Hi all!

This post includes everything you need to know about the Maple Grove Cardigan, a size-inclusive crochet pattern for a long and airy, worsted-weight, duster cardigan.

The Maple Grove Cardigan is from my book Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs for Everyday Wear. This book includes 20 size-inclusive sweater patterns using a variety of techniques and construction methods to ensure there is something of value for every skill level. Each pattern is written in 9 sizes from XS to 5XL and each size has been thoroughly tested! We had over 500+ crochet pattern testers for this book to make sure that each size fits its intended wearer in a way that makes them feel beautiful. You can buy this book with confidence, knowing that each pattern was written for you and your unique body measurements.

 

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.
• Use the pattern hashtag #MapleGroveCardigan on Instagram to show off your makes! Be sure to check out the book hashtag, #ModernCrochetSweaters, too!
• Shop Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice here! (Be sure to scroll down to see other great yarn substitutes!)
• Shop my book on Amazon (US) here.
• Shop my book on Amazon (CA) here.
• Shop my book on other platforms outside of North America here.
• Read about my experience getting a book deal here!
• Get a signed copy here!
• For any questions about this pattern, please email knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap!

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

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This post contains affiliate links. This means, should you make a purchase, I will receive a small portion of the sale at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own. View my Privacy + Disclosures Policy here.

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About Maple Grove

Inspired by the cold, winter days that beg you to curl up by the fire, my goal was to create a stylish garment that embodies the warmth and coziness of your favorite blanket or comfy robe. I consider this to be a wardrobe staple for the homebodies; somewhat of an informal, everyday piece.

Utilizing a mix of single crochet stitches and chain spaces, the granite stitch creates an unstructured, airy fabric that flows beautifully as it follows your movement. Landing just below the knee, this duster cardigan lends a sleek, lengthening effect to any outfit. The slim-fitting sleeves combined with a neat-looking collar and hem help balance the relaxed, boxy fit. These finishing details add sophistication while maintaining the dramatic, oversized vibe that we love so much.

Getting Started: Knowing Your Measurements

This book uses the Craft Yarn Council (CYC) 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. 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.

Getting Started: the Maple Grove Cardigan

Yarn: Worsted—Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in Oatmeal

• 92% acrylic, 8% rayon
• 145 yds [133 m] per 3-oz [85-g] skein
• Find this yarn on lionbrand.com or visit yarnsub.com to find comparable substitutes.

Yardage: 10 (11, 13, 14, 15) skeins or

1350 (1550, 1775, 2025, 2175) yds

[1234 (1417, 1623, 1852, 1989) m]

Note that different colorways of Vanna’s Choice have varying yardage. Make sure to check the yardage listed on the label of your desired colorway to ensure you have enough yarn before beginning.

Substitute Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice with any medium-weight, category #4 yarn that matches gauge. Just note that certain fibers (such as cotton) are heavier than the one shown and will stretch more than an acrylic fiber over time. You can compensate for this stretching by working your cardigan slightly shorter than your desired length.

Sizing: This sweater is written in five sizes as follows: XS (S/M, L/XL, 2X/3X, 4X/5X). Make sure to follow the numbers for your size only.

Hooks

• Main gauge hook – Size U.S. K/10½ (6.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
• Hook for border – Size U.S. G/7 (4.5 mm) hook or 2 sizes smaller than main gauge hook

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

Gauge: 4 x 4″ [10 x 10 cm] = 14 sts and 10.5 rows in Granite Stitch; where each sc counts as a stitch and each ch also counts as a stitch

I wanted to include the gauge swatch instructions below so that you could practice swatching with your chosen yarn to ensure you have a yarn that will work with this pattern ahead of time. This way, you can see if you have something in your stash that will work before ordering new yarn.

For swatch:

Using U.S. K/10½ (6.5 mm) crochet hook, or main gauge (larger) hook

Ch 19.

Row 1: Sc in 3rd ch from hook (note: skipped chs create 1 ch-sp), *ch 1, sk next ch, sc in next ch; rep from * to end of row, turn.
[10 sc; 9 ch-sp]

Note: Final sc of each row is placed into ch-sp created from tch of previous row.

Row 2: Ch 2, sc in first ch-sp, *ch 1, sk next sc, sc in next ch-sp; rep from * to end of row, turn. [10 sc; 9 ch-sp]

Rep Row 2 until you have at least 13 rows worked.

Block your swatch. Measure the inner 4″ [10 cm] of your blocked swatch to get the most accurate measurement.

If you are having trouble achieving both stitch gauge and row gauge, choose the hook size that gives you the closest stitch gauge. You can compensate for any variation in row-gauge simply by working additional or fewer rows until reaching your desired measurements.

 

Customization Ideas + Tips When Crocheting This Cardigan

Tips

• Multiple Names: If you Google anything about this stitch, just note that the granite stitch has many common names; it is often referred to as the linen stitch, seed stitch, mesh stitch, or moss stitch, to name a few.
• Turning Chain: The turning chain (ch-2) counts as 1 single crochet and 1 chain throughout the entire pattern and is included in the final stitch counts of each row and at each stitch count checkpoint.
• Seaming: When seaming your garment, make sure to keep all seams loose and do not pull tight in order to maintain some stretch, otherwise this seam will pucker during wear.
• Reversible: There is no right side or wrong side; both sides are identical. You choose which side to wear as the “right side.”
• Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each row. If no stitch count is given, there has been no change since the previous row. If only one number is provided, it applies to all sizes.
• Sizing: This sweater is written in five sizes as follows: XS (S/M, L/XL, 2X/3X, 4X/5X). Make sure to follow the numbers for your size only.
• Construction: This long cardigan is worked in granite stitch and features fold-over sleeve cuffs and optional after-thought pockets. The entire design is worked flat in one piece, then folded in half and seamed together at the end. A simple border is worked along the collar and bottom hem to clean up the edges, and optional pockets are sewn on last.

Customization Ideas

There are customization tips sprinkled throughout the pattern. I’ll include some of them here as well as some other ways you can make this design your own!

• Colour-blocking: Try working one colour for the bottom half, and a different colour for the top half. (See tester Emma’s photo below for an example of a two-tone design.) To correctly match up your panels (since it’s all worked in one large piece), start out with your bottom colour. Then, when you’re satisfied with the length of this colour, switch to your new colour. To seamlessly switch colours, finish your very last stitch of the row with your old colour, but stop before working your very final yarn-over. Work this yarn-over in the new colour. Pull taught, and continue working with the new colour. Then, once you work your way to the front panel, place a stitch marker into the edge stitch of the last back panel row before you split for the front; this will mark the center shoulder (and sleeve) placement. You can refer to this marker to help determine the appropriate time to switch to your bottom colour! You can also count how many rows on the back panel you have worked before splitting for the front up to your marker, and ensure you work an identical number on the front panel before switching back to your bottom colour.
• Adjusting Length: This cardigan can be worked to any length. To adjust the length, simply work your back panel until it measures approximately 2.25″ [6 cm] shorter than your desired length, then proceed to the First Front Panel.
• Follow Any Sleeve Size: If you think the sleeve measurements of a different size would better suit your arm measurements, you can follow the instructions for any sleeve size; you don’t necessarily have to stick with the same size you have been working up to this point if you think another size will give you a better fit. Many testers wanted looser sleeves and chose to follow the instructions for two sizes larger than the size they were following up to this point.
• Adjusting Sleeve Tightness + Length: For tighter (or looser) sleeves, work additional (or fewer) decrease rows than instructed for your size. For longer (or shorter) sleeve, work additional (fewer) non-decrease rounds wherever you see fit. Make note of any modifications so that you can create a second identical sleeve.
• Adding Optional Pockets: Instructions are included within the book (and the individual Maple Grove pattern) for adding a pocket. Just make sure to attach the pocket higher than you think it should be to compensate for the growth (stretching) that is likely to occur in your cardigan.
• For a tighter bottom hem (to prevent flaring): When crocheting the bottom hem, skip every 10th to 15th stitch when working Row 1. This will prevent the bottom of your cardigan from flaring if your gauge changes from the main granite stitch pattern to the single crochet border.

Yarn Substitutions

The yarn used in my sample (Lion Brand – Vanna’s Choice) is an inexpensive, 100% acrylic yarn, however you are free to use any fiber content that you like for your own cardigan! The only factor to consider when choosing your yarn is how much your finished piece will stretch over time due to the length of this design. Combined with this airy stitch pattern, heavy yarns like cotton will stretch out more over time and your length will grow considerably after multiple washes and wears (but it doesn’t mean you can’t use it!) so be sure to keep that in mind when choosing your fiber. You can easily compensate for this stretching by working your cardigan slightly shorter than your desired length. The lighter the yarn, the less unwanted growth you will experience. Listed below you will see a variety of yarns that will work just fine in place of Vanna’s Choice, so long as you match gauge!

• Note: If choosing Vanna’s Choice, note that different colorways of Vanna’s Choice have varying yardage. Make sure to check the yardage listed on the label of your desired colorway to ensure you have enough yarn before beginning.d

Since Vanna’s Choice is not easily accessible in every country, visit www.yarnsub.com and type “Vanna’s Choice” into the search box to find a suitable alternative. You will find hundreds of yarns with similar properties and you are bound to find a brand that is accessible to you. The YarnSub website is an incredible resource that I use regularly.

The following yarns can be used in this pattern and will produce a lovely finished cardigan:

Lion Brand Yarns:

• Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling
• Basic Stitch Premium
• Chainette (this would work really well since it’s so light and airy)
• Heartland
• Jeans
• Touch of Alpaca
• Vanna’s Choice
• Wool-Ease

Knit Picks/WeCrochet Yarns:

• Brava Worsted
• Chroma Worsted
• City Tweed
• Comfy Color Mist (cotton)
• Comfy Worsted (cotton)
• Muse Hand Painted
• Preciosa Tonal
• Shine Worsted
• Snuggle Puff
• Swish Worsted
• Wonderfluff (this would work really well since it’s so light and airy)
• Wonderfluff Ombré (this would work really well since it’s so light and airy)
• Woodland Tweed
• Wool of the Andes Superwash 
• Wool of the Andes Tweed
• Wool of the Andes Worsted

LoveCrafts Yarns (UK based; ships worldwide)

• Berroco Vintage (55 colorways)
• Caron One Pound
• Cascade 220 Superwash Aran (25 colorways)
• Cascade Pacific Worsted
• Malabrigo Worsted (59 colorways)
• Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted (62 colorways)
• Red Heart Soft (25 colorways)
• Red Heart With Love
• plus so many more here!

Other Sources:

• Yarn Bee Warm & Cozy
• Yarn Bee Breathe Deep
• Craft Smart Value
• Loops & Threads Impeccable
• Drops Paris
• Hobbii Divina (this would work really well since it’s so light and airy)

 

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Pattern Tester Photos

There were 500+ pattern testers for this book because I wanted 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.

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#ModernCrochetSweaters

#MapleGroveCardigan

 

Thanks so much for reading!

You can find my full print book, Modern Crochet Sweaters: 20 Chic Designs For Everyday Wear on the shelves of all major retailers or see purchasing options here!

To shop this Maple Grove Cardigan crochet pattern, find it on Ravelry, Etsy, or my website!

Shop Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice yarn here.

x

Janine

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