This easy cardigan features fun pleats that are used for shaping. We will use simple stitches to create a soft texture that has great drape but also maintains some structure. The Easy ‘Pleat’y Cardigan features a hood and optional pockets. It is worked from the bottom up. There are 2” of ease over the hips and shaped waist. There is minimal ease across the bust. My sample shows two colorways being used; one on the main body and one for the wide edging, however, this cardigan can also be made in one colorway, striped as desired or more.

YARN
Colorscape by Red Heart Yarns- #4 weight- 100% Acrylic
3 (4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7) skeins of your main color and 3 skeins of your accent color
OR 560 (625, 690, 760, 825, 930, 1100, 1250) yards of comparable weight yarn for main color
and 560 yards of comparable weight yarn for accent color

List of comparable yarns can be found HERE
My sample uses Rome for the main color (body) and Barcelona for the accent color (edging)

MATERIALS
N/9.0mm hook- I used my Alpha Series by Furls Crochet

DIFFICULTY
Easy +

FINISHED SIZES
follows CYC Standard Sizes- for more information click here

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
see schematic in photos

GAUGE
12sts and 8 rows = 5” in pattern stitch

GAUGE PATTERN Using N/9.0mm hook

Row 1: FDC (minimum of 6” wide), turn work
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc blo across until 1 st remains, sc in the last st, turn work
Row 3: CSDC, dc in each st to end, turn work

Repeat Rows 2 & 3 consecutively to a minimum of 6”

NOTES
• Pattern is written in US crochet terms
• Pattern is written in size Small with changes for M, L, 1x, 2x, 3x, 4x and 5x in parenthesis
• Stich counts are given in <> brackets on rows where the st count changes
• Pattern is written for a right hand crocheter, if you are left handed please exchange right pleat for left pleat and vice versa
• Ch 3 (or optional CSDC) is considered the first dc
• Ch 1 is NOT considered the first sc
• This cardigan will have 2+“ of positive ease on the hips, narrows at the waist with a pleat but still has some positive ease, and expands again at the bust, which is fitted (zero ease). The edging adds 4” on either side of the cardigan so it will seem small before you add the edging. The sleeves have a slight taper and can easily be modified. The hood is optional and there will be directions for optional pockets.