Short Stories Crochet Cardigan Pattern

‘Short Stories’ is a crochet pattern for an everyday cardigan that’s made with a simple stitch pattern full of texture and drape. It’s designed cropped, but is easy to make longer, and includes short row set-in sleeves worked directly from the shaped armholes.

If you are looking to make a more tailored, well fitting cardigan for your crochet wardrobe, then this classic layering piece, suitable for any season, might just be the one for you.

You can purchase the Short Stories Cardigan Pattern from Etsy, Ravelry or Love Crafts

Note that this pattern is also available as part of a bundle with the follow up to this pattern, the Sequel Sweater Pattern on Etsy and Ravelry.

This post contains affiliate links. This means if you click a link to a product and go on to make a purchase, I receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. You can read my full affiliate disclosure here. 

Features of the Short Stories Crochet Cardigan

The Short Stories crochet cardigan pattern is a little bit different from all of my other crochet cardigan designs, and after a lengthy and in depth testing process, I am delighted to bring it to you.

It’s a top-down crochet cardigan made in separate body panels which are seamed at the sides and shoulders. The panels include underarm shaping to ensure a comfortable and tailored fit around the underarm.

And here’s the special part… the set-in sleeves are worked directly into the arm hole, using short rows, so no sewing in sleeves. Hence the name

If you’re new to the concept of short rows, I have put together a detailed tutorial explaining what short rows are and how to crochet them.

In this pattern, I use a double ended short row sleeve cap method, more commonly seen in knitted garments, to achieve this. It sounds more complicated than it is.

I have created a video tutorial to accompany the pattern which demonstrates the short row section because I appreciate that many crocheters have not used this technique before. But if you’re like me will want to use it again and again after you try it.

Right handed video tutorial:

There is also a Left handed video tutorial available here.

The principles from this technique can be applied to other garments and stitch patterns, so although the tutorial is made specifically for this crochet pattern, it’s possible to extrapolate the method to use on other projects.

The benefit is that the finished crochet cardigan will fit closely around the shoulders and upper arms without any of the bulk at the under arm you sometimes see on classic drop shoulder designs.

And if these terms I’ve used to describe the construction are a little puzzling to you, or you’re new to crocheting garments, this post which explains why construction method matters, and what the most common ones are, will help you.

The image below shows the finished cream sample of the short stories crochet cardigan used to make the tutorial.

The other features of note on the short stories cardigan are as follows

• Lots of drape and stretch
• Gentle v-neck /scoop neck style
• Relatively close fitting (but not tight) so perfect for layering over a tank and under a jacket
• Very wearable for smart or casual occasions
• Button band – add as many or few buttons as desired
• Crochet it cropped or long – easy to adjust the length
• Unique vertical neckline ribbing
• Pattern written in 9 women’s sizes (see measurements section for details)
• Simple stitch pattern, but intermediate to experienced difficulty level due to construction techniques

The short stories pattern is available to purchase from Etsy, Ravelry or Love Crafts.

Skills used

I would class this as an intermediate to advanced pattern, though as I discuss here, that’s a subjective term.

Although the short stories crochet pattern uses simple stitches throughout (mainly extended single crochet and other basic stitches), the construction techniques and shaping may be challenging for some less experienced crocheters.

A photo guide is included as well as the video tutorial for the sleeve cap, but you will need to be able to accurately follow written crochet patterns for your size and crochet to gauge.

There are a lot of links to supporting guides and articles throughout the pattern, so if you’re an adventurous crocheter, don’t let this put you off, slow down, follow the pattern step by step and you can do it!

Below is a summary of the techniques used

• Knowledge of basic crochet stitches and techniques
• Carefully following written instructions
• Swatching to match gauge
• Working in rows and rounds
• Increases and decreases / shaping
• Chainless foundation single crochet (sizes 2X-5X only)
• Seaming crochet panels together – I use the mattress stitch
• Working evenly into row ends and adjusting tension as needed to ensure pieces lay flat
• Picking up stitches around an arm hole (tips given in the video)
• Short rows – full instructions and video tutorial included – learn more about the technique here
• Blocking is important to make the most of the pattern
• Ribbed cuffs / collar / hem
• ‘Staggered’ ribbing fro the front neck shaping – this is a technique I created just for this pattern which allows the ribs to stay vertical around the neckline – full written instructions included
• Simple button holes and button band

The images of two samples below (both size small) give you an idea of how the cardigan fits closely around the arm and shoulder.

Measurements & Finished Size

The pattern is written in 9 sizes, from women’s XS to 5XL to fit chest 76-158cm / 30-63in. (Finished chest measurement ranges from 85-166cm / 34-66in)

It is intended to be worn with around 7-10cm / 3-4in positive ease on the body with closer fitting sleeves

The cardigan is designed to be worn with approximately 5-8cm / 2-3in of positive ease in the body. The sleeves are more close fitting.

The design is gender neutral.

Detailed measurements, including 2 schematics, are included in the pattern to assist you in choosing the most suitable size.

The crochet pattern also includes some suggestions on how to adjust for a customised fit. You can learn more about how to crochet clothes to fit in this post.

Materials

Crochet Hook

4mm crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge, for body panels and sleeves.

3.5mm for ribbed cuffs, hem, collar and button band (or size needed to achieve correct tension).

I used my clover amour hooks.

Yarn

You will need approximately 1100(1190, 1300, 1450, 1600, 1775, 2000, 2200, 2350)m/340(360, 400, 440, 500, 550, 610, 670, 720)g of 4ply / fingering weight yarn depending on size chosen.

The samples pictured use the following yarns:

Teal (used in photo guide); approximately 7(8, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15) balls of Drops Nord, 45% Alpaca, 30% Polyamide, 25% Wool. 50g ball = 170m/186yds.

Shade 09, Deep Ocean Mix.

Cream (used in youtube tutorial and second sample pictured); approximately 3(4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7) balls Paintbox Yarns Socks, Solids 75% wool, 25% polyamide, 100g ball = 390m/430yds

Shade 1402, Champagne White.

Substitution Options 

Similar 4ply / fingering weight yarns will produce similar results. This pattern should work well with a range of acrylic and animal fibres. 

Different fibres and yarns will produce a different finished result. Always swatch with your chosen yarn to ensure you are happy with the resulting fabric and match gauge before starting.

You may find this post useful when choosing yarn.

Other Materials & Notions

• 7 stitch markers, or one for each button chosen, with a minimum of 4 for use elsewhere in the pattern.
• 7 x 10mm buttons (or number desired)
• Yarn needle, scissors and a tape measure
• Blocking board and pins – Learn more about blocking here.

I think that’s everything you need to know to make your decision as to whether this pattern is the one for you – I sincerely hope it is!

You can purchase the Short Stories Crochet Cardigan Pattern from Etsy, Love Crafts or Ravelry.

Any questions or queries, please do drop them in the comments below!

Happy Hooking

Dx

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