Granny Square Cardigan
A relaxed patchwork cardigan made of 48 identical squares. Square size comes straight from your chest measurement.
- Yarn
- Worsted (4) in several colours plus a main joining colour.
- Hook
- H-8 (5 mm)
- Sizes
- Any adult size. Example: women’s M, bust 37 in, finished chest 42 in (107 cm).
- Example gauge
- One 5-round granny square = 5.25 in (13.5 cm)
- Yarn needed
- About 1,450 yd (1,325 m) worsted including borders.
US terms. The UK name follows in brackets the first time each stitch appears. Turning chains don’t count as stitches unless a step says so. See US vs UK crochet terms and crochet abbreviations.
Do the math
The examples use the gauge above. Put your own swatch into the gauge calculator first, then use your numbers in each formula.
| Step | Formula | Example | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square size | (bust + 4–6 in) ÷ 8 | 42 ÷ 8 = 5.25 in | Size Charts |
| Back | 4 squares wide × 4 tall | 16 squares | By hand |
| Fronts | 2 wide × 4 tall each, minus the top inner square | 7 × 2 = 14 squares | By hand |
| Sleeves | 3 around × 3 long each | 9 × 2 = 18 squares | By hand |
| Total | 16 + 14 + 18 | 48 squares | By hand |
Materials
- Worsted (4) yarn (see yarn needed)
- H-8 (5 mm)
- Tapestry needle
- Locking markers
Gauge swatch
Make one square; adjust hook size or rounds until it matches your target size.
Instructions
Squares
Make 48 granny squares, following the square from the Classic Granny Square Blanket, to your target size.
Body
Join the back: 4 × 4. Join each front: 2 wide × 4 tall, leaving out the top square on the centre-front side (the neck).
Join the top edge of each front’s outer square to the top edge of the back’s outer square (shoulders). The back’s 2 centre top squares form the back neck.
Sleeves
Join each sleeve: 3 squares around × 3 long, seamed into a tube.
Mark 1.5 squares down from each shoulder on front and back. Sew the sleeve top into the armhole between the markers.
Seam the sides below the armholes.
Borders
Main colour: work 3 rounds of hdc (UK htr) around the fronts, neck and hem (3 hdc in the corners). Work 3 rounds of hdc around each cuff.
Finishing
- Weave in ends as you finish each square.
- Block the finished cardigan.
Designer’s notes
- Longer body? Add a fifth row of squares to the back and fronts (8 more squares).
- Sleeves too wide? Make them 3 around for the first 2 squares and add a tighter cuff border.
Counter set-up
Counter 1: squares made (goal 48). Counter 2: rounds per square.
Open the row & stitch counter for several counters, or use the quick one below.
Tools for this pattern
- Size ChartsLook up the finished measurements for the size you are making.
- Yarn Quantity CalculatorPick the project, size and yarn weight to get total yardage and skeins to buy.
- Row & Stitch CounterSet up the counters listed below; the screen stays awake while you work.