Ginger Scallop-Edge Crochet Cardigan Free Pattern

Introduction

This little cardigan is made for toddlers aged 2 to 3 years, and it is a lovely project for anyone who has mastered the basic double crochet and wants to try post stitches. The whole body is built from three simple rectangles worked in front-post and back-post double crochet, so the fabric comes out stretchy, squishy and full of vertical ribbed texture. In warm ginger merino with a dusty rose scalloped border, it has a soft Victorian romance about it that looks far more complicated than it is. Slip it over a dress or a plain tee and it instantly feels special.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: DK weight (Category 3) 100% merino wool, 200 yds (183 m) per 50 g skein.
• Main color (MC): Ginger — 3 skeins (600 yds / 549 m).
• Contrast color (CC): Dusty Rose — 1 skein (200 yds / 183 m); you will use only a small part of it for the edging.
• Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6) crochet hook.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, tape measure, scissors.
• Finished size: Chest circumference 22 inches (56 cm); length 12 inches (30.5 cm); sleeve length from shoulder 8 inches (20 cm); sleeve circumference 8 inches (20 cm). Fits toddler size 2–3 years.

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• st(s) — stitch(es): the loops already made in your work.
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through everything on the hook.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• dc — double crochet: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops twice.
• FPdc — front post double crochet: work a double crochet around the post of the stitch below, bringing the hook from front to back to front so the stitch pops forward.
• BPdc — back post double crochet: work a double crochet around the post of the stitch below, bringing the hook from back to front to back so the stitch sits behind.
• sp — space: a gap in the work, such as a chain-2 space.
• RS — right side: the outside, public face of the fabric.

Gauge

18 sts and 16 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in post-stitch ribbing pattern. Work a small swatch in the pattern, then measure it flat without stretching; if you have more stitches than 18, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Post stitches are worked around the post of the stitch below, not into the top of it. Keep your hook pointing straight at you and the fabric will stay even.
• Always work FPdc into FPdc and BPdc into BPdc. The ribbing only looks right when each raised stitch continues in a straight vertical line.
• Count your stitches at the end of every row. The rectangles are simple, but a dropped stitch at the edge will show up when you seam.
• Before seaming, lay all five pieces flat and check they match the measurements above. Post-stitch ribbing relaxes after blocking, so a slightly firm piece is better than a loose one.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Back Panel (MC)

Row 1: Ch 50, dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across (48 sts).

Row 2: Ch 2, turn, [FPdc, BPdc] across, ending with FPdc (48 sts).

Rows 3–48: Ch 2, turn, FPdc in each FPdc and BPdc in each BPdc (48 sts). Fasten off.

Front Panels (make 2, MC)

Row 1: Ch 26, dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across (24 sts).

Row 2: Ch 2, turn, [FPdc, BPdc] across, ending with FPdc (24 sts).

Rows 3–48: Ch 2, turn, FPdc in each FPdc and BPdc in each BPdc (24 sts). Fasten off.

Sleeves (make 2, MC)

Rnd 1: Ch 38, join with sl st to form a ring, ch 2, dc in each ch around, join with sl st to first dc (38 sts).

Rnd 2: Ch 2, [FPdc, BPdc] around, join with sl st to first FPdc (38 sts).

Rnds 3–32: Ch 2, FPdc in each FPdc and BPdc in each BPdc, join with sl st to first FPdc (38 sts). Fasten off.

Assembly

With RS facing, join each Front Panel to the Back Panel at the shoulders: sew all 24 sts of each front to the outer 24 sts of the back, so the back is fully joined to both fronts with no neck opening left in the center.

Sew the side seams: join the 48 rows of each front panel to the 48 rows of the back panel, leaving the top 6 inches (15 cm) open on each side for the armholes.

Sew the sleeve caps into the armholes, easing each 38-st sleeve into the opening to fit.

Edging (CC)

Join CC at the bottom right front corner.

Rnd 1: Sc evenly along the right front edge, around the neck, down the left front edge and along the bottom edge, working 3 sc in each corner; join with sl st to first sc.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, [sc in next 3 sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts] around, adjusting the final repeat so you end with sc in the last st; join with sl st to first sc.

Rnd 3: Ch 1, [sc in next 3 sts, 5 dc in next ch-2 sp] around; join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends on the wrong side, threading each tail through a few stitches before trimming. Seam with a simple whipstitch or mattress stitch, keeping the tension loose so the ribbing stays stretchy at the shoulders and side seams. Block lightly: mist the cardigan, pat the scallops and edges into shape, and lay it flat to dry, easing the sleeves into gentle cylinders. Do not hang it while damp.

Pro Tips and Variations

• For a softer, warmer version, work the edging in the same ginger as the body and save the dusty rose for a single round of sc only.
• Add a small crocheted chain loop and a single button at the neckline if you prefer a closed front.
• Make the sleeves three-quarter length by working Rnds 3–24 instead of 3–32, then finish with the same edging rounds around the cuff.