Old is new again on this versatile crocheted shell stitch cardigan that was first presented in a 1941 Red Heart booklet called New Sweaters. Updated in soft shades of Red Heart LusterSheen, stitch it as shown or make it all one shade. Whether worn at the office, or out for an afternoon coffee with friends, it’s a pretty layer with a smart casual look that adds retro flair to any outfit.
Directions are for size Small. Changes for sizes Medium, Large, 1X, and 2X are in parentheses.
To Fit Bust: 32 (36, 40, 44, 48)”
Finished Bust: 34 (38 ½, 41½, 46, 48½ )”
Finished Length: 19 (20, 22, 24, 25)”
RED HEART “LusterSheen”: 2 (2, 2, 3, 3) skeins each 615 Tea Leaf A, 332 Tan B, and 805 Natural C. Crochet Hook: 3.75mm [US F-5] Yarn needle.
GAUGE: 3 shells = 3”; 10 rows = 4 1/2” in pattern.
CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size hook to obtain the gauge. Special Stitch shell = (sc, ch 2, 4 tr) in indicated stitch or space.
NOTES
1. Body of cardigan is worked from side to side, in one piece, beginning with left front.
2. Color is changed every row.
3. Sleeves are worked separately and sewn into armholes.
4. Sleeves are worked from side to side.
CARDIGAN
Left Front
With A, ch 118 (124, 136, 148, 154).
Row 1 (Right Side): Work 4 tr in 4th ch from hook (first shell made), *skip next 5 ch, (sc, ch 2, 4 tr) in next ch (shell made); repeat from * across to last 6 ch, skip next 5 ch, sc in last ch, turn—19 (20, 22, 24, 25) shells. Fasten off A.
Row 2 (Wrong Side): Join B with slip st in first ch-2 space, ch 1, shell in same space, shell in each remaining ch-space (including beginning ch-space) across, turn. Fasten off B.
Row 3 (Right Side): With C, repeat Row 2. Rows 4–17 (19, 19, 21, 21): Continue to repeat Row 2, changing color every row, repeatedly working 1 row with A, 1 row with B, and 1 row with C. Shape Armhole Continue to change color every row.
Row 1 (Wrong Side): Skip first 7 (8, 9, 10, 11) shells, join next color with slip st in next ch-2 space, ch 1, shell in same space, shell in each remaining ch-space across, turn—12 (12, 13, 14, 14) shells. Fasten off. Rows 2–7 (9, 11, 13, 15): Join next color with slip st in first ch-2 space, ch 1, shell in same space, shell in each remaining ch-space across, turn. Fasten off.
Back Row 1 (Right Side): Join next color with slip st in first ch-2 space, ch 1, shell in same space, shell in each remaining ch-space across, DO NOT fasten off, [ch 4, 4 tr in back bar of 4th ch from hook (shell made)] 7 (8, 9, 10, 11) times, turn—19 (20, 22, 24, 25) shells. Fasten off. Rows 2–28 (30, 32, 34, 36): Join next color with slip st in first ch-space, ch 1, shell in same space, shell in each remaining ch-space across, turn. Fasten off. Shape Second Armhole
Row 1 (Right Side): Join next color with slip st in first ch-2 space, ch 1, shell in same space, shell in each of next 11 (11, 12, 13, 13) ch-2 spaces, turn; leave remaining chspaces unworked—12 (12, 13, 14, 14) shells. Fasten off. Rows 2–7 (9, 11, 13, 15): Join next color with slip st in first ch-2 space, ch 1, shell in same space, shell in each remaining ch-space across, turn. Fasten off. DO NOT TURN at the end of the last row.
Row 8 (10, 12, 14, 16): With Right Side facing, join next color with slip st in last tr, ch 40 (46, 52, 58, 64), TURN, 4 tr in 4th ch from hook (first shell made), [skip next 5 ch, shell in next ch] 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) times, shell in each chspace across, turn—19 (20, 22, 24, 25) shells.
Right Front Rows 1–16 (18, 18, 20, 20): Join next color with slip st in first ch-2 space, ch 1, shell in same space, shell in each remaining ch-space across, turn. Fasten off. Sleeves (make 2) Beginning at side of sleeve, with A, ch 34 (34, 40, 46, 46).
Row 1 (Right Side): Work 4 tr in 4th ch from hook (first shell made), *skip next 5 ch, shell in next ch; repeat from * across to last 6 ch, skip next 5 ch, sc in last ch, DO NOT TURN—5 (5, 6, 7, 7) shells. Fasten off A.
Row 2: With Right Side facing, join B with slip st in last tr, ch 4, TURN, 4 tr in 4th ch from hook (first shell made), shell in each ch-space across, turn—6 (6, 7, 8, 8) shells. Fasten off B.
Row 3 (Right Side): Join C with slip st in first ch-2 space, ch 1, shell in same space, shell in each remaining chspace across, DO NOT fasten off, ch 4, 4 tr in back bar of 4th ch from hook (shell made), DO NOT TURN—7 (7, 8, 9, 9) shells. Fasten off C.
Row 4: With A, repeat Row 2—8 (8, 9, 10, 10) shells.
Row 5: With B, repeat Row 3, TURN—9 (9, 10, 11, 11) shells. Continue to change color every row.
Rows 6–21 (23, 25, 27, 29): Join next color with slip st in first ch-space, ch 1, shell in same space, shell in each remaining ch- space across, turn. Fasten off.
Next Row (Wrong Side): Skip first ch-2 space, join next color with slip st in next ch-2 space, ch 1, shell in same space, shell in each remaining ch-space across, turn—8 (8, 9, 10, 10) shells. Fasten off.
Next Row: Join next color with slip st in first ch-2 space, ch 1, shell in same space, shell in each remaining chspace across to last ch-space, turn; leave last ch-space unworked—7 (7, 8, 9, 9) shells. Fasten off.
Next 2 Rows: Repeat last 2 rows—5 (5, 6, 7, 7) shells.
FINISHING
Beginning at armhole edge, sew shoulder seams together for 4 (4, 4½, 5, 5)”. Sew in sleeves. Sew sleeve seams. Weave in ends.
ABBREVIATIONS:
A, B, and C = Color A, Color B, and Color C; ch = chain; sc = single crochet; st(s) = stitch (es); tr = treble crochet; () = work directions in parentheses into same st; [ ] = work directions in brackets the number of times specified; * = repeat whatever follows the * as indicated.
PATTERN CARE
Treat your finished project right! Make sure you read the care directions closely so your hard work ages gracefully.
- Do Not Bleach
- Do Not Iron
- Machine Wash in Warm Water, Delicate Setting
- Tumble Dry, Low Heat
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