Learn how to crochet a beginner-friendly cardigan with my free step-by-step pattern and a video tutorial in right and left-handed versions. The Nova cardigan is the perfect way to level up your skills while creating something cosy and stylish. Even if youāre a beginner, this project is totally within reach!
In this blog post, Iāll walk you through the steps to crochet a beginner-friendly cardigan, complete with simple stitches, straightforward construction, helpful tips and available in 9 sizes. Whether youāre crafting your first wearable or just want a relaxing project, this cardigan will become a favourite in your handmade wardrobe. Grab your yarn and hookāitās time to get started!
Materials & Tools
- Yarn: Sirdar Hayfields Bonus Tweed, Aran Category 4, 74% Acrylic 20% Wool, 6% Viscose, 840m (920yds)/400g (14.1oz) in shade Stormcloud.
- Hook: 5mm (US H-8) and 4.5mm (US 7)
- Darning needle
- Scissors
- Tape Measure
- Four Stitch Markers
About The Yarn
Sirdar Hayfields Bonus Aran Tweed comes in 400g balls, this yarn is perfect for crocheters eager to make garments, especially cardigans and jumpers. I love the subtle flecks of colour that add a beautiful tweed texture to your projects. Machine washable and made from a marvellous mix of wool, acrylic, and viscose, making this yarn warm and durable.
Colour Inspiration
I have used the colour Stormcloud. However, I’ve shared some of my favourites from the colour pallet below:
Sizing and Yarn Quantities
The Nova Cardigan is an oversized fit with up to 15cm (6inch) positive ease.
Measurements after light blocking.
Length (including 5cm (2inch) ribbing) – 30 (30, 32, 32, 34) (34, 35, 35, 35) inches,
76 (76, 81, 81, 86.5) (86.5, 89, 89, 89) cm.
Width – 18 (20, 22, 24, 26) (28, 30, 32, 34) inches, 45.75 (50.75, 55.75, 61, 66) (71, 76, 81, 86.25) cm.
Circumference – 36 (40, 44, 48, 52) (56, 60, 64, 68) inches, 91.5 (101.5, 111.75, 122, 132) (142.25, 152.50, 162.50, 172.75) cm.
Neckline – 3.5 inches – all sizes, 8.75 cm – all sizes.
Armhole Depth – 6.5 (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5) (9, 9.5, 10, 10.5) inches, 16.5 (17.75, 19, 20.25, 21.5) (22.75, 24, 25.5, 26.5) cm.
All measurements are approximate.
Gauge & Size
13 sts and 8 rows measures over 10cm X 10cm (4in X 4in) measured using Treble Crochet.
Gauge Swatch
Save some time and use the pocket as your gauge swatch!
See below for the pocket instructions and choose the size you are making.
Pattern Notes
- Written in UK terms but switchable to US terms below.
- This pattern is made up by creating the main body of the cardigan from side to side. The arms and cuff will be crocheted onto the main body to minimise seaming. You will finish by adding ribbing to the bottom and front opening using the join as you go method.
The number references for each size will be listed as follows: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
Pattern Support
The fastest way to get pattern support is to ask in our dedicated facebook group for Bella Coco Crochet patterns. This is the best place for you to connect with other crocheters.
Please note, if you wish to change and adapt this pattern in any way, this must be done at your own exploration and we cannot offer assistance with this.
Convert Pattern Terms
Here you can quickly switch between UK and US crochet terms. This will make following the pattern easier as all terms will be converted to your preferred version.
Terms & Abbreviations
Stitch(s): st(s)
Slip Stitch(s): ss(s): Insert hook, yarn over, pull through stitch and loop on hook.
Chain(s): ch(s): Yarn over, pull through loop on the hook.
Double Crochet(s): dc(s): Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, you will have two loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.
Back Loop Only: BLO: Working into the back loop only of the stitch.
Special Stitches
Stacked Double Crochet(s): sdc(s): Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, you will have two loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through remaining two loops. Insert hook into the post of the stitch which is furthest away from the hook. Yarn over, pull up a loop, you will have two loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.
Double Crochet two together: Dc2tog: Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, you will have two loops on the hook. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, you will have three loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all three loops
Treble Crochet(s): tr(s): Yarn over, insert into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, you will have three loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.
Unsure of the differences between UK and US terms? Need a refresher on how to do your crochet stitches? In my āHow to crochet: A handy reference guideā EBook I help you with all of these terms and you can always have them to hand! You will also get exclusive access to free video instructions. You can find my EBookĀ HERE.
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Crochet AD-FREE PDF Patterns
Mini Nova Cardigan
Free Pattern: Crochet Cardigan in Nine Sizes
You are viewing this pattern in UK terms.
Pattern
Main Body (made in one piece): Part one
Ch 183 (183, 197, 197, 209) (209, 217, 217, 217)
Row 1: Working in the back bumps of the ch, tr in third ch from hook (missed chs count as st) and each ch across. Turn. <182 (182, 196, 196, 208) (208, 216, 216, 216) sts>
Rows 2-14 (16, 18, 20, 22) (24, 26, 28, 30): Sdc in first st, tr in each st across. Turn.
Neckline Split
Main Body: Part two
Do not fasten off your yarn, you will now be making a chain before moving onto the next rows.
Chain 92 (92, 99, 99, 105) (105, 109, 109, 109)
Row 22 (24, 26, 28, 30) (32, 34, 36, 38): Working in the back bumps of the ch, tr in third ch from hook (missed chs count as st) and each ch and st across. Turn. <182 (182, 196, 196, 208) (208, 216, 216, 216) sts>
Sleeves
Set up: The sleeves of the cardigan are going to be crocheted straight onto the main body of your cardigan. this means you will be working into the final row of the main body and the underside of the chain from row 1. Locate the centre on each side as shown in Image A, count 25 (26, 27, 28, 29) (30, 31, 32, 33) sts either side of the centre and mark with a stitch marker.
Time to Block
Now is the time to steam block your work. Use blocking pins and mats to shape your work ensuring that each side is the same size.
Seaming
Fold the work in half bringing the seams of the arms together and wrong side facing outwards.
With a strand of yarn and a darning needle, start at the bottom of the main body and whip stitch through both thicknesses. Once the body is seamed, continue along the underside of the arm and cuff.
Fasten off and sew in ends.
Repeat on the other side.
Pockets
With 5mm hook.
Row 1: Ch 24 (24, 24, 24, 27) (27, 27, 27, 27), working in back pump of ch, tr in 3rd ch from hook (missed chs count as st) tr in each st across. Turn. <23 (23, 23, 23, 26) (26, 26, 26, 26) sts>
Row 2-12 (12, 12, 12, 14) (14, 14, 14, 14): Sdc, tr in each st across. Turn.
Pocket Ribbing
Set up row: Ch 1, dc in each st across. Turn.
Change to 4.5mm hook.
Chain 6
Ribbing row 1: Dc in second ch from hook (missed ch does not count as st) and each st across. Ss in next 2 sts from the set up row. Turn. <5 dc, 2 ss>
Row 2: Skip 2 ss, BLOdc in each st across. Turn. <5 BLOdc>
Row 3: Ch 1, dc in first st and next 4 sts. Ss in next 2 sts from the last row of the pocket. Turn. <5 BLOdc, 2 ss>
Repeat row 2 & 3 across.
Fasten off and sew in ends.
Attaching Pockets
Place the pockets at the front bottom of the cardigan, the base of the pocket will sit just above the ribbing and the inner edge of the pocket will be roughly around 1 row in
from the ribbing. Pin the pockets into place ensuring that they are the same on each side.
With a strand of yarn and a darning needle, sew the pocket to the body of the cardigan using whip stitch.
Repeat on other side.
Sew in all ends.
Video Tutorials
Right-handed
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”v3aGvX88″ upload-date=”2025-01-22T13:41:21.000Z” name=”Easy Crochet Cardigan Tutorial_1.mp4″ description=”null” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]Or watch on YouTube
Left-handed
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”2fgmxF1q” upload-date=”2025-01-22T14:04:58.000Z” name=”Nova Cardigan Tutorial LEFT HANDED.mp4″ description=”null” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]Or watch on YouTube
Crochet Garments Patterns
I hope you enjoyed making the Nova cardigan! I think you’ll also enjoy these beginner-friendly crochet wearables on the blog:
I always love to see your makes so if you try any of my patterns or follow my stitch tutorials please tag meĀ @bellacococrochetĀ or use theĀ #bellacococrochet
sarah-jayne
Thank you so much for the fabulous cardigan pattern. I am delighted with its simplicity but the finished garment looks awesome. I have some lovely lilac aran in my stash which has been waiting for the right pattern. This is it!!!
Thank you once again, both for the pattern and the video
Kind regards
Sue
Hi Susan you are very welcome, it will look lovely in Lilac š
Love the pattern. Your little one is quite the cute model. She looks good in the gold mini cardigan. I’ve just gotten BACK into crocheting after many years hiatus. Enjoying the many patterns available online. It’s really helpful to have a video to go along with the written instructions. It’s a lot of work for the bloggers but very much appreciated!
Thank you so much š
This pattern looks great. Iām left handed and so appreciate your video! I am wondering if when you say length is 30 inches that means the 183 chain stitches should be 60 inches ? This is my first cardigan and want to get started correctly. Cheers, Lori
Hi Lori, not necessarily, because the length of the finished garment will include how it hangs on your shoulders and also your tension. So it is approximately 30″ long when you have finished but you also have to factor in the space over the shoulders etc. So don’t worry about the length of the chain, just follow along and the pattern has been calculated with this weight of yarn and size of hook to end up about 30″ long to wear. Hope that helps!
Fabulous video! If I wanted to make it shorter, say to the waist or hip, how would you suggest calculating the number of stitches?
Hi Annette!
The cardigan length is calculated in one piece – it is made by making one piece that starts at the back and reaches right over your shoulder and down the front – so the best way to shorten it, is to measure how long the whole piece should be, from back to front. Then you will need to calculate how many stitches per inch you will need – and this cardigan is written for aran weight yarn, so that is about 5 stitches per inch (average). So you measure how long that piece of crochet needs to be, and measure in inches – and then times that by 5.
The only issue with doing this, is that none of the measurements in the pattern will work in the same way – you will have to work out where to split for the neck, and also where to put your sleeves in, because those measurements in the pattern are all calculated for the length of the cardigan as it has been written, so you will have to work out from the length you make, where you neck and sleeves need to go.
Hope that helps!