Directions for How to Crochet a Cotton Thread Summer Cardigan

Make a lacy, cotton cardigan to wear in the summer, spring or fall.

Summer brings hot weather, but occasionally there is a cool day when a person needs a sweater. Made of light, cotton thread, summer cardigan sweaters are excellent for spring, summer and fall. Lightweight yarns crocheted into a lacy design give a little warmth without being hot. The pattern isn't too complicated for novice crochet students and requires only basic knowledge of crocheting.

Things You'll Need

• 8 skeins lightweight, soft cotton yarn
• Size P crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• 4 buttons, 1 inch wide

Instructions

Basic Stitch Directions

1. Start the sweater by looping the yarn around the tip of your crochet hook and wrap the yarn around the hook. Pull the yarn through the loop.

2. Do a chain stitch by looping the yarn over the needle tip, and pulling the yarn through the loop on the needle. Only one loop will remain on the needle.

3. Create a treble stitch by wrapping the yarn around the tip of the needle two times. Put the hook into the stitch you're working in. Slide the crochet hook tip under the top two pieces of thread, catch the thread, and bring it back through the first two loops. Wrap the yarn around the needle once and pull the yarn through the next two loops. Loop the thread around the needle once and draw it through the last two loops.

Back Panel

1. Start the chain using the light, cotton thread. Chain 29 stitches, and measure the length of the chain. The chain should measure 19 inches wide. Add chain stitches if it's too short, and remove chain stitches if it is too long. This completes the first row.

2. Chain two extra stitches, and put a treble crochet stitch into the third stitch away from the end of the row. Put one treble crochet stitch into each chain stitch on the row. Chain two stitches at the end of the row.

3. Put a treble stitch into the second stitch from the end of the row, and continue making treble stitches all the way across. Crochet 22 rows and measure the length. You want the length 24 inches long. If it's too short, add a few more rows. If it's too long, pull rows back out. If you like longer sweaters, alter the length, but make sure you alter it on the front panels of the sweater too.

4. Leave a 12-inch tail of yarn at the end of the panel. Tie it off by removing the crochet hook and threading the tail through the loop. Pull the string tightening the loop. It makes a tight knot. Weave the tail into the panel, so it can't be seen.

Side Panels

1. Start the chain using the light, cotton thread. Chain 14 stitches and measure the length of the chain. The chain should measure 9 inches wide. Add chain stitches if it's too short and remove chain stitches if it is too long. This completes the first row. Chain two stitches.

2. Make a treble crochet stitch in the third stitch from the end. Make a treble crochet stitch in the rest of the chain stitches on the row. Chain two stitches.

3. Put one treble stitch into the second stitch from the end, and put treble stitches across the whole row. Repeat the pattern until the row measures 9 inches wide by 14 inches long. Your stitches' tension determines the amount of rows, but start checking the measurement at the 11th row.

4. Start reducing the stitches when you reach 14 inches long, chain six at the end of the row, and start the next treble stitch in the third stitch from the end. Make treble stitches to the end of the row, and chain two stitches. Start the next row in the second stitch from the end. Treble stitch until you reach the end of the row, and make six chain stitches. Treble stitch into the forth stitch from the end. Chain two, and treble stitch to the end of the row. Start the next row in the second stitch from the end. Treble stitch until you reach the end of the row, and make six chain stitches. Treble stitch into the forth stitch from the end. Chain two. Continue this pattern until the panel is 24 inches long.

5. Leave a 12-inch tail of yarn at the end of the panel, and tie it off as in the previous section. Weave the tail into the panel, so it can't be seen.

6. Make a second front panel. Put the front panels aside until the arms are done.

Arm Panels

1. Start the chain using the light, cotton thread. Chain 10 stitches, and measure the length of the chain. The chain should measure 12 inches wide. Add chain stitches if it's too short, and remove chain stitches if it is too long. This completes the first row.

2. Chain two extra stitches, and put a treble crochet stitch into the third stitch away from the end of the row. Put one treble crochet stitch into each chain stitch on the row. Chain two stitches at the end of the row.

3. Treble stitch across the row, chain two, and place a treble stitch into the third stitch away from the end of the row. Continue this pattern until it measures 12 inches wide by 19 inches long.

4. Leave a 12-inch tail of yarn at the end of the panel, and tie it off. Weave the tail into the panel, so it can't be seen.

5. Make a second arm panel. Put both panels to the side until needed.

Putting The Sweater Together

1. Lay the back panel of the sweater on a table. Lay the two front panels on top with the side that dips down facing the center of the sweater. It looks like a sweater vest at this stage. Pin the sides and top of the sweater holding the parts in place.

2. Thread the yarn needle with 5 feet of yarn. Pull the needle to the center of the yarn and tie a knot (any kind) at the end of the yarn holding both ends together. Push the needle through the bottom left edge of the front and back panels, and pull the yarn through. Slide the needle through the yarn on the needle right under the knot while pulling the thread tight. It knots and holds the yarn together. Sew straight up the left side, but stop 6 inches under the top. Cut the yarn, and tie a knot (any kind) holding the yarn tightly in place. Repeat the procedure on the right side.

3. Remove the pins from the sides. Thread the needle, and sew the top left side of the sweater together. Tie it off and repeat the procedure on the right side. Remove the pins.

4. Fold one of the sweater arms over, so it measures 6 inches by 19 inches. Sew the 19-inch open sides together. Repeat the same sewing procedure with the other arm.

5. Put one arm against the open hole in the top left side of the sweater with the sewn section facing the bottom of the garment. Pin the arm into the hole. Slide your hand through the hole before sewing to make sure the arm hole is open. Sew the arm into place and remove the pins. Repeat the procedure with the other arm. Turn the sweater right side out.

6. Add four buttons onto the left side of the sweater. Put one at the bottom, one 14 inches up, and evenly space the other two buttons between those buttons. Sew them on with yarn. Use the loops made with the chain stitches at the edge of the right side of the sweater as the button holes.

Tips & Warnings

• This sweater is for someone with a 38-inch bust. If you want it smaller, remove two stitches per inch. If you want it larger, add two stitches per inch. Leave all of the other measurements the same.

References

• New York Yarns: Free Pattern

Resources

• Hass Design: Free Crochet Stitch Videos and Instruction Basic Crochet Stitches