Crochet Patterns / December 6, 2019

Juniper Cardi – Easy, Oversized Blanket Cardigan with Wide Sleeves

Hi friends!

Today I’m sharing a new pattern with you – the Juniper Cardi! Click here to go straight to the pattern or continue reading for more info and a coupon code!

About

I have been sitting on this pattern for YEARS. I think I made this sample in 2017! At the time, I wasn’t experienced enough to write up the pattern. So here we are, years later, and it’s finally published. (And while I was writing it, I couldn’t believe that I ever had trouble with this because it really is very simple!) I had a photoshoot this summer with my photographer, Stephanie, at a really cute restaurant/petting zoo/wedding venue outside of Winnipeg called Pine Ridge Hollow. I named this sweater the Juniper Cardi after looking at the photos we got – something about it just sounded right to me!

So.. this is probably the most “blanket” a sweater could be.

Wearing this is like wearing a socially-acceptable blanket. This is a great beginner garment project since there is very little shaping – just a couple decreases around the neck – and other than that, you’re just working in simple rectangles. It uses Vanna’s Choice yarn and a 6.5mm hook.

Construction

Let me show you the diagram so you can see exactly how this piece is constructed:

This is what the body looks like. It gets folded along the center line!

We start at the bottom and work our way up in a simple rectangle and then split for the 2 front panels. We work the sleeves separately and attach them at the end as we seam our sweater together. Be sure not to seam the sleeves on too tightly, otherwise they will feel tight as they won’t have as much stretch as the rest of the sweater.

This cardigan uses the extended double crochet stitch. It’s the same as a regular double crochet stitch, but with one extra yo + pull through for a little extra height.

This cardigan is generously oversized and written in 2 sizes. Size 1 is recommended for bust sizes up to 46″ and size 2 is recommended for bust sizes larger than 46″. Size 2 will accommodate up to a 5XL.

Yarn

I used Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice for this sweater in the colour Grey Marble – a really pretty grey tweed yarn. Vanna’s Choice is one of my all-time favourite acrylic yarns, along with Jeans.

You can use any worsted-weight yarn for this sweater.

You’ll need 10-11 skeins of Vanna’s Choice or 1325 (1480) yds of any similar category 4, medium weight (100% acrylic) yarn that matches gauge.

Some yarn substitutions that would work nicely include the Michael’s brand: Loops & Threads Impeccable, Lion Brand Jeans, Basic Stitch, Feels Like Butta, Chainette, Scarfie, or any other medium weight #4 yarn. Just note that the heavier the yarn you choose, the more your sweater will be weighed down and grow over time.