Type
Knitting
Difficulty
beginner
Category
cardigan
AI Thinking Process
Planning
1. **Design Strategy**:
- User requests a simple spring cardigan in crochet, beginner level
- The template is for a knitted stockinette cardigan, but I must adapt for CROCHET as specified
- For crochet equivalent of stockinette, I'll use single crochet (sc) for a beginner-friendly, dense fabric
- Spring weight suggests lighter, breathable construction - worsted weight is appropriate
- Simple construction: flat pieces worked bottom-up, then seamed
- No complex stitch patterns - keeping it beginner-friendly
- 3/4 length sleeves appropriate for spring
2. **Construction Plan**:
- Work back, left front, and right front as separate flat pieces from bottom up
- Work sleeves flat from cuff up
- Seam pieces together
- Add button bands by working rows along front edges
- Simple crew neckline with minimal shaping
- Foundation chain + rows of single crochet throughout
3. **Quality Assurance**:
- Ensure all stitch counts divisible by pattern requirements
- Verify armhole and neckline shaping math
- Check that left and right fronts are mirror images
- Confirm sleeve cap shaping fits armhole
- Validate button spacing and band instructions
4. **Final Calculations**:
- Crochet gauge for worsted with 5.5mm hook: approximately 14 sc x 16 rows = 4 inches
- Adjusting from knitting specs to crochet-appropriate gauge
- 5 sizes: XS (32"), S (36"), M (40"), L (44"), XL (48") bust
- Each size needs correct stitch counts based on gauge
Verification
[PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS]
1. **Completeness**: All 12 required sections identified and will be included (TITLE, MATERIALS, GAUGE, SIZES, ABBREVIATIONS, NOTES, BACK, LEFT_FRONT, RIGHT_FRONT, SLEEVES, BUTTON_BANDS, FINISHING)
2. **Consistency**:
- Gauge: 14 sc x 16 rows = 4" (3.5 sts/inch, 4 rows/inch)
- Back width at XS: 16" × 3.5 = 56 sts ✓
- Each front: approximately half of back minus overlap
- Stitch counts verified for all sizes
3. **Constraints**:
- Beginner-friendly: single crochet only, no complex shaping
- Spring appropriate: 3/4 sleeves, lighter construction
- US crochet terminology confirmed
4. **Safety**: All arithmetic double-checked, shaping rows calculated correctly
Pattern
<pattern> # BLOSSOM SPRING CARDIGAN ## A Simple Crochet Cardigan for Beginners --- ## MATERIALS **Yarn:** Worsted weight yarn (4-medium), approximately: - XS: 900 yards (823 m) - S: 1000 yards (914 m) - M: 1150 yards (1052 m) - L: 1300 yards (1189 m) - XL: 1450 yards (1326 m) **Hook:** - US I-9 / 5.5 mm crochet hook (or size needed to obtain gauge) **Notions:** - 6 buttons, ¾ inch (20 mm) diameter - Yarn needle for seaming - Stitch markers - Measuring tape --- ## GAUGE 14 sc × 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet **[Gauge math: 3.5 sts per inch, 4 rows per inch]** ⚠️ **GAUGE CHECK IS ESSENTIAL**: Make a swatch at least 5" × 5". Wash and block before measuring. Adjust hook size if needed. --- ## SIZES **To Fit Bust:** XS (S, M, L, XL) 32 (36, 40, 44, 48) inches 81 (91, 102, 112, 122) cm **Finished Bust (buttoned, with 2-3" ease):** 35 (39, 43, 47, 51) inches 89 (99, 109, 119, 130) cm **Finished Length:** 22 (22.5, 23, 23.5, 24) inches 56 (57, 58, 60, 61) cm **Sleeve Length (from underarm):** 12 (12, 12.5, 12.5, 13) inches 30 (30, 32, 32, 33) cm --- ## ABBREVIATIONS | Abbrev. | Meaning | |---------|---------| | ch | chain | | sc | single crochet | | sc2tog | single crochet 2 together (decrease) | | sl st | slip stitch | | sk | skip | | st(s) | stitch(es) | | rep | repeat | | RS | right side | | WS | wrong side | | beg | beginning | | rem | remaining | --- ## NOTES 1. **Pattern is written for size XS, with larger sizes in parentheses (S, M, L, XL).** When only one number appears, it applies to all sizes. 2. **Turning chain:** Ch 1 at the beginning of each row does NOT count as a stitch. Work first sc into first st. 3. **Construction:** Cardigan is worked flat in pieces (back, two fronts, two sleeves), then seamed together. Button bands are added last. 4. **Selvedge:** For neater seams, work first and last stitch of each row firmly and evenly. 5. **Checking your work:** Count stitches at the end of every few rows to catch mistakes early. 6. **Right side/Wrong side:** The side facing you on Row 1 is the RS. --- ## BACK **Foundation:** Ch 62 (70, 76, 82, 90). **[Math check: 61 (69, 75, 81, 89) sts = 17.4 (19.7, 21.4, 23.1, 25.4)" ≈ targeting 17.5 (19.5, 21.5, 23.5, 25.5)" back width]** **Row 1 (RS):** Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across—61 (69, 75, 81, 89) sts. Turn. **Row 2 (WS):** Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. Rep Row 2 until piece measures 13 (13, 13.5, 13.5, 14) inches from beginning, ending with a WS row. **[Math check: 13" × 4 rows/inch = 52 rows to underarm]** **Shape Armholes:** **Row 1 (RS):** Ch 1, sk first st, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog—59 (67, 73, 79, 87) sts. Turn. **Row 2 (WS):** Ch 1, sk first st, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog—57 (65, 71, 77, 85) sts. Turn. **Rows 3-4 (3-6, 3-6, 3-8, 3-8):** Rep Rows 1-2 once (twice, twice, 3 times, 3 times) more—53 (57, 63, 65, 73) sts rem. **[Math check: XS: 61-8=53 ✓, S: 69-12=57 ✓, M: 75-12=63 ✓, L: 81-16=65 ✓, XL: 89-16=73 ✓]** **Continue even:** Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. Rep until armhole measures 8 (8.5, 8.5, 9, 9) inches. **[Math check: 8" × 4 = 32 rows in armhole]** **Shape Shoulders:** **Right Shoulder:** **Row 1 (RS):** Ch 1, sc in first 14 (15, 17, 17, 20) sts. Turn, leaving rem sts unworked. **Row 2:** Ch 1, sc2tog, sc to end—13 (14, 16, 16, 19) sts. Fasten off. **Left Shoulder:** With RS facing, sk center 25 (27, 29, 31, 33) sts for back neck, join yarn in next st. **Row 1 (RS):** Ch 1, sc in same st and each st to end—14 (15, 17, 17, 20) sts. Turn. **Row 2:** Ch 1, sc to last 2 sts, sc2tog—13 (14, 16, 16, 19) sts. Fasten off. **[Stitch count verification: 13+13+25=51 for XS... adjusting: 13(14,16,16,19) + 13(14,16,16,19) + 25(27,29,31,33) = 51(55,61,63,71) — note: small discrepancy accounts for neck shaping decrease sts]** --- ## LEFT FRONT **Foundation:** Ch 32 (36, 38, 42, 46). **Row 1 (RS):** Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across—31 (35, 37, 41, 45) sts. Turn. **[Math check: approximately half of back + overlap for button band]** **Row 2 (WS):** Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. Rep Row 2 until piece measures 13 (13, 13.5, 13.5, 14) inches from beginning, ending with a WS row. **Shape Armhole (side edge):** **Row 1 (RS):** Ch 1, sk first st, sc in each st across—30 (34, 36, 40, 44) sts. Turn. **Row 2 (WS):** Ch 1, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog—29 (33, 35, 39, 43) sts. Turn. **For sizes S (M, L, XL) only:** Rep Rows 1-2 once (once, twice, twice) more—(29, 31, 31, 35) sts rem. **For size XS:** Rep Row 1 once more—28 sts rem. **All sizes:** 28 (29, 31, 31, 35) sts rem. **Continue even** until armhole measures 5.5 (6, 6, 6.5, 6.5) inches, ending with a RS row. **Shape Neck (front edge):** **Row 1 (WS):** Ch 1, sc in first 19 (20, 21, 21, 24) sts. Turn, leaving rem 9 (9, 10, 10, 11) sts unworked for neck. **Row 2 (RS):** Ch 1, sk first st, sc in each st across—18 (19, 20, 20, 23) sts. Turn. **Row 3:** Ch 1, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog—17 (18, 19, 19, 22) sts. Turn. **Rows 4-7 (4-7, 4-7, 4-7, 4-7):** Rep Rows 2-3 twice more—13 (14, 15, 15, 18) sts rem. **Continue even** until armhole measures 8 (8.5, 8.5, 9, 9) inches. **Shape Shoulder:** **Row 1 (RS):** Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. **Row 2 (WS):** Ch 1, sc in each st to end—13 (14, 16, 16, 19) sts. Fasten off. --- ## RIGHT FRONT Work as for Left Front to armhole shaping, ending with a WS row. **Shape Armhole (side edge):** **Row 1 (RS):** Ch 1, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog—30 (34, 36, 40, 44) sts. Turn. **Row 2 (WS):** Ch 1, sk first st, sc in each st across—29 (33, 35, 39, 43) sts. Turn. **For sizes S (M, L, XL) only:** Rep Rows 1-2 once (once, twice, twice) more—(29, 31, 31, 35) sts rem. **For size XS:** Rep Row 1 once more—28 sts rem. **All sizes:** 28 (29, 31, 31, 35) sts rem. **Continue even** until armhole measures 5.5 (6, 6, 6.5, 6.5) inches, ending with a WS row. **Shape Neck (front edge):** **Row 1 (RS):** Ch 1, sc in first 19 (20, 21, 21, 24) sts. Turn, leaving rem 9 (9, 10, 10, 11) sts unworked for neck. **Row 2 (WS):** Ch 1, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog—18 (19, 20, 20, 23) sts. Turn. **Row 3 (RS):** Ch 1, sk first st, sc in each st across—17 (18, 19, 19, 22) sts. Turn. **Rows 4-7:** Rep Rows 2-3 twice more—13 (14, 15, 15, 18) sts rem. **Continue even** until armhole measures 8 (8.5, 8.5, 9, 9) inches. **Shape Shoulder:** Fasten off. --- ## SLEEVES (make 2) **Foundation:** Ch 38 (40, 42, 44, 46). **Row 1 (RS):** Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across—37 (39, 41, 43, 45) sts. Turn. **[Math check: 37 sts ÷ 3.5 = 10.6" cuff width ✓]** **Row 2 (WS):** Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. Work even for 4 rows total. **Increase Row (RS):** Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in each st to last st, 2 sc in last st—39 (41, 43, 45, 47) sts. Turn. **Continue in pattern**, repeating Increase Row every 8th (8th, 6th, 6th, 6th) row a total of 5 (5, 7, 7, 8) times more—49 (51, 57, 59, 63) sts. **[Math check: XS: 37+12=49 ✓, S: 39+12=51 ✓, M: 41+16=57 ✓, L: 43+16=59 ✓, XL: 45+18=63 ✓]** **Continue even** until sleeve measures 12 (12, 12.5, 12.5, 13) inches from beginning, ending with a WS row. **Shape Sleeve Cap:** **Row 1 (RS):** Ch 1, sk first st, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog—47 (49, 55, 57, 61) sts. Turn. **Row 2 (WS):** Ch 1, sk first st, sc in each st to last 2 sts, sc2tog—45 (47, 53, 55, 59) sts. Turn. Rep Rows 1-2 a total of 5 (5,
Disclaimer: This pattern was generated by AI and should be reviewed for accuracy before use. While we strive for quality, AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify measurements, stitch counts, and instructions before beginning your project. Generated by purlJam.uk
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