Crochet a Cozy Sweater for Beginners – Easy Step-by-Step Cardigan!
Ready to grab your hook and yarn? I'm excited to show you how to crochet your very own Cozy Cardi! This easy-to-follow guide is perfect for beginners. With simple double crochet stitches, you'll create a stylish and comfortable sweater. If you're new to making garments, this is a great project.
Meet Christa from The Secret Yarnery
Hi, I'm Christa, and I'll be your guide! I'll walk you through each step to make sure this project is easy for you. My clear instructions make this project accessible, even if you've never crocheted a sweater before. You can explore more crochet patterns and inspiration on my YouTube channel, The Secret Yarnery.
What is a Cozy Cardi?
What makes this crochet cardigan so special? Well, the beginner-friendly pattern uses just double crochet stitches. That makes it a simple project, with a great outcome. The "big granny square" construction simplifies the process. Plus, the cute sleeves, cuffs, and collar add the perfect finishing touches.
Project Overview
The Cozy Cardi is made by creating a large granny square and joining it strategically. This forms the body and sleeves. My pattern includes step-by-step instructions for crocheting the square, creating the armholes, and adding the finishing touches. I'll walk you through each step, making it easy to follow along.
Materials You'll Need
Before you start, gather all your materials. Having everything prepared will make the process smooth and enjoyable.
- Yarn: You'll need about 750 grams (26.46 ounces or 1236 meters/1352 yards) of worsted weight (4) acrylic yarn. If using three colors, you'll need 250 grams (8.82 ounces or 412 meters/451 yards) of each. You can find a link to the suggested yarn from Ice Yarns in the video description.
- Crochet Hook: A 6.5 mm crochet hook works best (or a 6 mm if you don't have a 6.5 mm). You can find a link to a suggested crochet hook on Amazon in the video description.
- Needle: You'll need a needle for weaving in ends. Check the video description for a link to my favorite needles on Amazon.
- Scissors: A pair of scissors. I have a link to scissors that I recommend from Amazon in the video description.
- Stitch Markers: A collection of stitch markers. I have linked the stitch markers I recommend from Amazon in the video description.
Important Note: The yarn amount may vary based on your size. I always recommend getting two skeins of each color. This ensures you have enough.
Gauge
While gauge isn't explicitly mentioned, it's always a good practice. Crochet a small swatch to check your tension. This ensures your finished project matches the desired size. Use the yarn and hook specified in the materials section. Crochet a 4" x 4" square using double crochet stitches. If needed, adjust your hook size to achieve the correct gauge.
Pattern Availability
You can follow along with the video tutorial, or download the written pattern from The Secret Yarnery website. All of my patterns are written in plain English for easy understanding.
Video Time Stamps
Use the video timestamps to navigate to specific sections of the tutorial easily. This is a handy feature if you need to review a particular technique or section of the pattern.
Let's Get Started!
Time to begin your crochet journey! Follow the steps below to create your own Cozy Cardi.
Round 1: The Magic Ring
Begin by creating a magic ring. If you're not familiar with this technique, I encourage you to give it a try! The magic ring creates a nice, tight center for your granny square.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Magic Ring:
- Place the yarn tail over your non-dominant hand. Hold it down with your ring finger.
- Wrap the yarn around your two fingers. Create an "X," and then wrap it around your third finger. Pinch it underneath your thumb.
- Flip your hand over. You'll see a short strand and a long strand.
- Insert your crochet hook (side facing down) underneath the short strand. Grab the long strand, and bring it under, pointing the hook toward yourself and then away from yourself.
- Release your thumb slightly to allow the yarn to slide, looping the long loop.
- Pinch underneath your hook to hold the loop in place. Bring that loop through. This creates your magic ring.
- Chain 1 (this chain does not count as a stitch).
Work 15 double crochets into the center of the ring, working over the tail.
Slip stitch to the top of the first real double crochet (the chain 1 doesn't count) to join.
Chain 1 to secure the yarn and cut, leaving a long tail for weaving in later.
Pull your hook up and yarn through, and snug it down to secure.
Flip the work over and cinch the magic ring closed, nice and tight.
Use the tail to sew the center shut if you did a chain three ring.
Weave in the center tail securely, going around in the same direction as the yarn is coming from and then back the other way.
Round 2: Cluster Stitch
This round introduces a cluster stitch. It will add texture and visual interest to your granny square.
Insert your hook into the stitch right after the join.
Loop your next color on your hook, bring it through, and slip stitch with both strands to join. Drop the tail and hold it along the back of your work.
Chain 1 (this counts as your first stitch for this round).
Make one more double crochet into that same stitch.
Chain 1.
Into the next stitch, start two double crochets but don't finish them completely. Leave the last two loops on your hook for each.
You'll have three loops on your hook. Yarn over, pinch underneath that last stitch, and pull your hook up to give yourself some space.
Yarn over and slide off all three loops.
Chain 1.
Repeat this "two double crochet cluster" (DC2tog) into each stitch around.
When you get back to the join, you should have 14 clusters. Make two more – one right before the join and one right after the join.
Slip stitch into the top of the first cluster to join.
Chain 1 to secure your yarn, cut your yarn leaving a tail, and weave it in.
Round 3: Four Double Crochet Cluster (DC4tog)
Time to add more dimension with a larger cluster stitch.
Insert your hook into any space between the clusters.
Loop your next color on your hook, bring it through, and slip stitch with both strands to join. Drop the tail and hold it along the back of your work.
Chain 1 (this counts as your first double crochet).
Into the same space, start three double crochets, leaving the last loop on your hook for each. You'll have four loops on your hook.
Pinch that last stitch, yarn over, and take off all four loops.
Chain 2.
Into the next space, start four double crochets, leaving the last loop on your hook for each (DC4tog). You'll have five loops on your hook.
Grab that last 5th stitch, yarn over, and take off all five loops.
Chain 2.
Repeat this DC4tog and chain 2 into each space around.
When you get to your tail, pull it forward and work over it as you make the cluster.
Slip stitch into the top of the first cluster to join.
Chain 1 to secure your yarn, cut your yarn leaving a tail, and weave it in.
Round 4: Turning the Circle into a Square
This round is where we shape your granny square!
Insert your hook into the fourth space before the join.
Loop your next color on your hook, bring it through, and slip stitch with both strands to join. Drop the tail and hold it along the top edge of your work.
Chain 3 (this counts as your first treble crochet).
Into the same space, do two treble crochets.
Into the next space, do three double crochets.
Into the next space, do three half double crochets.
Into the next space, do three double crochets.
Now you're at a corner! Bring the tail forward to work over it.
Into the corner space, create a corner: (3 treble crochets, chain 2, 3 treble crochets). If you need more room, slide your stitches back.
For the sides, repeat the following sequence into the next three spaces: (3 double crochets, 3 half double crochets, 3 double crochets).
At the next corner space, create another corner: (3 treble crochets, chain 2, 3 treble crochets).
Continue working the sides and corners in this manner all the way around.
When you get back to where you started, slide those stitches forward to give ourselves some more room in that corner space.
Finish off that corner with three treble crochets, chain two.
Slip stitch to the top of that chain 3 to join, making sure you get underneath two strands of that stitch.
Chain 1 to secure your yarn, cut your yarn leaving a tail, and weave it in.
Round 5: Solid Granny Square
This round begins turning the granny square into a solid granny square.
Pop your hook into any corner space.
Loop of your next color on your hook, bring it through, and slip stitch with both strands to join and chain two.
This counts as your first double crochet, and into that same Corner, one double crochet just like that.
Now, we're going to work in to each Stitch along this side, and our first Stitch is the one we have to pay attention to.
It's this guy right here, but it can easily be stuck underneath these stitches, so make sure you get into that very first Stitch of the corner.
One double crochet into the first Stitch and one double crochet into each Stitch all the way along.
We're working in to the stitches now, turning our granny square into a solid granny square.
Wrap your yarn into the next Stitch, one double crochet and one double crochet into each Stitch all the way along this side.
When you get to your tail or whenever you do get to your tail, just bring it forward so we can work over it underneath those stitches.
Into your corner space, we're going to do two double crochets, chain two, and two double crochets.
Now, into that chain, you can see that little hole there.
Put your Stitch into that hole.
One double crochet into each Stitch all the way along our side and just remember to be looking at the top of our V's for this round.
We're just looking at the top of those V's, one double crochet into each Stitch all the way along, and I'll meet you when we get to our Corner.
When you get to your corner, we'll do our Corner into that corner space, so two double crochets, chain two, and two double crochets into the corner space.
Remember to go into our first Stitch, it could be hiding underneath our Corner stitches.
It just so, just line your needle up with that first double crochet of the side and make sure you get into that first Stitch, is always look for that first Stitch.
This Stitch is going to help our sweater feel nice and relaxed and not too tight.
Chain 1 to secure your yarn, cut your yarn leaving a tail, and weave it in.
Round 6 and Beyond: Repeat for Desired Size
This round is the foundation for making your granny square bigger. Repeating it will grow your Cozy Cardi to the size you need. This is an easy beginner crochet pattern.
Start in the corner before, so wherever you joined, you're always going to be joining just in the corner before.
Just so you don't have too many tails in the same corner, just gives a little bit of order to things, so in to that corner before, just slide your hook into that space Loop of yarn on your hook, bring it through and slip stitch with both strands to join, drop your tail just holding it along the top edge of your work and chain two.
Remember to find that very first double crochet.
One double crochet into each Stitch all the way along the side.
Chain 1 to secure your yarn, cut your yarn leaving a tail, and weave it in.
Keep repeating Round 6 until your granny square reaches the desired size for your cardigan.
Determining Your Size
How big should you make your granny square? The answer depends on your desired fit and body measurements. I suggest trying on the square periodically as you crochet to see how it's shaping up.
A good rule of thumb is to measure from the center of your back to your wrist. This measurement will give you an approximate size for your granny square.
Checking Your Size - Try it On!
When you think that your cozy cardi is the size you want, fold it in half, so we have our cute flower in the middle and just fold it in half, then along the sides, just tuck your first Corners together with some Stitch markers just into that corner space of both pieces, both sides, and then just tack it together all the way up leaving a spot for your arm to come out up by the center bit up here.
It doesn't matter, you don't have to line up your stitches, you don't feel like count it, it's literally just for trying on.
Creating the Armholes
Once your granny square is the right size, it's time to create the armholes. This involves folding the square and marking the placement of the sleeves.
Now, we're going to line them up exactly all the way along, and we're going to leave a spot open, but we're going to make sure we know exactly how many stitches we're going to leave open for Our Sleeve.
Starting in this corner, they just into that space into the corner space of both sides one stitch marker and now I'm going to line them up so there's my first Stitch second third four all the way up I'm just going to pinch them so they line up and every once in a while.
I'm going to pop a stitch marker into both sides just like that so I know that that is lined up right there and I'm going to keep lining it up all the way up to my armhole you can of course count if you like to count welcome to do that as well.
Now, this is where we want to count our stitches, we want to make sure we have the same number of empty stitches for Our Sleeve up here.
Now, for your armhole, you can decide how big or wide you want it to be if you want it to be a little bit smaller or if you want it to be nice and big.
So, mine is going to be right there, and now we can just count how many stitches are going to be open two four six eight 10 12 14 16 18.
20 22, so I have 23 stitches for my opening, so I just want to write that number down so I can do the same for the other side.
And now into that Stitch, we're going to put 1 stitch marker into each side of our sleeve, so there's one on this side, and we don't need them along the side anymore, that was just to help us get up there, help us count.
Pop out the Stitch markers from this side and make your second side match, so go to your other side of your sweater and Mark out your final 23 stitches or whatever size you want to make your sleeve it is totally fine.
Joining the Sides (Continuous Join-As-You-Go)
This technique creates a neat and seamless join for the sides of your Cozy Cardi.
Start in this corner here, so our folded Corner, our Stitch markers for our armhole are coming up and we're starting in that corner right before grab your hook and grab your yarn whatever your next color would be or the same color if you are use if you're not changing colors slip stitch with both strands to join in that corner space and then just keep working along like we have been so chain two for your first double crochet and we can work over our tail a couple stitches so one more double crochet into the corner and one double crochet into each Stitch all the way up and along until we get to our second stitch marker.
Double crochet into that Stitch where my stitch marker was.
Now fold your sweater in half and just fold this top Edge down so we can get to our stitch marker just like that.
So, we're going to be joining this side here and while we finish the row right here on this side.
This is where my stitch marker was,
Left Handed?
FAQs
1. I'm a complete beginner. Can I really make this cardigan?
Absolutely! This guide is designed for beginners. The instructions focus on basic stitches like double crochet and simple techniques. Plus, the "big granny square" approach simplifies the process.
2. How much yarn do I need if I want a larger size?
The recommended amount is approximately 750 grams of worsted weight yarn. For larger sizes, consider adding 250–500 grams, depending on the desired size. Always purchase extra yarn to avoid running out mid-project.
3. Can I use a different type of yarn?
Yes, but it’s best to use worsted weight yarn for a similar appearance and fit. If you use a different yarn, ensure you crochet a gauge swatch to adjust your hook size as needed.
4. What is a gauge swatch, and why is it important?
A gauge swatch is a small sample you crochet to check your tension and stitch size. It ensures your cardigan fits correctly. Making one can save frustration later when sizing your project.
5. Where do I purchase the materials?
You can find links to recommended yarn, hooks, needles, scissors, and stitch markers in the video description. Most supplies are also available online or at local craft stores.
6. How do I make the cardigan bigger or smaller?
To adjust the size, crochet more or fewer rounds of the granny square. Measure from the center of your back to your wrist to determine the size you need, or try it on periodically for a perfect fit.
7. How are the armholes created?
The armholes are formed by folding the granny square, marking where the sleeves will go, and leaving gaps. This simple step avoids complicated shaping.
8. Can I add my own design elements?
Yes! You can play with colors, add decorative stitching, or even include custom edges. Making it your own adds a personal touch to the project.
9. How do I keep track of the stitches while following this pattern?
Using stitch markers is highly recommended. They help mark important points, like corners and armholes, making it easier to stay organized as you crochet.
Christa Patel is a passionate crochet artist, teacher, and the creator behind The Secret Yarnery. With years of experience, Christa specializes in making crochet simple and fun for everyone, regardless of skill level. Her clear and approachable tutorials have inspired thousands of crafters worldwide.
Through her popular YouTube channel and crochet patterns, she transforms complex projects into beginner-friendly creations, empowering enthusiasts to tackle projects they never thought possible. Her love for color, texture, and creativity shines in every design, from blankets to cozy garments like the Cozy Cardi.
When Christa isn't crocheting, she curates an extensive library of free and paid patterns designed to fit any style or need. She’s built her platform on fostering a supportive and welcoming crochet community.
Connect with Christa for more patterns, tips, and crochet inspiration:
- Website: The Secret Yarnery
- YouTube: The Secret Yarnery Channel
Christa aims to make crochet accessible, enjoyable, and creative for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned pro or picking up a hook for the first time, she's here to guide you on your crochet adventure!