How To Crochet Mesh Cardigan Tutorial Step By Step

Start making this cozy Crochet Mesh Cardigan Tutorial. With your hook and yarn in hand, you'll learn to stitch together a breezy, stylish cardigan perfect for those casual days. This guide offers clear instructions, making it simple for beginners to follow, yet engaging for seasoned crocheters seeking a new project.

Crochet Mesh Cardigan Tutorial

Materials Needed:

4 mm and 2.5 mm crochet hooks
Sport or DK weight yarn
6 buttons
(The yarns used in examples: Fine Peruvian wool for a sport weight version and Muscat by Drops for a DK cotton yarn version)

Gauge:

10 mesh squares by 10 rows = 10x10 cm (4x4 inches)

Pattern:

Back Panel:

Start with a slip knot, chain 103 (adjust the number according to your size as per the pattern).
For row 1, chain 6 more, double crochet (DC) into the 7th chain from hook, chain 1, skip a stitch, double crochet into next stitch, repeat - to end.
For row 2, chain 4, turn, skip one stitch, DC into next stitch (into the DC from the previous row), repeat - to end, making the last DC into the fifth chain from row 1 start.
Repeat row 2 according to the pattern size until you reach the desired length for the armhole starts.
Begin armhole decreases: chain 2, turn, work in mesh pattern to last Square, skip one stitch, triple crochet into the next stitch. Repeat this decrease row3 times for size small.

Armholes and Shoulders:

Continue in the mesh pattern without decreases for additional 17 rows (size small) post armhole decrease.
For shoulder shaping, decrease by skipping the equivalent of 2 squares at both the start and end of each row, repeating for a total of 8 times.

Trimming (with 2.5 mm hook):

Start at the top of the back panel, chain 1, then make 5 slip stitches along the mesh spaces, adding one slip stitch at each intersection, continuing around the armhole and the straight part of the panel.
Work 7 rows of slip stitches in the back loops only along each trimming edge.

Front Panels:

Similar to the back panel, start by chaining 51, then continue as per back panel instructions, adjusting for armhole and neckline shaping according to the pattern sizes.
Neckline shaping involves decrease rows starting after the armholes are shaped, removing mesh squares toward one side for the lapel.

Assembly:

Seam the shoulder and sides using a mattress stitch.

Sleeves:

Attach yarn at the armhole and work in rounds, creating a mesh pattern to match the body, tapering if desired toward the wrist.
Finish with a ribbed cuff as per the bottom ribbing instructions.

Bottom Ribbing & Button Bands:

Attach yarn and work a ribbed pattern along the bottom edge of the cardigan.
Work button bands by making slip stitches along the front panel edges, adding buttonholes on one side.