Northwoods Crochet Cardigan: Free Size-Inclusive Pattern (XS-5X)

The Northwoods Crochet Cardigan is a free quick-and-easy crochet cardigan pattern designed by Robyn Chachula in 7 sizes (XS through 5X). Worked in WeCrochet Brava Tweed worsted-weight acrylic on a size L crochet hook, this beginner-friendly pattern uses a simple chain-and-double-crochet stitch combination that works up FAST. You can finish a cardigan in a weekend. Available in two sleeve lengths (short or long) and includes a full step-by-step pattern, video tutorials, and an ad-free PDF option.

Hey, bestie 💛

If you’ve been searching for a free crochet cardigan pattern that’s actually quick to make, fits a wide range of bodies, and looks cute enough to wear out… I’ve got you. Meet the Northwoods Crochet Cardigan, a brand-new design from my brilliant co-designer Robyn Chachula.

Here’s why this pattern is special: it’s a weekend project. Worked on a size L (7.0 mm) crochet hook with worsted-weight yarn, the cardigan body crochets up FAST. The stitch pattern is just a simple chain-and-double-crochet repeat that becomes muscle memory by the third row. And it’s sized from XS through 5X in 7 different sizes… so every body gets to wear one.

Whether you want a quick gift, a cardigan you can finish before a trip, or your very first crochet garment ever… Northwoods is genuinely the right pattern. 🍃

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you… and it helps keep these free patterns coming straight from my yarn-loving heart to yours. 💛

What You Will Love About This Pattern 💖

⚡ It’s quick. Worsted-weight yarn + size L hook + simple stitch repeat = a cardigan you can finish in a weekend if you’re motivated. Most crocheters knock it out in 8-15 hours.

📏 Truly size-inclusive. Seven sizes from XS through 5X (bust circumference 28.5″ to 64.5″). Designed with classic 1-4 inches of positive ease for an easy, flattering fit on every body.

🧶 Doesn’t take much yarn. Just 3-8 balls of WeCrochet Brava Tweed depending on your size and sleeve length. A whole cardigan for less than the cost of a coffee shop habit.

🌿 Two sleeve options. Short sleeves (4-6″) or long sleeves (14-17″). Same pattern, you choose your vibe.

🔰 Adventurous beginner friendly. If you can chain, single crochet, and double crochet, you can make this cardigan. The stitch pattern is genuinely just chain + double crochet in repeat.

👯 Designed by Robyn Chachula. Robyn is one of the most respected garment designers in crochet, and her patterns are known for clarity, smart construction, and thoughtful sizing. This is a Robyn pattern through and through… approachable, modern, and beautifully constructed.

Quick Pattern Overview

🎯 Skill Level: Adventurous Beginner

📏 Sizes: XS, S, M/L, XL, 2/3X, 4X, 5X (with 1-4″ of positive ease). Sample shown is XL.

📐 Finished Bust: 28.5 (34.5, 40.5, 46.5, 52.5, 58.5, 64.5)” / 72.5-164 cm

📏 Length (bottom edge to shoulder): 20 (21, 22, 25, 26, 28.75, 29.75)” / 51-75.5 cm

🧶 Yarn: WeCrochet Brava Tweed (97% acrylic / 3% viscose, worsted weight, 218 yds / 100 g) in colorway Stratus #29507. 3 (4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) balls for short sleeves. Add 1-2 more balls for long sleeves.

🪡 Hook: Size L/11 (7.0 mm)

📐 Gauge (blocked): 16 dc by 10 rows = 6″ by 4.75″ in cardigan stitch pattern. Use any hook size to obtain gauge.

⏱️ Estimated time: 8-15 hours for a full short-sleeve cardigan, depending on size and speed. A weekend project for confident crocheters, a 1-2 week project for casual crocheters.

Is This Crochet Cardi Right for You?

This pattern is a perfect match if you want a quick, wearable, modern cardigan without committing to weeks of complex crochet. You’ll be right at home if you can:

• Chain
• Single crochet
• Double crochet
• Read a written pattern
• Seam two pieces together (whip stitch… video tutorial linked below)

If any of those feel unfamiliar, my BiCrafty Bootcamp: Learn to Crochet is the perfect place to build your foundation before this project.

Looking for something different? Compare with my other free crochet cardigans:

• Want it cozy and oversized for fall/winter? Try the Sookie Crochet Cardigan (worsted, panel construction, sizes XS-5X)
• Want it lightweight and lacy for spring/summer? Try the Goldenrod Crochet Cardigan (lace, wool/silk blend)
• Want it kimono-style and one-piece? Try the Amimono One-Piece Kimono Cardigan

Why This Cardi Is Perfect for Beginners and Time-Pressed Crocheters

Let me be straight with you: most “beginner crochet cardigan” patterns are NOT actually beginner-friendly. They’re labeled that way because the stitch is simple, but the construction is fussy, the sizing is bad, or the finishing instructions assume you already know what you’re doing.

The Northwoods is different. Here’s why it’s actually approachable:

• Just three stitches. Chain, single crochet, double crochet. That’s it. No special stitches, no complex post stitches, no Tunisian.
• Worked in flat panels. Back panel + 2 front panels are all rectangles with simple shaping. Sleeves are worked in the round at the very end (after blocking the panels). No mystery shaping math.
• Big hook = fast progress. A size L (7.0 mm) hook with worsted-weight yarn means you see real growth on the cardigan with every row. Big confidence booster, especially if you’ve struggled to finish garment projects before.
• Forgiving fit. The 1-4 inches of positive ease means small sizing differences don’t ruin the fit. Even if your gauge is a touch off, the cardigan will still drape beautifully.
• Two sleeve options. Short sleeves get you done in less time. Long sleeves keep you warm longer. You choose what fits your life.

If you’ve been wanting to crochet your first cardigan and you keep putting it off because the project feels too big… this is the one to start with. Promise. 🌿

Build Your Skills with This Cardigan

By the time you finish your Northwoods, you’ll have practiced:

• Stacked double crochet… (some designer refer to this as a stacked single crochet) a clean turning-stitch alternative to ch-3, perfect for cleaner edges
• Standing double crochet… how to start a row with a fresh yarn join (no slip-stitch-and-chain awkwardness)
• Working in spaces… the chain + double crochet repeat creates an open mesh fabric you’ll work into in the next row
• Whip stitch seaming… your panels get joined at the shoulders and sides with this simple sewing seam
• Picking up stitches around an edge… for the bottom edging, collar, and sleeve openings
• Steam blocking… the right way to finish an acrylic crochet garment

Need a refresher on the abbreviations? My how to read crochet chart symbols guide covers the basics. Brand new to crochet? Start with BiCrafty Bootcamp: Learn to Crochet.

Want to take your crochet garment skills deeper? Come join me at Marly Bird House for live sock workshops, sweater workshops, and BiCrafty Stitch-Nite where we teach garment-level techniques live with a full community.

Yarn & Materials

This cardigan is designed for WeCrochet Brava Tweed, a 97% premium acrylic / 3% viscose worsted-weight yarn (218 yds per 100 g ball). The sample is in Stratus (#29507), a soft heathered gray that photographs beautifully. Brava Tweed is one of my favorite affordable workhorse yarns… it’s machine washable, has good stitch definition, and the tweed flecks add subtle visual interest without competing with the stitch pattern.

Yardage by size:

• Short sleeve version: 3 (4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) balls of Brava Tweed
• Long sleeve version: Add 1-2 additional balls to the short sleeve count

Yarn Substitutes & Stash Options

Have something already in your stash? Or want a wool option instead of acrylic? Any worsted-weight (CYCA #4) yarn with around 200-220 yards per 100 g ball will work beautifully for the Northwoods. Look for a yarn with good stitch definition… the open chain-and-double-crochet stitch pattern really shines on a clean, smooth yarn. Skip super fluffy or heavily textured yarns… they hide the airy mesh effect.

A few favorite substitutes:

• 🧶 KnitPicks Brava Worsted… the solid-color sibling of Brava Tweed. Same fiber family (100% premium acrylic), same yardage (218 yds / 100 g), same hook size. Pick this if you want a clean solid color instead of tweed flecks. Beginner-friendly and budget-friendly.
• 🧶 WeCrochet Mighty Stitch Worsted (80% acrylic / 20% superwash wool)… a touch softer than 100% acrylic, with a hint of wool warmth and a beautifully washable finish. Great if you want the Northwoods to feel a little more elevated against your skin.
• 🐑 KnitPicks Wool of the Andes Worsted (100% Peruvian Highland wool)… a wool option for crocheters who prefer natural fibers. Crisp stitch definition, classic worsted weight (110 yds / 50 g, so two balls = one Brava Tweed ball). ⭐️ There is also a Wool of the Andes Worsted Tweed!
• 🌿 Berroco Vintage Worsted (52% acrylic / 40% wool / 8% nylon)… a wool/acrylic blend with the easy-wash advantage of acrylic and the warmth + drape of wool. 218 yds / 100 g, so the yardage matches Brava Tweed perfectly. Find Berroco yarns here.
• 🧺 Stash yarn? If you have Lion Brand Heartland, Patons Classic Wool Worsted, Cascade 220 Superwash, or any other worsted-weight wool or wool blend with around 200-220 yards per 100 g, you’re in great shape. Just check your gauge first.

Hook & Notions

• 🪝 Size L/11 (7.0 mm) crochet hook… I love the KnitPicks/WeCrochet crochet hooks for projects like this. The ergonomic handle saves your hand on long crochet sessions.
• 📍 Stitch markers… essential for keeping track of rows and shaping points.
• 🧵 Tapestry needle… for seaming the panels and weaving in ends.
• ✂️ Scissors… any sharp pair you trust.
• 📐 Tape measure… for checking gauge + sleeve length as you go.
• 🟦 Blocking squares + blocking pins… for shaping the panels before seaming.
• 💨 Steam iron (or fabric steamer)… for steam blocking. Do not iron directly on acrylic… hold the steamer at least 1 inch above the fabric.

Make It Your Own — The Northwoods in Every Color 🎨

Here’s the part where it stops being “the gray cardigan from the blog post” and starts being yours. Brava Tweed comes in a whole range of colorways, and every single one of them changes the personality of this cardigan. Same pattern, same stitches, same comfortable fit… completely different feeling on your shoulders.

I love this kind of side-by-side. So often we fall in love with a pattern in the sample photo and forget that color choice is half the design. You’re not just choosing yarn… you’re choosing how you’ll feel every time you reach for this cardigan on a chilly morning.

A few thoughts to help you decide:

• 🌫️ The neutrals (Stratus gray, Mink soft brown, Heron muted blue-gray) feel like a quiet kind of strength… the cardigan you grab when you want to feel pulled together without trying. These are the workhorses. They go with everything in your closet, and the tweed flecks keep them from ever looking flat. If you wear a lot of jeans, black, or cream, a neutral Brava Tweed will earn its keep all year long.
• 🍂 The warm earth tones (Goldenrod, deep rusts and pumpkins) carry that grounded, autumn-evening feeling. There’s a richness here that reads as abundance… like the cardigan equivalent of a really good cup of tea. These colors are especially flattering on warm undertones and they photograph like a dream against fall foliage, which is not a small thing if you’re someone who likes to share your finished projects.
• 🌲 The deep greens and forest tones (Wren, deeper mossy shades) are pure Northwoods energy. This is the color of a long walk in the woods, of cabin weekends, of being absolutely at peace with not answering your phone. If you crochet to slow your nervous system down, a green Northwoods is going to feel like permission to relax every time you put it on.
• 🌊 The cool blues have that calm, capable quality… the color of mornings by the lake, of a clear sky after a storm. Blue cardigans tend to read as confident and grown-up without being severe. They’re a beautiful choice if you want something that feels intentional and quietly elegant.
• 💖 The pinks and softer warm tones (Rosefinch and similar) are joy yarn. There’s no other way to say it. If you’ve been reaching for sensible colors for years and you find yourself drawn to one of the pinks here… listen to that. Sometimes the cardigan you wear when you want to feel cheerful is the most useful one in your wardrobe.
• 🖤 The deep darks (black, charcoal, deepest navies) have a polished, almost wealthy quality to them… the kind of cardigan you can throw over a dress and walk into a nice dinner without thinking twice. Dark tweeds are forgiving (no visible coffee stains, ask me how I know) and the flecks add just enough visual interest that the piece never reads as boring.

Here’s my honest advice: look at the grid above and notice which color your eye keeps coming back to. Not the one you should pick. Not the one that goes with your existing wardrobe. The one your eye keeps drifting to when you’re not paying attention. That’s the cardigan you’ll actually wear. That’s the color that wants to be on your hook.

And because Brava Tweed is so affordable, this is one of the rare patterns where you can genuinely make it in two colors. One neutral for everyday, one statement color for the days you want a little more. Same pattern, different mood. 🌿

Video Tutorials

Each technique used in the Northwoods has a video tutorial:

• Stacked Double Crochet
• Standing Double Crochet
• Seaming Crochet (whip stitch)
• How to Bury / Weave in Ends
• Full Northwoods Crochet Cardigan Video Tutorial >> coming soon <<

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Love the Pattern but Want an Ad-Free PDF?

The full pattern below is 100% free here on the blog (thank you for supporting the site by reading through the ads!). If you’d rather have a clean printable PDF, the Northwoods will be available on:

• 🛒 Buy the ad-free PDF on Etsy
• 🛍️ Buy the ad-free PDF on Shopify
• 🧶 Buy the ad-free PDF on Ravelry

Northwoods Crochet Cardigan — Pattern Details

Designer

Designed by Robyn Chachula for MarlyBird.com

Skill Level

Adventurous Beginner

Measurements

To Fit Size: XS, S, M/L, XL, 2/3X, 4X, 5X with a classic fit of about 1-4″ [2.5-10 cm] of positive ease. Sample shown is XL.

Finished Measurements:

• Bust circumference: 28.5 (34.5, 40.5, 46.5, 52.5, 58.5, 64.5)” [72.5, 87.5, 103, 118, 133.5, 148.5, 164 cm]
• Length (bottom edge to shoulder): 20 (21, 22, 25, 26, 28.75, 29.75)” [51, 53.5, 56, 63.5, 66, 73, 75.5 cm]

Gauge

BLOCKED: 16 dc by 10 rows = 6″ [15 cm] by 4.75″ [12 cm] in cardigan stitch pattern. Use any size hook to obtain the gauge.

Materials

Crochet Yarn: WeCrochet Brava Tweed (97% Premium Acrylic / 3% Viscose, 218 yds / 200 m, 3.5 oz / 100 g, CYCA #4 worsted) in #29507 Stratus. 3 (4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) balls.

Note: If you are making the long sleeve version of the sweater, you will need an additional 1-2 balls of yarn.

Crochet Hook: Size L/11 [7.0 mm] or size needed to obtain gauge.

Notions:

• Stitch Markers
• Tapestry Needle
• Scissors
• Tape Measure
• Notions Bag for Supplies (Optional)
• Leather tags (Optional)
• Blocking Squares 
• Blocking Pins 
• Soaking Basin 
• Eucalan Wool Wash 
• Steamer

Abbreviations

• Ch – Chain(s)
• Dc – Double Crochet
• RS – Right Side
• Sc – Single Crochet
• Sl st – Slip Stitch
• Sp(s) – Space(s)
• St(s) – Stitch(es)
• WS – Wrong Side

Special Stitches

⭐️ Double Crochet (Dc): Yarn over hook, insert hook into indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, * yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook; repeat from * once more.

⭐️ Single Crochet (Sc): Insert hook into indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook.

⭐️ Stacked Double Crochet (Stacked Dc): (Do not ch 1 prior to making the first sc) Sc in first stitch, insert hook in between two legs of the base, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook.

⭐️ Standing Double Crochet (Standing Dc): With slip knot on hook, yarn over hook, insert hook into stitch or space, yarn over hook and pull up a loop, [yarn over hook, draw through two loops on hook] twice.

Schematic

Crochet Stitch Diagram

✨ Following along with the free pattern on MarlyBird.com? You’ll have everything you need to make the shawl, but if you want the exclusive stitch diagram charts, those are only available in the ad-free PDF version.

You’ll enjoy a clean, printable, ad-free experience while supporting Marly Bird’s free tutorials and patterns 💖

Notes

• Directions are for size XS; changes for sizes S, M/L, XL, 2/3XL, 4XL, 5XL are in parentheses. When only one number is given, that number applies to all sizes.
• If you do not want to use a stacked dc to start the row, you can start the row with a chain 3.
• If you do not want to use a standing dc, you can join your yarn with a sl st and chain 3.
• Note: the long sleeve version of the sweater uses 1-2 additional balls of yarn.

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I’m thrilled to share this amazing pattern with you, many patterns on my blog are absolutely free! I kindly request that you don’t copy and paste or distribute this pattern. Prefer an ad-free experience? Buy a digital PDF pattern for a small fee from one of my online stores for a seamless crafting journey. 

I appreciate your support and readership. You are the reason I can keep doing what I love and sharing it with others. So, thank you from the bottom of my yarn-loving heart! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links at no cost to you.

Northwoods Crochet Cardigan — Pattern Instructions

Back

Chain 42 (50, 58, 66, 74, 82, 90).

Row 1 (WS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook, *ch 1, skip next ch, sc in next ch; repeat from * across, turn — 20 (24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44) ch-1 sps.

Row 2: Stacked dc in first sc, *skip next ch-1 sp, 2 dc in next sc; repeat from * across to last sc, dc in last sc, turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first dc, *ch 1, sc in space between next group of 2 dc; repeat from * across to last dc, ch 1, sc in last dc, turn.

Repeat Rows 2-3 16 (17, 18, 21, 22, 25, 26) more times or to desired length, do not fasten off.

Note: Length currently does not include 2 repeats for back of neck and bottom edging.

Finishing: Blocking

Pin back and front panels to schematic size. Using steam iron, gently steam panels and allow to dry. Note: keep the steamer at least 1″ [2.5 cm] above the fabric.

Seaming

Fold body in half with RS facing along the shoulder seam. Whip stitch side seams keeping 6.5 (7.5, 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, 11.5, 12.5, 13.5)” [16.5, 19, 21.5, 24, 26.5, 29, 32, 34.5 cm] at the top open for the sleeves.

Bottom Edging

Row 1 (RS): Join yarn with sc in first sc along bottom edge, *[sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc] repeat across to seam, sc in seam, ch 1, slip next sc; repeat from * once more, [sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc] repeat across to last ch-1 sp, sc in last ch-1 sp, sc in last sc, turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * across to last sc, sc in last sc, turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc; repeat from * across to last ch-1 sp, sc in last ch-1 sp, sc in last sc, turn.

Repeat Rows 2-3 twice more. Fasten off, weave in the ends.

Collar

Row 1 (RS): Join yarn with sc to front panel edge at bottom edging, *sc along edge, ch 1, skip a space along edge; repeat from * around front panel and back neck opening, sc along edge near opposite bottom edge, sc in bottom edge, turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 1, skip next sc, sc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * across to last sc, sc in last sc, turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc; repeat from * across to last ch-1 sp, sc in last ch-1 sp, sc in last sc, turn.

Repeat Rows 2-3 twice more. Fasten off, weave in the ends.

Sleeve

Round 1 (WS): Join yarn with sc to arm opening, [ch 1, skip a space along arm opening, sc along edge] 16 (19, 22, 25, 27, 30, 33) times, ch 1, sl st in first sc, turn.

Round 2: (Stacked dc, dc) in first sc, 2 dc in each sc around, sl st to top of stacked dc, sl st between next 2 dc, turn.

Round 3: Ch 1, *sc in space between next group of 2 dc, ch 1; repeat from * around, sl st to first sc, turn.

Repeat Rounds 2-3 until sleeve measures 4-6″ [10-15 cm] for short sleeves, or 14-17″ [35.5-43 cm] for long sleeves. Do not fasten off, move to cuff directions.

Short Sleeve Cuff

Round 1 (RS): Ch 1, *sc2tog over next 2 ch-1 sps, ch 1, skip next sc, [sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, skip next sc] 3 times; repeat from * around, sc in any remaining ch-1 sps separated by a ch 1, sl st to first st, sl st in next ch-1 sp, turn.

Round 2: Ch 1, *sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; repeat from * around, sl st to first sc, sl st to next ch-1 sp, turn.

Repeat Round 2 3 more times. Fasten off and weave in ends. Block sleeves to size.

Long Sleeve Cuff

Round 1 (RS): Ch 1, *sc2tog over next 2 ch-1 sps, ch 1; repeat from * around, sc in any remaining ch-1 sps separated by a ch 1, sl st to first st, sl st in next ch-1 sp, turn.

Round 2: Ch 1, *sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; repeat from * around, sl st to first sc, sl st to next ch-1 sp, turn.

Repeat Round 2 – 5 more times. Fasten off and weave in ends. Block sleeves to size.

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Favorite & Queue on Ravelry

Please favorite and queue the Northwoods Crochet Cardigan on Ravelry and tag your finished projects #NorthwoodsCardigan. I love seeing your color choices and finished cardis. 🌿

Love This Yarn? More Patterns Great for WeCrochet Brava Tweed

WeCrochet Brava Tweed is one of those workhorse yarns that crochets up beautifully in just about anything. If you fall in love with it making the Northwoods, here are a few other patterns to put on your hook:

• 🧶 Autumn Breezes Mosaic Hat… a cozy mosaic crochet hat (sizes baby through adult) worked in two colors. The tweed flecks in Brava Tweed would add gorgeous depth to the mosaic stitch pattern. A great way to learn mosaic crochet without committing to a full sweater.
• 🧶 Cinnamon Dreams Fingerless Mittens… textured mosaic fingerless mittens (4 sizes, child through adult) for keeping your hands warm while you text, type, and stitch. Quick stash-buster gift project… pairs beautifully with the Autumn Breezes Hat for a matching set.
• 🧶 Practically Perfect Poncho… wasn’t designed in Brava Tweed, but the texture and drape of this worsted-weight poncho would translate gorgeously into Brava Tweed’s flecked finish. Perfect for grabbing a couple of skeins and making a quick wearable.
• 🧶 When We Were Young Crochet Hat… a free, beginner-friendly crochet hat pattern (sizes 3-6 months through adult large) that uses just one ball of yarn. Brava Tweed would give this simple hat a textured, almost vintage feel… add a fun button for extra personality.
• 🧶 Hvita Crochet Slippers… cozy crochet slippers that would feel like a hug for your feet in Brava Tweed. The 97% acrylic content means they’re machine washable, so they’ll hold up to everyday wear.
• 🧶 Aurora Lace Crochet Cardigan… a size-inclusive one-piece lace crochet cardigan with written instructions and stitch diagrams. Brava Tweed would soften the lace fabric and add visual depth to the open stitchwork. If you loved making Northwoods, this is your next cardigan.

Want to see the full Brava Tweed color range and grab some for your next project? Shop WeCrochet Brava Tweed here.

More Free Crochet Cardigan Patterns

If you love crochet cardigans, you’ll want to compare these other free patterns by Marly Bird:

• 🍂 Sookie Crochet Cardigan… cozy worsted-weight panel construction for fall & winter (sizes XS-5X). Co-designed with Robyn Chachula.
• 🌼 Goldenrod Crochet Cardigan… lightweight wool/silk lace cardigan for spring & summer transitional weather
• 🌸 Garden Party Crochet Cardigan… another size-inclusive XS-5XL cardigan with full video tutorial
• 🤗 You Are Valued Crochet Cocoon Cardigan… beginner-friendly oversized cocoon silhouette
• 🥋 Amimono One-Piece Kimono Cardigan… simple one-piece kimono-style design
• 🌿 Lyvia Crochet Ruana… oversized cardigan-meets-ruana with pockets

Or browse my full library of free knit and crochet patterns for every free pattern on the blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Northwoods Crochet Cardigan really beginner friendly?

Honestly, yes… for an adventurous beginner. If you can chain, single crochet, double crochet, and read a written pattern, you can absolutely make this. The stitch pattern is just chain + double crochet in repeat. The construction is flat panels seamed together. And the size L hook + worsted-weight yarn means it works up FAST, so you see real progress with every row.

How long does this cardigan take to crochet?

Most crocheters finish in 8-15 hours for a short-sleeve version, depending on size and speed. That means a confident crocheter can knock it out in a weekend. A casual crocheter (knitting/crocheting an hour or two a day) can finish in 1-2 weeks. Long sleeves add 3-5 more hours total.

Can I substitute a different yarn?

Yes. Use any worsted-weight (CYCA #4) yarn with around 200-220 yards per 100g ball. Acrylic, wool, or wool blends all work well. Look for a yarn with good stitch definition… avoid super fluffy or heavily textured yarns that hide the open-mesh effect of the cardigan stitch. WeCrochet Brava Tweed is the recommended option, but Lion Brand Heartland, Patons Classic Wool, or Vanna’s Choice are all good substitutes.

What sizes is the Northwoods Cardigan available in?

Seven sizes: XS, S, M/L, XL, 2/3X, 4X, and 5X. Bust circumference ranges from 28.5″ to 64.5″. Designed with 1-4 inches of positive ease for a classic, comfortable fit on every body.

Should I make the short sleeve or long sleeve version?

Depends on your climate and your wardrobe. Short sleeves (4-6 inches) are great for layering, transitional weather, or anyone who runs warm. Long sleeves (14-17 inches) are cozy, cooler-weather appropriate, and use 1-2 more balls of yarn. Both versions use the same body pattern… you choose at the sleeve stage.

Do I have to use stacked double crochet and standing double crochet?

No. The pattern notes specifically say if you don’t want to use a stacked dc to start a row, you can use a chain 3 instead. If you don’t want to use a standing dc to join yarn, you can join with a slip stitch + chain 3. Both alternative methods work and produce the same finished cardigan. The stacked / standing versions just look a little cleaner at the edges.

Where can I buy the ad-free PDF?

The ad-free Northwoods PDF will be available on Etsy, Shopify, and Ravelry. Your purchase supports me as an indie designer and keeps the free patterns coming. 💛

💬 Final Thoughts

The Northwoods is one of those patterns I want everyone to make. It’s quick. It’s affordable. It’s truly size-inclusive. And it produces a cardigan you’ll actually wear. Robyn outdid herself on the construction… clean, simple, modern, and forgiving.

If you make a Northwoods, please share. Tag @themarlybird and use #NorthwoodsCardigan, #mmmdi, and #marlybird on social media. I want to see every cardigan in every color on every body. 🌿💛

Love, Your BiCrafty Bestie, Marly Bird
(and co-designer Robyn Chachula 💛)