Petal Loop Crochet Cardigan: A Top-Down Raglan with Stunning Texture

There’s something extra satisfying about a crochet cardigan that not only looks beautiful, but actually fits exactly how you want it to.

This Petal Loop Stitch Crochet Cardigan pattern is designed to do just that. With a seamless, top-down construction and my textured Petal Loop Stitch that adds just the right amount of detail, it’s the kind of wearable project you’ll reach for again and again.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

And the best part? You can try it on as you go, making it easy to adjust the fit, length, and overall feel to suit your style.

Whether you’re making your very first garment or adding another favorite to your handmade wardrobe, this crochet cardigan pattern is designed to feel approachable, flexible, and genuinely wearable. With simple construction, beautiful texture, and the freedom to customize as you go, it’s a project that’s just as enjoyable to make as it is to wear.

The pattern is only available in my Etsy and Ravelry shops!

✔️ Seamless top-down raglan construction

✔️ Easy to customize fit as you go

✔️ Beautiful Petal Loop Stitch texture

✔️ A relaxing project with a satisfying rhythm

✔️ Designed to be worn on repeat

Petal Loop Stitch Crochet Cardigan Pattern Supplies

Yarn

Cascade Cantata
70% Cotton/30% Merino Wool, 218yds/100g
Shown in Colorway: Sandstone
or
Katia Concept Cotton-Merino
Cotton 70%, Merino Extrafine 30%, 115yds/50g
Shown in Colorway: 146 Sage

Yarn Quantities

760 (840, 920, 1,010, 1,120) (1,240, 1,380, 1,540, 1,720) yards

Making your cardigan longer or shorter will change the yardage needed (the cropped version will take less, the blazer option will take more).

Yarn Substitutions

Caron Blossom Cakes – 61% Cotton/ 39% Acrylic, 481yds/227g

Soho Playful – 65% Acrylic/35% Cotton, 218yds/100g

Remember always to check the gauge and drape when substituting yarns.

Crochet Hook

7.0mm & 8.0mm Crochet Hooks or hook to obtain gauge.

Notions

Scissors
Yarn Needle
Cat Removable Stitch Marker
Tape Measure
Buttons

Skill Level

Intermediate

Sizes

XS (S, M, L, 1X) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)

33.5 (38, 40.5, 45, 49.5) (54, 58, 62.5, 66)”

Please see Measuring Guide in PDF.

Abbreviations

blo – back loop only
ch – chain
hdc – half double crochet
PM – place marker
RS/WS – right side/wrong side
sc – single crochet
sl st – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
Stsc – stacked single crochet

Gauge

11 sts and 9 rows = 4″ by 4″ in st pattern.

How to Crochet A Gauge Swatch

Working a gauge swatch will let you know if you will have the correct sizing for this pattern. It will also help you practice the stitches used in this project and improve your stitch work for a flawless look.
Are you struggling to match the gauge? Check out the blog post on What is Crochet Gauge and How To Fix It

The body is then continued flat in rows, maintaining the Petal Loop Stitch pattern throughout, and finished with a ribbed hem for a polished look.

The sleeves are worked in the round directly from the arm openings, tapering toward the cuffs, and finished with matching ribbing. To complete the cardigan, a button band is added along the front edges, with evenly spaced buttonholes on one side and a clean finishing edge on the other.

The result is a beautifully structured, customizable cardigan with minimal finishing and maximum wearability.

Love top-down sweaters? Check out the Wheat Stitch™ Sweater, the Lovely Lace Sweater, and the Mosaic Ridge Pullover.

Special Stitches

3-Loop-Petal: Insert the hook into the back loop of the previously worked star (or stitch) and pull up a loop. Pull up one loop in each of the next two stitches/spaces of the previous row, for a total of four loops on the hook. Yarn over and draw through all four loops to complete the stitch.

2-Loop-Petal: Insert the hook into the back loop of the previously worked star (or stitch) and pull up a loop. Pull up one loop in the next st/space, for a total of three loops on the hook. Yarn over and draw
through all three loops to complete the stitch.

Stsc: DO NOT chain at the beginning of the row. Insert your hook into the first stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook. (This will now look similar to a single crochet stitch, but we aren’t done yet.) Insert your hook into the vertical bar below, yarn over, and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook.

Clean Sc: Insert your hook into the left bar of the sc st, then insert into the next row edge space. YO and pull up a loop, then pull through the first loop on the hook. YO and pull through the remaining two loops on the hook.

❓ FAQs About the Petal Loop Stitch Crochet Cardigan Pattern

Is this crochet cardigan beginner-friendly?

🌺 This pattern is best for confident beginners or intermediate crocheters who are comfortable with basic stitches and working in rows and rounds.

Can I adjust the fit of the cardigan?

🌺 Yes. The top-down construction allows you to try it on and adjust as you go.

Do I need to seam anything?

🌺 Minimal seaming is required. Most of the cardigan is worked in one piece.

Can I change the yarn weight?

🌺 This pattern was specifically written for a heavier worsted-weight yarn. At this time, there are no support systems in place to help modify that.

How long will it take to make this cardigan?

🌺 The time it takes will vary depending on your size and how quickly you crochet, but most makers can expect this to be a weekend-to-a-week project. Smaller sizes or longer stitching sessions can come together in just a few days, while larger sizes or more relaxed, pick-it-up-as-you-go crocheting may take about a week or a bit longer.

Because the cardigan is worked top-down with a simple, repeatable stitch pattern, it’s easy to get into a rhythm and make steady progress. Many crocheters find the yoke works up quickly, with the body and sleeves becoming a relaxing, repetitive section you can enjoy while watching a show or stitching on the go.

Where can I get the pattern?

🌺 The pattern is available as a PDF in my Etsy and Ravelry shops.

Designed to fit just right, this lightly textured, beautifully structured cardigan is a garment you’ll reach for again and again.

The Ad-Free PDF can be purchased on Etsy or Ravelry.

Pattern Notes

• This pattern uses Standard US Terminology. I use affiliate links and follow GPSR Compliance: privacy & disclosure.
• Want a visual? Come watch the full tutorial on the Petal Loop Stitch.
• Before you dive in, take a moment to note your size, and maybe even highlight it throughout the pattern. It makes following along so much smoother and helps you stay on track as you go. A little prep now = fewer “wait… which size am I?” moments later.
• Using a stitch marker at the beginning (or end) of the row/round is recommended.
• A ch 1 at the beginning of a row is not counted as a stitch.

Why Top-Down Raglan is a Game-Changer

If you’ve never worked on a top-down garment before, this construction style makes things so much easier:

• You can try it on as you go
• No complicated seaming
• Easy to adjust sleeve and body length
• More control over fit

It’s one of the most approachable ways to make wearable crochet garments.

Try the Macchiato Sweater for more raglan-style fun!

Yarn Talk: My Honest Thoughts

I’ve made this cardigan in two different yarns, and I am absolutely obsessed with both. Let’s go over the yarns I used!

🧶Cascade Cantata (The Maroon One)

I gotta tell you… I love this yarn. Like, immediately reach-for-it-again kind of love.

The colors are absolutely stunning, the yardage is fantastic (218 yds per skein), and the price point? Around $10.99 per skein, which honestly feels like a little bit of luxury without draining your yarn budget.

Now, let’s talk about how it works up. This yarn leans a bit on the heavier side of worsted weight, so while you do get nice drape, it has a bit more substance. For me, that’s not a downside—it actually gives your stitches really beautiful structure and definition.

If you’re looking for a yarn that feels elevated, works up beautifully, and gives you a lot of bang for your buck, this is one I’d absolutely recommend reaching for again.

🧶 Katia Concept Cotton-Merino Yarn Review (The Green One)

Okay, friends. I really wanted to fall in love with this yarn, and in some ways, I absolutely see the appeal. The colors are gorgeous, the drape is lighter and softer, and it has this lovely fuzzy halo that gives your finished piece a really pretty, elevated look.

But… we had a slightly complicated relationship.

At the same $10.99 price point, you’re getting 115 yards per ball, which means more skeins, and naturally, more ends to weave in. And between the smaller balls and a few surprise knots along the way, I ended up with quite a few extra ends to deal with. More than I’d planned for.

Now, the finished fabric? Beautiful. No notes there. But for me, the overall experience just didn’t quite match what I was hoping for at that price point.

So while it has some lovely qualities, it’s probably not one I’ll be reaching for again anytime soon, but I can absolutely see why others might enjoy working with it.

The Petal Loop Stitch Cardigan is the perfect blend of texture, structure, and customization, making it a standout addition to your handmade wardrobe.

Whether you’re making your first garment or adding another favorite to your collection, this is a pattern you’ll come back to again and again.

Start your cardigan now!

🌸 Etsy

🌸 Ravelry

And if you love textured projects, make sure to check out the

Petal Loop Stitch Blanket
Wheat Stitch™ Triangle Shawl
Circle Leaf Lace Summer Top
Easy Envelope Clutch
All Cabled Up In Sunshine Crochet Socks

Cheers, and happy crocheting!