How to Crochet a Cozy Cardi: Beginner-Friendly Sweater Tutorial

I’m excited to share with you how you can make your very own Cozy Cardi! This one is easy, stylish, and perfect for anyone dipping their toes into garment crocheting for the first time. If you’ve never crocheted a sweater before, don’t worry. You’ll learn step-by-step, and by the end, you’ll have a cozy sweater to call your own.

Check out the video tutorial to crochet along with me:

Overview of the Cozy Cardi

At its core, the Cozy Cardi is made from one large granny square. It’s just some basic double crochets (dcs), which makes it perfect for beginners. Then, you fold this square and do a few simple steps to turn it into a wearable, stylish cardigan!

Here’s the secret: It’s much easier than you think. You’re essentially making a fancy blanket and giving it sleeves. I walk you through the entire process, and you won’t believe how stunning the final piece looks.

If you want to grab the written pattern, you can get it here. It’s written in plain English—don’t worry if reading crochet patterns is new to you.

Materials and Tools Needed

Here’s a quick list of what you’ll need to get started:

• Yarn: I used three different colors of Savor by Ice Yarns, a 4-weight worsted acrylic yarn. For my size cardigan, I used about 750 grams total, so roughly 3 skeins of 250 grams for each color. It works out to around 1236 meters (a bit more for larger sizes).
• Crochet Hook: I prefer a 6.5mm hook, but if you don’t have that size handy, a 6mm will also work.
• Other Tools: You’ll need a yarn needle for sewing in ends and a good pair of scissors.

If you’re in the market for new supplies, I recommend checking out this page for crochet essentials. You’ll find everything you need.

Pattern Overview

Now, don’t get intimidated. Whether you’re a complete crochet newbie or you’ve made other projects but never tackled a sweater, I’ve got your back.

The pattern involves:

1. Creating a magic ring (or a chain-three ring) to start the granny square.
2. Building rounds of double crochets with simple increases.
3. Turning this big square into a cozy cardigan by folding it and joining the sides.

It really can’t get simpler for an easy crochet sweater. If you follow along with the video or the written instructions, you’ll breeze through it.

Steps to Start the Cozy Cardi

1. Make a Magic Ring

We begin by creating a magic ring. Don’t let the name fool you—it’s easier than it sounds. You wrap the yarn around your fingers, slip your hook under the first strand, then go from there. If the magic ring feels too tricky, a simple chain-three ring will also work.

The magic ring gives a nice tight center for the granny square, and it’s worth practicing!

2. Round 1: Double Crochets to Build the Base

Once you've made your magic ring, chain 1 to get started. We’ll be working 15 double crochets into the center of the ring. The chain one doesn’t count, so start your count with the first real double crochet.

When you’ve done all 15, cinch the magic ring closed, but don’t pull it too tight just yet. Slip stitch to the first double crochet to join. Chain one and cut your yarn. Now you’ve got your first round.

3. Round 2: Foundation for the Granny Square

Now we’ll start building more structure. Attach your new color of yarn at the first stitch after the join, and work your clusters (dc2tog) into each stitch around.

In each stitch, you’re going to start 2 double crochets, leaving the last loop of each stitch on your hook before finishing them together. This forms a dense, textured circle that’s the foundation for the rest of the cardi.

4. Rounds 3–5: Transforming the Circle into a Square

In Round 3, things really start taking shape. Make clusters of 4 double crochets, finishing them together and chaining in between. This helps to change the shape of your work, expanding out into corners.

From Round 4 onward, we’re working to turn that circle into a square by strategically placing treble crochets at the corners. It’s a lot easier than it sounds—in just a few rounds, you’ll see the granny square forming.

You simply repeat this series of rounds until your square is the size you want for your cardigan.

If you’re interested in diving into more sweater patterns, check out our sweater collection.

Customizing the Size

What’s great about this pattern is how easily you can adjust the size. You simply crochet more rounds of the granny square if you want a larger sweater or fewer if you need a smaller size.

Here’s my key tip: fold the square in half when you think it’s big enough, loosely pin it together with stitch markers, and try it on. This way, you can adjust the fit before moving on to the final steps.

Remember, it’s always better to have too many stitches than too few. You don’t want it to come out too small—and you’ll love the cozy, oversize feel.

Assembling Your Cardigan

This is where it starts looking like an actual cardigan! Fold your square in half with the pretty sides facing out. Then, use some stitch markers to hold the sides together, leaving openings for the sleeves.

Once it's all held together, you’ll use the join-as-you-go method to neatly seam up the sides. With one side complete, move on to the next, keeping things even so both arms have the same size openings.

Adding the Collar and Cuffs

The collar and cuffs really set the cardigan apart. For both, you’ll be working into the spaces between stitches, which makes it super easy. To keep the cuffs nice and snug, use a mix of double crochets and chain stitches, skipping every other stitch.

If you like a variation with a bit more flair, check out the Party Cardi pattern for some added pizzazz.

Finishing Touches

When everything’s pieced together, you’re almost done! Just weave in the loose ends (there are a few since we’ve been switching colors), and voila—you’ve made your first crocheted cardigan!

I like doing an invisible join on the collar and cuffs for a seamless finish. It’s a slick trick to keep everything looking professional without a bulky knot.

Feeling ambitious? Add pockets or buttons! Pockets are a great beginner-level extra, and they’re super handy for a cozy, casual sweater like this.

Crochet Troubleshooting

Even though this is a simple design, there’s always room for a little troubleshooting. Here’s what you might run into:

• Loose Stitches: If you find the stitches around your joins are loosening up, pull them taut carefully before you secure the ends with your needle.
• Size Discrepancies: If you try on the sweater and it feels too snug, go back and add a few more rounds to your granny square. This will widen the body without altering the sleeve openings.

Always feel free to adjust as you go. Crochet is wonderfully flexible!

Left Handed?

Conclusion

Are you ready to snuggle up in your handmade Cozy Cardi? It’s really one of the easiest crochet sweaters you’ll come across, and with the simple granny square base, it’s hard to go wrong. Don’t be afraid to customize the colors, add extra details, or even experiment with different types of yarn.

Explore more wearable patterns at The Secret Yarnery, and keep pushing those crochet boundaries!

Got any questions? Drop them in the comments, and I’ll help you out. Happy hooking, and stay cozy!

FAQs

Q: What skill level is required to crochet the Cozy Cardi?
A: The Cozy Cardi is designed with beginners in mind, making it an ideal project for those new to crochet or garment-making.

Q: What materials do I need for this project?
A: You will need worsted acrylic yarn (three different colors recommended, totaling about 750 grams), a 6.5mm or 6mm crochet hook, a yarn needle, and scissors.

Q: How long does it take to complete the cardigan?
A: Completion time varies depending on your experience. Beginners might take a few days, while more experienced crocheters could finish in a day or two.

Q: Can I customize the size of the Cozy Cardi?
A: Yes, you can easily adjust the size by adding or reducing rounds of the granny square to fit your desired dimensions.

Q: Is there a video tutorial available?
A: Yes, there is a video tutorial linked in the guide which takes you through the process step-by-step, making it easy to follow along.

Q: What should I do if my cardigan doesn't fit right?
A: If the cardigan is too snug, simply add more rounds to your granny square. If it's too loose, reduce the number of rounds.

Q: Are there extra features I can add to my cardigan?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to get creative by adding features like pockets or buttons for added functionality and style.

With her gift for teaching and love for crochet, Christa Patel is a trusted source of crochet knowledge and inspiration through the Secret Yarnery. Her detailed tutorials, clear patterns, and welcoming approach make crochet accessible to all, allowing crafters to confidently create everything from simple scarves to intricate designs without the intimidation often found in traditional crochet guides.