INTRODUCTION

Laveau

by Alison Green

Although the first several years of my design career were focused on knitting, I actually learned how to crochet long before I learned to knit, and crochet has always held a strong position in my crafting heart. Whenever people ask me which I like more, I always say it's like choosing between one's own children! It's my firm belief that there are different things that each craft does beautifully, and I'm happy to see more and more crafters take up both.

For this sweet little cardigan, I knew I wanted it to be mainly crocheted, but felt that knitted ribbing at the cuffs, hem, and front bands would tie it together nicely. If you are a crocheter but not a knitter, it's possible to approximate the look of ribbing, though the fabric will feel a bit bulkier. This tutorial for a crocheted rib would work well.

The crocheted stitch pattern is simultaneously open and airy while retaining some body via the cluster stitches with the mesh like pattern. It's an easy two-row repeat.

model: Alison Green

photos: John Bent

SIZE

Women's XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4, 5X]
shown in size M with approximately 2 inches/5 cm of ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest circumference at underarm:  35[39.25, 43.5, 47.75, 52, 56, 60.25, 64.5, 68.75] inches/ 89[99.5, 110.5, 121.5, 132, 142, 153, 164, 174.5] cm
Length:  17[18.25, 18.75, 19.5, 19.5, 20, 20.75, 20.75, 20.75] inches / 43[46.5, 47.5, 49.5, 49.5, 51, 52.5, 52.5, 52.5] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Berroco Lanas Light [100% Wool; 383 yd/350 m per 3.5 oz/100 g skein]; color: 78106 Tea Rose; 3[3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5] skeins

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses a sport-weight 2-ply wool yarn. The yarn has a balance between crimpy wool (which adds volume) with finer micron wool (for softness).

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 US F-5/3.75mm hook
1 US #3/3.25mm circular needle, 36-inch/90-cm long
1 set US #3/3.25mm needles for small circumference in the round: traditional or flexible DPNs, 1 long circular or 2 shorter circulars as you prefer.

Notions
open-ring crochet markers
six 5/8-inch/16mm buttons
yarn needle

GAUGE

4 pattern repeats = 4.25 inches/10 cm wide in pattern stitch
12 rows (6 vertical repeats) = 3.75 inches/9.5 cm long in pattern stitch
24 sts and 40 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in knitted rib
Note: gauge is always measured after blocking.

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Construction: The body is crocheted from the bottom up in one piece, dividing for fronts and back at the underarms. Shoulder seams are crocheted. Sleeves are worked in the round from the armhole to the wrist, then cuffs are picked up and knit in the round. The hem and buttonband are picked up and knitted.

If you wish to crochet the ribbing instead of knit it, this tutorial will help you. Work it to the same length as the knitted rib in the instructions, then seam at the side seams. To make a buttonhole in crocheted ribbing, start on a slip stitch row and follow this tutorial.

3-dc cl (3 double crochet cluster): Yo, insert hook into stitch or space and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through two loops. *Yo, insert hook into same stitch or space and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through two loops. Rep from * one more time. Yo and pull through all 4 loops on hook.

3-dc cl for beg-of-rnd: Ch 3, yo, insert hook into first st and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through two loops. Yo, insert hook into same stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through two loops. Yo and pull through all 3 loops on hook.

CHARTS

Pattern Stitch worked in rows (for body):
Work from written directions below or from chart.
Ch multiple of 6 (the number of reps + 6 extra for turning ch).
Row 1 [WS]: Sc in 8th ch from hook, ch 1, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch, *ch 5, skip 3 ch, sc in next ch, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch; rep from * to last 2 ch, ch 2, skip next ch, dc in last ch. Turn.
Row 2 [RS]: Ch 1, sc in first dc, ch 3, *skip next sc, 3-dc cl in ch-1 sp, ch 3, skip next sc, sc in ch-5 sp, ch 3; rep from * to last ch-1 sp, skip next sc, 3-dc cl in ch-1 sp, ch 3, skip next sc, sc in 3rd ch of turning ch. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 5, *sc in ch-3 sp, ch 1, skip 3-dc cl, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5, skip sc; rep from * to ch-3 sp before last 3-dc cl, sc in ch-3 sp, ch 1, skip 3-dc cl, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 2, dc in last sc. Turn.
Rep Rows 2-3 for pattern.

Pattern Stitch worked in the round (for sleeves):
Work from written directions below or from chart.
Worked over a multiple of 6 sc.
Rnd 1: Ch 5, skip next sc, *sc in next sc, ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next sc, ch 5, skip next 3 sc; rep from * to last 4 sc, sc in next sc, ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next sc, ch 2, skip next sc, join with sl st to third ch of beginning ch 5.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 3, *skip next sc, 3-dc cl in ch-1 sp, ch 3, skip next sc, sc in ch-5 sp, ch 3; rep from * to sc before last ch-1 sp, skip next sc, 3-dc cl in ch-1 sp, ch 3, skip next sc, join with sl st to first sc.
Rnd 3: Ch 5, *sc in ch-3 sp, ch 1, skip 3-dc cl, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5, skip sc; rep from * to ch-3 sp before last 3-dc cl, sc in ch-3 sp, ch 1, skip 3-dc cl, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 2, join with sl st to third ch of beginning ch 5.
Rep Rnds 2-3 for pattern.

Note: For Chart 3 and 4, written directions are in the pattern text below.

DIRECTIONS

Body
Ch 198[222, 246, 270, 294, 318, 342, 366, 390] .
Begin working in Pattern Stitch for body as foll:
work Rows 1-3 once, then repeat Rows 2-3 11 more times, then work Row 2 once more. Mark beginning and end of last row with open-ring stitch markers.

Divide Fronts and Back:
Next row [WS]: Work across first 8[9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16] pattern reps for Left Front as follows: Ch 5, *sc in ch-3 sp, ch 1, skip 3-dc cl, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5, skip sc; rep from * 6[7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14] more times, sc in ch-3 sp, ch 1, skip 3-dc cl, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 2, dc in next sc. Turn, leaving remainder of row unworked for Back and Right Front.

Continue on Left Front only.

Work Row 2 of Pattern Stitch.

Shape Left Front neck:
Note: See Chart 2.
Row 1 [WS]: Sl st in each of the first 2 ch, ch 1, sc in ch-3 sp, ch 1, skip 3-dc cl, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5, skip sc; continue to work Row 3 of Pattern St as established to end. Turn.
Row 2 [RS]: Work as for Row 2 of Pattern St to last ch-1 sp, work dc2tog into last ch-1 sp and last sc. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in ch-3 sp, ch 5, skip sc; work Row 3 from * to end. Turn.
Row 4: Work as for Row 2 of Pattern St, ending with sc in the last ch-5 sp. Turn.
Repeat Rows 1-4 of neck shaping 3 more times. 4[5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12] pattern reps remain.

Work 4[8, 10, 12, 12, 14, 16, 16, 16] more rows ( 2[4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8] more reps) even in Pattern St, ending after Row 2. Fasten off.

Back
With WS facing, join yarn in same st at underarm where the Left Front began after division. Work across 16[18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32] pattern reps as foll:
Ch 5,*sc in ch-3 sp, ch 1, skip 3-dc cl, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5, skip sc; rep from * 14[16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30] times more, sc in ch-3 sp, ch 1, skip 3-dc cl, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 2, dc in next sc. Turn, leaving remainder of row unworked for Right Front. Continue on Back only.

Work even in Pattern St over Back for 21[25, 27, 29, 29, 31, 33, 33, 33] more rows, beginning and ending after Row 2. Fasten off.

Right Front
With WS facing, join yarn in same st at underarm where the Back began after division. Work across remaining 8[9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16] pattern reps as follows: Ch 5,*sc in ch-3 sp, ch 1, skip 3-dc cl, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5, skip sc; rep from * 6[7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14] more times, sc in ch-3 sp, ch 1, skip 3-dc cl, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 2, dc in last sc. Turn.

Work Row 2 of Pattern Stitch.

Shape Right Front neck:
Note: See Chart 3.
Row 1 [WS]: Work Row 3 of Pattern St, ending with sc in last ch-3 sp. Turn.
Row 2 [RS]: Ch 2, dc in ch-1 sp, ch 3, skip next sc, sc in ch-5 sp, ch 3, 3-dc cl in ch-1 sp, ch 3, work in Row 2 of pattern to end of row. Turn.
Row 3: Work Row 3 of Pattern St, ending with sc in last ch-3 sp. Sl st in dc. Turn.
Row 4: Sl st in first 2 ch, sc in ch-5 sp, ch 3, work in Row 2 of pattern from * to end of row. Turn.
Repeat Rows 1-4 of neck shaping 3 more times. 4[5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12] pattern reps remain. Work 4[8, 10, 12, 12, 14, 16, 16, 16] more rows ( 2[4, 5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8] more reps) in Pattern St, ending after Row 2. Do not fasten off.

Join Shoulders:
Hold RS of Right Front and Back together, with WS facing out, working into both the Right Front and Back together, *ch 3, sc in ch-3 sp, sc in 3-dc cl, sc in ch-3 sp; rep from * across the shoulder. Continue in the same pattern across the 8 pattern reps of the Back Neck, then work in the same pattern across the Left Front and Back together for the Left Shoulder, ending sc in ch-3 sp, sc in 3-dc cl, sc in ch-3 sp, ch 1, hdc in last sc of Front and Back. Fasten off.

Sleeves
Join yarn at underarm and sc 78[90, 96, 108, 108, 114, 120, 120, 120] around entire armhole; approximately 13 sc for every 4 vertical pattern repeats (8 rows).

Work Rnds 1 and 2 of Pattern St (worked in the rnd version); 13[15, 16, 18, 18, 19, 20, 20, 20] pattern reps.

Shape sleeve:
Rnd 1: Sl st in first 2 ch sts, *sc in ch-3 sp, ch 1, skip 3-dc cl, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5, skip sc; rep from * to ch-3 sp before last 3-dc cl, sc in ch-3 sp, ch 1, skip 3-dc cl, sc in next ch-3 sp, join with sl st to first sc.
Rnd 2: Work 3-dc cl for beg-of-rnd, *ch 3, skip next sc, sc in ch-5 sp, ch 3, skip next sc, 3-dc cl in ch-1 sp; rep from * to last ch-5 sp, ch 3, skip next sc, sc in ch-5 sp, ch 3, join with sl st to 3-dc cl at beg-of-rnd.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, *sc in ch-3 sp, ch 5, skip sc, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, skip 3-dc cl; rep from * to ch-3 sp after last 3-dc cl, sc in ch-3 sp, ch 5, skip sc, sc in next ch-3 sp, join with sl st to first sc.
Rnd 4: Sl st in first 2 ch sts, *sc in ch-5 sp, ch 3, skip next sc, 3-dc cl in ch-1 sp, ch 3, skip next sc; rep from * to last ch-5 sp, sc in ch-5 sp, join with sl st to first sc.
Rnd 5: Ch 5, *sc in ch-3 sp, ch 1, skip 3-dc cl, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5, skip sc; rep from * to ch-3 sp before last 3-dc cl, sc in ch-3 sp, ch 1, skip 3-dc cl, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 2, join with sl st to third ch of beginning ch 5.
Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 3, *skip next sc, 3-dc cl in ch-1 sp, ch 3, skip next sc, sc in ch-5 sp, ch 3; rep from * to sc before last ch-1 sp, skip next sc, 3-dc cl in ch-1 sp, ch 3, skip next sc, join with sl st to first sc.

2 pattern repeats decreased over these 6 rounds.

Rep Rnds 1-6, 0[1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2] more times. 11[11, 12, 12, 12, 13, 14, 14, 14] pattern reps remain.

Work 36[26, 26, 16, 16, 12, 12, 8, 8] more rnds – 18[13, 13, 8, 8, 6, 6, 4, 4] more reps – in Pattern St, or until sleeve measures 2.5 inches/6.5 cm shorter than total desired sleeve length, ending after Rnd 2 of patt.

Last crochet rnd: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), *sc in ch-3 sp, sc in 3-dc cl, sc in ch-3 sp, hdc in sc, sc in ch-3 sp; rep from * to ch-3 sp before last 3-dc cl, sc in ch-3 sp, sc in 3-dc cl, sc in ch-3 sp, sl st in top of ch 2. 33[33, 36, 36, 36, 39, 42, 42, 42] sc and 11[11, 12, 12, 12, 13, 14, 14, 14] hdc remain.

Cuff
Note: for crocheted ribbing instructions, see Pattern Notes
Using needles for working small circumference in the round, place loop from crochet hook on needle, then pick up and knit in each sc and hdc around. Pm and join to work in the round. 44[44, 48, 48, 48, 52, 56, 56, 56] sts.

Rib rnd: (K1, p2, k1) to end of rnd.
Repeat Rib rnd until cuff measures approximately 2.5 inches / 6.5 cm.

BO loosely in rib patt.

FINISHING

Hem Ribbing (knitted)
Note: for crocheted ribbing instructions, see Pattern Notes
With circular needle and with RS facing, pick up and knit 6 sts for each pattern repeat along bottom edge of body. 192[216, 240, 264, 288, 312, 336, 360, 384] sts.

Row 1 [WS]: P1, (p2, k2) to last 3 sts, p3.
Row 2 [RS]: K1, (k2, p2) to last 3 sts, k3.
Repeat Rows 1-2 until ribbing measures approximately 2.5 inches / 6.5 cm.

BO loosely in ribbing.

Button Band (knitted)
Note: for crocheted button band instructions, see Pattern Notes
With circular needle and with RS facing, beginning at bottom right edge of Body, pick up and knit 17 sts in side of ribbing, then 52 sts (4 sts for each pattern repeat) to marker. Remove marker from edge and place marker on needle. Pick up and knit 46[54, 58, 66, 66, 70, 74, 74, 74] sts to shoulder seam (approximately 4-5 sts for each pattern repeat), then 46 sts across back neck, then 46[54, 58, 66, 66, 70, 74, 74, 74] sts to marker on left side. Remove marker from edge. Pick up and knit 52 sts to ribbing, then 17 sts in side of ribbing. 276[292, 300, 316, 316, 324, 332, 332, 332] sts.

Row 1 [WS]: P1, (p2, k2) to last 3 sts, p3.
Row 2 [RS]: K1, (k2, p2) to last 3 sts, k3.
Rep Rows 1-2 once more.

Buttonhole row [WS]: Patt to mrk, sl m, yo, k2tog, *(p2, k2) 3 times, p2, yo, k2tog; rep from * 3 more times, p3.
Note: see Pattern Notes for crocheted buttonhole instructions

Next row [RS]: K1, (k2, p2) to last 3 sts, k3.
Next row [WS]: P1, (p2, k2) to last 3 sts, p3.
Rep last 2 rows once more.

BO loosely in rib patt.

A - Chest Circumference at Underarm, buttoned: 35[39.25, 43.5, 47.75, 52, 56, 60.25, 64.5, 68.75] inches / 89[99.5, 110.5, 121.5, 132, 142, 153, 164, 174.5] cm
B - Back Chest Width:  17[19, 21.25, 23.25, 25.5, 27.5, 29.75, 31.75, 34] inches / 43[48.5, 54, 59, 65, 70, 75.5, 80.5, 86.5] cm
C - Back Neck Width: 7.5 inches / 19 cm
D - Shoulder Width: 4.25[5.25, 6.25, 7.25, 8.25, 9.25, 10.25, 11.25, 12.25] inches / 11[13.5, 16, 18.5, 21, 23.5, 26, 28.5, 31] cm
E - Armhole Length:  7[8.25, 8.75, 9.5, 9.5, 10, 10.75, 10.75, 10.75] inches / 18[21, 22, 24, 24, 25.5, 27.5, 27.5, 27.5] cm
F - Body Length to Underarm, not including ribbing: 8.25 inches / 21 cm
G - Ribbing Length: 2.5 inches / 6.5 cm
H - Upper Sleeve Circumference:  13.75[16, 17, 19, 19, 20.25, 21.25, 21.25, 21.25] inches / 35[40.5, 43, 48.5, 48.5, 51.5, 54, 54, 54] cm
I - Lower Sleeve Circumference: 11.75[11.75, 12.75, 12.75, 12.75, 13.75, 14.75, 14.75, 14.75] inches / 30[30, 32.5, 32.5, 32.5, 35, 37.5, 37.5, 37.5] cm
J - Sleeve Length, not including ribbing:  13.75[12.5, 12.5, 11.25, 11.25, 10, 10, 8.75, 8.75] inches / 35[32, 32, 28.5, 28.5, 25.5, 25.5, 22, 22] cm
K - Cuff Length: 2.5 inches / 6.5 cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Alison is part of the design team at Berroco yarns, and lives in Providence, RI. She has been working in the yarn industry as a designer, teacher and technical editor since 2002.

Pattern & images © 2022 Alison Green