What you need
| Sizes | S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL · To fit bust 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52 inches · Finished bust 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60 inches |
|---|---|
| Yarn | Worsted / aran weight SCRAPS, all of the same weight, in as many colours as you can find: 1392 to 2647 yards, roughly 700 to 1320 grams, by size. |
| Hook | US H/8 / 5.0 mm for the body and sleeves. |
| Gauge (tension) | 14 sts and 11 rows = 4 inches in hdc BACK LOOP ONLY on the H/8 hook; 16 sts = 4 inches in sc on the G/6 hook |
Skills you’ll use
- Chain
- Slip stitch
- Single crochet
- Half double crochet
- Hdc2tog
- Two hdc in one stitch
- Working in the back loop
- Working in joined rounds
- Joining a shoulder
- Suitable for an advanced beginner.
What’s in the PDF
- 23-page PDF, fully written out for six sizes
- A whole page on building the scrap ball, including the magic knot, and why sorting your scraps by colour ruins the effect
- A diagram of back-loop-only half double crochet and where the ridge comes from
- The edging rate stated and worked out: 4 sc in every 3 row-ends, with the exact total for your size, so the front edges hang straight instead of rippling
- The sleeve pick-up rate stated the same way: 5 hdc in every 4 row-ends
- Every shaped round of the sleeve listed by number, for every size
- Photographs of the finished cardigan and close-ups of the stitch, the ties, the neck and the hem
Questions about this pattern
Can I really use leftover scraps?
Yes — leftovers are knotted end to end into one scrap ball and crocheted straight through; the colour changes wherever they happen.
Is this US or UK crochet terminology?
US terms throughout (hdc is the main stitch), stated clearly at the start of the PDF.
Why work in the back loop only?
Back-loop hdc makes the soft horizontal ridges you see in the photos and keeps the fabric flexible.