Mountaintop Cardigan Crochet Pattern

Mountaintop Cardigan in Lion Brand Hue & Me

What is Being Made

The Mountaintop Cardigan is a chunky crochet sweater coat designed by Two of Wands for Lion Brand Yarn Company. This structured, protective cardigan features a sophisticated silhouette enhanced with colorwork detailing and functional pockets. The pattern is available in eight sizes ranging from XS to 4XL, with finished back widths from 22 inches to 36.25 inches and lengths from 25.25 inches to 34 inches. The cardigan is pictured on a model wearing size XS with a 34-inch bust, and the pattern recommends 10 to 15 inches of positive ease for a comfortable fit.

Crochet Techniques Used

This Level 2 (Easy) pattern employs several key crochet techniques suitable for beginners. The cardigan is worked flat from the bottom up in one continuous piece to the armholes, after which the back and front panels are split and worked separately. Sleeves are also worked flat from the bottom up. The most distinctive technique featured in this design is intarsia crochet, which creates the colorwork effects without stranding or crocheting over unused yarns. Intarsia crochet requires separate balls or bobbins of each color for each color block, allowing for clean color transitions and a professional appearance. Color changes are executed by working the final yarn over of the previous stitch with the new color, creating seamless transitions between the Juniper main color and the three contrast colors: Cement, Arrowwood, and Agave.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch used throughout the Mountaintop Cardigan is the half double crochet, worked through the back loop. This stitch creates the chunky texture that gives the cardigan its structured, protective quality. The gauge is established at 9.5 stitches and 5.5 rows equaling 4 inches in 10 centimeters when working half double crochet through the back loop. The pattern notes specify that the chain-2 at the beginning of each row does not count as a stitch, which is important for maintaining accurate stitch counts and proper shaping throughout the construction.

Materials and Tools

The Mountaintop Cardigan is crafted using Lion Brand Yarn Hue + Me, a yarn specifically chosen for its color range and workability with chunky crochet techniques. The yarn requirements vary by size:

• Main color in Juniper (617-178): 6 to 8 skeins for XS through L sizes, and 10 to 13 skeins for XL through 4XL sizes
• Contrast color 1 in Cement (617-149): 1 skein for XS through L sizes, and 2 skeins for XL through 4XL sizes
• Contrast color 2 in Arrowwood (617-132): 1 skein for XS through L sizes, and 2 skeins for XL through 4XL sizes
• Contrast color 3 in Agave (617-173): 1 skein for all sizes

The pattern requires a size US N/P (10mm) crochet hook and a tapestry needle for finishing. Before beginning the project, contrast colors 1 and 2 should be separated into two balls each to accommodate the intarsia crochet technique. The downloadable PDF format (Pattern Number M20286.TWH) provides complete instructions, schematics, and all necessary details for successful completion of this beginner-friendly cardigan project.