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# Butter Rectangle Cardigan
### An Easy Beginner-Friendly Crochet Kimono Cardigan

A relaxed, boxy cardigan made from simple rectangles — no complicated shaping! Worked flat in rows of half double crochet, this cozy open-front cardigan features dropped shoulders and wide, comfortable sleeves. Perfect for confident beginners.

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## SKILL LEVEL
Beginner — if you can chain, turn, and work half double crochet, you can make this cardigan.

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## MATERIALS

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (#4) cotton yarn in **butter yellow**
  *(100% cotton recommended for drape and breathability; a cotton blend also works)*
- **Approximate yardage required:**

| Size | Yardage | Meters |
|------|---------|--------|
| XS | 1100 yds | 1006 m |
| S | 1250 yds | 1143 m |
| M | 1400 yds | 1280 m |
| L | 1550 yds | 1417 m |
| XL | 1700 yds | 1554 m |
| 2XL | 1900 yds | 1737 m |

- **Hook:** US H/8 (5.0 mm)
- **Tapestry/yarn needle** (for seaming and weaving in ends)
- **Stitch markers** (4–6)
- **Scissors**
- **Measuring tape**

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## GAUGE

**14 hdc × 11 rows = 4 in (10 cm)** in half double crochet.

> ⏱ *Always make a gauge swatch!* Chain 18, work hdc rows until square measures 4 in. If your swatch is too big, use a smaller hook; too small, use a larger hook. Gauge is forgiving in this oversized design, but a correct gauge keeps your sizing accurate.

**Math check:** 14 sts ÷ 4 in = **3.5 sts per inch**; 11 rows ÷ 4 in = **2.75 rows per inch**.

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## ABBREVIATIONS (US Terms)

| Abbrev. | Meaning |
|---------|---------|
| ch | chain |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| sc | single crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| RS | right side |
| WS | wrong side |
| rep | repeat |
| beg | beginning |
| turn ch | turning chain |

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## SIZING & FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

This cardigan is designed to be worn **oversized** with an open front (6–10 in of positive ease is normal). Choose your size based on the finished bust you want.

| Size | To Fit Bust | Finished Bust* | Body Length | Sleeve Length | Sleeve Width |
|------|-------------|----------------|-------------|---------------|--------------|
| XS | 30–32 in | 40 in | 24 in | 17 in | 14 in |
| S | 33–35 in | 44 in | 25 in | 17 in | 14 in |
| M | 36–38 in | 48 in | 26 in | 17.5 in | 14 in |
| L | 39–41 in | 52 in | 27 in | 18 in | 14 in |
| XL | 42–44 in | 56 in | 28 in | 18 in | 14 in |
| 2XL | 45–48 in | 60 in | 28 in | 18 in | 14 in |

*\*Finished bust = total circumference of the cardigan when seamed and closed (back + two fronts including center overlap).*

> Numbers throughout the pattern are written for sizes:
> **XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL)**

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## CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW

This is a **T-shaped kimono cardigan** made from **5 rectangles**:
- **1 Back** (one wide rectangle)
- **2 Fronts** (two narrow rectangles)
- **2 Sleeves** (two wide rectangles — *not* tapered)

You will seam the shoulders, attach the sleeves at right angles (dropped shoulder), seam the sides and underarms, then add a simple border. There is **no armhole shaping and no sleeve tapering** — just simple straight rectangles.

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# THE PATTERN

### Note on Starting Chains
For each piece, your foundation chain = (number of stitches) + 1 (the +1 is your turning chain). 

**Row pattern used throughout (hdc fabric):**
Ch 1 to turn does **not** count as a stitch. Work first hdc into the first stitch.

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## 1. BACK PANEL

**Foundation:** Ch 71 (78, 85, 92, 99, 106).
**Row 1:** Starting in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in each ch across. Turn.
→ You now have **70 (77, 84, 91, 98, 105) hdc**.

**Math check:** 70 sts ÷ 3.5 sts/in = **20 in** (XS back width). ✓

**Rows 2 to end:** Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.

Repeat until the Back measures:
**24 (25, 26, 27, 28, 28) in** from foundation.
→ Approximately **66 (69, 72, 74, 77, 77) rows.**

Fasten off. Set aside.

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## 2. LEFT FRONT PANEL

**Foundation:** Ch 39 (43, 46, 50, 53, 57).
**Row 1:** Starting in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in each ch across. Turn.
→ You now have **38 (42, 45, 49, 52, 56) hdc**.

**Math check:** 38 sts ÷ 3.5 = ~10.9 in. Two fronts = ~21.8 in, giving a comfortable center overlap over the 20 in back (XS). ✓

**Rows 2 to end:** Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.

Work until the Left Front measures the **same length as the Back**:
**24 (25, 26, 27, 28, 28) in**.

Fasten off.

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## 3. RIGHT FRONT PANEL

Work exactly the same as the **Left Front Panel**.

→ **38 (42, 45, 49, 52, 56) hdc**, worked to **24 (25, 26, 27, 28, 28) in**.

Fasten off.

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## 4. SLEEVES (Make 2)

The sleeves are **simple wide rectangles** — the same width from top to bottom (no increases or decreases). They are seamed and attached at a right angle to the body for a cozy dropped-shoulder look.

**Foundation:** Ch 50.
**Row 1:** Starting in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in each ch across. Turn.
→ You now have **49 hdc**.

**Math check:** 49 sts ÷ 3.5 = **14 in** sleeve width. ✓

**Rows 2 to end:** Ch 1, hdc in each st across. Turn.

Work until the sleeve measures:
**17 (17, 17.5, 18, 18, 18) in** from foundation.
→ Approximately **47 (47, 48, 50, 50, 50) rows.**

Fasten off, leaving a long tail (about 24 in) for seaming.

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# ASSEMBLY

Lay all pieces flat with the right sides facing up. Use a tapestry needle and matching butter yarn. **Mattress stitch** or **slip-stitch seams** both work well — slip stitch is fastest for beginners.

### Step 1 — Seam the Shoulders
Place a Front panel on top of the Back, right sides together, aligning the top edges.
- Seam across the **top edge** from the outer (armhole) edge inward about **5 (5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5) in**, leaving the center open for the neck.
- Repeat with the other Front on the opposite shoulder.

> This straight horizontal seam is the kimono "shoulder." There is **no shoulder shaping** — it stays flat.

### Step 2 — Mark & Attach the Sleeves
Lay the seamed body flat, opened out.
- Find the **center of the shoulder seam** on each side and place a marker.
- Measure **7 in down** from the shoulder seam on the Front and **7 in down** on the Back — this 14 in span is your armhole opening (matching the 14 in sleeve width).
- With right sides together, pin the **top edge of the sleeve** evenly along this 14 in armhole opening.
- Seam the sleeve to the body. The sleeve sits at a **right angle (T-shape)** — this is the dropped shoulder.
- Repeat for the second sleeve.

### Step 3 — Seam the Sides and Underarms
Fold the cardigan at the shoulders so Fronts and Back are right sides together.
- Starting at the **sleeve cuff**, seam down the **underarm of the sleeve**, then continue down the **side of the body** to the hem in one continuous line.
- Repeat on the other side.

### Step 4 — Weave in Loose Ends
Weave in any tails except where you will continue for the border.

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# BORDER / EDGING

A simple single-crochet border tidies the front opening and neckline and helps the edges lie flat.

**Round 1 (sc edging):**
Join butter yarn with a sl st at the bottom corner of one Front.
- Ch 1, then work **sc evenly** up the Right Front edge, around the back neck, and down the Left Front edge.
- **Spacing guide:** work approximately **3 sc for every 4 rows** along the vertical front edges, and **1 sc in each st** across the back neck. Place **3 sc in each corner** to turn neatly.
- Do not work across the bottom hem yet.

**Round 2 (optional cuff & hem):**
For a finished look, work **1 round of sc around each sleeve cuff** and **1 row of sc across the bottom hem**.

**Round 3 (optional decorative edge — reverse sc / crab stitch):**
For a subtle textured border, work one round of **reverse single crochet** (work sc from left to right instead of right to left) around the entire front-and-neck edge.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

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## OPTIONAL CLOSURES

This cardigan is designed to be **worn open**, but you may add:
- **Fabric ties:** Crochet two chains about 12 in long; attach one to each front edge at waist height and tie in a bow.
- **Single button:** Sew a button to one front; use a chain loop on the other front as a buttonhole.
- **Sash belt:** Crochet a long strip (ch enough for ~4 in width, work to 60 in long in hdc) to wrap and tie.

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## BLOCKING

Gently wet-block or steam-block your finished cardigan:
- Soak in cool water, gently squeeze (do not wring), and lay flat to the finished measurements.
- Pat into shape, opening up the drape and evening out the stitches.
- Let dry completely. Cotton especially benefits from blocking for a polished result.

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## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS RECAP

| Size | Finished Bust | Body Length | Sleeve Length | Sleeve Width |
|------|---------------|-------------|---------------|--------------|
| XS | 40 in | 24 in | 17 in | 14 in |
| S | 44 in | 25 in | 17 in | 14 in |
| M | 48 in | 26 in | 17.5 in | 14 in |
| L | 52 in | 27 in | 18 in | 14 in |
| XL | 56 in | 28 in | 18 in | 14 in |
| 2XL | 60 in | 28 in | 18 in | 14 in |

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### 🧈 Designer Notes
- The simple hdc fabric is forgiving and beginner-friendly — perfect for relaxing rows of repetitive stitches.
- Because every piece is a rectangle, this is a wonderful first garment. If you can make a swatch, you can make this cardigan!
- Want it longer or shorter? Simply add or remove rows on the Back and Front panels (keep them equal). Each inch of length = about **3 extra rows**.
- Want longer or shorter sleeves? Add or remove rows on the sleeve rectangle before seaming.

Enjoy your cozy butter cardigan! 💛