The Elizabeth Cardigan – Crochet Along (CAL) – Free Crochet Pattern

I’ve been holding my breath for a couple of weeks now, trying to decide if and when I should start my very first crochet along (CAL). Truth be told I’ve never actually participated in a CAL myself so I decided to jump in feet first with my NEWEST design which I am calling The Elizabeth Cardigan.

Scroll down to see the VIDEO tutorial.

The Elizabeth Cardigan – Crochet Along (CAL)

I decided to name this beauty The Elizabeth Cardigan because that is the stitch we’ll use. This stitch is also called the Mini Bean stitch, but I think the name “Elizabeth” really jazzes things up, don’t you think? I mean really, could you imagine sporting a “Mini Bean” Cardigan?! Ha!

I have designed this cardigan to be customizable for many body types. I’ve done this with some of my others patterns, such as the Cold Shoulder Coverup that was such a hit last summer (let’s bring that back around, mmmkay?) and as in the Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy pullover and the Four-Hour Fall Sweater. If you’ve made any of those designs – and even if you haven’t! – you can make this slouchy cardigan! All we need are a few body measurements, worsted weight yarn, and a 6mm hook!

Elizabeth Cardigan CAL Yarn Suggestions

Because this is a “slouchy” cardigan and we are not constructing shoulders, the fabric along the shoulder area will naturally pull and stretch. The yarn needed for this cardigan has more to do with the hook size and weave than the yarn itself. You could use anything from Big Twist, Red Heart, I Love This Yarn, to Mandala, Caron Cakes, a nice cotton yarn, or a DK/baby weight yarn!

I am using about 1500 yards for the “large” size and I believe that most sizes will be similar in yardage. The change in yardage will come into play most if you are taller than 5’9″ or shorter than 5’5″. Of course, as always I am available to answer any questions you may have before we start!

How a Crochet Along Works

The point of a crochet along (CAL) is to release portions of the pattern at a time, so that we are all “crocheting along” with one another as we make our cardigans. You’ll start part 1 when it is released, then part 2, part 3, etc. How fun is that?!

There will be FOUR parts to this CAL:

Part 1: Released on 3/15 – here
Part 2: Released on 3/22 – here
Part 3 & 4: Released on 3/29 here

I thought this CAL would be perfect to get our feet wet (for those of us that have never done a CAL) because of the way I need to explain each portion. There is a reason we are doing the back the way we are, and a reason we are doing different heights for different sizes. Because of this it is imperative that you read the entire text accompanying each of the parts!

Part ONE can be found here, part TWO can be found here, and parts THREE and FOUR can be found here. If you need to learn how to crochet the Mini Bean (Elizabeth) stitch, I have a BRAND NEW tutorial for that here. I’m excited!

VIDEO Tutorial