Are you ready to add a pop of color to your wardrobe? Look no further than this rainbow crochet cardigan pattern!

Inspiration

Inspired by my Piper Rainbow Crochet Blanket, this rainbow crochet cardigan features a show-stopping back that will turn heads wherever you go. Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter or a proficient beginner, this pattern is perfect for you. Simple stitches create rich texture without being too complicated.

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Get the Matching Piper Rainbow Crochet Blanket pattern.

This rainbow crochet cardigan is my first garment pattern. Initially, I knew I wanted to create a cozy sweater of sorts. I love putting on a cozy cardigan. Next, I knew that I wanted this pattern to be special. Something that no one else would be wearing. So, I took the idea from my Piper Rainbow Crochet Pattern and got to work. The beautiful rainbow is displayed across the back of the cardigan. The colors of the rainbow are carried through the cardigan around the sleeve cuffs and the trim around the front panels and neck line.

Using simple stitches like the crossed double crochet, puff stitch, and working in the back loops creates such great texture. This rainbow crochet cardigan adult pattern was written for sizes XS up to 2XL.

Yarn

Yarn Bee Soft Secret yarn is the perfect yarn for this rainbow crochet cardigan. First, it is so soft and silky, comes in many colors, and is inexpensive. Second, you can find this yarn at your local Hobby Lobby store. If you don’t have a store nearby you can also order it online. Third, at around $4.99 per skein you cannot beat the price.

Yarn Bee Soft Secret yarn is 100% acrylic and medium weight yarn. For this cardigan I used Sage, Mauve, Dusty Teal, Garnet, and Buffed Blush. These were the perfect colors to create a soft, cozy feel. This yarn comes in so many colors so you can create any colored rainbow that you wish!

Piper Rainbow Crochet Cardigan Pattern

Project Details

Yarn – Yarn Bee Soft Secret, Weight 4 Medium, (100% Acrylic, 300 yds/275m/6oz/170g), Color – (A) Sage,

(B) Mauve, (C) Dusty Teal, (D) Garnet, (E) Buffed Blush

Hook Size – H 5.0mm

Gauge – 4” square = 14 sts x 12 rows

Will need a tapestry needle and scissors.

Stitch markers may also be used to help with seaming sweater together.

Size Chart

To Fit Size	Chest (in)	Waist (in)	Arm Length to Underarm (in)	Skeins (Sage/Mauve/Dusty Teal/Garnet/Buffed Blush)
XS	28 – 30	23 – 24	16.5	1/1/1/1/4
S	32 – 34	25 – 26.5	17	1/1/1/1/4
M	36 – 38	28 – 30	17	1/1/1/1/4
L	40 – 42	32 – 34	17.5	1/1/1/1/5
XL	44 – 46	36 – 38	17.5	1/1/1/1/5
2X	48 – 50	40 – 42	18	1/1/1/1/6
3X	52 – 54	44 – 45	18	1/1/1/1/6

Finished Size	Chest (in)	Length (in)	Arm Length to Underarm (in)
XS	33	24	19
S	37	25	19
M	41	26	19
L	45	28	20
XL	47	28	20
2X	53	30	21
3X	57	30	21

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Abbreviations

bl	Back loop	ps	Puff stitch
ch	Chain	rep	Repeat
crdc	Crossed double crochet	sc	Single crochet
crdc/dctog	Crossed double crochet and double crochet together	st(s)	Stitch(es)
dc	Double crochet	tr	Treble crochet
dc/crdctog	Double crochet and crossed double crochet together	dtr	Double treble crochet
dc2tog	Double crochet 2 together	yo	Yarn over
hdc	Half double crochet

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Stitch Description

Crdc: Yo, skip next stitch and insert hook into next stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo and pull though the first two loops, yo and pull through the last two loops.

In the stitch that you skipped yo and insert hook in front of the first dc made, pull up a loop, yo and pull through the first two loops, yo and pull through the last two loops.

Crdc/dctog: Work crdc until you have 2 loops left on the hook, do not complete the crdc. Yo, insert hook in next st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops, yo, pull through all 3 loops to complete the decrease.

Dc/crdctog: Work dc until you have 2 loops left on your hook, yo, insert hook in second st from hook, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops, yo, pull through all 3 loops, complete dc in st that you skipped. This creates a decrease.

Puff stitch: [Yo, insert hook into stitch, yo and pull up a loop] three times in same stitch, with 7 loops on your hook, yo and pull through all loops on hook. Note: This is a puff st without a ch 1 at the end, you will draw through all 7 loops and directly proceed to the next st.

Pattern Notes

• This pattern is written for size Extra Small with Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, 2X, and 3X in parentheses, as XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X). When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.
• I find it easiest to go through the pattern and highlight all the numbers for the size you are making.
• Ch 1 at the beginning of the row does not count as a stitch.
• Do not skip first stitch in each row.
• After working beginning ch, work in back bump for Row 1. Rotate the chain toward you and insert your hook though the back bump loop.
• Working an increase is written as “2 sc” in next st but “sc 2” means work 1 sc in each of the next 2 sts.
• The Rainbow portion of the sweater is the same for all sizes

Rainbow Crochet Cardigan Pattern

Rainbow Back

Begin: With color A ch 37.

Row 1: Sc into back bump of second ch from hook, sc 35, 6 sc in last ch, sc 35 down other side of starting ch; ch 1, turn. (76)

Row 2: Sc 35, 2 sc in next 6 sts, sc 35; ch 1, turn. (82)

Rows 3: Hdc bl around; ch 1, turn.

Rows 4: Hdc bl 35, [2 hdc bl, hdc bl] 6 times, hdc bl 35; ch 1, turn. (88)

Rows 5: Rep Row 3.

Row 6: Hdc bl 35, [hdc bl 2, 2 hdc bl] 6 times, hdc bl 35; ch 1, turn. (94)

Row 7: [Sc, ps] to end. Fasten off.

Rows 8: Join color B with a sl st in first sc, sc in same sp, sc 34, [2 sc, sc 3] 6 times, sc 35; ch 1, turn. (100)

Row 9: Rep Row 3.

Row 10: Hdc bl 35, [hdc bl 4, 2 hdc bl] 6 times, hdc bl 35; ch 1, turn. (106)

Row 11: Rep Row 3.

Row 12: Hdc bl 35, [2 hdc bl, hdc bl 5] 6 times, hdc bl 35; ch 1, turn. (112)

Row 13: Rep Row 3.

Row 14: Hdc bl 35, [hdc 6, 2 hdc bl] 6 times, hdc bl 35; ch 1, turn. (118)

Row 15: Rep Row 7.

Row 16: Join color C with a sl st in first sc, sc in same sp, sc 34, [2 sc, sc 7] 6 times, sc 35; ch 1, turn. (124)

Row 17: Rep Row 3.

Row 18: Hdc bl 35, [hdc bl 8, 2 hdc bl] 6 times, hdc bl 35; ch 1, turn. (130)

Row 19: Rep Row 3.

Row 20: Hdc bl 35, [2 hdc bl, hdc bl 9] 6 times, hdc bl 35; ch 1, turn. (136)

Row 21: Rep Row 3.

Row 22: Hdc bl 35, [hdc bl 10, 2 hdc bl] 6 times, hdc bl 35; ch 1, turn. (142)

Row 23: Rep Row 7.

Row 24: Join color D with a sl st in first sc, sc in same sp, sc 34, [2 sc, sc 11] 6 times, sc 35; ch 1, turn. (148)

Row 25: Rep Row 3.

Row 26: Hdc bl 35, [hdc bl 12, 2 hdc bl] 6 times, hdc bl 35; ch 1, turn. (154)

Row 27: Rep Row 3.

Row 28: Hdc bl 35, [2 hdc bl, hdc bl 13] 6 times, hdc bl 35; ch 1, turn. (160)

Row 29: Rep Row 3.

Row 30: Hdc bl 35, [hdc bl 14, 2 hdc bl] 6 times, hdc bl 35; ch 1, turn. (166)

Row 31: Rep Row 7. Fasten off, weave in ends.

Rainbow Border

Rnd 1: With the RS of the rainbow facing you join color E with sl st in 111th sp, ch 1, 1 dtr in same sp, ch 2, 3 dtr in next sp, dtr 2, tr 2, dc 2, hdc 3, sc 44, [sc, ch 2, sc] in last sc, sc 58 across unfinished edge, [sc, ch 2, sc] in first sc of rainbow arch, sc 44, hdc 3, dc 2, tr 2, dtr 2, 3 dtr in next st, ch 2, 3 dtr in next st, dtr 3, tr 3, dc 2, hdc 2, sc 34, hdc 2, dc 2, tr 3, dtr 3, 2 dtr in same space as first dtr, sl st in first dtr. (234, 4 ch-2 sps as corners)

Rnd 2: Sl st in ch-2 sp, ch 1, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, crdc 28, dc, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, crdc 30, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, dc, crdc 28, [dc, ch 2, dc], crdc 30, sl st to first dc. (242)

Rnd 3: Sl st in ch-2 sp, ch 1, [sc, ch 2, sc] in ch-2 sp, sc 59, [sc, ch 2, sc] in ch-2 sp, sc 62, [sc, ch 2, sc] in ch-2 sp, sc 59, [sc, ch 2, sc] in ch-2 sp, sc 62, sl st to first sc. (250)

Rnd 4: Sl st in ch-2 sp, ch 1, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, dc, crdc 30, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, crdc 32, [dc, ch 2, dc], crdc 30, dc [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, crdc 32, sl st to first dc. (258)

Size XS: stop here, move to “Begin Working Armholes of Back”.

Rnd 5: Sl st in ch-2 sp, ch 1, [sc, ch 2, sc] in ch-2 sp, sc 63, [sc, ch 2, sc] in ch-2 sp, sc 66, [sc, ch 2, sc] in ch-2 sp, sc 63, [sc, ch 2, sc] in ch-2 sp, sc 66, sl st to first sc. (266)

Rnd 6: Sl st in ch-2 sp, ch 1, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, dc, crdc 32, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, crdc 34, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, crdc 32, dc, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, crdc 34, sl st to first dc. (274)

Size S: stop here, move to “Begin Working Armholes of Back”.

Rnd 7: Sl st in ch-2 sp, ch 1, [sc, ch 2, sc] in ch-2 sp, sc 67, [sc, ch 2, sc] in ch-2 sp, sc 70, [sc, ch 2, sc] in ch-2 sp, sc 67, [sc, ch 2, sc] in ch-2 sp, sc 70, sl st to first sc. (282)

Rnd 8: Sl st in ch-2 sp, ch 1, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, dc, crdc 34, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, crdc 36, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, crdc 34, dc, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, crdc 36, sl st to first dc. (290)

Size M: stop here, move to “Begin Working Armholes of Back”.

Rnd 9: Sl st in ch-2 sp, ch 1, [sc, ch 2, sc] in ch-2 sp, sc 71, [sc, ch 2, sc] in ch-2 sp, sc 74, [sc, ch 2, sc] in ch-2 sp, sc 71, [sc, ch 2, sc] in ch-2 sp, sc 74, sl st to first sc. (298)

Rnd 10: Sl st in ch-2 sp, ch 1, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, dc, crdc 36, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, crdc 38, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, crdc 36, dc, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, crdc 38, sl st to first dc. (306)

Sizes L/XL: stop here, move to “Begin Working Armholes of Back”.

Rnd 11: Sl st in ch-2 sp, ch 1, [sc, ch 2, sc] in ch-2 sp, sc 75, [sc, ch 2, sc] in ch-2 sp, sc 78, [sc, ch 2, sc] in ch-2 sp, sc 75, [sc, ch 2, sc] in ch-2 sp, sc 78, sl st to first sc. (314)

Rnd 12: Sl st in ch-2 sp, ch 1, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, dc, crdc 38, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, crdc 40, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, crdc 38, dc, [dc, ch 2, dc] in ch-2 sp, crdc 40, sl st to first dc. (322)

Sizes 2X/3X: stop here, move to “Begin Working Armholes of Back”.

Begin Working Armholes of Back

Row 1: Sl st in ch-2 sp; ch 1, turn. Sl st in next 5 sts, ch 1, sc in same sp, sc 57 (61, 65, 69, 69, 73, 73), leaving last 4 sts unfinished; ch 1, turn. (62 (58, 66, 70, 70, 74, 74))

Row 2: Dc, crdc 28 (30, 32, 34, 34, 36, 36) dc; ch 1, turn.

Rows 3: Sc across.

Rows 4 – 29: Rep Rows 2 – 3 until you have 20 (20, 22, 25, 25, 29, 29) rows total. Fasten off, weave in ends.

Front Panels – Make 2

Begin: With color E, ch 29 (33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 53).

Row 1: Dc into the back bump of the second ch from hook, crdc 13 (15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25), dc; ch 1, turn. (28 (32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52))

Row 2: Sc across.

Rows 3 – 52: Rep Rows 1-2 until you have 52 (54, 56, 58, 58, 60, 60) rows total, then move to “Begin Making Armholes Front Panels”.

Begin Armholes Front Panels

Row 1: Sl st in next 5 sts, ch 1, dc in same sp, crdc 10 (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22), crdc/dctog; ch 1, turn. (23 (27, 31, 35, 39, 43, 47))

Row 2: Sc across.

Row 3: Dc, crdc to last 2 sts, dc2tog; ch 1, turn. (22 (26, 30, 34, 38, 42, 46))

Row 4: Rep Row 2.

Row 5: Dc, crdc to last 3 sts, crdc/dctog; ch 1, turn. (21 (25, 29, 33, 37, 41, 45))

Row 6: Rep Row 2.

Rows 7 – 20: Rep Rows 3 – 6. (20 (24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44))

Sizes XS/S: stop here. Fasten off, weave in ends.

Rows 21 – 22: Rep Rows 5 – 6. (X (X, 21, 25, 29, 33, 37))

Size M: stop here. Fasten off, weave in ends.

Rows 23 – 25: Rep Rows 3 – 5. (X (X, X, 23, 27, 31, 35))

Sizes L/XL: stop here. Fasten off, weave in ends.

Rows 26 – 29: Rep Rows 2 – 5. (X (X, X, X, X, 29, 33))

Sizes 2X/3X: stop here. Fasten off, weave in ends.

Sleeves – Make 2

Begin: With color E, ch 59 (59, 63, 67, 67, 71, 71).

Row 1: Dc into back bump of second ch from hook, crdc 28 (28, 30, 32, 32, 34, 34), dc; ch 1, turn. (58 (58, 62, 66, 66, 70, 70))

Row 2: Sc across; ch 1, turn.

Rows 3 – 4: Rep Rows 1 – 2.

Row 5: Dc/crdctog, crdc to last 3 sts, crdc/dctog; ch 1, turn. (56 (56, 60, 64, 64, 68, 68))

Row 6: Rep Row 2.

Row 7: Dc 2, crdc to last 2 sts, dc 2; ch 1, turn.

Row 8: Rep Row 2.

Row 9: Dc2tog, crdc to last 2 sts, dc2tog; ch 1, turn. (54 (54, 58, 62, 62, 66, 66))

Row 10: Rep Row 2.

Row 11: Dc, crdc to last st, dc; ch 1, turn.

Row 12: Rep Row 2.

Rows 13 – 46: Rep Rows 5 – 12. (36 (36, 40, 44, 44, 48, 48))

Sizes XS/S/M: stop here, move to Row 51.

Rows 47 – 48: Rep Rows 7 – 8. (X (X, X, 44, 44, 48, 48))

Sizes L/XL: stop here, move to Row 51.

Rows 49 – 50: Rep Rows 7 – 8. (X (X, X, X, X, 48, 48))

All sizes continue here.

Rows 51 – 52: Join color A, rep Rows 7 – 8. (36 (36, 40, 44, 44, 48, 48))

Rows 53 – 54: Join color B, rep Rows 9 – 10. (34 (34, 38, 42, 42, 46, 46))

Rows 55 – 56: Join color C, rep Rows 11 – 12.

Rows 57 – 58: Join color D, rep Rows 11 – 12.

Rows 59 – 62: Join color E, rep Rows 11 – 12. Fasten off, weave in ends.

Joining Panels

Place front and back panels together with RS facing each other. You can use your preferred method for seaming, I used single crochet for this cardigan. Seam the panels together at the top of the shoulders.

Next, attach the sleeves to the cardigan. Center the sleeve to the top of the shoulder seam. I suggest using stitch markers to hold the sleeve in place. Seam around to the front and back panels around the armholes. Then seam down the length of the sleeves.

Next, seam down the sides of the front and back panels.

Sweater Trim

Rnd 1: With the RS of the rainbow crochet cardigan facing you join color E with sl st to the bottom left (if you are looking at the front of the cardigan) at the seam of the front and back panel. Ch 1, sc evenly along the bottom of the front right panel, sc 3 in corner, sc evenly up the front right panel and across the back neckline and down the left front panel, sc 3 in corner of left front panel, sc along left front panel and back panel of cardigan, sl st to first sc.

Rnd 2: Join color A with ch 1, sc bl around working 3 sc in corner scs, sl st to first sc.

Rnd 3: Join color B, rep Rnd 2.

Rnd 4: Join color C, rep Rnd 2.

Rnd 5: Join color D, rep Rnd 3. Fasten off, weave in ends.

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