Made and counted by Wren —

Half double crochet cardigan with ribbed panels and sleeves

6 mm hook, worsted cotton blend yarn make a half double crochet cardigan with ribbed edges.

IntermediateLevel

6-10 hoursTime

6 mmHook

WorstedYarn

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About this pattern

A half double crochet cardigan with slip stitch ribbing, built from one back panel worked over 60 rows on a chain of 90 (89 stitches), two front panels worked over 26 rows on the same chain of 90 (89 stitches), and two sleeves worked over 42 rows on a chain of 59 (58 stitches). A 6 mm hook and worsted weight cotton blend yarn produce a soft, drapey fabric. Assembly uses whip stitch and slip stitch seams, with an optional border around the neckline and front edges.

This cardigan pairs a slip stitch ribbed edge with a half double crochet body, worked flat in one back panel, two matching front panels, and two matching sleeves. The back panel starts at a chain of 90, works 12 slip stitches into the back bumps followed by 77 half double crochet for a working count of 89 stitches, then repeats that two-row pattern for 60 rows before fastening off. Each front panel uses the same chain of 90 and stitch pattern but repeats for only 26 rows before fastening off. Each sleeve begins at a chain of 59, settles into 58 stitches after the first row, and repeats for 42 rows. A 6 mm hook and worsted weight cotton blend yarn keep the fabric soft enough to drape once assembled. The cardigan is easily customized in length, color, and finish.

The pattern

Written out round by round

Materials

6 mm crochet hook
Medium 4 weight cotton blend yarn (Caron Blossom Cakes in Yak Club)
Darning needle
Scissors
Stitch markers
Measuring tape

Abbreviations

ch = chain
st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
inc = increase
dec = decrease
mr = magic ring
fo = finish off

Back Panel (Make 1)

Chain 90

Round 1Work in back bumps. Slip stitch 12, then 77 half double crochet

Round 2No turning chain. Half double crochet in each stitch (89 stitches) Repeat rows 1 and 2 for a total of 60 rowsCut yarn and fasten off

Front Panels (Make 2)

Chain 90

Round 1Work in back bumps. Slip stitch 12, then 77 half double crochet

Round 2No turning chain. Half double crochet in each stitch (89 stitches) Repeat rows 1 and 2 for a total of 26 rowsCut yarn and fasten off

Sleeves (Make 2)

Chain 59

Round 1Slip stitch 12, then 46 half double crochet (58 stitches)(58)

Round 2No turning chain. Half double crochet in each stitch (58 stitches) Repeat rows 1 and 2 for a total of 42 rowsCut yarn and fasten off

Assembly

Step 1Place panels inside out with wrong sides facing

Step 2Join shoulders by whip stitching front panels to the back panel

Step 3Attach sleeves to armholes using whip stitch or mattress stitch

Step 4Join sleeves and body by slip stitching from sleeve cuff down the side of the cardigan

Step 5Weave in ends and turn the cardigan right side out

Step 6Optional : Add a border of single crochet or half double crochet around neckline and front edges

Tester's notes

12 slip stitches open every row on the back panel, the front panels, and the sleeves. Place a stitch marker after the 12th stitch so the ribbing section and the half double crochet section stay separate at a glance.

89 stitches on the back and front panels and 58 stitches on the sleeves are worked with no turning chain on the return row, so undercounting by even one stitch skews every following row.

60 rows on the back panel, 26 rows on each front panel, and 42 rows on the sleeves assume consistent row height; check length against the body and arm every 10 rows rather than only at the end.

Cotton blend yarn has less stretch than wool, so tension tightens gradually across 60, 26, or 42 rows. Relax grip on the hook periodically to keep the slip stitch ribbing from pulling narrower than the half double crochet rows.

Work in progress

Half double crochet cardigan with ribbed panels and sleeves — photo 2

Half double crochet cardigan with ribbed panels and sleeves — photo 3

Half double crochet cardigan with ribbed panels and sleeves — photo 4

At a glance

Rounds	6
Parts	3
Level	Intermediate
Time	6-10 hours
Hook	6 mm
Yarn	Worsted

Gauge check

After the first two rows of the back panel, count across the row to confirm 89 stitches remain before any drift builds up.

If the count is off, frog back to the chain and rework at a looser or tighter tension rather than continuing, since the 60-row back panel total and the finished width both depend on that first count holding steady.

If something looks wrong

The row of 12 slip stitches sits: Slip stitches naturally draw up shorter than half double crochet; loosen hook tension specifically during those 12 stitches each row.
Stitch count drops below 89 on the back: A skipped stitch in the no-turning-chain return row is the usual cause; count stitches at the end of every row for the first several rows until the habit holds.
The finished panel cups or curls at the: Uneven tension between the ribbed and half double crochet sections causes this; block the panel flat and damp before assembly to reset the curl.
A gap or pucker appears where the: This comes from joining the 58-stitch sleeve to the armhole without matching points; place stitch markers at the shoulder seam and underarm on both pieces before whip stitching.

Yarn substitutions

Acrylic, medium worsted weight	Holds the 6 mm hook and stitch counts as written, drapes stiffer than the cotton blend, and resists stretching out of shape over wear.
Wool-blend, medium worsted weight	Keeps the same 6 mm hook and row counts, adds warmth and more stretch, and may need blocking to hold the 89-stitch width.
Cotton blend, bulky weight	Requires sizing up the hook beyond 6 mm and reducing the chain of 90 and 59 to hit the same finished width, producing a thicker, less drapey fabric.

Original pattern: https://crocheteverything.com/cozy-crochet-cardigan-tutorial-using-half-double-crochet/

FAQs

Questions

Can a different hook size be used instead of the 6 mm called for?

A different hook changes the width produced by the 89-stitch back and front panels and the 58-stitch sleeve, so the chain of 90 and 59 would need to be recalculated. Swatch first and adjust the chain length to match the gauge produced by the new hook.

Why does the pattern use slip stitch for the first 12 stitches of every row instead of half double crochet throughout?

The 12-stitch slip stitch section creates a ribbed edge that contrasts with the smoother half double crochet body covering the remaining 77 or 46 stitches. That ribbing appears consistently on the back panel, the front panels, and the sleeves, giving the finished piece a defined edge.

Can the cardigan be made longer or shorter than the 60 rows given for the back panel?

Rows can be added or removed from the 60-row back panel total, but the front panels' 26 rows, the sleeves' 42 rows, and the assembly steps joining sleeve to side seam should be checked against any length change. Keep the stitch counts of 89 and 58 unchanged so the chain of 90 and 59 still matches the finished piece.