Ophelia Cardigan Crochet Pattern

Ophelia Cardigan Crochet Pattern

A new fall cardigan crochet pattern, the Ophelia Cardigan is now a free pattern here on the blog. featured in the. Read about the wonderful size-inclusive crochet magazine Crochet Foundry Magazine it was featured in, the yarn and inspiration or scroll down for the free crochet cardigan pattern.

No time right now? Pin this fall cardigan crochet pattern for later!

*This post contains affiliate links (only for products I love, use and spend my own money on obviously). This means I earn some yarn money if you make a purchase through one of these links (of course at no extra cost for you!), which I promise to use to create more awesome patterns like this one. In addition, some posts are sponsored by yarn companies. All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here

Cool fall days mean all things cozy and warm! I designed the Ophelia Cardigan not only for style but warmth.

The long cardigan makes it easy to wrap around yourself giving you all the coziness needed during the fall. I love to design garments that I enjoy wearing, and this cardigan I know will be a go-to this fall.

Perfect for cooler fall days, the Ophelia Cardigan will keep you warm and cozy with its knee-length and puff sleeves. Worked in panels from the bottom up, the easy colorwork speckling in the color block section gives it an extra touch of gentle feminity.

Crochet Foundry Magazine

While fall is synonymous with changing leaves and pumpkins, fall can also happen in the desert! The temperatures do fall at night and there are breezes that blow every now and then. And even though the sun shines, there may still be a chill to the air that just makes you want to wrap yourself up in coziness. The theme for this fall’s issue is DESERT BOHO.

In this issue, you will find gorgeous designs made using colors that represent the desert and have a boho flair. Each piece is unique and perfect for anyone with none being too bulky or overheating, making them perfect for the fall season, no matter where you live.

Ophelia Cardigan featured in the crochet foundry magazine

If you’re new to the Crochet Foundry Magazine, it’s a brilliant digital crochet magazine focussing on gorgeous size-inclusive designs. Each issue contains a selection of (brand-new & exclusive!) size-inclusive garments and accessories around a specific theme, designed by your favorite indie designers. But there’s more than just patterns, you get recipes, yarn substitutes, free crochet-a-longs, tips and tricks, styling inspiration and more.

What is included in the Fall issue of The Crochet Foundry Magazine?

Crochet foundry magazine fall issue sneakpeek
  • 7 Fall Garments (US terms, all size-inclusive XS to 5XL)
  • 4 Accessories
  • A style guide and custom fit guide so that you can get an idea of how to style your pieces, and how to customize them.
  • Desert Boho Recipes and DIY tutorial from each designer
  • Alternate yarn options for each design
  • Meet the Maker section of the 11 talented designers featured in this issue

The Yarn

The entire magazine is designed with beautiful WeCrochet yarn. For the Ophelia cardigan, I choose to work with their “Wool of the Andes Bulky” yarn.

Ophelia Cardigan Crochet Pattern close up view

This yarn is 100% Superwash wool, so it is perfect for a fall cardigan. Wool has an amazing capacity to regulate your body temperature. It will keep you warm without being too heavy! It’s soft, easy to care for and a delight to crochet with, what more can we ask?

Wool of the Andes Bulky comes in 26 gorgeous shades, which made it a perfect choice for this color block cardigan. So many gorgeous color combinations are possible!

Long Cardigan Crochet Pattern Downloadable PDF

Click here to purchase the printable PDF of the Ophelia crochet cardigan pattern

Why I Recommend You Purchase the PDF Pattern

If you’ve never used PDF patterns before, you are missing out on so much convenience!

  • You don’t need to take screenshots of the pattern
  • You don’t need to have your computer, phone or tablet around to work on your project.
  • You don’t need to panic if your husband accidentally closed the page
  • You can take notes, highlight your size and write down where you are.
  • When your best friend begs you to make her the same sweater, you have the pattern ready.
  • It’s a great way to support the blog so I can continue to bring you knitting tutorials.

Grab the printable PDF of the Charlie Chunky Beanie knitting pattern is now in my Etsy shop or on Ravelry:

What you’ll Need for the Ophelia Crochet Cardigan Duster

yarn and hook for the long crochet cardigan pattern
  • Wool of the Andes Bulky (100 g, 100% Superwash wool, 137 yd / 125 m). You will need:
    • Oyster heather: 7 (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 13)
    • Camel heather:  2 (2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4)
    • Persimmon heather: 2 (3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4)
  • Tapestry needle to weave in the ends. I love this set as it has different eye sizes for different yarn thicknesses and it comes in a small tube which is very convenient so I don’t lose them.

Yarn Substitutions

$$$ Splurge

Swish Bulky :100% Fine Superwash Merino Wool, 137 yds, 100g

Swish Bulky is a heavyweight yarn so soft and lofty that “bulky” seems like a misnomer. Large enough to give the squishy extra fine merino room to fully breathe and bloom.

$$ Spend

Mighty Stitch Bulky: 80% Acrylic 20% Superwash Wool, 136 yds, 100g

The Mighty Stitch is a Superwash Superhero! A crafting powerhouse combining 20% Superwash Wool and 80% Acrylic, this yarn is perfect for hats, scarves, and blankets, too!

$ Save

Brava Bulky: 100% Premium Acrylic, 136 yds, 100g

Brava is a 100% acrylic yarn that will keep up with all of life’s adventures! Gentle enough for sensitive skin, Brava is a hard-wearing yarn that works wonders for projects and is a must.

Long Cardigan Sizes

The crochet cardigan pattern is available in the following sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL size. Sizes are written as XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) throughout the pattern. Pictures illustrate the Small size.

The cardigan is designed with a classic fit, 2” to 4” / 5 – 10 cm ease at the bust.

Ophelia cardigan crochet pattern size schematic

Below are the final cardigan dimensions for the different sizes. 

  • XS: bust 81 cm / 31.75”
  • S: bust 90 cm / 35.5”
  • M: bust 100 cm / 39.25”
  • L: bust 110 cm / 43.25”
  • XL: bust 124 cm / 48.75”
  • 2XL: bust 133 cm / 52.25”
  • 3XL: bust 143 cm / 56.25”
  • 4XL: bust 152 cm / 59.75”
  • 5XL: bust 162 cm / 63.75”

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Customization Tips

The cardigan is worked from the bottom up in one big panel (combining back and front) which is sewed at the top to form the armholes. The sleeves are worked separately and sewed to the body. Finally, stitches for the front border and collar as well as cuffs are then picked up.

I’ve provided a breakdown of each section of the pattern so you can customize to your taste and body type.

Sweater Length

After the color block parts the pattern repeats rows of sc/dc in Oyster Heather before starting to decrease to shape the cardigan. Add / Remove rows here to adjust to your desired length. Refer to the schematic for final length to decide how much to add/remove.

ophelia duster crochet cardigan pattern

Ease of Fit

The cardigan is designed with a classic fit, 2” to 4” / 5 – 10 cm ease at the bust. Look at the finished bust measurements and choose the size accordingly. For a close fit, select the finished bust that matches your bust size. For a loose fit 4-6″ larger than your bust. 

You can follow your original size for the armhole length and sleeves to only adjust the bust fit.

Sleeve Length

The sleeves are intentionally quite long to highlight the puff effect of the tighter cuffs. If additional sleeve length is needed, you can simply add repeats of sc/dc rows at the end of the sleeves. Likewise, if the sleeve needs shortening, shorten the sc/dc repeats at the end of the sleeves.

Before you Start your Long Cardigan Crochet Pattern

Gauge

The gauge for this pattern, in alternating rows of dc / sc, is 10.5 st by 9.5 rows for a 10 cm by 10 cm / 4” by 4” square.

Abbreviations

This pattern uses US notations.

  • st = stitch
  • ch = chain
  • sc = single crochet
  • hdc = half double crochet
  • dc = double crochet
  • dc2tog = double crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)

Notes

Work instructions between [] the indicated number of times or until the end of the row / round.

The final number of stitches is indicated at the end of the row / round between < >.

The turning ch 1, ch 2 don’t count as stitches throughout the pattern except if mentioned otherwise.

The pattern is written in crochet shorthand.  For example:

Tips and Tricks

  • To change yarn color, work last st of old color to last yarn over. Yarn over with new color and draw through all loops on hook to complete st.
how to change colors in crochet
  • When using more than one color in a row, I choose to use the stranded technique, leaving floats on the inside of the cardigan. This avoids having any colors peek through, but you can choose to work tapestry style if you prefer.

Construction

The cardigan crochet pattern is worked from the bottom up in one big panel (combining back and front) which is sewed at the top to form the armholes. The sleeves are worked separately and sewed to the body. Finally, stitches for the front border and collar as well as cuffs are then picked up.

Special Stitches and Repeated Patterns

Colorwork Section

colorwork chart for the crochet cardigan pattern
Need help reading crochet charts? Check out the Conquer Charts & Graphs course here

Row 1: Ch 1, [(MC) sc 4, (CC) sc 1] across, turn.

Row 2: Ch 2, (MC) dc across, turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, [(MC) sc 1, (CC) sc 1, (MC) sc 3] across, turn.

Row 4: Ch 2, (MC) dc across, turn.

Row 5: Ch 1, [(MC) hdc 3, (CC) hdc 1, (MC) hdc 1] across, turn.

Row 6: Ch 2, [(MC) dc 3, (CC) dc 1, (MC) dc 1] across, turn.

Row 7: Ch 1, [(MC) sc 3, (CC) sc 2] across, turn.

The Actual Cardigan Crochet Pattern

Main Panel

Start with your 9 mm / US M/N- 13 hook and Camel Heather yarn.

Row 1: Fsc 85 (95, 105, 115, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170). <85 (95, 105, 115, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170) st>

Row 2: Ch 2, dc across, turn. 

Row 3: Ch 1, sc across, turn.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 then repeat Row 2 one more time.

Using Camel heather as main color (MC) and Oyster heather as contrast color (CC) work a colorwork section.

Switch to Persimmon Heather yarn.

Row 1: Ch 2, dc across, turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc across, turn.

Repeat Row 1 and 2 four times, repeat Row 1 one more time.

Using Persimmon heather as main color (MC) and Oyster heather as contrast color (CC) work a colorwork section.

Switch to Oyster Heather yarn.

Row 1: Ch 2, dc across, turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc across, turn.

Repeat Row 1 and 2 until you reach 90 cm / 35.5”.

Row 3: Ch 2, dc2tog, dc until last 2 st, dc2tog, turn. <83 (93, 103, 113, 128, 138, 148, 158, 168) st>

Row 4: Ch 1, sc across, turn.

Repeat Row 3 and 4 three times. <77 (87, 97, 107, 122, 132, 142, 152, 162) st>

Now you need to split your work in 3 sections: both front panels and the back panel. This way you create the armholes.

Divide your stitches as follows:

  • XS: 20 st, 37 st, 20 st
  • S: 22 st, 43 st, 22 st
  • M: 25 st, 47 st, 25 st
  • L: 27 st, 53 st, 27 st
  • XL: 31 st, 60 st, 31 st
  • 2XL: 34 st, 64 st, 34 st
  • 3XL: 36 st, 70 st, 36 st
  • 4XL: 39 st, 74 st, 39 st
  • 5XL: 41 st, 80 st, 41 st

Work each part separately.

Section One

Row 1: Ch 2, dc2tog, dc 18 (20, 23, 25, 29, 32, 34, 37, 39) turn. <19 (21, 24, 26, 30, 33, 35, 38, 40) st>

Row 2: Ch 1, sc across, turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, dc2tog, dc until end of row, turn. <18 (20, 23, 25, 29, 32, 34, 37, 39) st>

Repeat Row 2 and 3 until 11 (13, 15, 17, 20, 23, 23, 25, 27) stitches remain.

Repeat Row 2 one more time.

Fasten off.

Middle Section (back panel)

Join yarn to next available st from the end of the cardigan body section.

Row 1: Ch 2, dc 37 (43, 47, 53, 60, 64, 70, 74, 80) turn. <37 (43, 47, 53, 60, 64, 70, 74, 80)>

Row 2: Ch 1, sc across, turn.

Repeat Row 1 and 2 8 (8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 12, 13, 13) times.

Fasten off.

Last section

Join yarn to next available st from the end of the cardigan body section.

Row 1: Ch 2, dc until last 2 st, dc2tog, turn. <19 (21, 24, 26, 30, 33, 35, 38, 40) st>

Row 2: Ch 1, sc across, turn.

Repeat Row 1 and 2 8 (8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 12, 13, 13) times. <11 (13, 15, 17, 20, 23, 23, 25, 27) st>

Fasten off.

Sleeves

Make 2.

With Camel heather color yarn, Ch 40 (40, 45, 45, 50, 50, 55, 60, 60) + 1.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across, turn.

Row 2: Ch 2, dc across, turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc across, turn.

Using Camel heather as main color (MC) and Oyster heather as contrast color (CC) work a colorwork section.

Switch to Persimmon heather color.

Row 1: Ch 2, dc across, turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc across, turn.

Repeat Row 1 and 2 three times, repeat Row 1 one more time.

Using Persimmon heather as main color (MC) and Oyster heather as contrast color (CC) work a colorwork section.

Switch to Oyster Heather yarn.

Row 1: Ch 2, dc2tog, dc until last 2 st, dc2tog, turn. <38 (38, 43, 43, 48, 48, 53, 58, 58) st>

Row 2: Ch 1, sc across, turn.

Row 3: Ch 2, dc across, turn.

Row 4: Ch 1, sc across, turn.

Row 5: Repeat Row 1. <36 (36, 41, 41, 46, 46, 51, 56, 56)>

Repeat Row 2 and 3 until you reach approximately 48 (48, 50, 50, 50, 52, 52, 54, 54) cm / 19 (19, 19.5, 19.5, 19.5, 20.5, 20.5, 21.25, 21.25)”. Finish on a Row 2.

Assembly

Fold the cardigan body at the armholes.

Sew up the front and back panels at the shoulders.

Fold the sleeve lengthwise and match the fold with the shoulder seam.  Then seam sleeve to armhole, then seam down underside of sleeve to wrist.

Cuffs

Repeat for each sleeve.

With Camel heather color yarn, work in the round, join yarn at the seam.

Row 1: Working in the back (aka 3rd loop) of the sleeve starting chain, sc2tog across, sc 0 (0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0) join with a sl st. <20 (20, 23, 23, 25, 25, 28, 30, 30) st>

Row 2: Ch1, [sc 2, sc2tog] around, sc 0 (0, 3, 3, 1, 1, 0, 2, 2) join with a sl st. <15 (15, 18, 18, 19, 19, 21, 23, 23) st>

Row 3: Ch2, dc around, join with a sl st in 2nd ch. 

Row 4: Ch 2, front post dc around, join with a sl st in 2nd ch.

Repeat Row 4 three times.

Fasten off.

Edge and Collar of the Cardigan Crochet Pattern

Work along the front edges: all the way around the neck line and back down.

Start with a right side row:

  • Right handed: start in the bottom right corner.
  • Left handed: start in the bottom left corner.

Make approximately one stitch in each row or stitch.

The exact number of stitches doesn’t matter, just spread them evenly around.

You’ll work each section in its respective color. Don’t cut off the yarn when you change colors, you’ll pick it back up on the returning row.

Row 1: Ch 2, dc across, turn.

Row 2: Ch 2, back post dc up one side to shoulder seam, back post dc2tog across shoulder seam, back post dc across the back, back post dc2tog across shoulder seam, back post dc down opposite side to corner, turn.

Row 3: Ch 2, front post dc until shoulder seam, front post dc2tog, front post dc across the back, front post dc2tog at the shoulder seam, front post dc across, turn.

Fasten off.

Finished Ophelia Cardigan

Blocking

You’re done with the crocheting part. Make sure to weave in all the ends.

To make your crochet cardigan even prettier, help even your stitches and make the textures come out even more, block your project.

Don’t skip this step as it can make a huge difference. Read my detailed tutorial on why block, how-to, and all my tips and tricks if you need help.

free knitting and crochet cheatsheets

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