Window Pane Cardigan Inspiration
Crocheting and designing garments can be challenging, so I wanted to design an easy-breezy summer cardigan that would be perfect for both beginners and experienced garment crafters.
The Window Pane Cardigan is just that! This crocheted open cardigan consists of three rectangles seamed together and utilizes filet crochet to create the window pane pattern. If you can wield a tapestry needle and crochet chains and double crochets, you are so close to having your own cardigan!
Not only is it perfect for any skill level, but it has a forgiving fit and lots of positive ease. Plus, it’s designed to be size inclusive, so it will fit adults from sizes XXS – 5X (26 – 62 inch bust). No matter your size or your crocheting ability, the Window Pane Cardigan is about to become your new favorite spring and summer layering piece!
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The Yarn
Cotton yarn is just right for summer, so my friends at LoveCrafts to send me some Paintbox Cotton DK to play with. I chose the “Light Caramel” colorway because it’s a lovely, creamy neutral that will match anything. Don’t worry if cream isn’t your jam — the Painbox Cotton DK comes in 50 (yes, 5-0!) amazing colors. I’m digging “Dolphin Blue” (a muted royal) and “Slate Green” (an evergreen teal).
Cotton DK is a #3 weight yarn that comes in 1.7 oz (50 g) balls, each with 137 yards (125 m) of yarn. Depending on the size you choose, the Window Pane Cardigan will use between 3-12 balls. I loved working with it! The drape was perfect for this cardigan and it gets super soft after you wash and block it.
The Hook
Furls Fiberarts makes my absolute favorite crochet hooks, so I use them whenever possible. This project was no exception! Don’t believe me? Check out the loop stitch tutorial, Loop Stitch Pillow, bobble border tutorial, and Bobble Stripe Blanket.
For the Window Pane Cardigan, I turned to my Camwood Streamline, which is light-weight, ergonomic, and glides through thinner yarns like #3/DK. The pointed tip makes it easy to get into smaller stitches and tighter chains, and the ergonomic design reduces hand/wrist pain during crochet marathons. Plus, it’s beautiful! Look at the classic, light colored wood next to the creamy color of my cardigan. 😍😍
I wanted this open cardigan to have good drape, so I chose a 5.0 mm hook — a full size larger than what was recommended on the Paintbox Cotton DK label. The larger hook made my stitches a little looser, to give the cardigan that breezy summer feel.
Share your Window Pane Cardigans!
Use the #WindowPaneCardigan hashtag on Instagram to show off your WIPs and finished cardigans — and you can see what my testers whipped up!
Regardless of your social media preference, be sure to tag me (@youshouldcraft) so I can drool over your projects and re-share your work on my feed and in my stories!
Ready for the pattern now?!
Ad-free, printable PDF (with stitch chart!): Etsy, Ravelry, LoveCrafts
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Supplies / Materials
- H 5.0 mm crochet hook (I used my Camwood Streamline from Furls)
- Paintbox Cotton DK yarn (3, 5, 7, 9, 12 balls)
- or your favorite DK yarn (375, 605, 880, 1180, 1525 yards)
- Tapestry needle
- Scissors
Gauge
4 x 4 inches = 7 rows of 15 dc
Sizes / Measurements
The Window Pane Cardigan comes in five different sizes:
- XXS/XS (26-30 inch bust) – 18 inches wide by 23.5 inches long
- S/M (32-38 inch bust) – 23.75 inches wide by 23.5 inches long
- L/XL (40-46 inch bust) – 29.75 inches wide by 26.5 inches long
- 2X/3X (48-54 inch bust) – 35.5. inches wide by 29.25 inches long
- 4X/5X (56-62 inch bust) – 41.5 inches wide by 32 inches long
Approximate width of front pieces (in inches): 5.5, 9, 12, 15, 18 inches
Abbreviations / Techniques
- ch – chain
- dc – double crochet
- sk – skip
- st – stitch
- Window Pane Stitch
Note: This pattern utilizes US crochet terminology
Pattern Notes
- ch 2 counts as dc throughout
- dc in ch space unless it’s the last st of a row (then dc into top of turning ch from previous row)
- I crocheted into the back bump of the starting ch, which creates a clean edge
- Since all of the sizes are included in the same pattern…
- starting chains and repeated sections are written as XXS/XS (S/M, L/XL, 2X/3X, 4X/5X)
- row stitch counts are written as (XXS/XS, S/M, L/XL, 2X/3X, 4X/5X)
- To customize the size of the cardigan (e.g. to make it duster length or to adjust for a child)
- chain a multiple of 11 + 2 to adjust the width
- add rows in multiples of 5 to adjust the length (five rows adds ~3 inches)
Window Pane Cardigan Pattern
Back (make one)
ch 68 (90, 112, 134, 156)
Row 1: dc in 3rd ch from hook (counts as dc), dc across. (67, 89, 111, 133, 155)
Row 2: ch 2 (counts as dc), turn, dc in second st from hook, dc in next 4 st, *ch 2, sk 2, dc, ch 2, sk 2, dc in next 6 st* repeat from * a total of 6 (7, 9, 11, 13) times (or until there are six st left), ch 2, sk 2, dc, ch 2, sk 2, dc in top of ch from last row. (67, 89, 111, 133, 155)
Row 3: ch 4, turn, sk 2, dc, ch 2, sk 2, *dc in next 6 st, ch 2, sk 2, dc, ch 2, sk 2* repeat from * a total of 6 (7, 9, 11, 13) times (or until there are 6 st left), dc in last 6 st. (67, 89, 111, 133, 155)
Row 4: Repeat Row 3
Row 5: Repeat Row 2
Row 6: ch 2 (counts as dc), turn, dc across. (67, 89, 111, 133, 155)
Row 7: Repeat Row 3
Row 8: Repeat Row 2
Row 9: Repeat Row 2
Row 10: Repeat Row 3
Row 11: Repeat Row 6
Rows 12-41 (41, 46, 51, 56): Repeat Rows 2-11 until you reach the number of rows for your size.
Note: Sizes L/XL and 4X/5X will end on a Row 6 repeat.
Trim yarn (leaving a tail of approximately six inches) and weave in ends.
Front (make two)
ch 24 (35, 46, 57, 68)
Row 1: dc in 3rd ch from hook (counts as dc), dc across. (23, 34, 45, 56, 67)
Row 2: ch 2 (counts as dc), turn, dc in second st from hook, dc in next 4 st, *ch 2, sk 2, dc, ch 2, sk 2, dc in next 6 st* repeat from * a total of 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) times (or until there are six st left), ch 2, sk 2, dc, ch 2, sk 2, dc in top of ch from last row. (23, 34, 45, 56, 67)
Row 3: ch 4, turn, sk 2, dc, ch 2, sk 2, *dc in next 6 st, ch 2, sk 2, dc, ch 2, sk 2* repeat from * a total of 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) times (or until there are 6 st left), dc in last 6 st. (23, 34, 45, 56, 67)
Row 4: Repeat row 3
Row 5: repeat row 2
Row 6: ch 2 (counts as dc), turn, dc across.
(23, 34, 45, 56, 67)
Row 7: Repeat Row 3
Row 8: Repeat Row 2
Row 9: Repeat Row 2
Row 10: Repeat Row 3
Row 11: Repeat Row 6
Rows 12-41 (41, 46, 51, 56): Repeat Rows 2-11 until you reach the number of rows for your size.
Note: Sizes L/XL and 4X/5X will end on a Row 6 repeat.
Trim yarn (leaving a tail of approximately six inches) and weave in ends.
Finishing your Window Pane Cardigan
Blocking
Though it’s not required, wet blocking will open up your stitches, improve the drape, and even up the shape of your front/back pieces.
If you’ve never wet blocked before, check out this tutorial from TL Yarn Crafts.
Seaming
Lay the back piece flat and place one of the side pieces on top, taking care to line up the sides.
Using a tapestry needle and a piece of yarn that’s approximately twice as long as your cardigan, whip stitch up the side of the cardigan (approximately 2/3 of the way).
When you reach the spot where you’d like your sleeve hole to be (based on your arm size – I stitched to the top of Row 26 in the S/M sample), continue to whip stitch up the side of the back piece.
When you reach the top, join the front piece again and whip stitch along the top. Weave in your ends.
Repeat this process to join the second front piece.
