Eva Cardi: Free Bulky Cardigan Crochet Pattern

The gorgeous new Eva Cardi has all of the components you’ve been searching for in your next crocheted cardigan. It is plush, it is long, it is elegant, and it crochets up relatively quickly since the yarn is a bit thicker. This free crochet pattern ranges from XS to 5XL and uses a gorgeous Brava Bulky yarn. Grab your hook and let’s make a beautiful bulky weight crochet cardigan today!

Eva Cardi Free Pattern

This is the long, bulky yarn weight cardigan of your dreams. The Eva Cardi is made using vertical rows, which are always flattering. I love the oversized feeling, the great length, and THOSE SLEEVES! 👀😍

As written this is a duster length/calf length cardigan (40″ (101cm) neck-to-hem) and can, of course, be made in the length as stated in the pattern OR you can choose to make yours shorter by starting with a fewer number of chains. See more about adjusting the length of your cardigan in the pattern notes below.

Questions About the Eva Cardi:

I don’t have Brava Bulky. What types of yarn can I use instead? Any bulky weight yarn will work for this cardigan. Great options include Lion Brand Hue + Me, Mary Maxim Marvelous Chunky Yarn, Mary Maxim Aspen yarn, Hobbii Amigo Chunky, Premier Basix Chunky, or Premier Puzzle…

OR you could hold two thinner weight yarns together. My 3XL size tester, Susan, used two strands of Bernat Baby Sport together to make hers. If you would like to double strand a thinner weight yarn, definitely do the gauge swatch!

How can I make my Eva Cardi shorter? Simply remove from the beginning chain in multiples of 10 stitches. For every 10 stitches removed you’ll be removing approx. 5” from the length. For reference, the Silver version pictured is 50 sts tall instead of the pattern’s 90.

Eva Cardi Free Crochet Pattern

Grab the ad-free, printable version of this pattern on Ravelry, Etsy, or right here in the Heart Hook Home Blog Shop. Thank you!

If you need help reading a crochet pattern, make sure you head over here and check out this detailed post.

Materials:

Brava Bulky/#5 weight yarn
-approx. (1600, 1725, 1900, 2050, 2175, 2300, 2450, 2600, 2750) yards
*Brava Bulky in “Umber Heather” and “Silver” pictured

Crochet hook in size L/8mm

Sizes: (XS, S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)

Finished cardi bust measurement (w/o edging): (33”, 37”, 41”, 45”, 49”, 53”, 57”, 61”, 65”)

Gauge: 9 sts x 8 rows = 4” square using alternating Whdc and Hdc in third loop only rows

Gauge Swatch/Pocket Pattern: Make 2

Row 1: Ch-14, hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (13)

Row 2: Ch-1, turn, Hdc in 3rd loop only in each st across. (13)

Row 3: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in each st across. (13)

Row 4: Ch-1, turn, Hdc in 3rd loop only in each st across. (13)

Rows 5 through 10: repeat rows 3 & 4 (13)

Row 11: Ch-1 (do not turn) working down the side of the pocket, 2Hdc in 1st row end, hdc in each row end across. (11)

Row 12: Ch-1, turn, Hdc in first st, * Bphdc around next st, Fphdc around next * Repeat between until 2 stst remain. Bphdc around next, hdc in last st. (13)

Row 13: Ch-1 turn, Hdc in first st, * Fphdc around next st, Bphdc around next * Repeat between until 2 stst remain. Fphdc around next, hdc in last st. (13)

Finishing: Sc evenly around entire pocket, placing 3 sc in each corner. Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew pocket to body.

Pattern Notes:

Pattern written using US terms.

Ch-1 does not count as a stitch.

Odd numbered rows are “right side” (RS).

Even numbered rows are “wrong side” (WS).

Fhdc = Foundation Half Double Crochet (tutorial here)

Whdc = Wide Half Double Crochet (tutorial here)

Garment is meant to be worn with 3”- 5” positive ease.

Pattern is worked in vertical rows with the body being made in one piece.

As you work, your rows may start to slant…don’t panic, this is normal and will remedy itself with construction and wash and wear.

Cardi length is approximately 40” (not including edging). See length modification info directly below.

To adjust length of cardigan: every 10 stitches added or removed from the beginning chain adds or removes approx. 5” in length. The Silver version pictured is 50 sts tall instead of the pattern’s 90.

Yardage for shorter versions can be reduced by ~ 30% but when altering a pattern I always suggest buying extra yarn just in case!

Pattern:

Front Left Panel:

Row 1: Ch-91, hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (90)

Row 2: Ch-1, turn, Hdc in 3rd loop only in each st across. (90)

Row 3: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in each st across. (90)

Row 4: Ch-1, turn, Hdc in 3rd loop only in each st across. (90)

Rows 5 through (14, 16, 18, 20, 20, 22, 24, 24, 26): repeat rows 3 & 4 (90)

Underarm:

Row (15, 17, 19, 21, 21, 23, 25, 25, 27): Ch-1, turn, Whdc in next (72, 71, 69, 68, 69, 68, 67, 68, 67) sts only. (72, 71, 69, 68, 69, 68, 67, 68, 67)

Row (16, 18, 20, 22, 22, 24, 26, 26, 28): repeat row 2 (72, 71, 69, 68, 69, 68, 67, 68, 67)

Sizes XS, S, M, and L jump to Back Panel.

Rows ( – , – , – , – , 23, 25, 27, 27, 29) through ( – , – , – , – , 26, 28, 30, 34, 36): repeat previous 2 rows ( – , – , – , – , 69, 68, 67, 68, 67)

Back Panel:

Row (17, 19, 21, 23, 27, 29, 31, 35, 37): Ch-1, turn, Whdc in next (72, 71, 69, 68, 69, 68, 67, 68, 67) sts and then Fhdc (18, 19, 21, 22, 21, 22, 23, 22, 23). (90)

Row (18, 20, 22, 24, 28, 30, 32, 36, 38): repeat row 2 (90)

Rows (19, 21, 23, 25, 29, 31, 33, 37, 39) through (50, 56, 62, 68, 72, 78, 84, 88, 94): repeat rows 3 & 4 (90)

Underarm:

Row (51, 57, 63, 69, 73, 79, 85, 89, 95): Ch-1, turn, Whdc in next (72, 71, 69, 68, 69, 68, 67, 68, 67) sts only. (72, 71, 69, 68, 69, 68, 67, 68, 67)

Row (52, 58, 64, 70, 74, 80, 86, 90, 96): repeat row 2 (72, 71, 69, 68, 69, 68, 67, 68, 67)

Sizes XS, S, M, and L jump to Front Right Panel

Rows ( – , – , – , – , 75, 81, 87, 91, 97) through ( – , – , – , – , 78, 84, 90, 98, 104): repeat previous 2 rows ( – , – , – , – , 69, 68, 67, 68, 67)

Front Right Panel:

Row (53, 59, 65, 71, 79, 85, 91, 99, 105): Ch-1, turn, Whdc in next (72, 71, 69, 68, 69, 68, 67, 68, 67) sts and then Fhdc (18, 19, 21, 22, 21, 22, 23, 22, 23). (90)

Row (54, 60, 66, 72, 80, 86, 92, 100, 106): repeat row 2 (90)

Rows (55, 61, 67, 73, 81, 87, 93, 101, 107) through (66, 74, 82, 90, 98, 106, 114, 122, 130): repeat rows 3 & 4 (90)

Do not fasten off…hold st with a st marker to continue edging later.

Construction:

Fold front panel onto back with wrong sides together, and sew the shoulders row for row…leaving 6 row ends open across the neck.

Sleeves (All Sizes):

*If under 5’4” (162 cm) or if you have shorter arms, you can subtract 10 from starting chain.

Row 1: Ch-36, hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (35)

Row 2: Ch-1, turn, Hdc in 3rd loop only in each st across. (35)

Row 3: Ch-1, turn, Whdc in each st across. (35)

Row 4: Ch-1, turn, Hdc in 3rd loop only in each st across. (35)

Rows 5 through (32, 34, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50): repeat rows 3 & 4 (35)

Do not fasten off.

Fold the sleeve in half with the wrong side facing, and sl st the 1st row to the last row st for st. (35)

Turn sleeve right side out and continue to cuffs.

Cuffs:

With right side facing, and working into row ends…

Size XS ONLY:

Round 1: Ch-1, Hdc in first row end, Hdc2tog around until 1 row end remains. Hdc in final row end. Join to first stitch. (17)

Round 2: Ch-1, do not turn, Fphdc around 1st st, * Bphdc around next st, Fphdc around next * Repeat between * * to end. Join to first st. (17) Jump to “All Sizes” below.

Size S ONLY:

Round 1: Ch-1, Hdc2tog around. Join to first st. (17)

Round 2: Ch-1, do not turn, Fphdc around 1st st, * Bphdc around next st, Fphdc around next * Repeat between * * to end. Join to first st. (17) Jump to “All Sizes” below.

Size M ONLY:

Round 1: Ch-1, Hdc2tog around. Join to first st. (19)

Round 2: Ch-1, do not turn, Fphdc2tog around first 2 sts, Bphdc around next st, * Fphdc around next, Bphdc around next* Repeat between * * until 2 sts remain. Fphdc2tog around final 2 sts. Join to first st. (17) Jump to “All Sizes” below.

Size L ONLY:

Round 1: Ch-1, Hdc3tog, Hdc2tog until 3 row ends remain. Hdc3tog. Join to first st. (19)

Round 2: Ch-1, do not turn, Fphdc2tog around first 2 sts, Bphdc around next st, * Fphdc around next, Bphdc around next * Repeat between * * until 2 sts remain. Fphdc2tog around final 2 sts. Join to first st. (17) Jump to “All Sizes” below.

Size XL ONLY:

Round 1: Ch-1, * Hdc3tog, Hdc2tog 5 times * Repeat 2 more times. Hdc3tog in final 3 row ends. Join to first st. (19)

Round 2: Ch-1, do not turn, Fphdc2tog around first 2 sts, Bphdc around next st, * Fphdc around next, Bphdc around next* Repeat between * * until 2 sts remain. Fphdc2tog around final 2 sts. Join to first st. (17) Jump to “All Sizes” below.

Size 2XL ONLY:

Round 1: Ch-1, * Hdc2tog 2 times, Hdc3tog * Repeat between * * 5 more times. Hdc2tog in final 2 row ends. Join to first st. (19)

Round 2: Ch-1, do not turn, Fphdc2tog around first 2 sts, Bphdc around next st, * Fphdc around next, Bphdc around next* Repeat between * * until 2 sts remain. Fphdc2tog around final 2 sts. Join to first st. (17) Jump to “All Sizes” below.

Size 3XL ONLY:

Round 1: Ch-1, * Hdc2tog, Hdc3tog * Repeat between * * 8 more times. Hdc in final row end. Join to first st. (19)

Round 2: Ch-1, do not turn, Fphdc2tog around first 2 sts, Bphdc around next st, * Fphdc around next, Bphdc around next* Repeat between * * until 2 sts remain. Fphdc2tog around final 2 sts. Join to first st. (17) Jump to “All Sizes” below.

Size 4XL ONLY:

Round 1: Ch-1, * Hdc2tog, Hdc3tog * Repeat between * * 8 more times. Hdc3tog in final 3 row ends. Join to first st. (19)

Round 2: Ch-1, do not turn, Fphdc2tog around first 2 sts, Bphdc around next st, * Fphdc around next, Bphdc around next* Repeat between * * until 2 sts remain. Fphdc2tog around final 2 sts. Join to first st. (17) Jump to “All Sizes” below.

Size 5XL ONLY:

Round 1: Ch-1, * Hdc3tog 2 times, Hdc2tog * Repeat between * * 5 more times. Hdc2tog in final 3 row ends. Join to first st. (19)

Round 2: Ch-1, do not turn, Fphdc2tog around first 2 sts, Bphdc around next st, * Fphdc around next, Bphdc around next* Repeat between * * until 2 sts remain. Fphdc2tog around final 2 sts. Join to first st. (17) Jump to “All Sizes” below.

All Sizes:

Round 3: Ch-1, turn, Bphdc around 1st st, * Fphdc around next st, Bphdc around next * Repeat between * * to end. Join to first st. (17)

*if desired, add additional edging rounds here

Round 4: Ch-1, turn, sc in each st around. (17)

Fasten off using Invisible Join.

Attaching Sleeves:

Starting at the bottom center of the underarm, sew sleeve evenly to armhole opening. (Tip: use a st marker to “pin” the centermost row end of the sleeve to the shoulder seam. This helps to ensure even sewing). Repeat on other side.

Bottom Edging:

Picking up from where we left off at the end of the Front Right Panel and working across the bottom of cardigan with WS facing…

Row 1: Ch-1, Hdc in 1st row end and in each row end until 1 remains. 2Hdc in last row end. (67, 75, 83, 91, 99, 107, 115, 123, 131)

Row 2: Ch-1, turn. Hdc in first st, * Fphdc around next st, Bphdc around next * Repeat between * * across until 2 sts remains. Fphdc around next, hdc in final st. (67, 75, 83, 91, 99, 107, 115, 123, 131)

Row 3: Ch-1, turn. Hdc in first st, * Bphdc around next st, Fphdc around next * Repeat between * * across until 2 sts remains. Bphdc around next, hdc in final st. (67, 75, 83, 91, 99, 107, 115, 123, 131)

Rows 4 & 5: Repeat rows 2 & 3.

Do not fasten off. Continue to Front/Inside Edging.

Front/Inside Edging:

Continuing from Bottom Edging and working up the front panel with WS facing…

Row 1: Ch-1, hdc in each row end of bottom edging (5 hdc so far), Whdc in next 90 sts, Hdc2tog in same and 1st open row end of neck opening (straddling shoulder seam), Hdc in same, 2Hdc in next row end, 3 Hdc in next row end, 2Hdc in next 2 row ends, Hdc in last row end, Hdc2tog using same and next front panel st (straddling shoulder seam), Whdc in same, Whdc in next 89 sts, hdc in each row end of bottom edging. (203)

Row 2: Ch-1, turn. Hdc in first st, * Fphdc around next st, Bphdc around next * Repeat between * * across until 2 sts remains. Fphdc around next, hdc in final st. (203)

Row 3: Ch-1, turn. Hdc in first st, * Bphdc around next st, Fphdc around next * Repeat between * * across until 2 sts remains. Bphdc around next, hdc in final st. (203)

Rows 4 & 5: Repeat rows 2 & 3

Row 6: Ch-1, turn. Sc in each st up front panel, across neck, down other front panel, 3sc in bottom corner st, sc across bottom edging, 3sc in last corner. Fasten off using Invisible Join.

Adding Pockets:

Sew pockets to cardigan front, approx 2“ (5 cm) in from inner edging and at hip level.

I can’t wait to see yours! Be sure to tag @HeartHookHome across all social media, or share in the Heart Hook Home Crochet Community on Facebook.

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The Chloe: Free Mesh Sleeves Top Crochet Pattern

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