This stunning oversized cardigan seamlessly transitions from an easy leaves pattern worked until the underarm to an elegant filet crochet pattern. With a flattering v-neckline and charming three-quarter length sleeves, it combines simplicity and sophistication for a fashionable and cozy wardrobe addition.

Time: 2-weeks project

Skill Level: Intermediate

Sizes written as S (M, L, XL, 2X): Finished Bust Size 40 (44, 48, 52, 56)” to fit bust 36 (40, 44, 48, 52)”

4” positive ease recommended.

Shown in size 36”

Gauge: 28 dc and 12 rows = 4” [10 cm] in double crochet after wet blocking

Materials

Yarn: Universal Yarn Uni Merino (75% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon; 437 yards [400 meters] / 3.5 ounces [100 grams]): 144 Taffy (MC 4 (5, 6, 6, 7) balls))

Hook: US size D 3.125mm

Notions: tapestry needle

Special Stitches

Shell: 2 dc in next dc.

Ch 6 at the beginning of the row represents dc, ch 3.

Ch 5 at the beginning of the row represents dc, ch 2.

3-dc cluster: Yo, insert hook into the desired sp, yo, pull up lp, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook, (yo, insert hook into next sp, yo, pull up lp, yo, pull through 2 lps on hook) twice, yo, pull through all 4 lps on hook.

Increasing on both sides for sleeve: At the beginning of row ch 5, dc in same sp then work filet crochet same as the top part of front and back until leaves pattern. After finishing leaves pattern work in filet crochet to last dc, (dc, ch 3, dc in same sp, turn).

Pattern Notes

The body of this cardigan is worked in 3 pieces from bottom up in the leaf pattern. At the underarm the pattern changes to a filet pattern. The V-neck begins at the same time as the armhole. The sleeves are worked in the leaf pattern and increase are done in the filet pattern.

Pattern

Back

Ch 165 (191, 217, 243, 269).

Row 1 (RS) (base Row): Dc in 9^th ch from hk, dc in each of next 8 ch, * ch 3, sk next 3 chs, 3 dc in next ch, sk next 3 chs, ch 3, dc2tog in next 2 ch, dc in each of next 3 ch, dc2tog in next 2 ch, ch 3, sk next 3 chs, dc in each of next 9 chs; rep from *, to last 18 chs, ch 3, sk next 3 chs, 3 dc in next ch, sk next 3 chs, ch 3, dc2tog in next 2 ch, dc in each of next 3 ch, dc2tog in next 2 ch, ch 3, sk next 3 chs, dc in last ch, turn.

Row 2: Ch 6, * dc2tog in next 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc2tog in next 2 dc, ch 3, shell in next dc, dc in next dc, shell in next dc, ch 3, dc2tog in next 2 dc, dc in each of next 5 dc, dc2tog in next 2 dc, ch 3; rep from *, dc in 3^rd ch, turn.

Row 3: Ch 6, * dc2tog in next 2 dc, dc in each of next 3 dc, dc2tog in next 2 dc, ch 3, sk next ch, 3 dc in next ch, ch 3, shell in next dc, dc in each of next 3 dc, shell in next dc, ch 3, 3 dc cluster in next 3 dc, ch 3; rep from *, dc in 3^rd ch, turn.

Row 4: Ch 6, * shell in next dc, dc in each of next 5 dc, shell in next dc, ch 3, shell in next dc, dc in next dc, shell in next dc, ch 3, dc2tog in next 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc2tog in next 2 dc, ch 3; rep from *, dc in 3^rd ch, turn.

Row 5: Ch 6, * 3 dc cluster in next 3 dc, ch 3, shell in next dc, dc in each of next 3 dc, shell in next dc, ch 3, dc in each of next 9 dc, ch 3, rep from *, dc in 3^rd ch, turn.

Row 6: Ch 6, * dc2tog in next 2 dc, dc in each of next 5 dc, dc2tog in next 2 dc, ch 3, shell in next dc, dc in each of next 5 dc, shell in next dc, ch 3; rep from *, dc in 3^rd ch, turn.

Row 7: Ch 6, * dc in each of next 9 dc, ch 3, sk next ch, 3 dc in next ch, ch 3, dc2tog in next 2 dc, dc in each of next 3 dc, dc2tog in next 2 dc, ch 3; rep from *, dc in 3^rd ch, turn.

Rows 8-145: Repeat rows 2-7.

Rows 146-150: Repeat rows 2-6.

Row 151: Ch 5, dc in next dc, * ch 2, sk next dc or ch 3, dc in next dc; rep from * to end, turn. 56 (65, 74, 83, 92) dc.

Armhole shaping:

Row 152: Ch 1, (sl st into each of next 2 ch, sl st into the next dc) 10 (13, 16, 19, 21) times, ch 5, * dc in next dc, ch 2; rep from * to last 10 (13, 16, 19, 21) dc, dc in next dc, turn leave remaining sts unworked. 36 (39, 42, 45, 50) dc.

Rows 153-176 (179, 179, 181, 181): Ch 5, * dc in next dc, ch 2; rep from *, dc in 3^rd ch, turn.

Back neck shaping:

Right shoulder:

Row 177 (180, 180, 182, 182): Work in pattern on next 14 (15, 16, 17, 18) dc, dc in next dc, turn.

Row 178 (181, 181, 183, 183):  Ch 3, work in pattern on next 13 (14, 15, 16, 17) dc. Fasten off.

Left shoulder:

Row 179 (182, 182, 184, 184): Sk next 8 (9, 10, 11, 14) dc, attach yarn to next dc, ch 3, work in pattern in next 14 (15, 16, 17, 18) dc, turn.

Row 180 (183, 183, 185, 185): Work in pattern on next 13 (14, 15, 16, 17) dc, dc in next dc. Fasten off.

Right Front

Ch 87 (100, 113, 126, 139).

Row 1-150: Work same as back.

Row 151: Ch 5, dc in next dc, * ch 2, sk next dc or ch 3, dc in next dc; rep from * to end, turn. 29 (38, 47, 56, 65) dc.

V-neck opening and armhole:

Row 152: Ch 3, sk next 2 ch, * dc in next dc, ch 2; rep from * to last 10 (13, 16, 19, 21) dc, dc in next dc, turn. 19 (25, 31, 37, 44) dc

Row 153: Ch 5, * dc in next dc, ch 2; rep from *, dc in last dc, turn.

Row 154: Ch 3, sk next 2 ch, * dc in next dc, ch 2; rep from * end with dc in 3^rd ch, turn.

Rows 155-177 (181, 181, 184, 184): Work as rows 151-152 until you have 13 (14, 15, 16, 17) dc then work as row 151 till front and back are the same length.  6 (11, 16, 21, 27) decreases for V-neckline. Fasten off.

Left Front

Work same as right front.

Sleeve (Make 2)

Ch 107 (121, 121, 128, 128).

Row 1: Work same as row 1 of back.

Rows 2-25: Work as rows 2-7 of back increasing on both sides every 4 rows 6 times. 12 dc increases made.

Row 26-30: Work as rows 2-6. Fasten off.

Border

Sew shoulder seams. Attach yarn to the edge of right front.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, 3 sc in each ch-sp, or side of dc to back neck, sc in every st on the back neck then work same as right front on the left side to the bottom edge. Work sc in every st at the bottom edge to right front. Sl st into the first ch.

Rnd 2: Work reverse sc in every sc around fasten off.

Sleeve edge:

Row 1: With right side facing, attach yarn to the bottom edge of the sleeve, ch 1, sc in every st across, turn.

Row 2: Reverse sc in every sc across. Fasten off.

Finishing

Sew sleeves in place. Sew side seams and sleeve seams. Weve in all ends. Block cardigan to size.