet row. As a result, the fabric gains subtle texture without a complicated chart.

The cardigan uses top-down raglan construction. You begin at the neckline, increase at four marked raglan points until the yoke reaches the underarm, and then separate the body from the sleeves. Because the garment grows from the neck downward, you can check the yoke depth before adding the full body length.

The sample pairs a warm sage body with cream edging and pockets. In addition, keep the two colors close in visual softness so the Meadow Stripe remains easy to see. Before you begin, check the care instructions on your yarn label and make the gauge swatch in the same yarn you plan to use for the cardigan.

Easy crochet cardigan in warm sage with cream ribbing, Meadow Stripe texture, open front, and patch pockets on a natural linen background. — As a result, the Meadow Stripe creates subtle vertical lines without the complexity of a multi-row stitch pattern.

Skill levelEasy+ (Adv. beginner)

Single crochet, chain spaces, basic increases, simple seaming.

Yarn800–1200 yd worsted

Cotton-acrylic blend or smooth acrylic; see yarn suggestions.

Hooks5.0 mm + 4.0 mm

Larger for body, smaller for ribbing.

Gauge14 sc × 16 rows = 4 in

In Meadow Stripe with 5.0 mm hook after blocking.

SizesS/M and L/XL

Bust 34–42 in / 86–107 cm finished.

MotifMeadow Stripe

2-row repeat: mesh row + solid sc row.

On this page

Construction map

Build an easy crochet cardigan from the neckline down and check the fit as you go

Top-down yoke

Four marked raglan points guide the yoke shaping. First, follow the written increase row. Then keep measuring the yoke depth until it reaches the underarm.

Separate and work flat

Skip the sleeve stitches, chain across the underarm gap, and continue the body in rows. Afterward, work each sleeve flat and seam the underside.

Meadow Stripe body

After the yoke, switch to the two-row Meadow Stripe repeat for the lower body. As a result, the fabric gains subtle vertical texture without a complicated repeat.

Ribbing and pockets

Single crochet ribbing at the hem, cuffs, and front bands. Two patch pockets sit on the lower front. The neckline edging stays soft and unstructured.

Materials and yarn

Choose yarn for an easy crochet cardigan that holds its shape after wearing

Warm sage and cream worsted-weight cotton-acrylic yarn, 5.0 mm and 4.0 mm crochet hooks, stitch markers, tapestry needle, scissors, and measuring tape on natural linen. — First, use the larger hook for the body fabric. Then switch to the smaller hook for the edging.

Item	Specification	Purpose
Color A (body)	600–900 yd / 549–823 m warm sage worsted	Yoke, body, and sleeves.
Color B (accent)	200–300 yd / 183–274 m cream worsted	Ribbing, front bands, pockets, collar edge.
Body hook	5.0 mm (US H/8)	Creates the Meadow Stripe fabric at pattern gauge.
Ribbing hook	4.0 mm (US G/6)	Denser, elastic ribbing at openings.
Notions	6 markers, tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure	Raglan markers, seaming, measuring, and finishing.

Three yarn options for this easy crochet cardigan

Lion Brand Pound of Love — a large-format acrylic option that can reduce the number of joins in the body. Calculate Color A and Color B separately from the yardage table, because the sample uses two colors.

Yarnspirations Bernat Premium — a smooth acrylic option with clear stitch definition. Therefore, use the yardage table above to calculate the number of skeins needed for each color.

Lion Brand Coboo — a cotton-blend option for a softer, more fluid fabric. Because fiber content can change drape and gauge, swatch and block before committing to the full garment.

Sizing and gauge

Match the gauge for your easy crochet cardigan, then measure the yoke as you go

Measurement	S/M	L/XL
Bust circumference (finished)	38 in / 96.5 cm	42 in / 107 cm
Yoke depth from neck	Approx. 9 in / 23 cm	Approx. 10 in / 25.5 cm
Body length from underarm	Approx. 15 in / 38 cm	Approx. 16 in / 40.5 cm
Sleeve length from underarm	Approx. 17 in / 43 cm	Approx. 18 in / 45.5 cm
Approx. total length	24 in / 61 cm	26 in / 66 cm

Gauge: 14 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in Meadow Stripe with a 5.0 mm hook after blocking. Count both single crochet stitches and chain-one spaces as pattern stitches. Then, if you have more than 14 stitches in 4 inches, try a larger hook. If you have fewer, try a smaller hook.

Measure before choosing a size: Wrap a tape around the fullest part of your bust, then compare that number with the finished garment measurements in the table. S/M finishes at about 38 inches / 96.5 cm and L/XL at about 42 inches / 107 cm. Your personal ease depends on the difference between your body measurement and the finished cardigan measurement. For general garment measurement conventions, see the Craft Yarn Council body sizing standards.

Meadow Stripe gauge swatch in warm sage worsted yarn measured across four inches, showing the alternating mesh and solid rows. — Therefore, swatch in the Meadow Stripe rather than plain single crochet; the chain-one rows affect the stitch count per inch.

Original motif

The Meadow Stripe: two rows, subtle texture, easy to count

In this easy crochet cardigan, the Meadow Stripe alternates a chain-one mesh row with a solid single crochet row. First, Row 1 creates small vertical openings by working [sc, ch 1, skip 1] across. Next, Row 2 fills every stitch with single crochet. The result is a fabric with faint vertical lines that add drape and visual interest without the counting complexity of shells, clusters, or post stitches.

Because the repeat is only two rows, it is easier to track than a long stitch sequence. On increase rows, work the increases in solid single crochet regardless of which Meadow Stripe row would normally fall, then resume the repeat on the next row. This makes the easy crochet cardigan pattern approachable even for crocheters who have never made a garment before.

Close-up of the Meadow Stripe crochet stitch pattern showing alternating chain-one mesh rows and solid single crochet rows in warm sage yarn. — As a result, the chain-one spaces create subtle vertical texture without turning the fabric into open lacework.

Meadow Stripe repeat (multiple of 2 + 1):

Row 1 (mesh): Sc in first st, [ch 1, skip next st, sc in next st] across. Turn.

Row 2 (solid): Sc in every stitch and chain-space across. Turn.

Repeat Rows 1–2 for the pattern. In addition, count every chain-one space from the previous row as one stitch on the solid row.

Complete free pattern

Easy crochet cardigan pattern: Meadow Stripe written instructions

First, note that instructions are written for S/M with L/XL in parentheses. When only one number is given, it applies to both sizes. The yoke is worked in rows from the neckline down, turning at the end of each row. After the yoke, the body and sleeves are worked separately in rows.

Knitsoul free pattern

Meadow Stripe Raglan Cardigan

Pattern notes

TermsU.S. crochet terms

ConstructionTop-down raglan, worked flat

Abbreviationsch, sc, fsc, hdc, sl st, st, row

Beginning chainDoes not count as a stitch

Neckline foundation

With Color A and 5.0 mm hook, fsc 61 (67). This is Row 1 of the neckline. Place a marker in the first stitch (left front), after stitch 16 (18) (left raglan), after stitch 31 (34) (back panel), and after stitch 46 (50) (right raglan). The right front ends with 15 (17) stitches after the last marker.

Raglan increase Row

Row 2 (RS): Ch 1, sc in each st to first marker, 2 sc in next st, move marker to second sc, sc in each st to next marker, 2 sc in next st, move marker, sc in each st to next marker, 2 sc in next st, move marker, sc in each st to next marker, 2 sc in next st, move marker, sc in each st to end. +4 sts per row.

Yoke body

Row 3 (WS): Ch 1, sc in every stitch across. Turn.

Repeat Rows 2–3 until the yoke measures approximately 9 (10) inches from the neckline foundation to the underarm level, measured along one raglan line. You will have increased approximately 22 (24) times, giving a total of approximately 149 (163) stitches.

Separate body from sleeves

Next RS row: Ch 1, sc across the right front stitches, skip the right sleeve stitches, ch 6 (8) for the right underarm, sc across the back panel stitches, skip the left sleeve stitches, ch 6 (8) for the left underarm, sc across the left front stitches. Turn. Body stitch count: front + back + front + 2 underarm chains.

Lower body — Meadow Stripe

Work even in Meadow Stripe repeat (Rows 1–2 as described in the motif section) for approximately 15 (16) inches from the underarm, or until the body reaches your preferred length from the underarm to the hem. End with a solid sc row. Fasten off Color A.

Sleeves (work each flat)

With Color A and 5.0 mm hook, join yarn at the center of the underarm chains. Work single crochet evenly around the sleeve opening, including the skipped stitches and the chain stitches. Work even in single crochet for approximately 17 (18) inches from underarm, or until the sleeve reaches your preferred length. End with a solid sc row. Fasten off. Repeat for the second sleeve.

Seaming

With right sides together, seam each sleeve underside from cuff to underarm using mattress stitch or whip stitch through the back loops. Seam the underarm gaps at the body side edges. Weave in all ends securely.

Ribbing — hem, cuffs, and front bands

With Color B and 4.0 mm hook, work single crochet ribbing (alternating front-loop and back-loop single crochet) for 6 rows along the bottom hem, 6 rows along each cuff, and 6 rows along each front opening edge. Join with a slip stitch at each corner. Fasten off.

Patch pockets (make 2)

With Color B and 5.0 mm hook, ch 17. Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across — 16 sts. Rows 2–14: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. Work 3 rows of ribbing along the top edge with 4.0 mm hook. First, pin each pocket to the lower front panel, centered and approximately 5 inches above the hem ribbing. Then slip stitch around all three sides to attach.

Collar

With Color B and 4.0 mm hook, work 3 rows of single crochet evenly around the neckline opening, working along both front band tops. Do not tighten the corners. Fasten off. The collar will roll naturally to form a soft, unstructured neckline.

Technique 1

Shape the easy crochet cardigan yoke one increase row at a time

Top-down crochet raglan yoke in warm sage with four stitch markers at the increase lines, growing from the neckline outward. — Place a removable marker in the second stitch of each increase pair so you can always find the raglan line.

Therefore, each increase row adds exactly four stitches — one at each of the four raglan corners. After every increase row, count the total stitches and verify that the total equals the starting count plus four times the number of increase rows completed. If the count is off, find and fix the error before continuing.

Next, try the yoke on after approximately 6 inches of depth. Slip the growing piece over your shoulders and check that the raglan lines sit at the right point on your upper chest and back. If the yoke is too tight, work one or two more increase rows before separating. If it is already too wide, you may need to frog and restart with fewer foundation stitches.

Technique 2

Continue the easy crochet cardigan body in Meadow Stripe

Lower body of the crochet cardigan showing the Meadow Stripe texture in warm sage with the chain-one mesh rows creating subtle vertical lines. — Afterward, begin the Meadow Stripe once the yoke is complete and the body and sleeves are separated.

For this easy crochet cardigan, work the yoke in solid single crochet so the raglan increases stay easy to see and count. After the separation row, transition the body stitches to the Meadow Stripe repeat. Because the repeat is a multiple of 2 + 1, verify that the body stitch count is compatible before starting. If the body has an even number of stitches, add or subtract one stitch at the center back during the first row of the repeat.

On each mesh row, remember that every chain-one space counts as a pattern stitch on the following solid row. However, if you accidentally skip a chain-space on Row 2, your stitch count will drop by one and the fabric will pucker at that point.

Finishing

Finish your easy crochet cardigan so every edge lies cleanly

Crochet cardigan panels pinned to blocking mats, with warm sage body and cream ribbing edges being shaped to finished dimensions. — Before seaming, set the fabric to the finished measurements so the edges are easier to align.

Finish in this order

Block the body and both sleeves to the finished measurements before seaming. In addition, follow the yarn label for fiber-specific care. Wet blocking suits many washable natural fibers, while synthetic yarns should only be steamed cautiously from a safe distance when the label allows it.
Seam the sleeve undersides from cuff to underarm with mattress stitch through the back loops.
Seam the underarm gaps at the body side edges.
Attach all ribbing: hem, cuffs, front bands, collar.
Pin the patch pockets in position and slip stitch around three sides.
Weave every tail through multiple stitches in changing directions.
Finally, try the finished cardigan on. Check the fit at the bust, shoulders, and sleeves before the last blocking adjustment.

Finished easy crochet cardigan in warm sage with cream ribbing worn open over a neutral top, showing drape, patch pockets, and rolled collar. — The finished cardigan should sit comfortably at the shoulders with the front panels meeting or slightly overlapping at the bust.

Troubleshooting

Six mistakes that change the fit of a wearable

Wrong gauge

For this reason, even a one-stitch gauge difference can noticeably change the finished bust. Swatch in the Meadow Stripe, wash, and match exactly.

Skipping an increase

Similarly, each raglan increase row must add exactly four stitches. Count after every increase row and verify the total.

Yoke too deep or shallow

Next, try on the yoke at about 6 inches of depth. The raglan line should sit smoothly over the shoulder point.

Dropped chain-space in Meadow Stripe

If you skip a chain-space on the solid row, the stitch count drops and the fabric puckers. Count at the end of each row.

Tight ribbing

Ribbing worked too tightly will curl and restrict the opening. Use the smaller hook but keep your tension relaxed.

Pockets placed too high or low

Before attaching the pockets, pin them in place and try the cardigan on. Then adjust the vertical position until your hands rest naturally.

Practice tips and variations

Change the styling without changing the construction

One-color version

Work the entire cardigan in sage or another medium-value solid for a cohesive look. The Meadow Stripe texture provides enough visual interest on its own.

No pockets

Instead, skip the patch pockets for a cleaner, more minimal front. The pocket attachment round also works as a decorative contrast border if you prefer.

Longer body

To lengthen the body, add Meadow Stripe rows in pairs. At the stated row gauge, four rows add about one inch.

Three-quarter sleeves

For three-quarter sleeves, stop 3–4 inches above the wrist. Then finish with a wider ribbing band. This is a popular cardigan style for layering.

Try on the yoke early. After about 6 inches of depth, slip the piece over your shoulders. Then check where each raglan line sits. Adjust the increase rate if the fit feels off.
Count the body stitches after separation. Therefore, the total must be compatible with the Meadow Stripe repeat (multiple of 2 + 1).
Block before seaming. As a result, flat pieces are easier to seam when the edges are stable and the stitch texture is settled.
Pin pockets before attaching. Slip stitch around three sides only — leave the top edge open so the pocket functions.
Finish with fiber-appropriate blocking. Follow the yarn label, keep heat away from synthetic fibers, and avoid pressing the crochet fabric flat.

Continue learning

Build on raglan shaping in other wearable projects

Common questions

Easy crochet cardigan FAQ

1. Can a real beginner crochet this cardigan?

Yes, if you are comfortable with single crochet, chains, and counting stitches. The raglan shaping uses only single crochet increases. The Meadow Stripe repeat is a two-row pattern with no post stitches or clusters. Try a smaller raglan project like the crochet headband first if you want to practice working in rows with increases.

2. What does "Easy+" mean?

Easy+ is an advanced-beginner rating in the Craft Yarn Council system. It means the project uses basic stitches but introduces a new construction technique — in this case, top-down raglan shaping and working a garment in pieces. The stitches themselves are simple; the new skill is managing the garment structure.

3. How much yarn do I need?

For this easy crochet cardigan, S/M uses approximately 800–900 yards of Color A and 200–250 yards of Color B. L/XL uses approximately 1000–1200 yards of Color A and 250–300 yards of Color B. Buy one extra skein of each color to avoid running short at the sleeves or pockets.

4. Can I use a different stitch pattern instead of Meadow Stripe?

Yes. Replace the Meadow Stripe rows with any stitch pattern that works flat in rows and has a similar gauge. Single crochet, half double crochet, or a simple granny stripe all work. Swatch first, because changing the stitch pattern changes the row gauge and therefore the body and sleeve length per row.

5. Crochet vs. knitting for a cardigan — which is easier?

Crochet builds a thicker, more structured fabric and uses a single hook, which some beginners find easier to control than two needles. Knitting creates a thinner, drapier fabric with more stretch but requires managing two active needles. For a first garment, crochet is often faster because the stitches are larger and mistakes are easier to see and fix. See our crochet vs. knitting comparison for more details.

6. How do I wash the finished cardigan?

Follow the yarn label. Most acrylic and cotton-acrylic blends are machine washable on gentle with cold water. Lay flat to dry. Avoid hanging, which stretches the shoulders. Store folded on a shelf.

Your first wearable

Finish an easy crochet cardigan you can wear with confidence

This easy crochet cardigan brings several beginner skills into one wearable project: gauge, row counting, raglan shaping, simple seaming, edging, and pockets. Start with an accurate swatch, check the yoke depth before separation, and keep your stitch count consistent. Then finish one section at a time instead of rushing the final details.

Happy crocheting,
— Sophie

Free printable