Cropped crochet cardigan with pockets 🆓 Pattern with videos by Graci Benedetto

The Libéma Cardigan is a retro-chic Bohemian-inspired garment designed for you to wear on a walk in the park or for a special event. Designed with Concept Calma and Katia Blue Jeans IV, this cropped crochet cardigan stands out for its simplicity and front pockets with fringe around the edges. Undoubtedly, a crochet project that combines comfort, style and attention to detail.

It has been designed by Graciana Benedetto, or Graci for short, a Brazilian designer settled in the Netherlands who learned how to crochet from her grandmother and has turned crochet into a soulful form of expression. Through her account @gracibenedetto, she shares patterns with clear, intuitive and modern constructions, designed to enjoy the process of crocheting.

Construction of this cropped crochet cardigan

The Libéma Cardigan is crocheted flat, with a construction designed to minimize seams and enjoy a process that flows effortlessly. You start with the ribbing at the bottom edge of the garment. Next, work the front and back in a single piece up to the armholes.

From here, split the work into three parts: left front, back and right front, which are worked separately up to the shoulders. The shoulders are seamed together and the sleeves (which are worked separately) are sewn to the body. The result is a cardigan with a clean, comfortable and professional look.

Pattern with videos

Materials

Concept Calma (50 g – 85 m), color 59 (Light beige): 7 balls for size S, 8 balls for size M and 9 balls for size L.

Katia Blue Jeans IV (100 g – 380 m), color 203 (Medium beige): 2 balls for size S and M, and 3 balls for size L.

• 4.5-mm crochet hook or the size necessary to obtain gauge
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Your choice of buttons

Abbreviations and stitches

• *…* = repeat stitches between asterisks as many times as stated
• ch = chain
• dc = double crochet
• dc tog = double crochet stitches together
• f st = fringe stitch (see video in finishes section)
• prev = previous
• R and r(s) = row(s)
• sc = single crochet
• sc blo= single crochet back loop only
• sk = skip
• sl st = slip stitch
• sl st blo = slip stitch back loop only
• V st = V stitch (dc1, ch2, dc1 into the same st)

Gauge

14 sts x 11 rs = 10 x 10 cm or 4 x 4” in fantasy stitch (see video): combination of 2 rows of single crochet, 1 row of V stitch and 1 row of single crochet 3 together, followed by 2 chains.

For precise measuring, we recommend crocheting a 15- or 20-cm square and measuring in the center. Adjust the size of your crochet hook if necessary to obtain the aforementioned number of stitches and rows.

Sizes and final measurements (measured flat)

• Size S (M, L)
• Bust circumference: 92 (96, 100) cm
• Total length (from shoulder to hem): 51 (53, 55) cm

📌 The cardigan is fitted.

Before starting

• The cardigan is worked flat.
• The chains up count as a double crochet if they are ch2 up or ch3 up; if it is ch1 up, it does not count as a stitch.
• Each V st and group of dc3 tog count as a single stitch.
• The V st rows are worked with Katia Blue Jeans IV held double. The rest is crocheted with Concept Calma.

Bottom ribbing (see video)

Using Concept Calma in color Light beige (59):

Start: ch9 (12, 15).
R1: ch1up, sc9 (12, 15).
R2-R135 (R141, R147): ch1, sc9 (12, 15) blo.

🔁 At the end, turn work 90º to continue working the body horizontally along the length of the ribbing.

Body up to the armholes (fronts and back in a single piece)

Work flat, without side seams.

R1: ch1, sc135 (141, 147) along the length of the ribbing (see video).

Change to Katia Blue Jeans IV (see video).

R2: ch3, continue in 5^th st from hook, *1 V st, sk2 sts*, rep 43 (45, 47) times. End with 1 V st, dc1. Total: 47 (49, 51) sts.

Change to Concept Calma.

R3: ch3. *Inside each V st: dc3 tog, ch2*, rep 43 (45, 47) times. End with dc1 on the ch3 from prev r. Total: 135 (141, 147) sts.
R4-R5: ch1, sc135 (141, 147).

Change to Blue Jeans IV.

🔁 Rep R2-R5 four times more.
🔁 Then, rep only R2 and R3 once more.

Total: 23 rs from starting edge to armhole.

Left front

From the armhole up, work the left front separately, decreasing only at the armhole edge. The center edge (cardigan front opening) is straight.

R1: With Concept Calma, ch1, sc33 (35, 37).

📌 Place a marker in the next st (number 34, 36, 38 according to size) as a reference for the back.

R2: sl st2, sc31 (33, 35).

Change to Blue Jeans IV.

R3: ch3, *1 V st, sk2 sts*, rep 8 (9, 10) times.

• Size S: end with 1 V st, dc2.
• Size M: end with 1 V st, dc1 (without sk).
• Size L: end with 1 V st.

Change to Calma.

R4: sl st4 (3, 2) until the center of the first V st, ch2, dc2 tog + ch2. *dc3 tog, ch2 in next V st*, rep 7 (8, 9) times. End with dc3 tog in last V st, dc1.

R5-R6: ch1, sc30 (32, 34).

Change to Blue Jeans IV.

R7: ch3, *1 V st, sk2 sts*, rep 7 (8, 9) times, 1 V st, sk2 (2, 1) sts and end with dc1. Total: 11 (12, 13) sts.

Change to Calma.

R8: ch3,*dc3 tog + ch2 in next V st*, rep 7 (8, 9) times. End with dc3 tog, dc1. Total: 27 (30, 33) sts.

R9-R10: ch1, sc27 (30, 33).

Change to Blue Jeans IV.

R11: ch3, *1 V st, sk2 sts*, rep 7 (8, 9) times, 1 V st + dc1. Total: 11 (12, 13) sts.

Change to Calma.

Neckline decreases

📌 From this point, start the neckline decreases. The decreases are now worked on the opposite side to the armhole.

R12: ch3,*dc3 tog + ch2 in next V st*, rep 7 (8, 9) times, dc3 tog in last V st (do NOT ch2) and leave last st loose. Total: 26 (29, 32) sts.

R13: ch1, sc26 (29, 32).

R14: ch1, sc24 (27, 30).

Change to Blue Jeans IV.

📌 From this point onward, the V sts are no longer aligned with the dc3 tog. This is normal and does not affect the final design.

R15: sl st2, ch3, *1 V st, sk2 sts*, rep 6 (7, 8) times, dc1. Total: 10 (11, 12) sts.

Change to Calma.

R16: ch3,*dc3 tog + ch2 in next V st*, rep 4 (5, 6) times. Dc3 tog in next V st (NO ch2), dc1. Total: 18 (21, 24) sts.

R17: sl st1, sc17 (20, 23).

R18: ch1, sc16 (19, 22).

Change to Blue Jeans IV.

R19: ch3, *1 V st, sk2 sts*, rep 3 (4, 5) times, 1 V st, sk1 st, dc1. Total: 7 (8, 9) sts.

Change to Calma.

R20: ch3, dc3 tog, ch2 in V st*, rep 3 (4, 5) times, dc3 tog in last V st, dc1. Total: 15 (18, 21) sts.

R21-R25 (R27, R29): ch1, sc15 (18, 21).

Back

Using Concept Calma, attach yarn by inserting the hook into the st marked at the beginning of the first front (st 34, 36, 38 according to size).

R1: sc69 (71, 73).

📌 Place a marker in the next st, which will be the beginning of the second front.

R2: sl st2, sc65 (67, 69).

Change to Blue Jeans IV.

📌 From this point onward, the V sts are no longer aligned with the dc3 tog. This is normal and does not affect the final design.

R3: sl st3, ch3, *1 V st, sk2 sts*, rep 18 (19, 20) times.

• Size S: 1 V st, sk1 st, dc1 (leave 2 sts loose).
• Size M: end with 1 V st dc1 (leave 2 sts loose).
• Size L: end with 1 V st (leave 2 sts loose). Total: 24 (25, 25) sts.

Change to Calma.

R4: sl st3 (3, 1) until the center of the V st, ch2, dc2 tog, ch2. *dc3 tog, ch2 in next V st*, rep 17 (18, 19) times more. End with dc3 tog in last V st. Total: 61 (64, 65) sts.

R5-R6: ch1, sc59 (62, 65).

Change to Blue Jeans IV.

R7: sl st2, ch3, *1 V st, sk2 sts*, rep 17 (18, 19) times, 1 V st, sk1 st, dc1. Total: 22 (23, 24) sts.

Change to Calma.

📌 From this point onward, the V sts are no longer aligned with the dc3 tog. This is normal and does not affect the final design.

R8: sl st3 until the center of the V st, ch2, dc2 tog, ch2. *dc3 tog, ch2 in next V st*, rep 16 (17, 18) times. End with dc3 tog in last V st. Total: 58 (61, 64) sts.

R9-R10: ch1, sc55 (58, 61).

Change to Blue Jeans IV.

R11: ch3, *1 V st, sk2 sts*, rep 16 (17, 18) times, 1 V st, sk1 st, dc1. Total: 20 (21, 22) sts.

Change to Calma.

R12: ch3, dc1 in next st, *dc3 tog, ch2 in next V st*, rep 16 (17, 18) times. End with dc3 tog, dc1. Total: 55 (58, 61) sts.

🔁 Rep R9-R12 twice more.

R21: ch1, sc55 (58, 61).

Shoulder short rows

Work single crochet short rows with Concept Calma. Rep the instructions at both ends of the back.

R22: ch1, sc18 (21, 23).

R23: sl st2, sc16 (19, 21).

R24: ch1, sc15 (18, 21).

📌 Size M: rep R24 twice more. Size L: rep R24 four times more.

Rep these same rs on the other end of the back toward the center.

Right front

This section is worked as a mirror of the left front. The armhole decreases are now worked on the outer edge, while the neckline edge is worked straight until the neckline decreases.

Insert your hook into the marked st after the back.

R1: with Concept Calma, sc33 (35, 37).

R2: ch1, sc31 (33, 35).

Change to Blue Jeans IV.

R3:

• Size S: ch3, dc1, *1 V st, sk2 sts*, rep 8 times, 1 V st, dc1.
• Size M: ch3, *1 V st, sk2 sts*, rep 9 times, 1 V st, dc1.
• Size L: ch5, dc1 in same base st (forms 1 V st), *1V st, sk2 sts*, rep 9 times, 1 V st, dc1.

Change to Calma.

R4: ch3,*dc3 tog, ch2 in next V st*, rep 8 (9, 10) times. End with dc3 tog. Total: 29 (32, 35) sts.

R5-R6: sl st1, sc30 (32, 34).

Change to Blue Jeans IV.

R7: ch3, sk1 st, *1 V st, sk2 sts*, rep 7 (8, 9) times, 1 V st, dc1. Total: 11 (12, 13) sts.

Change to Calma.

R8: ch3,*dc3 tog, ch2 in next V st*, rep 7 (8, 9) times, dc3 tog, dc1. Total: 27 (30, 33) sts.

R9-R10: ch1, sc27 (30, 33).

Change to Blue Jeans IV.

R11: ch3, *1 V st, sk2 sts*, rep 7 (8, 9) times, 1 V st, dc1. Total: 11 (12, 13) sts.

Change to Calma.

Neckline decreases

📌 From this point, start the neckline decreases on the opposite side to the armhole.

R12: sl st2,*dc3 tog, ch2 in next V st*, rep 7 (8, 9) times, dc3 tog, dc1. Total: 28 (31, 34) sts.

R13: ch1, sc26 (29, 32).

R14: sl st2, sc24 (27, 30).

Change to Blue Jeans IV.

R15: ch3, *1 V st, sk2 sts*, rep 5 (6, 7) times, 1 V st, dc1. Leave 1 st loose. Total: 9 (10, 11) sts.

Change to Calma.

R16: sl st3, ch3,*dc3 tog, ch2 in next V st*, rep 4 (5, 6) times, dc3 tog, dc1. Total: 21 (24, 27) sts.

R17: ch1, sc17 (20, 23).

R18: sl st2, sc16 (19, 22).

Change to Blue Jeans IV.

R19: ch3, *1 V st, sk2 sts*, rep 3 (4, 5) times, 1 V st, sk1 st, dc1. Total: 7 (8, 9) sts.

Change to Calma.

R20: ch3,*dc3 tog, ch2 in next V st*, rep 3 (4, 5) times, dc3 tog, sl st1. Total: 15 (18, 21) sts.

R21-R25 (R27, R29): ch1, sc15 (18, 21).

Joining the shoulders

With the wrong side facing you, join the fronts to the back by seaming the shoulders together with a tapestry needle.

📌 Only sew the shoulders together. The rest of the body is seamless.

Neckline

With the right side facing you and using Concept Calma, work ribbing around the neckline with single crochet back loop only (see video).

1: ch6. 
2: ch1, sc6.
3: sl st2 into base of neckline, ch1.
4: sc1 blo into 4^th st from hook, sc5 blo. Ch1 and turn.
5: sc6 blo, sl st2 in neckline, ch1.

🔁 Rep 4 and 5 around the entire neckline.

📌 You can adjust the width of the neckband by increasing or decreasing the number of chains in step 1.

Front button bands

With the right side facing you and using Concept Calma:

R1: sl st from the bottom of the left front to the end of the neckline.
R2-R7: sl st blo.

R8: without ch up, sk1 st (= decrease), sl st blo from 2^nd st to end. 
R9: sl st blo.
R10: ch3, sk3 sts (= buttonhole) and continue sl st blo. Rep a buttonhole every 7 sts approx.
R11: sl st blo.

📌 Rep this band on the right front, omitting the buttonholes on R10.

Sleeves (x2)

The sleeves are worked separately and then sewn to the garment.

Start: Using Concept Calma, ch54 (57, 60). 
R1-R2: ch1, sc54 (57, 60).
📌 Suggestion: For size M, add 1 or 2 rs more. For size L, add 2 to 4 rs more.

Change to Blue Jeans IV.

R3: ch3, *1 V st, sk2 sts*, rep 16 (17, 18) times. End with 1 V st, dc1.
R4: ch3,*dc3 tog, ch2 in V st*, rep 16 (17, 18) times. End with dc3 tog, dc1.

Change to Concept Calma.

R5-R6: rep R1-R2.
R7: rep R3.

📌 From this point, start the decreases on both sides of the sleeve.

R8: sl st3 to V st, ch2, *dc3 tog, ch2 in V st*, rep 16 (17, 18) times. End with dc3 tog.
R9: sl st1, sc50 (53, 56).
R10: sl st2, sc47 (50, 53).

Change to Blue Jeans IV.

R11: sl st1, *1 V st, sk2 sts*, rep 14 (15, 16) times. End with 1 V st.
R12: sl st3, ch2,*dc3 tog, ch2 in V st*, rep 13 (14, 15) times. End with dc3 tog.
R13: sl st1, sc38 (41, 44).
R14: sl st2, sc34.

Change to Blue Jeans IV.

R15: sl st3, ch2, *1 V st, sk2 sts*, rep 9 (10, 11) times. End with 1 V st, dc1.
R16: sl st3, ch2,*dc3 tog, ch2 in V st*, rep 9 (10, 11) times. End with dc3 tog.
R17: sl st2, sc30 (33, 36). 
R18: sl st2, sc26 (29, 32).

Change to Blue Jeans IV. 

R19: sl st3, ch1, *1 V st, sk2 sts*, rep 5 (6, 7) times. End with sc1.
R20: sl st2, ch1,*dc3 tog, ch2 in V st*, rep 5 (6, 7) times. End with dc3 tog, sl st1.
R21: sl st4, sc12 (15, 18).
R22: sl st2, sc10 (13, 16). 
📌 Size M: rep R22 twice more. Size L: rep R22 four times more.

Seaming and finishing the sleeves

Pin the sleeves in place on the garment turned inside out. Use markers to align the rows (see video). Seam with a tapestry needle.

📌 Fringe st (f st) finishes

Using Concept Calma and Katia Blue Jeans IV held double, work around the entire cuff of each sleeve in f st (see video).

Pockets (x2)

With Katia Blue Jeans IV held double.

• Start: ch12.
• Round 1-8: ch3 up, dc11. Total: 12 sts.

📌 Sew the pockets to the front of the cardigan, leaving the top edge open.

Finish with f st around the pocket, except for the top edge (opening).

Congratulations! You’ve finished your Libéma cardigan, a unique piece handmade with love, style and quality materials. You just need to weave in the ends (see video) to enjoy a lightweight and versatile cardigan with that special retro-Bohemian vibe.

Share your creation!

We’d love to see your Libéma cardigan. Upload a photo to Instagram tagging @gracibenedetto and @katiayarns. Remember to use the hashtags: #conceptbykatia #katiayarns #gracibenedetto #libemajacket.

📩 Any questions?
Please write to @gracibenedetto to receive help directly from the designer of this garment.

Free pattern for personal use only. The sale of this design or any products made using it is strictly forbidden.