Oh boy, do I love the Wild Orchid Cardigan! The color, the style, the easiness of the pattern…it’s all awesome!

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A few weeks ago, I saw a shirt at Wal-Mart that was really cute. It tied in the front just like this, but otherwise looked nothing like this sweater, and I thought, I wonder if I could incorporate that tie into a cardigan. And guess what…it worked!

I found a stitch pattern that I liked in my latest stitch book called Melissa Leapman’s Indispensable Stitch Collection for Crocheters. It has 200 stitch patterns in words and symbols and you can get your copy at the link. It’s a great book that has lacy patterns as well as solid patterns and even edgings! I love it so far!

Since we’ve been experiencing the warmer temps, I knew a light and lacy pattern would be perfect for this project. I used Caron Simply Soft yarn in Orchid, but you could use any size 4 medium weight yarn that you wish. I bet this would be gorgeous and soft in one of those cotton yarns that are available now.

The stitch pattern itself consists of chains, single crochets and double crochets. Super easy. And the sizes that are available are Small through 3XL. This cardigan was designed to be loose fitting, but you can certainly wear it tighter if you prefer that style.

The example Wild Orchid Cardigan is a Large. Right now, my body size is an XL. If you’ve been following me recently, you know that I’m on a weight loss journey and I’ve been making the clothing smaller as an incentive to lose the weight. Once I get there, I will retake the photos. I’m down 10 pounds, so I’m getting there slowly and steadily.

There are more instructions on sizing in the Notes and Finished Size section of the pattern to help you decide which size to make. I’d also like to suggest that you read the entire Notes section before you begin any project. There’s always valuable information in there.

I hope you enjoy the Wild Orchid Cardigan!

For more woman’s tops and sweaters that I have designed, be sure to check out this link.

UPDATE: (6/22/18) The original pattern had the wrong number of pairs listed for the back panel. The foundation chain was correct and, now, the pairs have been corrected. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.

UPDATE: (6/21/19) The front panel foundation chains and number of pairs has been corrected to give all of the sizes a more consistent neck opening. Again, I am terribly sorry for any inconvenience!

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Wild Orchid Cardigan

Materials Used:

• Caron Simply Soft in Orchid – 6 oz/170 g – 315 yds/288 m (S/M – 2 skeins, L/XL/2XL – 3 skeins, 3XL – 4 skeins)
  Or any size 4 medium weight yarn.
• H/8 (5.00 mm) hook
• Measuring tape
• Tapestry needle

Finished Size Approximately:

Bust Measurements (not including opening – See Notes section for full sizing instructions)

Small – 30½”
Medium – 35¾”
Large – 41½”
XL – 46¾”
2XL – 51½”
3XL – 56¾”

Gauge:

16 double crochet stitches and 7 rows in a 4” (10cm) square.

Special Stitches:

Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)

Insert your hook into the st, YO and draw back through st. YO and insert hook into the next st, YO and draw back through st. YO and draw through all 4 loops on hook. Decrease made.

Abbreviations:

YO – yarn over
FC – foundation chain (beginning chain)
ch(s) – chain(s)
st(s) – stitch(es)
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
sl st – slip stitch
sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
WS – wrong side
RS – right side

Notes:

• The Wild Orchid Cardigan was not designed to close the entire way in the front. It is meant to be left open except for the tie at the bottom as shown in the photos. When checking the bust measurements for your size, wrap the measuring tape around your back and sides of your chest. Pinch the end of the tape and one of the measurements listed above in the Finished Size section and determine which size you would be comfortable wearing. The cardigan is also designed to be loose fitting, but you can certainly wear it tighter if you prefer.
• Just for reference, the example is a size Large and is displayed on a size 6/8 mannequin.
• For the front panels, since there is a Right Side and a Wrong Side, the two panels will be made slightly different. Instructions for each panel are given below. Don’t make them the same. You will have one Right Side showing and one Wrong Side showing.
• You may want to mark your Right Sides using stitch markers.
• If you’d like to use this stitch pattern for any other projects, you will simply need a foundation chain with a multiple of 4 chains plus 3.
• You can block your panels if desired. The example is not blocked.
• Sizing is written as Small with Medium, Large, XL, 2XL, 3XL written in parenthesis.
• Two single crochets or two double crochets side by side are referred to as “pairs”.

*** American crochet terms used throughout.

Instructions:

Back Panel

FC: Ch 91 (99, 107, 115, 123, 131)

Row 1 (WS): In 2nd ch from hook, sc. Sc in next ch. *Ch 2, skip next 2 chs, sc in next 2 chs* Repeat from * to * across. Turn. {23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33 pairs of sc}

Row 2 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc), skip the st the ch 3 comes out of, dc in next st. *Ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, dc in next 2 sts.* Repeat from * to * across. Turn. {23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33 pairs of dc}

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sts, *ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, sc in next 2 sts* Repeat from * to * across. Your last sc will be in the top of the ch 3 turning ch from the previous row. Turn. {23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33 pairs of sc}

Row 4 – Row 57 (59, 61, 61, 63, 65): Continue to alternate Rows 2 and 3. Row 2 for even number rows and Row 3 for odd numbered rows.

Finish off after final row.

Approximate Measurements of Back Panel

	Small	Medium	Large
Width	19 1/2"	21 1/4"	23"
Length	21 3/4"	22 1/2"	23 1/2"

	XL	2XL	3XL
Width	24 3/4"	26 1/2"	28 1/4"
Length	23 1/2"	24 1/4"	25 1/4"

Left Side Panel

FC: Ch 63 (63, 71, 71, 79, 79)

Row 1 (WS): In 2nd ch from hook, sc. Sc in next ch. *Ch 2, skip next 2 chs, sc in next 2 chs* Repeat from * to * across. Turn. {16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20 pairs of sc}

Row 2 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc), skip the st the ch 3 comes out of, dc in next st. *Ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, dc in next 2 sts.* Repeat from * to * across. Turn. {16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20 pairs of dc}

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sts, *ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, sc in next 2 sts* Repeat from * to * across. Your last sc will be in the top of the ch 3 turning ch from the previous row. Turn. {16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20 pairs of sc}

Row 4: Repeat Row 2

Row 5: Repeat Row 3

Row 6: Ch 3 (counts as dc), skip the st the ch 3 comes out of, dc in next st. *Ch 2, skip ch-2 space, dc in next 2 sts* Repeat from * to * across only until there are 9 (9, 11, 11, 13, 13) pairs of dc. Turn. Don’t continue to the end of the Row.

Row 7: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sts. *Ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, sc in next 2 sts* Repeat from * to * across. Turn. {9, 9, 11, 11, 13, 13 pairs of sc}

Row 8 – Row 57 (59, 61, 61, 63, 65): Continue to alternate Rows 6 and 7. Row 6 for even number rows and Row 7 for odd numbered rows.

Finish off after final row.

Right Side Panel

FC: Ch 63 (63, 71, 71, 79, 79)

Row 1 (WS): In 2nd ch from hook, sc. Sc in next ch. *Ch 2, skip next 2 chs, sc in next 2 chs* Repeat from * to * across. Turn. {16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20 pairs of sc}

Row 2 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc), skip the st the ch 3 comes out of, dc in next st. *Ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, dc in next 2 sts.* Repeat from * to * across. Turn. {16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20 pairs of dc}

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sts, *ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, sc in next 2 sts* Repeat from * to * across. Your last sc will be in the top of the ch 3 turning ch from the previous row. Turn. {16, 16, 18, 18, 20, 20 pairs of sc}

Row 4: Repeat Row 2

Row 5: Repeat Row 3. Finish off.

Keeping the RS facing you, skip 7 pairs of sc. (It’s the same number of pairs for all sizes) Attach your yarn in the next sc and continue with Row 6.

Row 6: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next st. *Ch 2, skip ch-2 space, dc in next 2 sts* Repeat from * to * across. Turn. {9, 9, 11, 11, 13, 13 pairs of dc}

Row 7: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sts. *Ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, sc in next 2 sts* Repeat from * to * across. Turn. {9, 9, 11, 11, 13, 13 pairs of sc}

Row 8 – Row 57 (59, 61, 61, 63, 65): Continue to alternate Rows 6 and 7. Row 6 for even number rows and Row 7 for odd numbered rows.

Finish off after final row.

Approximate Measurements of the Front Panel (not including the tie in the width)

	Small	Medium	Large
Width	7 1/4"	7 1/4"	9 1/4"
Length	21 3/4"	22 1/2"	23 1/2"

	XL	2XL	3XL
Width	9 1/4"	11"	11"
Length	23 1/2"	24 1/4"	25 1/4"

Finishing

Lay your back panel on a flat surface with the Right Side (RS) facing upward. Lay your front panels on top of the back panel, lining up the corners and ensuring that the ties are in the center. Make sure that the Wrong Side (WS) of both of these panels is facing upward. So, in other words, you want the Right Sides facing.

Using a tapestry needle and yarn, stitch the shoulder seams first. They are indicated with the shorter teal colored lines in the photo above. You can whip stitch, mattress stitch or use whatever seaming method you prefer. Finish off. Weave in ends.

Note: To keep things lined up, you can insert your finger through the corresponding ch-2 spaces of both panels to hold the panels in place while you sew. Or you can use safety pins.

The armhole openings can be determined by either measuring down from the shoulder seam or by counting the rows down from the shoulder seam. Use stitch markers to mark the bottom of your armholes (armpits).

Armhole Measurements (from shoulder seam)

	Small	Medium	Large
Inches	6 1/4"	7 1/4"	9"
Rows	18	20	22

	XL	2XL	3XL
Inches	9"	10 3/4"	10 3/4"
Rows	22	24	24

Using a tapestry needle and yarn, seam each front panel to the back panel along the longer purple lines on the photo above. Finish off. Weave in ends.

Flip cardigan Right Side out.

Arm Trim (Repeat for both armholes)

Round 1: With the Right Side (RS) facing you, attach your yarn in any underarm stitch. Sc evenly around the opening. Sl st in the 1st sc made of round. Don’t turn.

Round 2: Ch 1, sc evenly around. Sl st in the 1st sc made of round. Finish off. Weave in ends.

Main Body Trim

With the Right Side (RS) of the cardigan facing you, attach your yarn in any stitch along the bottom hem of the cardigan. Sc evenly around the entire opening. When you come to the four outer corners of the ties, (sc, ch 2, sc) in those corners. When you come to the two inner corners where the ties connect to the front panels, sc2tog. Continue to sc evenly around. Sl st in the 1st sc made of the round. Finish off. Weave in ends.

If you make the Wild Orchid Cardigan or any other Highland Hickory Designs pattern, please tag me @highlandhickorydesigns on Instagram or Facebook. I’d love to see your work!!!

YOU CAN PIN THIS PATTERN HERE

I hope you’ve enjoyed the Wild Orchid Cardigan pattern!

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