Saltwater Cardigan – Crochet Pattern (from my book: Summer Crochet)

Hi friends!

This post includes everything you need to know about the Saltwater Cardigan, an oversized cardigan that doubles as a swimsuit cover up with a striking lace pattern to give that effortless coastal aesthetic!

This pattern is available as an independent PDF (Ravelry, Etsy, and other links included below) and is an original design from my new book Summer Crochet: 19 Delicate Designs with Simple Lace and Timeless Silhouettes, released in spring 2025. This book includes 19 size-inclusive, warm-weather garment and accessory patterns using a variety of techniques and construction methods to ensure there is something of value for every skill level. Each garment pattern is written with an inclusive size range from XS to 5XL and each size has been thoroughly tested, thoroughly tech edited, and fully charted! We had hundreds of 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.

Some Quick Links Before You Begin:

Find the PDF version on Ravelry, Etsy, and my website.
Add your finished project and view other completed projects on Ravelry here!
Use the pattern hashtag #SaltwaterCardigan on Instagram to show off your makes! Be sure to check out the book hashtag, #SummerCrochetBook, too!
Shop WeCrochet Lindy Chain here!
- Be sure to scroll down to see other great yarn substitutes and yarns used during testing!
For any questions about this pattern, please email knitsnknotswpg@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap!

Where Can I Find the Physical Book?

(Both physical and e-book versions are available!)

Shop Summer Crochet on Amazon (US) here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Barnes And Noble here.
Shop Summer Crochet at Chapters (CA) here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Amazon (CA) here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Amazon (UK) here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Indie Bound here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Blackwell’s here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Books-A-Million here.
Shop Summer Crochet on Books Inc. here.
Shop even more platforms here.

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

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About

The striking lace pattern on the Saltwater Cardigan creates a unique netlike mesh fabric, designed to be worn over a swimsuit while walking along the shoreline or lounging by the pool for that effortless coastal aesthetic. The perfect addition to your tropical vacation ensemble. Pairs well with a piña colada.

Materials

Yarn: Fingering—WeCrochet® Lindy Chain™ in colorway “Celery”

70% linen, 30% Pima cotton
180 yds (165 m) per 1.8 oz (50 g) ball
Find this yarn on crochet.com or yarnsub.com to find comparable substitutes available in your region.

Yardage Required: 9 (10, 11, 12, 13) balls or approximately 1600 (1800, 1925, 2125, 2325) yds [1463 (1646, 1760, 1943, 2126) m]

Yarn Tip: Since there is a lot of fabric to this oversized cover-up, choose a fiber content that will not stretch too much with wear. If your cover-up is too heavy, your stitches will stretch substantially, especially if you plan on wearing it near the water or getting it wet. Avoid 100% bamboo yarns, as these will be too slippery; a little grip is needed to avoid excessive stretching. Linen is a great option for this design because it is lightweight, durable and does not stretch like most other fibers. Note that linen yarn usually feels scratchy at first but will soften with each wash.

Yarn Substitution: Scroll down for an extensive list of yarn substitutes and yarns used during pattern testing.

Hook: Size U.S. E/4 (3.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions: Tapestry needle, 4 locking stitch markers, plus several more stitch markers (optional) to help with seaming

Yarn Substitution

WeCrochet Lindy Chain has the following properties:

70% linen, 30% Pima cotton
180 yds (165 m) per 1.8 oz (50 g) ball

Substitute WeCrochet Lindy Chain with any similar fingering-weight (category #1) yarn that matches gauge, preferably with some linen content, or any other lightweight fiber. Note that fingering weight is often referred to as “4-ply” in the U.K. and Australia.

Appropriate Yarn Substitutes:

This list below includes some yarns I added myself in addition to the yarns used and recommended by testers.

As a reminder, you will need approximately 1600 (1800, 1925, 2125, 2325) yds [1463 (1646, 1760, 1943, 2126) m] of your chosen fingering weight yarn.

The following fingering weight yarns should work well in your project!

- Katia Concept Cotton-Cashmere (90% Cotton, 10% Cashmere)
- Drops Safran (100% Cotton)
- Lion Brand Yarn Viscose Wrap Cone Yarn (100% Viscose – comes in large 2000 yd cone)
- Silk City Fiber Perle Cotton 5/2 Cotton Cone Yarn (100% Mercerized Cotton)
- Valley Yarns Huntington (75% Merino Wool, 25% Nylon)
- YarnArt Rosegarden (100% Cotton)

Sizing + Finished Measurements

The following image is a screenshot from the PDF pattern.

Gauge

Note that for this pattern, the stitch gauge is more important than the row gauge, since you can easily work your cover-up to the correct length (or to any desired length). If you are deciding between two different hooks, choose the hook size that will give you the closest stitch gauge.

4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) = 7 pattern repeats across (where each cluster counts as 1 repeat and each V-st counts as 1 repeat), and 9 rows

For Swatch

Ch 33.

Row 1: Work Row 1 of the Back Panel. [5 V-sts, 4 clusters, 1 dc at each end]

Row 2: Work Row 2 of the Back Panel. [4 V-sts, 5 clusters, 1 dc at each end]

Row 3: Work Row 3 of the Back Panel. [5 V-sts, 4 clusters, 1 dc at each end]

Rep Rows 2–3 until you have at least 11 rows worked.

Block your swatch the same way you would your finished piece. Measure the inner 4 inches (10 cm) of your blocked swatch to get the most accurate measurement. Do not use your first or last row in your measurement. Within 4 inches (10 cm), you should have 7 full pattern repeats in width and 9 rows in order to achieve the finished measurements listed in the sizing chart.

Terms + Abbreviations

Written in U.S. Crochet Terms

BOR: beginning of round
ch(s): chain(s)
ch-sp(s): chain space(s)
cluster: this refers to a group of 3 double crochets worked into the same space
dc: double crochet (tr in U.K. terms)
PM: place marker
rep: repeat
rnd(s): round(s)
RS: right side
sc: single crochet (dc in U.K. terms)
sk: skip
sl st: slip stitch
st(s): stitch(es)
tch: turning chain
WS: wrong side

Special Stitches

V-st: V-stitch – work (dc, ch 3, dc) in designated stitch

This is an image showing the whip stitch seam!

Pattern Notes

Skill Level: Intermediate

Sizing: This cover-up 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.

Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each row/round. If no stitch count is given, there has been no change since the previous row/round.

Reversible: There is no right side or wrong side to this fabric; both sides are identical. You will designate a “right side” later in the pattern so that your bottom hem and sleeve finishing rounds have the same sides facing when you work these sections, although either side can be worn as the “right side.”

Turning Chain: The turning chain (ch-3) counts as 1 dc throughout the pattern.

Construction: The entire body of this cover-up is worked flat in one piece, beginning with the bottom hem of the back panel and finishing with the bottom hem of the front panels, creating one large U-shaped body panel. Next, the panel is folded in half, hinging at the shoulders, and partially seamed along the sides while leaving openings for the short sleeves, which are crocheted directly onto these openings. A simple finishing row is worked along the bottom hem and sleeve hems to clean up the raw edges.

Tester Photos: Scroll down to view tester photos.

Pattern Testers

Below is a collection of photos that my pattern testers graciously allowed me to share with you! Below each photo I have linked each person’s social media account as well as listed their particular yarn choice and any notes they left regarding how well they thought it worked in the pattern. Thank you so much to all these lovely testers who helped make this pattern as clear and easy-to-follow as possible!