My youngest daughter has been asking me to make her a new crochet cardigan for a while now. In August, when we went shopping for new clothes for school, she found a simple, grey cardigan that she loved. I purchased it for her, but it’s so thin and won’t be nearly warm enough for our frigid winters. I love the simplicity of the store bought cardigan, the simple shape, classic fit, and pockets. Pockets were a request from Claire. This is where inspiration for the Aurora Cardigan came from. You can find the free crochet cardigan pattern in this post below, or an ad-free print friendly version on Love Crafts here, Ravelry here, or on Etsy here. The ad-free version includes a detailed garment schematic.

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Crochet cardigans are great to wear for seasonal transition pieces as they’re great for layering during the spring and fall. They’re also great for all day wear when the temps are bitter cold. Dress them up, dress them down. You really can’t go wrong when wrapped up in a crochet sweater to help keep you warm!

The Yarn

For this crochet cardigan, I chose Lion Brand Yarns Pound of Love, which is a worsted weight yarn. Pound of Love is a 100% premium acrylic yarn that is available in 22 gorgeous colors. Although Pound of Love is classified as a Craft Yarn Council 4 / worsted weight yarn, I’ve found that it is on the lighter side of most worsted weight yarns. Keep this in mind if you plan to substitute your favorite worsted weight yarn.

I’ve had many tell me that they don’t like the feel of acrylic yarns, but Pound of Love becomes SO incredibly soft after a quick wash and dry! It’s the perfect yarn for so many different projects and the yardage in one ball is incredible at 1,020 yards!

Photography Credit: Frozen Moments Photography

The Aurora Cardigan is currently only available in girls’ sizes 2 through 16, but adult sizes are coming soon!

Aurora Cardigan for Girls – FREE CROCHET CARDIGAN PATTERN

The free pattern is below, but if you love to work offline, I’ve got a great option for you.

Purchase the ad-free, printable PDF, including all photo tutorials, charts, & a garment schematic, on LoveCrafts here, on Ravelry here, and on Etsy here.

Save this pattern to your Ravelry favorites here.

Pin it for later here.

This post contains affiliate links.

Materials

Yarn: Worsted Weight / 4 / Yarn, (Lion Brand Yarns Pound of Love, in Elephant Grey was used for the sample in the photos) (454 g / 16oz / 1,020 yards / 932 meters / 100% premium acrylic) per ball.
- Yardage needed per size is shown in the notes below.
- Pound of Love is also available on Amazon HERE.
Crochet Hooks: K/10.5/6.50mm, J/10/6.00mm, H/8/5.00mm (My favorite crochet hooks are the Clover Amour Hooks, I’ve never had an ache in my hand since switching)
Scissors
Yarn Needle
Locking Stitch Markers

Many of these materials are available for purchase through our affiliates below:

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Gauge

Body of Cardigan stitch pattern: 15 sts = 4,25″ + 12 rows = 4.5″

Sizes

Girls Sizes 2 through 16 years (see chart below)
Women’s sizes can be found HERE

Abbreviations (US Terms)

ch(s): chain(s)
sl st(s): slip stitch(es)
st(s): stitch(es)
sp: space
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
dc: double crochet
dc2tog: double crochet decrease
RS: right side
WS: wrong side
yo: yarn over
Rep: repeat
Rnd: round
yo: yarn over
Alt-dc: alternate double crochet (click HERE for tutorial)
Alt-dc2tog: alternate double crochet decrease (click HERE for tutorial)
standing sc: standing single crochet (click HERE for tutorial)
sc spike st: single crochet spike stitch (click HERE for tutorial)

Pattern Notes

I tend to crochet on the tighter side. You may need to go down a hook size (or two) to meet gauge if you crochet on the looser side.
Turning chains are not included in stitch count.
Yarn: Yarn used for the sample shown here is Lion Brand Yarns Pound of Love, in Elephant Grey (454 g / 16oz / 1,020 yards / 932 meters / 100% premium acrylic) per ball.
Yarns similar in fiber content and weight can be substituted.
Chains (for chain spaces) are included in stitch count.
This cardigan is worked from the bottom up then split for front and back panels. After the panels are worked, the shoulders are seamed, then sleeves are added. Finish it off with a bottom hem and collar. Add the optional pockets, if desired.
This design is best worked in a solid color or a solid color with an accent color for the pockets & collar. It isn’t gradient/cake yarn friendly unless you have several cakes from which you can work from.
Changes for sizes are written as follows: 2 (4, 6, 8, 10/12, 14/16)
Yardage: Please refer to the size chart below.

Special Stitches

Double Crochet Decrease (dc2tog): (Yo, insert hook in next st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru 2 loops on hook) twice, yo, pull thru remaining 3 loops on hook.
Alternate Double Crochet (Alt-dc): After turning your work, do not ch, instead, insert your hook into the first st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru both loops, insert your hook between the legs of the st just made, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru one loop, yo, pull thru remaining loops. Click HERE for tutorial.
Alternate Double Crochet Decrease (Alt-dc2tog): After turning your work, do not ch, instead, insert your hook into the first st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru both loops, insert your hook between the legs of the st just made, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull thru one loop, yo, insert your hook into the next st indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops, yo, pull through remaining 3 loops. Click HERE for tutorial.
Single Crochet Spike Stitch: Begin the spike stitch by inserting your hook into the stitch 1 row down from the current row, yo, pull up a long loop (make sure to pull the loop up to the top edge of your work), yo, pull through all loops on your hook. Click HERE for tutorial.
Join with a standing sc: When instructed to “Join with a standing sc”, begin with a slip knot on your hook. Insert your hook into the stitch or space indicated, yo, pull up a loop, yo and draw thru both loops on hook. Click HERE for tutorial.

Size Chart

Size	Fits Chest	Yardage
2	21″	500 yards
4	23″	600 yards
6	25″	800 yards
8	26-1/2″	920 yards
10/12	28-30″	980 yards
14/16	31-1/2″ – 32-1/2″	1,050 yards

Size Chart Notes

‘Fits Chest’ measurement is the measurement of the intended wearer, not the garment’s finished measurement.
This cardigan has 2-3″ of positive ease built in for a classic fit. If you prefer more of an oversized cardigan, I would suggest making one size larger than child’s chest size.
Complete cardigan schematics are included as a bonus with the Ad-free PDF available on Love Crafts here, on Ravelry here, and on Etsy here.

Gauge Swatch Instructions

Gauge: 15 sts = 4.25″; 12 rows = 4.5″

Row 1 (RS): Using a 6.50mm crochet hook, ch 16, switch to a 6.00mm crochet hook, working in the back hump of the foundation ch, sc in the 2nd ch from your hook, (ch 1, skip the next ch, sc in the next ch) 7 times. Turn. (15 sts)

Row 2: Alt-dc, dc in each st and ch-1 sp across. Turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in the first st, (ch 1, skip the next st, sc in the next st) 7 times. Turn.

Rows 4 – 12: Rep Rows 2 – 3, ending w/ a row 2 repeat.

Fasten off. Swatch should measure: 4.25″ W x 4.5″ H

Aurora Cardigan for Girls – Free Crochet Cardigan Pattern

Body of Cardigan

Set-Up: Using a 6.5mm crochet hook, ch 72 (78, 82, 90, 100, 110).

Row 1 (RS): Switch to a 6.00mm crochet hook, working into the back hump of the foundation chain, sc in the 2nd ch from your hook and in each ch across. Turn. (71, 77, 81, 89, 99, 109 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in the first st, (ch 1, skip the next st, sc in the next st) rep from ( to ) across. Turn.

Row 3: Alt-dc in the first st, dc in each sc and ch-1 sp across. Turn.

Repeat Rows 2 – 3 (ending with a Row 3), until cardigan measures 14″ (15″, 15.5″, 17″, 19.5″, 19.5″).

Adjusting Length: If you prefer a longer or short cardigan, here is where you’ll want to adjust. The length stated above is the cardigan’s length from the bottom of the armhole to the bottom hem. If at all possible, check length, at this point, on the intended wearer.

Do not fasten off. Continue on to Front Left Panel.

Front Left Panel

Row 1 (WS): Ch 1, sc in the first st, (ch 1, skip the next st, sc in the next st) 7 (8, 8, 9, 10, 11) times. Turn. (15, 17, 17, 19, 21, 23 sts)

Stitch Marker Placement: Before you “turn” to begin Row 2, place a stitch marker in the next stitch to mark the beginning of the Back Panel.

Row 2: Alt-dc in the first st, dc in each sc and ch-1 sp across. Turn.

Size 2: Rows 3 – 10: Repeat Rows 1 – 2.

Size 4: Rows 3 – 10: Repeat Rows 1 – 2.

Size 6: Rows 3 – 12: Repeat Rows 1 – 2.

Size 8: Rows 3 – 14: Repeat Rows 1 – 2.

Size 10/12: Rows 3 – 16: Repeat Rows 1 – 2.

Size 14/16: Rows 3 – 18: Repeat Rows 1 – 2.

Do not fasten off. Continue on to Left Shoulder Shaping.

Left Shoulder Shaping

Row 1 (WS): Ch 1, sc in the first st, (ch 1, skip the next st, sc in the next st) 6 (7, 7, 8, 9, 10) times, skip the last 2 sts. Turn. (13, 15, 15, 17, 19, 21 sts)

Row 2: Do not ch, sl st in the first st, sl st in the next ch-1 sp (first 2 sl sts are not included in st count), sc in the next st, sc in the next ch-1 sp, hdc in the next st, hdc in the next ch-1 sp, dc in each remaining st and ch-1 sp across. (11, 13, 13, 15, 17, 19 sts)

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Back Panel.

Back Panel

Row 1 (WS): Join yarn with a standing sc in the st you marked with a stitch marker, (ch 1, skip the next st, sc in the next st) 20 (21, 23, 25, 28, 31) times. Turn. (41, 43, 47, 51, 57, 63 sts)

Stitch Marker Placement: Before you “turn” to begin Row 2, place a stitch marker in the next stitch to mark the beginning of the Front Right Panel.

Row 2: Alt-dc in the first st, dc in each sc and ch-1 sp across. Turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in the first st, (ch 1, skip the next st, sc in the next st) rep from ( to ) across. Turn.

Size 2: Rows 4 – 10: Repeat Rows 2 – 3, ending with a Row 2 repeat.

Size 4: Rows 4 – 10: Repeat Rows 2 – 3, ending with a Row 2 repeat.

Size 6: Rows 4 – 12: Repeat Rows 2 – 3, ending with a Row 2 repeat.

Size 8: Rows 4 – 14: Repeat Rows 2 – 3, ending with a Row 2 repeat.

Size 10/12: Rows 4 – 16: Repeat Rows 2 – 3, ending with a Row 2 repeat.

Size 14/16: Rows 4 – 18: Repeat Rows 2 – 3, ending with a Row 2 repeat.

Do not fasten off. Continue on to Back Panel Shoulder Shaping.

Back Panel Shoulder Shaping

Row 1 (WS): Do not ch, sl st in the first st, sl st in the next st (first 2 sl sts are not included in st count), sc in the next st, (ch 1, skip the next st, sc in the next st) 18 (19, 21, 23, 26, 29) times, skip the last 2 sts. Turn. (37, 39, 43, 47, 53, 59 sts)

Row 2: Do not ch, sl st in the first st, sl st in the next ch-1 sp (first 2 sl sts are not included in st count), sc in the next st, sc in the next ch-1 sp, hdc in the next st, hdc in the next ch-1 sp, dc in each of the next 25 (27, 31, 35, 41, 47) sts, hdc in the next ch-1 sp, hdc in the next st, sc in the next ch-1 sp, sc in the next st, skip the last 2 sts. (33, 35, 39, 43, 49, 55 sts)

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Continue on to Front Right Panel.

Front Right Panel

Row 1 (WS): Join yarn with a standing sc in the st you marked with a stitch marker, (ch 1, skip the next st, sc in the next st) 7 (8, 8, 9, 10, 11) times. Turn. (15, 17, 17, 19, 21, 23 sts)