15 Mustard Crochet Cardigan Patterns | Cozy Fall Crochet Sweater Ideas

2. Puff Sleeve Cardigan

Wrap yourself in pure comfort with this striking chunky golden cardigan, featuring dramatic statement balloon sleeves and clean vertical ribbing along the front placket. Designed for cozy days, this oversized open-front knit-look sweater works up smoothly using textured half double crochet stitches and simple ribbed bands. Finished size measures approximately 54 cm in length and 52 cm in width for the photographed medium fit, requiring about 15 hours of relaxing crochet time.

Materials You Will Need

• Chunky wool blend yarn (Category 5, Bulky): Mustard Yellow, 800 grams (approx. 640 metres)
• 6.0 mm (US J-10) crochet hook
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Stitch markers
• Measuring tape

Gauge

12 sts x 10 rows = 10 x 10 cm in half double crochet worked in the back loop only. Gauge is important to ensure the cardigan matches the intended drape and finished measurements.

Sizes

The photographed piece is size M.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch: chain
• hdc: half double crochet
• blo: back loop only
• sl st: slip stitch
• st(s): stitch(es)
• inc: increase (work 2 hdc in the same st)
• dec: decrease (work 2 hdc together)
• rep: repeat
• sk: skip

UK terms: sc = dc, hdc = htr, dc = tr.

Pattern Notes

• The cardigan is constructed in separate pieces: Back Panel, Two Front Panels, Two Sleeves, and Front/Bottom Ribbing bands, then seamed together.
• Turning chain 2 at the start of rows does not count as a stitch unless stated otherwise.
• Work half double crochet stitches into the back loop only (BLO) throughout the main panels to create the knit-like ribbed texture.
• Use stitch markers to keep track of row edges and shaping.

Instructions

Back Panel – Mustard Yellow, make 1

Ch 63 (65, 67, 69)
Row 1: Working in back bumps of foundation chain, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch across, turn. (61 [63, 65, 67] sts)
Row 2: Ch 2, working in BLO, hdc in each st across, turn. (61 [63, 65, 67] sts)
Rows 3 to 50: Rep Row 2. (61 [63, 65, 67] sts)
You now have 61 [63, 65, 67] sts. The piece measures 54 cm in length.
Fasten off, leave a 30 cm tail.

Left Front Panel – Mustard Yellow, make 1

Ch 31 (32, 33, 34)
Row 1: Working in back bumps of foundation chain, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch across, turn. (29 [30, 31, 32] sts)
Row 2: Ch 2, working in BLO, hdc in each st across, turn. (29 [30, 31, 32] sts)
Rows 3 to 50: Rep Row 2. (29 [30, 31, 32] sts)
You now have 29 [30, 31, 32] sts. The piece measures 54 cm in length.
Fasten off, leave a 30 cm tail.

Right Front Panel – Mustard Yellow, make 1

Ch 31 (32, 33, 34)
Row 1: Working in back bumps of foundation chain, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch across, turn. (29 [30, 31, 32] sts)
Row 2: Ch 2, working in BLO, hdc in each st across, turn. (29 [30, 31, 32] sts)
Rows 3 to 50: Rep Row 2. (29 [30, 31, 32] sts)
You now have 29 [30, 31, 32] sts.
Fasten off, leave a 30 cm tail.

Sleeves – Mustard Yellow, make 2

Ch 25 (25, 27, 27)
Row 1: Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch across, turn. (23 [23, 25, 25] sts)
Row 2: Ch 2, inc in first st, hdc to last 2 sts, inc in next st, hdc in last st, turn. (25 [25, 27, 27] sts)
Row 3: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (25 [25, 27, 27] sts)
Row 4: Ch 2, inc in first st, hdc to last 2 sts, inc in next st, hdc in last st, turn. (27 [27, 29, 29] sts)
Row 5: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (27 [27, 29, 29] sts)
Row 6: Ch 2, inc in first st, hdc to last 2 sts, inc in next st, hdc in last st, turn. (29 [29, 31, 31] sts)
Row 7: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (29 [29, 31, 31] sts)
Row 8: Ch 2, inc in first st, hdc to last 2 sts, inc in next st, hdc in last st, turn. (31 [31, 33, 33] sts)
Row 9: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (31 [31, 33, 33] sts)
Row 10: Ch 2, inc in first st, hdc to last 2 sts, inc in next st, hdc in last st, turn. (33 [33, 35, 35] sts)
Row 11: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (33 [33, 35, 35] sts)
Row 12: Ch 2, inc in first st, hdc to last 2 sts, inc in next st, hdc in last st, turn. (35 [35, 37, 37] sts)
Row 13: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (35 [35, 37, 37] sts)
Row 14: Ch 2, inc in first st, hdc to last 2 sts, inc in next st, hdc in last st, turn. (37 [37, 39, 39] sts)
Row 15: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (37 [37, 39, 39] sts)
Row 16: Ch 2, inc in first st, hdc to last 2 sts, inc in next st, hdc in last st, turn. (39 [39, 41, 41] sts)
Row 17: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (39 [39, 41, 41] sts)
Row 18: Ch 2, inc in first st, hdc to last 2 sts, inc in next st, hdc in last st, turn. (41 [41, 43, 43] sts)
Row 19: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (41 [41, 43, 43] sts)
Row 20: Ch 2, inc in first st, hdc to last 2 sts, inc in next st, hdc in last st, turn. (43 [43, 45, 45] sts)
Row 21: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (43 [43, 45, 45] sts)
Row 22: Ch 2, inc in first st, hdc to last 2 sts, inc in next st, hdc in last st, turn. (45 [45, 47, 47] sts)
Row 23: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (45 [45, 47, 47] sts)
Row 24: Ch 2, inc in first st, hdc to last 2 sts, inc in next st, hdc in last st, turn. (47 [47, 49, 49] sts)
Row 25: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (47 [47, 49, 49] sts)
Row 26: Ch 2, inc in first st, hdc to last 2 sts, inc in next st, hdc in last st, turn. (49 [49, 51, 51] sts)
Row 27: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (49 [49, 51, 51] sts)
Row 28: Ch 2, inc in first st, hdc to last 2 sts, inc in next st, hdc in last st, turn. (51 [51, 53, 53] sts)
Row 29: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (51 [51, 53, 53] sts)
Row 30: Ch 2, inc in first st, hdc to last 2 sts, inc in next st, hdc in last st, turn. (53 [53, 55, 55] sts)
Row 31: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (53 [53, 55, 55] sts)
Row 32: Ch 2, inc in first st, hdc to last 2 sts, inc in next st, hdc in last st, turn. (55 [55, 57, 57] sts)
Row 33: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (55 [55, 57, 57] sts)
Row 34: Ch 2, inc in first st, hdc to last 2 sts, inc in next st, hdc in last st, turn. (57 [57, 59, 59] sts)
Row 35: Ch 2, hdc across, turn. (57 [57, 59, 59] sts)
Rows 36 to 42: Work straight in hdc without increases. (57 [57, 59, 59] sts)
Row 43: Work dec across the row evenly to match cuff opening for finished sleeve width. (54 [54, 56, 56] sts)
Fasten off, leave a 40 cm tail for seaming.

Bottom Ribbing – Mustard Yellow, make 1 strip

Ch 9
Row 1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook and across, turn. (8 [8, 8, 8] sts)
Row 2: Working in back loops only, sl st across, turn. (8 [8, 8, 8] sts)
Rows 3 to 90: Rep Row 2 until strip measures the total bottom width of joined front and back panels. (8 [8, 8, 8] sts)
Fasten off, leave a 30 cm tail.

Front Placket and Collar Ribbing – Mustard Yellow, make 1 long strip

Ch 9
Row 1: Sl st in 2nd ch from hook and across, turn. (8 [8, 8, 8] sts)
Row 2: Working in back loops only, sl st across, turn. (8 [8, 8, 8] sts)
Rows 3 to 140: Rep Row 2 until strip is long enough to run up the right front edge, around the back neck, and down the left front edge. (8 [8, 8, 8] sts)
Fasten off, leave a 40 cm tail.

Assembly

Seam the Left Front Panel and Right Front Panel to the Back Panel at the shoulder seams for 10 cm from each outer edge, leaving the center back neck open. Sew the top curve of each Sleeve to the armhole opening spanning 20 cm down from the shoulder seam on both front and back panels. Fold sleeves and side panels in half lengthwise and seam from the wrist up to the armpit, then down the cardigan side seams. Sew the Bottom Ribbing evenly along the bottom edge of the cardigan body. Sew the Front Placket and Collar Ribbing along the entire front opening edge and back neckline.

Finishing

Weave in all loose yarn ends securely using your tapestry needle. Block the cardigan lightly by pinning to measurements on a flat surface and steaming gently with an iron, avoiding direct contact with the yarn. Hang to air dry completely before wearing.

Tips and Common Mistakes

• Do not skip the turning chain when working rows of half double crochet, as this keeps the side edges straight.
• Count your stitches at the end of every sleeve increase row to ensure both balloon sleeves puff out symmetrically.
• When attaching the ribbing bands, pin them in place every few centimeters first to prevent puckering or stretching.
• Block your pieces before seaming for cleaner, easier mattress stitch edges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my sleeves turn out wider or narrower than the photo?
Adjust your hook size up for a looser balloon effect or down if the puff is too exaggerated for your preference.

Can I adjust the length of the cardigan body?
Yes, simply work more or fewer rows on the back and front panels before adding the bottom ribbing, ensuring you adjust your yarn amount accordingly.

How do I wash and care for this chunky wool blend cardigan?
Hand wash gently in cool water with mild wool detergent, lay flat in shade to dry, and never tumble dry to prevent shrinking.

What is the best way to seam the ribbed collar smoothly around the back neck?
Pin the center of the collar ribbing to the center back neck seam first, then work outward in both directions using whipstitch through matching loops.