Sandstone Smock Crochet Cardigan Free Pattern
Introduction
The Sandstone Smock is a boxy, earthy little cardigan that looks far more complicated than it is. It's written for advanced-beginner crocheters who are comfortable with single crochet and chains and are ready to try simple garment construction. What makes it special is that the entire body is one flat rectangle of seed stitch, folded in half and seamed at the sides — no shaping, no button bands, no fuss. Worked in undyed natural worsted wool, the fabric comes out nubby, warm, and beautifully textured, with a straight, unfitted silhouette that layers easily over tees and dresses for ages 1 to 12.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight (4) undyed natural wool; approx 500 (600, 700, 800, 900, 1000) yards. All parts use the same natural cream color.
- Hook: 6 mm (J/10) crochet hook, or size needed to match gauge.
- Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, measuring tape, scissors.
- Finished size: Chest circumference 24 (26, 28, 30, 32, 34) inches; length 14 (16, 18, 20, 22, 24) inches; sleeve length 10 (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) inches. Sizes are written for ages 1–2 (3–4, 5–6, 7–8, 9–10, 11–12) years.
Abbreviations
- ch — chain
- sc — single crochet
- sk — skip (the next stitch or chain)
- st(s) — stitch(es)
- sl st — slip stitch
- rep — repeat
- RS / WS — right side / wrong side
- rnd — round
Gauge
16 sts and 22 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in seed stitch. Work a small swatch in the seed stitch pattern below and measure a 4-inch section in the middle — if you have more stitches than 16, go up a hook size; if fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- Seed stitch is a two-row rhythm. Every row and round is identical: sc in the first sc, then ch 1, skip 1, sc in the next, all the way across. Once you feel the rhythm, you can work without looking.
- Count your chains once, at the start. The body is one long rectangle, so an accurate starting chain keeps your chest circumference on target. The chain count includes the turning chain.
- Trust the fold, not the mirror. The rectangle becomes a cardigan only after folding and seaming — before that it will look like a long scarf. Don't panic and don't add shaping.
- Keep your tension even at the edges. The side seams and the final sc edging show every wobble, so give the first and last stitch of each row a little extra care.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Body (one piece)
Row 1: Ch 98 (106, 114, 122, 130, 138). Sc in 2nd ch from hook, *ch 1, sk 1, sc in next; rep from * to end, turn (49 (53, 57, 61, 65, 69) sc).
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 1, sk 1, sc in next; rep from * to end, turn (49 (53, 57, 61, 65, 69) sc).
Rows 3–77 (3–88, 3–99, 3–110, 3–121, 3–132): Rep Row 2 until piece measures 14 (16, 18, 20, 22, 24) inches, ending on WS. Fasten off.
Side Seams
Fold the body in half widthwise with RS together. Seam both side edges from the bottom edge upward, stopping 5 (5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5) inches from the top edge to leave the armholes. Leave the top edge open for the neck.
Sleeves (make 2)
Rnd 1: Ch 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40). Join with sl st to first ch to work in the round. Sc in first ch, *ch 1, sk 1, sc in next; rep from * around, join with sl st to first sc (15 (16, 17, 18, 19, 20) sc).
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 1, sk 1, sc in next; rep from * around, join with sl st to first sc (15 (16, 17, 18, 19, 20) sc).
Rnds 3–55 (3–66, 3–77, 3–88, 3–99, 3–110): Rep Rnd 2 until sleeve measures 10 (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) inches. Fasten off. Sew each sleeve into an armhole.
Row 1: Ch 14 (16, 18, 20, 22, 24). Sc in 2nd ch from hook, *ch 1, sk 1, sc in next; rep from * to end, turn (7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) sc).
Rows 2–17 (2–20, 2–22, 2–25, 2–28, 2–31): Rep Row 2 of Body (ch 1, sc in first sc, *ch 1, sk 1, sc in next; rep from * to end, turn) until pocket measures 3 (3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5) inches. Fasten off. Sew the pocket to the left front, centered 2 inches from the bottom edge.
Edging
Rnd 1: Join yarn at the bottom right corner. Work 1 rnd of sc evenly around the entire outer edge (both front edges, neck, and bottom), working 3 sc in each corner. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Assembly and Finishing
Sew the sleeve tubes into the armholes with a simple whipstitch, matching the seed stitch texture on both sides and easing in any fullness. Sew the pocket in place with small, invisible stitches along all four sides. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, threading each tail through a few stitches before trimming. Block lightly: mist the cardigan, pat it flat to the finished measurements, and let it dry away from direct heat — the undyed wool will relax and even out the seed stitch bumps.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Add a closure: Sew two or three simple wooden buttons along the right front and crochet small chain loops on the left front to match.
- Play with color: Work the pocket and edging in a contrasting earthy shade, or use a hand-dyed tonal yarn for subtle variation.
- Make it longer: Add extra rows to the body rectangle before folding for a tunic-length version — just remember to add the same length to the side seams.
