Crochet Baby Romper, Crochet Balloon Sleeve Cardigan, Crochet Teddy Bear

Crochet Balloon Sleeve Cardigan

Jun 22, 2025 08:22 AM

Create Your Cozy and Stylish Crochet Balloon Sleeve Cardigan with This Detailed Guide

If you're looking for a cozy and stylish addition to your wardrobe, the Crochet Balloon Sleeve Cardigan is the perfect choice! This delightful cardigan features oversized balloon sleeves that add a touch of fun and flair to any outfit. Whether you're lounging at home or heading out for a casual coffee date, this cardigan will keep you comfortably chic all day long. The intricate crochet design gives it a trendy and unique look that is sure to turn heads. Embrace the warmth and charm of the Crochet Balloon Sleeve Cardigan and elevate your style effortlessly!

Materials and Preparation

To make this gorgeous pink balloon sleeve cardigan, you will need the following materials:

Materials

Yarn: 700g (7 balls) of chunky acrylic yarn (Stylecraft Special for Babies Chunky in Baby Pink, or yarn of your choice).
Crochet hooks: 5mm and 6mm.
Tapestry needle (for sewing ends and attaching buttons).
Scissors.
Tape measure.
Stitch markers.
Buttons: 3 buttons of your choice for fastening the cardigan.

Yarn Weight Recommendations

While the tutorial uses chunky acrylic yarn, you can use other yarn types like cotton. Adjust the measurements based on your yarn weight and desired fit.

Abbreviations and Notes

Crochet Abbreviations:

CH: Chain
SC: Single Crochet
HDC: Half Double Crochet
BLO: Back Loop Only
SL ST: Slip Stitch

Notes and Tips

Ribbing: The ribbing is done using the BLO SC technique, which gives the cardigan its stretchy ridged look, so pay attention to this step.
Consistency: Ensure your stitches are even to avoid waviness or uneven edges.
Gauge Check: If using a different yarn, ensure the ribbing reaches the specified width and height for proper proportions—make a gauge swatch as needed!

Gauge, Approximate Size, and Pattern Notes

Gauge:

For the ribbing: 11 CH = ~3 inches using chunky yarn and a 5mm hook.
For the main panels: aim for 56 HDC stitches = ~21 inches.

Finished Size:

Measurements (approximately size M):

Back panel width: 21 inches
Full cardigan height: 16 inches (including 2 inches of ribbing).
Sleeve dimensions: 20 inches wide and 19 inches tall (excluding 2 inches of ribbing).

If you need a different size, measure accordingly and scale the number of rows and stitches to fit your desired measurements.

Special Techniques

BLO SC Ribbing Technique: Used for cuffs, edges, and middle panel details.
Slip-Stitch Joining: Used to attach panels and seams.
Buttonholes: Created during middle ribbing rows using CH spaces.

Step-by-Step Pattern

1. Ribbing Preparation

You’ll create five ribbing pieces:

Back panel: 21 inches wide (approx. 56 rows).
Front panels: Two ribbing pieces, 10 inches each.
Sleeve cuffs: Two ribbing pieces, 8 inches each.

How to Crochet Ribbing (Basic Instructions):

Start with a slip knot, then CH 11 (or as needed for ~3 inches).
In the 2nd CH from the hook, work SC into each CH across (10 SC total).
CH 1, turn, and work BLO SC across all stitches (10 BLO SC).
Repeat until the ribbing reaches the desired width (e.g., 21 inches for the back panel). Tie off and set aside.

Create Your Cozy and Stylish Crochet Balloon Sleeve Cardigan with This Detailed Guide

Back Panel

Using your 6mm hook, attach yarn to one corner of the back panel ribbing.

Work 56 HDC evenly along the top of the ribbing (ensure proper spacing to avoid stretch or wavy edges).

CH 2, turn, and work HDC in each stitch across.

Continue rows until the panel measures 16 inches tall (including the ribbing). Tie off and set aside.

Create Your Cozy and Stylish Crochet Balloon Sleeve Cardigan with This Detailed Guide

Front Panels (Left and Right)

Repeat the same process as the back panel:

Attach yarn to one corner of the front panel ribbing.

Work 29 HDC evenly along the top edge of each front panel ribbing.

Work rows of HDC until each panel reaches 16 inches tall. Tie off.

Create Your Cozy and Stylish Crochet Balloon Sleeve Cardigan with This Detailed Guide

Sleeves

Create two balloon sleeves.

CH 76 (or 20 inches wide) for the foundation chain.

Starting in the 3rd CH from the hook, work HDC into each CH.

CH 2, turn, and continue rows of HDC until the sleeve measures 19 inches tall.

Fold the ribbing and sleeve piece together (wrong sides facing) and join using SL ST while skipping 2-3 stitches on the sleeve edge to create a ruffled effect. Tie off.

Body Assembly

Attach Front Panels to Back Panel:

Lay the two front panels over the back panel (wrong sides facing).

Fold out the ribbing corners for the collar effect.

Attach panels using SL ST along the sides from the corners to an inch below the collar fold.

Create Your Cozy and Stylish Crochet Balloon Sleeve Cardigan with This Detailed Guide

Attach Sleeves:

Open the sleeve and align the seam with the shoulder point on the assembled body.

Use SL ST to attach the sleeve across the shoulder seam. Repeat for the other sleeve.

Side Seams

With all pieces wrong side out, fold the body so the sides and sleeves align.

Use SL ST to join the side seams and sleeves into a continuous seam.

Middle Ribbing (Including Buttonholes)

Attach yarn to the edge of one front panel. CH 6 (or ~1 inch) for the starting ribbing row.

Work BLO SC in the second CH from the hook and all the way across (5 SC).

Attach ribbing: Work 2 SL ST into the cardigan edge before turning to create ribbing rows.

Continue ribbing rows until you reach the first stitch marker (for the buttonholes).

Buttonholes

In the appropriate ribbing row, create a buttonhole:

SC into 1st stitch, CH 2, skip the next two stitches, SC into the last two.

Continue ribbing rows until the full edge is completed (measure and adjust spacing for the next two buttonholes). Tie off.

Create Your Cozy and Stylish Crochet Balloon Sleeve Cardigan with This Detailed Guide

Finishing Touches

Collar Edge Single Crochet

Attach yarn to the collar's edge and work 1 round of SC around the entire collar.

Buttons

Position buttons opposite the buttonholes and sew them securely using a tapestry needle and yarn.

Final Step

Sew in all loose ends and turn the cardigan right-side out.

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Jun 22, 2025 08:22 AM

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