I’ve been craving lots of color lately with the weather being so dreary (exhibit A, exhibit B) and there’s nothing I love more than an oversized cardigan, so I put the two concepts together for my latest design - the Colorstripe Cardi. Cozy up to this colorful cardigan with the ultimate comfy details like an oversized shawl collar, shaped shoulders, and chunky deep pockets. Crocheted with an extra large hook, the fabric is squishy and forgiving despite the bulky weight. And when I tell you I’ve been living in this … I basically haven’t taken it off since the last end was weaved in! Scroll down for the free pattern, click here to purchase an ad-free PDF, or click here to shop the full yarn kit.

Colorstripe Cardi Pattern by Two of Wands

What is it about shawl collars that just instantly make something feel snugglier? I have been wanting to utilize one for another crochet project ever since I designed my Collins Cloak as part of my University Collection back in 2021! Where oh where does the time go!? That was the first inspiration for this cardigan and the whole design was basically built around it. Deep chunky pockets were the next must to amplify the cozy factor, and then it was just about choosing a fabric.

While I love a solid color garment, I’m always tempted to do something colorful when I work with Hue + Me because all of the colors just go so beautifully together and it’s so fun to come up with the combos. Like I mentioned at the top, I’m all about the colorful projects lately so I dove right in with that in mind. Using a bunch of colors does mean a lot of ends to weave in unfortunately, but to combat that extra time I went with a very simple stitch (half double crochet) to keep the actual crocheting speedy and meditative.

I used my favorite perpendicular applied crochet ribbing technique on the hem, collar, sleeve cuffs, and pocket tops, which I think looks the closest to knit. I shaped the shoulders using another favorite technique of shortening the stitches toward the armhole to help the sleeves sit better and allow the fabric to cascade over the upper arm. Little details like this take this otherwise simple oversized silhouette to the next level!

Speaking of oversized, this beauty is definitely on the heftier side, so if you’re between sizes I would definitely size down. I’ve been wearing this both in the house over a tee and out of the house layered over a sweater so it serves as more of a coat. I wanted it oversized for this purpose so it could be easily plopped on over an already winterized outfit and not make me feel like I was a stuffed turkey. The result is a roomy, relaxed blanket of a cardigan that has become an instant staple for me this season!

Of course with Hue + Me there are endless combinations of colors you could use for this project. It’s always SO difficult for me to narrow down my choice for the final combo and while I’m fully obsessed with the one I chose, there were A LOT of other contenders. Here are a few of my favorites below if you want to personalize your project to your favorite colorstory:

This is an easy level crochet pattern and the techniques involved are single crochet, half double crochet, slip stitch, yarn over slip stitch, changing color, and crocheting along a side edge.

MATERIALS

3 (3, 3, 4, 4) (4, 4, 4, 5) skeins Lion Brand Yarn Hue + Me in Fatigues (617-174W) for color A
2 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 3, 3, 3) skeins Lion Brand Yarn Hue + Me in Bellini (617-102AF) for color B
2 (2, 3, 3, 3) (3, 3, 4, 4) skeins Lion Brand Yarn Hue + Me in Artichoke (617-171X) for color C
1 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2, 3) skeins Lion Brand Yarn Hue + Me in Salt (617-098AS) for color D
1 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2, 3) skeins Lion Brand Yarn Hue + Me in Moss (617-176J) for color E
1 (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2, 3) skeins Lion Brand Yarn Hue + Me in Desert (617-099U) for color F
(bulky, weight 5; 137yds/125m per skein)

Size US N/P (10mm) crochet hook
Size US L/11 (8mm) crochet hook
Tapestry needle

GAUGE

9.5 sts + 6 rows = 4”/10cm in half double crochet with size N/P (10mm) crochet hook

SIZES

XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL)
Suggested positive ease: 10-15”/25.5-38cm in total bust
Pictured in size S on model with 34”/86cm bust

FINISHED DIMENSIONS

ABBREVIATIONS
*All Two of Wands patterns are written in standard US terms.

Ch – chain
Hdc – half double crochet
Inc – increase
Rep – repeat
Rnd(s) – round(s)
RS – right side
Sc – single crochet
Sk – skip
Sl st – slip stitch
St(s) – stitch(es)
Yo sl st – yarn over slip stitch
Yo sl st tbl – yarn over slip stitch through the back loop only

STITCH EXPLANATION

Yarn over slip (yo sl st) – yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop (three loops on hook), then draw first loop through second and third loops on hook.

Yarn over slip stitch through the back loop (yo sl st tbl) – yarn over, insert hook into back loop of stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop (three loops on hook), then draw first loop through second and third loops on hook.

NOTES

Cardigan is worked flat from the bottom up in one piece to the armholes, then the back and front panels are split and worked separately. Sleeves are worked separately in the round from the bottom up and seamed to armholes. Ribbing is applied perpendicular to work. Turn at the end of each row and round. The ch 1 at the beginning of each row does not count as a stitch. To change color in rows, work the final yarn over of the last stitch of the row with the new color. To change color in rounds, work the slip stitch that joins the round in the new color. Pattern is written for 9 sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL).

BODY

Throughout pattern, work in a 2 row striping pattern with colors A-F.

With color A and US N/P (10mm) crochet hook, ch 89 (101, 109, 121, 129) (137, 149, 157, 169).

Row 1 (RS): Starting in 2nd ch from hook, hdc across row. (88 (100, 108, 120, 128) (136, 148, 156, 168) sts)

Rows 2-26 (26, 28, 28, 30) (30, 32, 32, 34): Ch 1, hdc across row, changing colors after every 2nd row.

Work will now be divided into the back and two front panels, which are all worked separately, to create the armholes. Row numbers will restart for simplicity.

FRONT RIGHT

Row 1: Ch 1, hdc 15 (18, 20, 23, 25) (27, 30, 32, 35), turn leaving remaining sts unworked. (15 (18, 20, 23, 25) (27, 30, 32, 35) sts)

Rows 2-12 (12, 14, 14, 16) (16, 18, 18, 18): Ch 1, hdc across row, continuing to change colors after every 2nd row.

Shape shoulders:

Next row: Ch 1, hdc 5 (6, 6, 7, 8) (9, 10, 10, 11), sc 5 (6, 7, 8, 8) (9, 10, 11, 12), sl st 5 (6, 7, 8, 9) (9, 10, 11, 12).

Next row: Sl st 5 (6, 7, 8, 9) (9, 10, 11, 12), sc 5 (6, 7, 8, 8) (9, 10, 11, 12), hdc 5 (6, 6, 7, 8) (9, 10, 10, 11).

Fasten off.

BACK

Return to top of body section and sk 6 sts for underarm after last st worked for front right panel. Rejoin in 7th st.

Row 1: Ch 1 and starting in same st as join, hdc 46 (52, 56, 62, 66) (70, 76, 80, 86), turn leaving remaining sts unworked. (46 (52, 56, 62, 66) (70, 76, 80, 86) sts)

Rows 2-12 (12, 14, 14, 16) (16, 18, 18, 18): Ch 1, hdc across row, continuing to change colors after every 2nd row.

Shape shoulders:

Next 2 rows: Sl st 5 (6, 7, 8, 9) (9, 10, 11, 12), sc 5 (6, 7, 8, 8) (9, 10, 11, 12), hdc 26 (28, 28, 30, 32) (34, 36, 36, 38), sc 5 (6, 7, 8, 8) (9, 10, 11, 12), sl st 5 (6, 7, 8, 9) (9, 10, 11, 12).

Fasten off.

FRONT LEFT

Return to top of body section and sk 6 sts for underarm after last st worked for back panel. Rejoin in 7th st.

Row 1: Ch 1 and starting in same st as join, hdc to end of row. (15 (18, 20, 23, 25) (27, 30, 32, 35) sts)

Rows 2-12 (12, 14, 14, 16) (16, 18, 18, 18): Ch 1, hdc across row, continuing to change colors after every 2nd row.

Shape shoulders:

Next row: Sl st 5 (6, 7, 8, 9) (9, 10, 11, 12), sc 5 (6, 7, 8, 8) (9, 10, 11, 12), hdc 5 (6, 6, 7, 8) (9, 10, 10, 11).

Next row: Ch 1, hdc 5 (6, 6, 7, 8) (9, 10, 10, 11), sc 5 (6, 7, 8, 8) (9, 10, 11, 12), sl st 5 (6, 7, 8, 9) (9, 10, 11, 12).

Fasten off.

SLEEVES (MAKE 2)

With color A and US N/P (10mm) crochet hook, ch 22 (22, 22, 24, 24) (24, 24, 26, 26) and sl st to join for working in the rnd. Continue to change colors after every 2nd row throughout sleeves.

Rnd 1 (RS): Ch 1, hdc around, sl st to 1st hdc to join.

Turn here and at the end of each rnd.

Sizes XS (S, -, -, -) (-, -, -, -) only:

Next rnd: (Inc) Ch 1, 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc to last st, 2 hdc in last st, sl st to 1st hdc to join. (24 (24, -, -, -) (-, -, -, -) sts)

Next 2 rnds: Ch 1, hdc around, sl st to 1st hdc to join.

Rep last 3 rnds 6 more times. (36 (36, -, -, -) (-, -, -, -) sts)

Next rnd: (Inc) Ch 1, 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc to last st, 2 hdc in last st, sl st to 1st hdc to join. (38 (38, -, -, -) (-, -, -, -) sts)

Next rnd: Ch 1, hdc around, sl st to 1st hdc to join.

Sizes - (-, M, L, -) (-, -, -, -) only:

Next rnd: (Inc) Ch 1, 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc to last st, 2 hdc in last st, sl st to 1st hdc to join. (- (-, 24, 26, -) (-, -, -, -) sts)

Next rnd: Ch 1, hdc around, sl st to 1st hdc to join.

Rep last 2 rnds - (-, 8, 5, -) (-, -, -, -) more times. (- (-, 40, 36, -) (-, -, -, -) sts)

Next rnd: (Inc) Ch 1, 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc to last st, 2 hdc in last st, sl st to 1st hdc to join. (- (-, 42, 38, -) (-, -, -, -) sts)

Next 2 rnds: Ch 1, hdc around, sl st to 1st hdc to join.

Rep last 3 rnds - (-, 0, 2, -) (-, -, -, -) more times. (- (-, 42, 42, -) (-, -, -, -) sts)

Next rnd: (Inc) Ch 1, 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc to last st, 2 hdc in last st, sl st to 1st hdc to join. (- (-, 44, 44, -) (-, -, -, -) sts)

Next rnd: Ch 1, hdc around, sl st to 1st hdc to join.

Sizes - (-, -, -, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) only:

Next - (-, -, -, 6) (6, 12, 10, 10) rnds: (Inc) Ch 1, 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc to last st, 2 hdc in last st, sl st to 1st hdc to join. (- (-, -, -, 36) (36, 48, 46, 46) sts)

Next rnd: Ch 1, hdc around, sl st to 1st hdc to join.

Next rnd: (Inc) Ch 1, 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc to last st, 2 hdc in last st, sl st to 1st hdc to join. (- (-, -, -, 38) (38, 50, 48, 48) sts)

Rep last 2 rnds - (-, -, -, 7) (7, 4, 5, 5) more time. (- (-, -, -, 52) (52, 58, 58, 58) sts)

Next rnd: Ch 1, hdc around, sl st to 1st hdc to join.

All sizes:

Work will now be separated into back and forth rows to form the top of the sleeve cap which will be seamed to the underarm.

Next 2 rows: Ch 1, hdc to end of row, do not join, turn. (38 (38, 44, 44, 52) (52, 58, 58, 58) sts)

Fasten off.

POCKETS (MAKE 2)

With color A and US N/P (10mm) crochet hook, ch 17.

Row 1 (RS): Starting in 2nd ch from hook, hdc across row. (16 sts)

Rows 2-10: Ch 1, hdc across row, changing colors after every 2nd row.

Top ribbing:

Ribbing will be worked perpendicular to the top edge of the pocket.

Change to color F and US L/11 (8mm) crochet hook.

Row 1 (RS): Ch 4, then starting in 2nd ch from hook, yo sl st across row (3 sts worked), then sl st in 1st st and 2nd st along top edge of pocket, turn.

Row 2: Sk 2 sl sts, then working across ribbing, yo sl st tbl to last st, yo sl st in last st, turn. (3 sts)

Row 3: Ch 1, yo sl st 1, yo sl st tbl across ribbing, sl st in next 2 available sts along bottom edge of body, turn. Tip: work the 1st yo sl st a little loosely so it is easy to work into on the following row.

Rep rows 2 and 3 across all top pocket edge sts, ending with a row 2.

CONSTRUCTION

Seam shoulders, leaving 16 sts unseamed at the back neck. Seam sleeves to armholes, attaching the side edges of the last 2 rows at the tops of the sleeves to the horizontal underarms and the tops of the sleeves up and around the armhole.

Seam pockets to fronts, just above the bottom ribbing. Secure and weave in all ends.

BOTTOM RIBBING

Ribbing will be worked perpendicular to the bottom edge of the body. With RS facing and L/11 (8mm) hook, join color C at bottom left center front corner.

Row 1: Ch 7, then starting in 2nd ch from hook, yo sl st across row (6 sts worked), then sl st in 1st st and 2nd st along bottom edge of body, turn.

Row 2: Sk 2 sl sts, then working across ribbing, yo sl st tbl to last st, yo sl st in last st, turn. (6 sts)

Row 3: Ch 1, yo sl st 1, yo sl st tbl across ribbing, sl st in next 2 available sts along bottom edge of body, turn. Tip: work the 1st yo sl st a little loosely so it is easy to work into on the following row.

Rep rows 2 and 3 across all bottom edge sts, ending with a row 2.

Fasten off.

SLEEVE CUFFS

Ribbing will be worked perpendicular to the bottom edge of the sleeves. With RS facing and L/11 (8mm) hook, join color C on the bottom of the sleeve at the “seam” where the first rnd was joined.

Row 1: Ch 7, then starting in 2nd ch from hook, yo sl st across row (6 sts worked), then sl st in 1st st and 2nd st along bottom edge of sleeve, turn.

Row 2: Sk 2 sl sts, then working across ribbing, yo sl st tbl to last st, yo sl st in last st, turn. (6 sts)

Row 3: Ch 1, yo sl st 1, yo sl st tbl across ribbing, sl st in next 2 available sts along bottom edge of ribbing, turn. Tip: work the 1st yo sl st a little loosely so it is easy to work into on the following row.

Rep rows 2 and 3 across all sleeve sts, ending with a row 2.

Sl st the last row together with the 1st to seam.

Fasten off. Rep all steps for other sleeve.

COLLAR

Collar will be worked perpendicular to the neckline edge. With RS facing and N/P (10mm) hook, join color A at bottom right center front corner.

Set up:

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in each of 6 sts of bottom ribbing, sc 3 sts for every 2 row stripe up to back neck, sc in each of the 16 sts of back neck, sc 3 sts for every 2 row stripe down to bottom left center front corner, sc in each of 6 sts of bottom ribbing. (148 (148, 160, 160, 172) (172, 184, 184, 184) sts)

Fasten off. Place markers on the 1st and last st of the 16 sts that make up the back neck, then counting down from these markers on both sides, place markers on the 10th and 22nd sts along the center fronts. These points mark where the collar will begin to widen and flare.

Rejoin yarn at bottom right center front corner where set up row began and change to L/11 (8mm) hook.

Begin ribbing:

Row 1: Ch 7, then starting in 2nd ch from hook, yo sl st across row (6 sts worked), then sl st in 1st st and 2nd st along center front edge, turn.

Row 2: Sk 2 sl sts, then working across ribbing, yo sl st tbl to last st, yo sl st in last st, turn. (6 sts)

Row 3: Ch 1, yo sl st 1, yo sl st tbl across ribbing, sl st in next 2 available sts along edge, turn. Tip: work the 1st yo sl st a little loosely so it is easy to work into on the following row.

Rep rows 2 and 3 up edge to 1st marked st with final sl st going into the marked st.

Collar will now begin to widen along the outer edge.

Next row: (Inc) Sk 2 sl sts, yo sl st tbl across ribbing to last st, 2 yo sl sts in last st. (7 sts)

Next row: Ch 1, yo sl st 1, yo sl st tbl across ribbing, sl st in next 2 available sts along edge.

Rep last 2 rows to next marked st with final sl st going into the marked st. (12 sts)

Rows will now be worked closer together to allow the collar to flare and lay properly when folded over.

Next row: (Inc) Sk 2 sl sts, yo sl st tbl across ribbing to last st, 2 yo sl sts in last st. (13 sts)

Next row: Ch 1, yo sl st 1, yo sl st tbl across ribbing, sl st in same st previous row came out of, sl st in next available st along edge.

Rep last 2 rows to next marked st with final sl st going into the marked st. (22 sts)

Ribbing will now continue across the back neck without increases and with rows worked farther apart again.

Next row: Sk 2 sl sts, yo sl st tbl across ribbing to last st, yo sl st in last st.

Next row: Ch 1, yo sl st 1, yo sl st tbl across ribbing, sl st in next 2 available sts along edge.

Rep last 2 rows to 1 st before next marked st. Rows will now be worked closer together again to allow the collar to flare and lay properly when folded over.

Next row: Sk 2 sl sts, yo sl st tbl across ribbing to last st, yo sl st in last st.

Next row: Ch 1, yo sl st tbl across ribbing, sl st in same place previous row came out of, sl st in marked st.

Collar will now begin to narrow along the outer edge.

Next row: (Dec) Sk 2 sl sts, yo sl st tbl across ribbing to last 2 sts, sk 1, yo sl st in last st. (21 sts)

Next row: Ch 1, yo sl st tbl across ribbing, sl st in same st previous row came out of, sl st in next available st along edge.

Rep last 2 rows to next marked st with final sl st going into the marked st. (12 sts)

Rows will now be worked farther apart to keep center front flat.

Next row: (Dec) Sk 2 sl sts, yo sl st tbl across ribbing to last 2 sts, sk 1, yo sl st in last st. (11 sts)

Next row: Ch 1, yo sl st tbl across ribbing, sl st in next 2 available sts along edge.

Rep last 2 rows to last marked st with final sl st going into the marked st. (6 sts)

Ribbing will now continue down left center front edge without increases.

Next row: Sk 2 sl sts, yo sl st tbl across ribbing to last st, yo sl st in last st.

Next row: Ch 1, yo sl st tbl across ribbing, sl st in next 2 available sts along edge.

Rep last 2 rows to last available st.

Last row: Sk 2 sl sts, yo sl st tbl across ribbing to last st, yo sl st in last st.

Fasten off. Secure and weave in all ends.

Optional: Slip stitch along top of back neck at the base of the collar to stabilize and add strength to the fabric. With a collar this heavy, it can stretch out the fabric and the back neck is a vulnerable spot as it supports a lot of the cardigan. Adding this slip stitch reinforcement will help prevent stretching.

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