Crocheted Cardigan in Spring Colors

When seeking a new project, I frequently like to find ways to showcase basic stitches in different ways or to try out intriguing color combinations.  I had just completed a shawl project which left me with a large partial skein of  O' Go worsted yarn in the Frosted Blueberry color way. The yarn reminded me of irises, but it needed something more to bring out my spring spirit. The Back To School Cardigans Free Pattern by Yarnspirations provided me with the opportunity.  Now I just needed a multicolored yarn in coordinating colors to make the sweater.  Luckily, I had 1 skein of a Red Heart variegated worsted yarn in my stash.  The blue in the variegated yarn was the exact match for the solid color skein.  The pink turquoise, and ivory provided a bright, but subtle contrast.

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Yarnspirations classifies this pattern as a beginner skill level.  The pattern is crocheted with worsted weight yarn .  A G or an H hook would be used for the ribbing.  An I hook is needed for the body. You need turn to the back of the pattern for the exact yardage: Using Red Heart yarn, you need 1 skein of approximately 290 yards of solid. They call for 2 skeins of variegated yarn at 232 yards each  or 1 skein of any variegated yarn that yields about 450 yards.  I was crocheting a size 6 garment.   I had enough yarn in my super saver skein to need only one  skein of variegated yarn.     There were several hundred yards of blueberry yarn left over from my last project.  While I crocheted my sweater in colors suitable for a young girl, the directions could easily be modified with navy and cream or green and camouflage that would work for a boy. The pattern includes directions for sizes 2-8.

The back and two fronts are each crocheted separately with a double crochet stitch. The pattern makes playful use of the two color palettes.  The back and left front are crocheted in the variegated yarn.  On the right front front broad stripes of the solid color alternate with the narrow stripes of the variegated yarn.  Since the left front was done all in variegated yarn, the left sleeve uses the striped pattern.  Since the right front used the striped pattern, the right sleeve is done entirely in the variegated yarn.  All borders and ribbing were done in the solid color.

This cardigan style calls for a fitted shoulder rather than a dropped shoulder.  After each section the directions call for a rib stitch created by alternating Front Post Double Crochet with the Back Post Double Crochet. I preferred stitching or crocheting up the shoulders and the sides before adding the ribbing to the entire bottom.  

The sleeves are crocheted from the bottom up. After a side seam is sewed to form a tube, the sleeve tube is fitted into the armhole.  It is helpful to pin the center top to the shoulder seam and the sleeve seam to the center of the armhole before pinning in the rest of the sleeve. As with the body of the sweater The FPDC/BPDC was used to create the ribbing effect. The neck band is crocheted before the button bands.  Instead of the double crochet suggested in the directions I used a single crochet stitch and just added an additional row of stitching. For me it was easier to provide sufficient structure for the button holes. 

A very special set of buttons from my stash provided just the right touch to complete this project.  The flowered buttons in 3 different shades mirrored the colors of the varigated yarn.

As you can tell from the photos, my granddaughter was delighted to wear her new sweater.  In general, I found the pattern easy to follow and made notes for my simple modifications to be available for future use.  The garment is a bit roomy at present,  but she can easily wear it into next fall. She wears a size 5, and her wardrobe is full of size 4 sweaters.

Thank you for your support, feedback, and reflections.  I welcome you join me on my stitching journey.