Smokey Quartz Cardigan – Crochet Pattern (from my book: Summer Crochet)

Hi friends!

This post includes everything you need to know about the Smokey Quartz Cardigan, a short sleeved cardigan using a modern lace pattern resembling stacked ovals!

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 #SmokeyQuartzCardigan on Instagram to show off your makes! Be sure to check out the book hashtag, #SummerCrochetBook, too!
Shop WeCrochet Gloss Fingering 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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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.

About

Inspiration for this design struck while walking through the sandy beach at my family’s cabin. The stacked ovals in this lace pattern resemble glossy pebbles and naturally polished stones often found washed up on the shore. Make a long version to wear as a beach cover-up or simply wear as a cardigan over your favorite summer outfit.

This type of modern lacework provides more coverage than most of the other patterns in the book (see book links on next page), exemplifying how crochet lace embodies so much more than mesh and doilies.

Materials

Yarn: Fingering—WeCrochet Gloss Fingering in colorway “Smokey Quartz”

70% Merino wool, 30% silk
220 yds (201 m) per 1.8 oz (50 g) hank
Find this yarn on crochet.com or yarnsub.com to find comparable substitutes available in your region.

Yardage Required: 7 (8, 9, 10, 12) (13, 15, 16, 17) hanks or approximately 1450 (1650, 1925, 2175, 2450) (2775, 3075, 3400, 3725) yds (1326 [1509, 1760, 1989, 2240] [2537, 2812, 3109, 3406] m)

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

Hooks:

Main Gauge Hook — Size U.S. E/4 (3.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
Hook for Borders + Hems — Size U.S. D/3 (3 mm) or hook that is 0.5 mm smaller than main gauge hook

Notions: Tapestry needle, 2 interlocking stitch markers, plus several more stitch markers (optional) to help with seaming

Yarn Substitution

WeCrochet Gloss Fingering has the following properties:

70% Merino wool, 30% silk
220 yds (201 m) per 1.8 oz (50 g) hank

Substitute WeCrochet Gloss Fingering with any similar fingering-weight (category #1) yarn that matches gauge. 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 1450 (1650, 1925, 2175, 2450) (2775, 3075, 3400, 3725) yds (1326 [1509, 1760, 1989, 2240] [2537, 2812, 3109, 3406] m) of your chosen fingering weight yarn.

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

Cascade Yarns 220 Fingering (100% Wool)
Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Fingering (100% Superwash Merino Wool)
Cascade Yarns Heritage Silk (85% Merino Superwash Wool, 15% Mulberry Silk)
Cascade Yarns Heritage (75% Merino Superwash Wool, 25% Nylon)
Hobbii Twister (55% Cotton, 45% Acrylic)
Hobbii Unicorn Solid (75% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon)
K+C Hand-Dyed Merino Wool Blend (75% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon)
Magpie Fibers, Quartet Fingering (100% Superfine Superwash Merino Wool)
Sewrella Classic Sock
Valley Yarns Huntington (75% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon)
WeCrochet Stroll Fingering (75% Fine Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon)
- Stroll Effects (Tonal)
- Stroll Tweed
Note: Most hand-dyed fingering weight yarns from your favorite small indie-dyers will work well in this project, too!

Gauge

Use Main Gauge Hook.

Stitch Gauge: 4 full ovals (20 sts) = 3.5” (9 cm)

Row Gauge: 3.5 ovals (10.5 rows) = 4” (10 cm)

For Swatch

Ch 31.

Set-Up Row: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. [30 sc]

Work Rows 1–4 from Back Panel—Oval Section.

Rep Rows 2–4 (finishing with a Row 3 rep) until you have completed a total of 6 ovals (18 rows).

Block your swatch the same way you would your finished piece. Measure the inner stitches of your blocked swatch (not the edge stitches) to get the most accurate measurement. Measuring across four full ovals (20 stitches) should equal approximately 3.5 inches (9 cm) in width, and measuring three-and-a-half ovals tall (10.5 rows) should equal approximately 4 inches (10 cm) in height, in order to achieve the finished measurements listed in the sizing chart.

Sizing + Measurements

This chart shows finished garment measurements. This cardigan is designed to be worn with approximately 11 to 14 inches (28–36 cm) of positive ease. Find the finished bust measurement in this chart that measures approximately 11 to 14 inches (28–36 cm) larger than your fullest bust and make that size.

For reference, the model is 5 feet, 4 inches (163 cm) tall with a 34-inch (86-cm) bust and 38-inch (97-cm) hips, wearing a size small with a finished garment bust measurement of 45.5 inches (116 cm) worn with 11.5 inches (29 cm) of positive ease.

Terms + Abbreviations Used

BOR: beginning of round
beg: beginning
ch(s): chain(s)
ch-sp: chain space
dc: double crochet (tr in U.K. terms)
PM: place marker
rep: repeat
rnd(s): round(s)
sc: single crochet (dc in U.K. terms)
sk: skip
sl st: slip stitch
st(s): stitch(es)

Special Stitches:

Shell: (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in designated stitch
Spike: Insert hook in space 2 rows below between 2 designated Shells, work 1 sc loosely. At the beginnings and ends of rows, the Spike is worked between a 2-dc group and a Shell.

Pattern Notes

Skill Level: Intermediate

Sizing: This cardigan is written in nine sizes as follows: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). Make sure to follow the numbers for your size only. An “x” indicates the instruction is not applicable to your size.

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. If only one number is provided, it applies to all sizes.

Reversible: There is no right side or wrong side to this fabric; both sides are identical. You choose which side to wear as the “right side.”

Turning Chain: The turning chain does not count as a stitch.

Construction: The entire body of this cardigan 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 in joined rounds. A simple border is worked along the collar to match the bottom hem.

More Content: For more information and tester photos, visit knitsnknots.ca/smokey-quartz-cardigan.

This image shows a work in progress of the body of the cardigan before sleeves are added.

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!