Whitby Cardigan Crochet Pattern

Whitby Cardigan in Rowan Summerlite 4ply

What is Being Made

The Whitby Cardigan is a crocheted cardigan designed by Lisa Richardson, available in nine size options to fit chest measurements ranging from 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) up to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches). This garment is crafted using the Rowan Summerlite 4ply yarn and features a structured, fitted silhouette with shaped armholes and shoulders. The finished cardigan includes eight wooden buttons (12mm TGB4456 from Textile Garden) for closure, making it a complete, wearable piece suitable for various occasions and seasons.

Techniques Used

This advanced-beginner project employs several essential crochet shaping techniques throughout its construction. The pattern uses slip stitch (ss) to join rounds and transition between sections. Armhole shaping is accomplished through strategic stitch decreases at the beginning and end of rows, with multiple decrease rows worked in sequence to create a properly fitted sleeve opening. The pattern demonstrates shoulder and back neck shaping using the same decreasing methods, ensuring a professional finish at the neckline. Decreases are worked consistently using half treble crochet stitches, with both single decreases (htr2tog over 2 stitches) and double decreases (htr3tog over 3 stitches) employed depending on the shaping requirements at different garment sections.

Stitches Used

The Whitby Cardigan primarily utilizes the following crochet stitches:

• Half treble crochet (htr) – the main fabric stitch that creates the body of the cardigan, worked in rows to build the structured fabric
• Half treble crochet two together (htr2tog) – a single decrease technique used to shape armholes, shoulders, and neckline by combining two stitches into one
• Half treble crochet three together (htr3tog) – a double decrease technique employed for more substantial shaping, particularly in armhole and shoulder sections
• Chain stitch (ch) – used to create turning chains at the beginning of rows; the pattern specifies that 2 ch does not count as the first stitch in certain rows, requiring the crocheter to skip the stitch at the base of the chain
• Slip stitch (ss) – used to join sections and transition between different parts of the pattern

Materials and Tools

The Whitby Cardigan is constructed using Rowan Summerlite 4ply yarn, a lightweight four-ply weight yarn ideal for creating garments with excellent drape and breathability. The yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 9 skeins (50g each) for the smallest size to 18 skeins for the largest size. The pattern specifies a 3.00mm crochet hook (US size C2/D3) for working the fabric to the correct tension. The pattern achieves a tension of 23 stitches and 16 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over half treble crochet fabric using the specified hook size – achieving this tension is essential for the cardigan to fit correctly across all nine size options. The cardigan is completed with eight wooden buttons measuring 12mm (TGB4456 from Textile Garden), which provide both functional closure and decorative detail to the finished garment.