Candy Drape Front Crochet Cardigan Free Pattern

Introduction

The Candy Drape Front Cardigan is a soft, breezy layer made from one long rectangle of open mesh stripes in four pastel shades. It is written for advanced-beginner crocheters who are comfortable with double crochet and chain spaces, and it is a wonderful first garment because there is no shaping, no increasing, and no decreasing. The rectangle is simply folded and seamed, and the natural fold becomes a flattering waterfall front that drapes gently over the shoulders. Light and airy in cotton, it feels cool on warm days and looks lovely over a simple tank or dress.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: DK weight (3), cotton or cotton blend. Color A (light pink): 400 (450, 500, 550, 600, 650) yds. Color B (mint): 200 (225, 250, 275, 300, 325) yds. Color C (lavender): 200 (225, 250, 275, 300, 325) yds. Color D (peach): 200 (225, 250, 275, 300, 325) yds.
• Hook: 6.5 mm (K-10.5), or size needed to match gauge.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, measuring tape, scissors.
• Finished size: Bust circumference 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54)″ / 86.5 (96.5, 106.5, 117, 127, 137) cm. Length from shoulder 18 (18, 18, 24, 24, 24)″ / 45.5 (45.5, 45.5, 61, 61, 61) cm. Rectangle before folding: 60 (66, 72, 78, 84, 90)″ wide x 18 (18, 18, 24, 24, 24)″ tall.

Abbreviations

• ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• dc – double crochet: yarn over, insert hook in stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops twice.
• sc – single crochet: insert hook in stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops.
• sk – skip: miss the stated number of stitches or chains without working into them.
• sp – space: the gap formed by a chain or chains in the previous row.
• st(s) – stitch(es).
• rep – repeat.

Gauge

1 pattern repeat (2 dc, 2 ch) = 1.5″ (3.8 cm) wide x 2″ (5 cm) tall after blocking. Work a small swatch in pattern and measure a few repeats across and several rows tall; adjust your hook size if needed to match.

Tips Before You Start

• Count your chain spaces at the end of each row; every row should have the same number of 2-dc groups and 2-ch spaces so the rectangle stays straight.
• Change colors at the end of the last row of each stripe, working the final yarn over of the last dc with the new color to keep the stripe edge neat.
• Keep your turning chain relaxed so the side edges of the rectangle stay even and easy to seam.
• Mark the armhole opening on both side edges before seaming so the two sides match exactly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Rectangle (worked flat in one piece)

Setup: With A, ch 152 (168, 184, 200, 216, 232).

Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, *ch 2, sk 2 ch, 2 dc in next ch; rep from * across, turn (50 (55, 60, 65, 70, 75) 2-dc groups).

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), *2 dc in next ch-2 sp, ch 2; rep from * across, ending with dc in last st, turn (50 (55, 60, 65, 70, 75) 2-dc groups).

Rows 3-6: Rep Row 2 in color A (50 (55, 60, 65, 70, 75) 2-dc groups).

Rows 7-10: Rep Row 2 in color B (50 (55, 60, 65, 70, 75) 2-dc groups).

Rows 11-14: Rep Row 2 in color C (50 (55, 60, 65, 70, 75) 2-dc groups).

Rows 15-18: Rep Row 2 in color D (50 (55, 60, 65, 70, 75) 2-dc groups).

Rows 19-24: Rep Row 2 in color A (50 (55, 60, 65, 70, 75) 2-dc groups).

Rows 25-28: Rep Row 2 in color B (50 (55, 60, 65, 70, 75) 2-dc groups).

Rows 29-32: Rep Row 2 in color C (50 (55, 60, 65, 70, 75) 2-dc groups).

Rows 33-36: Rep Row 2 in color D (50 (55, 60, 65, 70, 75) 2-dc groups).

Rows 37-42: Rep Row 2 in color A (50 (55, 60, 65, 70, 75) 2-dc groups).

For 24″ length only: Rows 43-48: Rep Row 2 in color A (50 (55, 60, 65, 70, 75) 2-dc groups).

Fasten off. Rectangle measures approx 60 (66, 72, 78, 84, 90)″ wide x 18 (18, 18, 24, 24, 24)″ tall.

Assembly (side seams)

Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise with right sides together. Sew side seams from the bottom edge up to the armhole, leaving 7 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5)″ open at the top of each side for armholes. The front opening is the fold at the top; the drape is formed by the natural fold.

Edging

Rnd 1: With A, join yarn at bottom front corner. Work sc evenly along the front opening and neck edge, then along the bottom edge. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Sew the two side seams with a tapestry needle and matching yarn, working from the bottom edge up and stopping at the marked armhole point on each side. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, securing the color changes. Block the cardigan to the finished measurements, pinning the edges flat and letting it dry fully so the mesh opens up and the drape falls evenly.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Make a longer, duster-style version by adding more stripe repeats before folding.
• Swap the pastel sequence for two colors to create a bolder, high-contrast stripe.
• Work the edging in a contrasting shade, or add a second sc round for a slightly firmer front edge.