Crochet Patterns / March 31, 2022

Cloverwood Cardigan – Crochet Pattern for Relaxed Linen Stitch Cardigan with Pockets and Ribbed Collar [Size Inclusive from XS-5X]

Hi all!

This post includes everything you need to know about the Cloverwood Cardigan, a size-inclusive crochet pattern for a classic drop-shoulder cardigan worked up in the linen stitch with pockets and a statement ribbed collar.

Before we begin, here are some quick links for you:

Find the PDF version on Ravelry here, on Etsy here, and on my website here.
Add your finished project and view other completed projects on Ravelry here.
Shop the recommended yarn, Lion Brand Chainette, here!
- Get the full Lion Brand Crochet Kit here!
For any questions about this pattern, please email knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap!

Shop my new book – Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear – here!

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About

Cloverwood is a classic cardigan design featuring afterthought pockets, a ribbed, fold-over collar and relaxed sleeves that cinch tight at the sleeve cuffs. Crocheted in the beginner-friendly linen stitch, this cardigan works up quickly while only needing to reference the pattern a couple of times – perfect for distracted crocheting!

Most of the ribbing details are worked in a smaller hook to improve the silhouette and help create a more dramatic wide sleeve that quickly pulls in at the wrist. You can work your cardigan to any length and adjust most of the details within the pattern to suit your personal taste. The lightweight yarn is key in helping create a cardigan that won’t stretch out too much over time and helps to keep its original shape.

Shop the full Lion Brand kit here!

Getting Started: Knowing Your Measurements

This pattern is graded using the Craft Yarn Council (CYC) standards to determine sizing. The CYC is the industry standard when it comes to knit and crochet sizing. While you will be able to produce a beautiful sweater by following the written patterns, I also like to include customization tips throughout each pattern so that you can adjust based on your unique body measurements; for example, shortening or lengthening a sleeve, or adjusting for a larger upper arm than written for your size. This way, you can modify the pattern with confidence, if needed. For example, when making garments for myself, I usually need to shorten tops or sweaters because I have a short torso. My hips also fall under a different size than my bust. Not everyone fits perfectly into these sizing standards; they are simply averages, not set-in-stone numbers.

Understanding how your body deviates from the CYC standard measurements gives you the ability to tailor a sweater to perfectly fit you, rather than feel disappointed that your body doesn’t fit into the sizing standards. I recommend that you measure the largest part of your bust and then refer to the CYC website (click here) to find out which size you would fall under. Then, look at the other measurements that are included for your size, and see which of these measurements deviate from your actual body measurements. Knowledge is power, and once you understand how your body deviates from the CYC standards, you will be able to anticipate this deviation and assume it translates through most patterns. For example, if your upper arm circumference is slightly larger than the CYC sizing chart reads, then you can expect you may have to ignore a few decrease rows when working the sleeves of your next sweater, or even follow the sleeve instructions for the next size up, if possible.

Cloverwood Cardigan: Sizing Information

This screenshot is straight from the pattern PDF.

Materials

Yarn: Worsted/Aran—Lion Brand LB Collection Chainette in Terracotta (the beige sample shown is worked up in Taupe)

70% baby alpaca, 18% virgin wool, 12% polyamide
115 yds (155 m) per 1.75 oz (50 g) skein
Find this yarn on lionbrand.com or visit yarnsub.com to find comparable substitutes.
Shop the full Lion Brand kit here!

Yardage: 14 (15, 16, 17, 17) (19, 20, 21, 22) balls of LB Collection Chainette, or

1550 (1600, 1725, 1850, 1950) (2075, 2200, 2325, 2500) yds
1418 (1464, 1578, 1692, 1784) (1898, 2012, 2126, 2286) m

Substitute Lion Brand Chainette with any similar category 4 (worsted) medium weight yarn that matches gauge.

Hooks

Main Gauge Hook: Size U.S. 7 (4.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
Cuff/Hem Ribbing Hook: Size U.S. F/5 (3.75 mm) or size that is 0.5-0.75 mm smaller than Main Gauge Hook

Notions: Tapestry needle, several locking stitch markers to help with seaming

Gauge

4 x 4″ (10 x 10 cm) = 17 sts and 15 rows in linen stitch using main gauge (larger) hook, where each sc counts as a stitch and each chain counts as a stitch, blocked. (See swatch instructions below.)

For swatch:

Row 1: FSC 23.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first FSC, *ch 1, sk next FSC, sc in next FSC; rep from * to end of row, turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first sc, sc in next ch-sp, *ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next ch-sp; rep from * until 1 sc remains unworked, sc in last sc, turn.

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next ch-sp; rep from * to last ch-sp, ch 1, sk next sc, sc in last sc, turn.

Rep Rows 3 and 4 until you have at least 20 rows completed.

Block your swatch the same way you would block your finished cardigan. Measure the inner 4″ (10 cm) of your blocked swatch to get the most accurate measurement. Within 4” (10 cm), you should have 17 sts and 15 rows in order to achieve the finished measurements in the chart on Page 5 of the PDF pattern.

Construction

The body of this cardigan is worked side-to-side in 3 pieces: two front panels and one back panel. Once these pieces are assembled, the sleeves are crocheted directly onto the body in joined, turned rounds until reaching your desired length. A collar and optional pockets are added last.

Yarn Substitutions

The yarn used in my sample is a 70% baby alpaca, 18% virgin wool, 12% polyamide blend. Substitute Lion Brand Chainette with any similar worsted weight, category #4 yarn with a similar blown construction. If substituting with another fiber, most fibers should work out fine in this pattern, just note that heavier fibers may weigh it down and cause your cardigan to grow a few inches over time, however this may not be such an issue with a relaxed cardigan like this one. For a finished sweater similar to the one shown, choose an blown yarn with a fiber content similar to Chainette, being mindful of the weight and yardage per skein.

Other yarns very similar to Chainette:

Other Lion Brand yarns that will work well in this pattern:

WeCrochet Yarns that will work well in this pattern:

LoveCrafts Yarns that will work well in this pattern:

Hobbii Yarns that will work well in this pattern:

Hobby Lobby Brands that will work well in this pattern:

Other Yarns:

Valley Yarns Peru
Patons Canadiana
Loops & Threads Impeccable (Michaels Brand)
Big Twist Soft (JoAnn Brand)
Deramores Studio DK
Drops Cotton Merino
Gazzal RocknRoll (DK)
KnitCrate Bloom Audine Wools

Tester Photos

Each size has been tested to ensure all sizes are satisfied with the pattern and fit! Below you can see photos from the testing process to see how the sweater looks on different bodies with different modifications made using a variety of yarns! Thank you so much to all the testers who helped me to make this pattern as clear and easy-to-follow as possible – they all used their own time and resources to knit up a sample sweater for me, and it is much appreciated! xx