Hello friends!

I am SO excited today, because I can finally share my Classic Coffee Cardigan pattern with you!

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I have been wanting to design a great sweater for a long time, but in all honesty the thought of all of the math involved in writing a garment pattern for multiple sizes intimidated the heck out of me.

However, I said at the beginning of this year that I would be pushing myself out of my creative box, and I was actually amazed at how little frogging I had to do to design my sweater!

I knew I wanted a long cardigan with bell sleeves, and I knew I wanted to use KnitPicks CotLin yarn courtesy of WeCrochet, but beyond that I really had no idea how I would design it. Something amazing happened when I started crocheting- the design just came to me and it was only a few days before I arrived on the famed “Sleeve Island”, where I was marooned for only a day until I decided that my best route would be to start the sleeves at the wrist and join once I reached the armpit and shoulder.

Grab yourself some CotLin yarn using my affiliate link (It won’t cost you any extra, but I might make a few cents!)

I haven’t purchased any new clothes in an embarrassingly long time, and thanks to being a remote worker, I have no need to wear any un-stretchy pants. (I recommend, after discovering that literally none of my jeans fit anymore, that you pop a pair of jeans on at least once a month so you are made aware of any changes to your body’s shape!) So while I had originally thought I was designing a small cardigan, when I asked my daughter to try it on, it looked ridiculously huge on her. That, and the fact that my pants don’t fit led me to realize that I created a medium design sample. So began the task of mathing for the additional sizes, which now apparently required both addition and subtraction skills!

My testers and tech editor did a phenomenal job of catching errors and helping me to publish an error-free pattern! And true to my mission, this pattern is easy to follow and will leave you with a finished sweater that everyone will compliment!

The Classic Coffee Cardigan is featured in the Fall Favorites Blog Hop and Bundle Event Hosted by Made With a Twist. On October 28, 2024 you can grab a FREE copy of the Medium size PDF, or you can get a copy of the premium version in ladies sizes S-XL for 50% off!

Want all 4 sizes of the Classic Coffee Cardigan pattern, plus 11 additional premium patterns in multiple sizes? Grab a copy of the Fall Favorites Bundle!

The medium size pattern is available for free here in this blog post. For the additional sizes and photo tutorials, you can purchase the premium PDF download below: 

Classic Coffee Cardigan pattern- ladies medium size:

Materials:

• 5mm crochet hook
• 5.5mm crochet hook
• 2020 yards DK (3) weight yarn. (I used KnitPicks Cotlin- 615 yards Pomegranate, 790 yards Coffee and 600 yards Linen for my design sample in the medium size, but you may use as few or as many colors as you would like.)
• Stitch Markers
• Finishing Needle
• Scissors
• Tape Measure

Abbreviations:

ch- chain

dc- double crochet

dc2tog- double crochet two together

hdc- half double crochet

hdc2tog- half double crochet two together

sdc- standing double crochet

sk- skip

slst- slip stitch

sp- space

st(s)- stitch(es)

stsc- stacked single crochet

Gauge:

8hdc x 7 rows= 2”square

Notes:

• This pattern is written in US terminology.
• The ch1 at the beginning of a row or round does not count as a stitch.
• Finished length is 44″ from shoulder. (I am 5’3″ and wearing size medium for reference)
• Check out my Rumble Channel for stitch tutorials

Pattern instructions:

Body:

R1. (Color A) using 5.5mm hook, ch 143. Switch to 5mm hook and hdc in second ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (142)

R2. ch1, hdc across, turn. (142)

R3-R10. Repeat R2

R11. ch1, *hdc 2, ch2, sk 2 sts, hdc, ch2, sk 2 sts*, repeat from *to* 19 more times, hdc 2, turn. (142)

R12. ch1, hdc across, placing 1 hdc in each hdc and 2hdc in each ch2 sp, turn. (142)

R13-R21. Repeat R2, change to Color B at last st of R21.

R22. (Color B) Repeat R11

R23. Repeat R12

R24-R32. Repeat R2

R33. Repeat R11

R34. Repeat R12

R35-R43. Repeat R2, change to Color C at last st for R43.

R44. (Color C) Repeat R11

R45. Repeat R12

R46-R54. Repeat R2

R55. Repeat R11

R56. Repeat R12

R57-R65. Repeat R2, change to Color A at last st of R65.

R66. (Color A) Repeat R11

R67. Repeat R12

R68-R76. Repeat R2

R77. Repeat R11

R78. Repeat R12

R79-R87. Repeat R2, change to Color B at last st of R87.

R88. (Color B) Repeat R11

R89. Repeat R12

R90-R98. Repeat R11

R100. Repeat R12

*Now we begin the foundation for the sleeves. Use stitch markers to mark the 30th and 42nd st in from each side*

Body (right front):

R101.ch1, hdc, hdc2tog, hdc 27, turn. (29)

R102. ch1, hdc 29, turn. (29)

R103. ch1, hdc, hdc2tog, hdc 26, turn. (28)

R104. ch1, hdc 28, turn. (28)

R105. ch1, hdc, hdc2tog, hdc 25, turn. (27)

R106. ch1, hdc 27, turn. (27)

R107. ch1, hdc, hdc2tog, hdc 24, turn. (26)

R108. ch1, hdc 26, turn. (26)

R109. ch1, hdc, hdc2tog, hdc 24, turn. (25) Change to Color C

R110. (Color C) ch1, *hdc 2, ch2, sk 2 sts, hdc, ch2, sk 2 sts*, repeat from *to* one time, hdc 2, ch2, sk2 sts, hdc, ch3, sk2 sts, hdc2tog, hdc, turn. (24)

R111. ch1, hdc across, placing 1 hdc in each hdc and 2 hdc in each ch sp and 1 hdc in last ch2 sp, turn. (23)

R112. ch1, hdc 23, turn. (23)

R113. ch1, hdc, hdc2tog, hdc 20, turn. (22)

R114. ch1, hdc 22, turn. (22)

R115. ch1, hdc, hdc2tog, hdc 19, turn. (21)

R116. ch1, hdc 21, turn. (21)

R117. ch1, hdc, hdc2tog, hdc 18, turn. (20)

R118. ch1, hdc 20, turn. (20)

R119. ch1, hdc, hdc2tog, hdc 17, turn. (19)

R120. ch1, hdc 19, turn. (19)

R121. ch1, hdc, ch1, sk 2 sts, *hdc 2, ch2, sk2 sts, hdc, ch2, sk 2 sts*, repeat from *to *, hdc 2, turn. (18)

R122.ch1, hdc across, placing 1 hdc in each hdc, 2hdc in each ch2 sp and 1 hdc in ch1 sp, turn. (18)

R123. ch1, hdc, hdc2tog, hdc 15, turn. (17)

R124. ch1, hdc 17, turn. (17)

R125. ch1, hdc2tog, hdc 14, turn. (16)

R126. ch1, hdc 16, turn. (16)

R127. ch1, hdc, hdc2tog, hdc 13, turn. (15)

R128. ch1, hdc 15, turn. (15)

R129. ch1, hdc, hdc2tog, hdc 12, turn. (14)

R130. ch1, hdc 11, hdc2tog, hdc, turn. (13)

R131. ch1, hdc, hdc2tog, hdc 10 (12)

Finish off, leaving a 12″ tail. Do not weave end.

Body (left front):

Join Color B at 30th st from the end and work toward the outer edge.

R101. ch1, hdc 27, hdc2tog, hdc, turn. (29)

R102. ch1, hdc 29, turn. (29)

R103. ch1, hdc 26, hdc2tog, hdc, turn. (28)

R104. ch1, hdc 28, turn. (28)

R105. ch1, hdc 25, hdc2tog, hdc, turn. (27)

R106. ch1, hdc 27, turn. (27)

R107. ch1, hdc 24, hdc2tog, hdc, turn. (26)

R108. ch1, hdc 26, turn. (26)

R109. ch1, hdc 23, hdc2tog, hdc, turn. (25) Change to Color C

R110. (Color C) ch1, hdc, hdc2tog, *ch2, sk2 sts, hdc, ch2, sk 2 sts, hdc 2*, repeat from *to* one time, ch2, sk 2 sts, hdc, ch3, sk2 sts, hdc2, turn. (24)

R111. ch1, hdc across, placing 1 hdc in each hdc and 2hdc in each ch sp and 1 hdc in last ch2 sp, turn. (23)

R112. ch1, hdc 23, turn. (23)

R113. ch1, hdc 20, hdc2tog, hdc, turn. (22)

R114. ch1, hdc 22, turn. (22)

R115. ch1, hdc 19, hdc2tog, hdc, turn. (21)

R116. ch1, hdc 21, turn. (21)

R117. ch1, hdc 18, hdc2tog, hdc, turn. (20)

R118. ch1, hdc 20, turn. (20)

R119. ch1, hdc 17, hdc2tog, hdc, turn. (19)

R120. ch1, hdc 19, turn. (19)

R121. ch1, hdc, ch1, sk 2 sts, *hdc 2, ch2, sk 2 sts, hdc, ch2, sk 2 sts*, repeat from *to*, hdc 2, turn. (18)

R122. ch1, hdc across, placing 1 hdc in each hdc, 2hdc in each ch2 sp and 1hdc in ch1 sp, turn. (18)

R123. ch1, hdc 15, hdc2tog, hdc, turn. (17)

R124. ch1, hdc 17, turn. (17)

R125. ch1, hdc 14, hdc2tog, hdc, turn. (16)

R126. ch1, hdc 16, turn. (16)

R127. ch1, hdc 13, hdc2tog, hdc, turn. (15)

R128. ch1, hdc 15, turn. (15)

R129. ch1, hdc 12, hdc2tog, hdc, turn. (14)

R130. ch1, hdc, hdc2tog, hdc 11, turn. (13)

R131. ch1, hdc 10, hdc2tog, hdc (12)

Finish off, leaving a 12″ tail. Do not weave end.

Body (back):

Join Color B at 42nd st from the right side.

R101. ch1, hdc 58, turn. (58)

R102-R109. Repeat R101, Change to Color C at last st for R109

R110. (Color C) ch1, *hdc 2, ch2, sk 2 sts, hdc, ch2, sk 2 sts*, repeat from *to* 7 more times, hdc 2, turn. (58)

R111. ch1, hdc across, placing 1 hdc in each hdc and 2hdc in each ch2 sp, turn. (58)

R112-R120. Repeat R101

R121. Repeat R110

R122. Repeat R111

R123-R131. Repeat R101, finish off and weave in end.

Using the tails from the right and left sides, sew back panel to sides securely. Finish off and weave in ends. 

Sleeves- make 2:

Sleeves are started in the round and will switch to rows once you begin joining them to the body. The sleeves are worked from the wrist up and will join at the armpit when you reach round 45.

(Color C) Using your 5.5mm hook, ch 77, slst to first ch, being careful not to twist chain. Switch to 5mm hook.

Rnd1-Rnd4. ch1, hdc 77, slst to first st, turn. (77)

Rnd5. ch1, *hdc 9, hdc2tog*, repeat from *to* 6 more times, slst to first st, turn. (70)

Rnd6-Rnd8. ch1. hdc 70, slst to first st, turn. (70)

Rnd9. ch1, *hdc 8, hdc2tog*, repeat from *to* 6 more times, slst to first st, turn. (63) Change to Color A

Rnd10. (Color A) ch1, *hdc2, ch2, sk 2 sts, hdc, ch2, sk 2 sts*, repeat from *to* 8 more times, slst to first st, turn. (63)

Rnd11-Rnd12. ch1, hdc 63, slst to first st, turn. (63)

Rnd13. ch1, *hdc 7, hdc2tog*, repeat from *to* 6 more times, slst to first st, turn. (56)

Rnd 14-Rnd16. ch1, hdc 56, slst to first st, turn. (56)

Rnd17. ch1, *hdc 6, hdc2tog*, repeat from *to* 6 more times, slst to first st, turn. (49)

Rnd18-Rnd20. ch1, hdc 49, slst to first st, turn. (49)

Rnd21. ch1, *hdc 2, ch2, sk 2 sts, hdc, ch2, sk 2 sts*, repeat from *to* 6 more times, slst to first st, turn. (49)

Rnd22. ch1, hdc 49, placing 1 hdc in each hdc and 2hdc in each ch2 sp, slst to first st, turn. (49)

Rnd23. ch1, *hdc 5, hdc2tog*, repeat from *to* 6 more times, slst to first st, turn. (42)

Rnd24-Rnd27. ch1, hdc 42, slst to first st, turn. (42)

Rnd28. ch1, (hdc 4, hdc2tog*, repeat from *to* 6 more times, slst to first st, turn. (35)

Rnd29-Rnd31. ch1, hdc 35, slst to first st, turn. (35) Change to Color B at last st of Rnd31

Rnd32. (Color B) ch1, *hdc2, ch2, sk 2 sts, hdc, ch2, sk 2 sts*, repeat from *to* 4 more times, slst to first st, turn. (35)

Rnd33. ch1, hdc around, placing 1 hdc in each hdc and 2hdc in each ch2sp, slst to frist st, turn. (35)

Rnd34. ch1, hdc 35, slst to first st, turn. (35)

Rnd35. ch1, *hdc 4, 2hdc*, repeat from *to* 6 more times, slst to first st, turn. (42)

Rnd36-Rnd38. ch1, hdc 42, slst to first st, turn. (42)

Rnd39. ch1, *hdc 5, 2hdc*, repeat from *to* 6 more times, slt to first st, turn. (49)

Rnd40-Rnd43. ch1, hdc 49, slst to first st, turn. (49)

Rnd44. ch1, *hdc 2, ch2, sk 2 sts, hdc, ch2, sk 2 sts*, repeat from *to* 6 more times, slst to first st, turn. (49)

Rnd45. ch1, hdc 49 around, placing 1 hdc in each hdc and 2hdc in each ch2 sp, slst to first st, turn. (49)

Attach arm to body by lining up your sts in Rnd44 with R99 so that your 2 hdc match and your sleeve seam is at the center of the armpit. Slst Rnd45 to R100 from the center of the armpit to the edge of the sleeve hole, slst to R101, begin working your sleeves in rows. You will be working the sleeve rows with the right side facing out. 

(Tip: place a stitch marker at the end of each row on the body of the sweater where you will be joining your sleeve so you can make sure your rows will line up properly)

R46. hdc 35, slst to R101, slst to R102, turn. (35)

R47. hdc 35, slst to R102, slst to R103, turn. (35)

R48. hdc 35, slst to R103, slst to R104, turn. (35)

R49. hdc 35, slst to R104, slst to R105, turn. (35)

R50. hdc 35, slst to R105, slst to R106, turn. (35)

R51. hdc 35, slst to R106, slst to R107, turn. (35)

R52. hdc 35, slst to R107, slst to R108, turn. (35)

R53. hdc 35, slst to R108, slst to R109, turn. (35)

R54. hdc 35, slst to R109, slst to R110, turn. (35) Change to Color C

R55. (Color C) ch2, sk 3 sts, *hdc, ch2, sk 2 sts, hdc 2, ch2, sk 2 sts*, repeat from *to * 3 more times, hdc, ch2, sk 3 sts, slst to R110, slst to R111, turn. (33)

R56. hdc 33, placing 1 hdc in each hdc and 2hdc in each ch 2 sp, slst to R111, slst to R112, turn. (33)

R57. hdc 33, slst to R112, slst to R113, turn. (33)

R58. hdc2tog, hdc 29, hdc2tog, slst to R113, slst to R114, turn. (31)

R59. hdc 31, slst to R114, slst to R115, turn. (31)

R60. hdc2tog, hdc 27, hdc2tog, slst to R116, slst to R117, turn. (29)

R61. hdc 29, slst to R117, slst to R118, turn. (29)

R62. hdc2tog, hdc 25, hdc2tog, slst to R118, slst to R119, turn. (27)

R63. hdc 27, slst to R119, slst to R120, turn. (27)

R64. hdc2tog, hdc23, hdc2tog, slst to R120, slst to R121, turn. (25)

R65. hdc 25, slst to R121, slst to R122, turn. (25)

R66. ch1, sk 2sts, *hdc, ch2, sk 2 sts, hdc 2, ch2, sk2 sts*, repeat from *to* 2 more times, hdc, ch1, sk 2 sts, slst to R122, slst to R123, turn. (23)

R67. hdc 23, placing 1 hdc in each hdc, 1 hdc in each ch1 sp and 2hdc in each ch2 sp, slst to R123, slst to R124, turn. (23)

R68. hdc2tog, *hdc5, hdc2tog*, repeat from *to* 2 more times, slst to R124, slst to R125, turn. (19)

R69. hdc2tog, hdc 15, hdc2tog, slst to R125, slst to R126, turn. (17)

R70. *hdc2tog, hdc 2*, repeat from *to* 3 more times, hdc, slst to R126, slst to R127, turn. (13)

R71. *hdc2tog, hdc 2, hdc2tog*, hdc, repeat from *to*, slst to R127, slst to R128, turn. (9)

R72. hdc2tog, hdc 5, hdc2tog, slst to R128, slst to R129, turn. (7)

R73. hdc2tog, hdc 3, hdc2tog, slst to R129, slst to R130, turn. (5)

R74. hdc2tog, hdc, hdc2tog, slst to R130, finish off, leaving a 10” tail, sew remaining part of shoulder to sleeve, weave in ends securely.

Collar/Border:

Rnd1. Join Color A to R1 at any point with a sdc. Be sure you are joining your yarn with the right side facing you. dc around, placing 3dc in each corner and 1dc2tog at the shoulder on each side, slst to sdc, turn.

Rnd2. ch1, stsc, dc around, placing 3dc in each corner and 1dc2tog at the shoulder on each side, slst to stsc, turn.

Rnd 3. ch1, hdc around, placing 3hdc in each corner and 1hdc2tog at the shoulder on each side, invisible join to first hdc, finish off and weave ends.

Sleeve Border:

Rnd1. Join Color A to the sleeve using a sdc at the seam. dc in the same st, *dc 10, 2dc*, repeat from *to* 5 more times, dc 10, slst to sdc, turn. (84)

Rnd2-Rnd3. ch1, stsc, dc 83, slst to stsc, turn. (84)

Rnd4. ch1, stsc, dc 83, invisible join to stsc, finish off and weave in ends. (84) 

I absolutely can NOT wait to see the colors you choose to make your Classic Coffee Cardigan. I hope you will consider joining the Straight Hookin’ Crochet Community on facebook so you can share pictures of your project. I am also available to answer questions and encourage you!

Well, I guess this is all of my news for today. Be sure you have subscribed to the Straight Awesome newsletter to be kept in the loop on all things yarny happening here, as well as collaborations with my designer friends. Plus, you’ll get exclusive discounts and freebies!

Until next time,

Happy Hooking!

~Malena