If you love classic granny squares, and want to turn them into something stylish to wear, give this granny square open front cardigan a try today with our step-by-step pattern, chart, and tutorials!

This granny square cardigan is a very beginner friendly pattern to try, especially if you’ve already learned basic crochet stitches.

Each granny square is created individually, then joined to the last one worked using the JAYGO (join-as-you-go) method for a gorgeous and seamless look!

An interesting feature in this pattern is that it is really easy to customize the size; make more or less granny squares to make a larger or smaller vest, then add as much or little width as you want!

This Granny Square Cardigan crochet pattern is a great design to crochet because:

  • You can use most weight 4 yarns you already have on hand!
  • Learn how to make a granny square, and the JAYGO method!
  • This project is easy to size as you go, so you’ll have fun making the perfect fit!
  • You’ll get to practice a lot of crochet skills: Motifs, joined rounds, joining motifs, complex stitch and row repeats, shaping, stitch and row gauge, size and fit, finishing techniques & more!

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Estimated reading time: 11 minutes

Granny Square Purple Cardigan open front Crochet Pattern - American Crochet Association

Granny Square Cardigan – Resources

What is a granny square?

In crochet, granny squares are a classically iconic type of pattern.

This crochet motif is a square design that can be a simple afghan or used create the building blocks for projects like this open front granny square cardigan.

If you want to learn how to crochet a granny square you can follow our simple instructions, chart, and video tutorial to help you learn today: Granny Square Pattern

Finished Granny Square Cardigans

Before I crochet a garment, I want to see lots of finished examples on real people.

From size, style, fit, and yarn options, you can see how other crocheters worked up this pattern by reviewing all the finished granny square cardigans posted on ravelry, right here: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/granny-square-vest-3

More Granny Square Patterns

If you love granny squares, and want to find even more crochet patterns that use this square motif, here are some patterns you can check out today:

Granny Square Market Bag

Want to turn your granny squares into a crochet bag?

Give this market tote a try!

This crochet market tote is worked with a classic granny square motif, creating a modern looking and sturdy design: Granny Square Bag: Easy Crochet Tote Pattern

Granny Square Pillow Cover

Create your own granny square pillow cover using any yarn, and in any size you choose, with this outline of granny square instructions: Granny Square Crochet Pillow Cover

Granny Square Table Runner

This pattern can be worked with any yarn you want, and in any size you choose.

Make your granny squares larger or smaller, make the table runner longer or shorter, and add as much or little border as you want: Granny Square Crochet Table Runner

Selecting Yarn

This granny square cardigan was made with Caron Cotton Angel Cakes, which seems to be in the Caron Cotton Cakes family but with a variation in color.

Angel Cakes is a medium yarn in the weight 4 category, and is made with 60% cotton and 40% acrylic.

This weight of yarn, and blend of natural and synthetic materials, creates a light yarn that is very soft and durable – perfect for crochet garments!

How To Substitute Yarn

Caron Cotton Angel Cakes can easily be substituted if you would like to choose a different yarn color, weight, fiber, or texture.

After searching yarnsub.com, these yarns seem to be a good alternative option:

  • Caron Cotton Cakes – for the same yarn with long stripes of contrasting colors.
  • Comfy Worsted“>Knit Picks Comfy Worsted – for an economical alternative in solid colors.

To learn more about all the different weights of yarn in crochet, I’ve put all my best tips (and a handy chart) right here: Understanding Yarn Substitution: An Easy Reference For Crocheters

Policy For Individual Use

This crochet pattern is designed by Salena Baca Crochet for the American Crochet Association.

Pattern instructions are protected by copyright laws.

Users must acknowledge and respect the intellectual property rights of pattern creators and designers as follows:

  • This pattern is for personal use only. Pattern instructions may be accessed and used by individuals for personal, non-commercial purposes only. Users may create finished products based on the pattern instructions for personal use or gifting. 
  • Users may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works of pattern instructions without explicit permission from the copyright holder.
  • Selling or commercially exploiting products made from pattern instructions will require additional permissions or licensing from the copyright holder.
  • It is unlawful to share or distribute pattern instructions in any way, including but not limited to: print, digital, video.
  • It is unlawful to create derivative works based on pattern instructions, including but not limited to translations, adaptations, or variations.
  • Users should provide proper attribution when sharing or displaying finished products made using these pattern instructions, giving credit to the original pattern creator and source. 
  • Users are expected to conduct themselves in an ethical and respectful manner when using pattern instructions. Users should not engage in plagiarism, claim others’ work as their own, or misrepresent the origin of pattern instructions. 

By accessing and using pattern instructions, individuals agree to abide by the usage policy herein.

Users may be held responsible for any damages or legal liabilities resulting from their non-compliance with this policy. 

Purchase a PDF File On Ravelry

Want to own a copy of this pattern that you can save, print, download, and use anytime?

Get the PDF file, without all these extra tips, resources, and pattern details when you purchase a downloadable PDF version of this pattern on Ravelry

How To Crochet A Granny Square Cardigan

Granny Square Tips

The granny square is not a pattern that is totally beginner friendly, so these tips may help as you work to crochet your very first one:

  • Watch our entire Granny Square video tutorial first, before you follow along with yarn and hook.
  • Read the written instructions as you watch the video tutorial (they are the same)
  • Follow the stitch chart as you watch the video, or as you read the written instructions (yes, they all match)
  • Follow the instructions to the comma, working just one step at a time, then double check that your work matches the pattern before moving on to the very next step.

Granny Square Video Tutorial

If you’ve never worked a granny square motif before, use our video as you read the written instructions and stitch chart until your comfortable with the pattern: How To Crochet A Granny Square Tutorial

Yarn

Caron Cotton Angel Cakes (60% Cotton, 40% Acrylic; 8.8 oz / 250 g; 530 yds / 485 m):

  • Dark Cocoa 2 (2, 2.5, 3, 3, 3.5, 3.5) Cakes 
  • or 900 (950, 1250, 1350, 1650, 1750) yards

Materials

  • US H/8 (5 mm) Crochet Hook
  • Scissors
  • Yarn needle

Stitch Key

The classic granny square pattern is worked with basic crochet stitches in their most basic form.

To see any of these stitches worked by following a video tutorial, just click on the underlined text:

Specialty Stitch and Technique Key

If you’re unfamiliar with any of the specialty stitches or techniques listed in this section, be sure to watch our quick video tutorial today to help you get started:

Adjustable Loop

Join As You Go (JAYGO)

Worked by replacing a chain space in the current motif with a slip stitch into the connecting motif.

Gauge

  • 1 granny square = 4” square
  • 4 pattern rows = 4”, 12 pattern Sts = 4”

Size and Finished Measurements

Measure your project as you go for the desired dimensions.

  • Small: 43” bust x 24” long (1 Panel = 48” long x 7” tall)
  • Medium: 48” bust x 24” long (1 Panel = 48” long x 8” tall)
  • Large: 52” bust x 28” long (1 Panel = 56” long x 9” tall)
  • X Large: 57” bust x 28” long (1 Panel = 56” long x 10” tall)
  • XX Large: 62” bust x 32” long (1 Panel = 64” long x 11” tall)
  • XXX Large: 66” bust x 32” long (1 Panel = 64” long x 13” tall)

One granny square motif in this pattern is the base for the measurements, and can act as a gauge swatch for your total dimensions.

To learn more about what a swatch is, and how to use them in crochet, here are all my best tips: How To Crochet a Swatch

Pattern Notes

  • For the best fit, measure around arms and bust at largest part, follow size with:
    • Fitted: closest bust. 
    • Oversized: up to 10” larger bust.
  • Vest worked in 4 parts: Joining Squares, Panels, Side Seams, Back Seam.
  • Block Joining Squares / Panel fabric before Side and Back seams are worked.
  • Granny Square and Joining Squares diagrams available in PDF version of pattern.
Granny Square Purple Cardigan Crochet Pattern - American Crochet Association

Granny Square Cardigan Instructions

Joining Squares (all sizes; complete twice)

Beginning with square 2, attach each square with Right Side facing to the last.

Join on one side with JAYGO method for: 2nd Ch of Ch-3 corner, Ch-1 space, Ch-1 space, Ch-1 space, 2nd Ch of Ch-3 corner (figure 2).

  • Round 1 (Right Side): Form adjustable loop, Ch 3 (first Dc, here and throughout), work 2 Dc into loop, [Ch 3, 3 Dc] 3 times, Ch 3, Sl St into top of beginning Ch-3 to join – 24 Sts; 12 Dc + 4 Ch-3 spaces
  • Round 2: Sl St into each of next 2 Dc, Sl St into Ch-3 space, Ch 3, (2 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc) into same Ch-3 space, Ch 1, [(3 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc) into next Ch-3 space, Ch 1] 3 times, Sl St into top of beginning Ch-3 to join – 40 Sts; 24 Dc + 4 Ch-3 spaces + 4 Ch-1 spaces
  • Round 3: Sl St into each of next 2 Dc, Sl St into Ch-3 space, Ch 3, (2 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc) into same Ch-3 space, Ch 1, (3 Dc, Ch 1) into Ch-1 space, [(3 Dc, Ch 3, 3 Dc) into next Ch-3 space, Ch 1, (3 Dc, Ch 1) into Ch-1 space] 3 times, Sl St into top of beginning Ch-3 to join – 56 Sts; 36 Dc + 4 Ch-3 spaces + 8 Ch-1 spaces

Repeat round 1-3 (JAYGO for the last round of squares 2-12 (12, 14, 14, 16, 16) until 12 (12, 14, 14, 16, 16) squares are complete. 

Panel (complete twice): S (M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL) 

With Wrong Side of Joining Squares facing, attach yarn into first unworked Ch-3 corner from Joining Squares (across longest side of entire strip). 

  • Row 1: Ch 3 (first Dc, here and throughout), Dc into same St, Ch 1, (3 Dc, Ch 1) into each Ch-1 space and Sl St join across, work 2 Dc into 2nd Ch of last unworked Ch-3 corner – 145 (145, 169, 169, 193, 193) Sts; 109 (109, 127, 127, 145, 145) Dc + 36 (36, 42, 42, 48, 48) Ch-1 spaces
  • Row 2 (Right Side): Ch 3, turn, work 1 Dc into each St across – 145 (145, 169, 169, 193, 193) Dc
  • Row 3: Ch 3, turn, Dc into same St, Ch 1, [skip 3 Sts, (3 Dc, Ch 1) into next St] across row until 4 Sts left unworked, work 2 Dc into last St – 145 (145, 169, 169, 193, 193) Sts; 109 (109, 127, 127, 145, 145) Dc + 36 (36, 42, 42, 48, 48) Ch-1 spaces

Repeat row 2 and 3 until 12 (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) rows complete (ending on a row 2 repeat), do not fasten off, continue on to Side Seam.

Stitch Chart and Diagram

Side Seam: S (M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL) 

Fold panel in half by length, holding Wrong Side of row 12 (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) together.

  • Row 1: Sl St into BLO of both thicknesses across row 12 (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) until 7 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5)” left open for arm, fasten off.

Back Seam: S (M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL) 

Hold half the length of Joining Squares together, with Wrong Sides facing.

Attach yarn through both thicknesses of BLO in 2nd Ch of unworked  Ch-3 corner.

  • Row 1: Sl St into BLO of both thicknesses of fabric evenly across 5.5 (5.5, 6.5, 6.5, 7.5, 7.5) Joining Squares, fasten off.

Finishing

Sew in all ends, trim excess.

Video Chat

To hear more about this Granny Square Cardigan Crochet Pattern from Salena Baca (the pattern writer), listen to this video chat today:

Click Here to share your finished project in our community!

Peace + Love + Crochet

Salena

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