Simple crochet cardigan pattern in chunky moss stitch

This cardigan is five rectangles: a back, two fronts and two sleeves, all in moss stitch. Bulky yarn and an 8 mm hook make it quick, and the woven texture hides small tension differences, which makes it very forgiving for a first garment.

#Materials

• Bulky weight (#5) yarn: 1,000 (1,150, 1,300, 1,450) yd
• 8 mm (L-11) hook, plus a 7 mm (K) hook for the band
• Stitch markers, yarn needle

#Gauge

10 stitches and 10 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in moss stitch, counting every sc and every ch-1 as a stitch.

#Sizes

Every chain is an even number, which is what moss stitch needs.

#Moss stitch, as used here

Row 1: Sc in the 4th ch from the hook. (Ch 1, sk next ch, sc in next ch) to the end. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 2. Sc in the first ch-1 sp. (Ch 1, sc in the next ch-1 sp) across, working the last sc into the turning-chain space. Turn.

Repeat Row 2 for every piece.

#Pieces

Back: Chain the back number for your size. Work in moss stitch until the piece measures 24 (25, 26, 27) in.

Fronts (make 2): Chain the front number and work to the same length as the back.

Sleeves (make 2): Chain the sleeve number and work until the sleeve measures 16 (16, 16½, 16½) in.

#Assembly

1. Shoulders: place the fronts on the back, right sides together, outer edges even. Seam 6 (6½, 7, 7½) in across each shoulder from the outer edge. The rest of the back's top edge is the back neck.
2. Sleeves: match the centre of each sleeve's top edge to a shoulder seam and sew it to the body.
3. Side and sleeve seams: sew from each cuff to the underarm and down to the hem.

#Front band

With the 7 mm hook, join yarn at the bottom of the right front.

Row 1: Sc evenly up the right front, across the back neck and down the left front, about 1 sc per moss stitch row.

Rows 2–7: Ch 1, turn. Sc in the back loop only of each st across.

Fasten off. The back-loop rows make a firm, flat ribbed band that stops the front edges from stretching.

#Cuffs

With the 7 mm hook, sc evenly around each sleeve end, decreasing until the cuff is about 9 in around. Work 4 rounds of sc through the back loop only.

Block lightly with steam. For a cardigan with more colour, try the granny square cardigan.