Seabird Mosaic Crochet Cardigan
The Seabird Cardigan Crochet Pattern uses mosaic crochet with unique one-piece construction. Spruce up your cardigan's bottom with colorful mosaic crochet for an artistic touch. This charming detail enhances the design, making it visually appealing and fun to crochet. Need more inset mosaic crochet in your life? I also have the Wish Upon a Star Crochet Cardigan and the Desert Cactus Mosaic Blanket.
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What you'll love about this pattern.
What is inset mosaic crochet?
There are two common types of mosaic crochet, inset and overlay. For this cardigan we will be using inset mosaic colorwork which means we will not have lots of ends to weave in. The pattern is worked in 2 rows of each color, and no need to fasten off any yarn until all the mosaic colorwork section is complete, the same technique also used on the Lotus Mosaic Crochet Blanket. Want to start with a small practice project? Check out the Mosaic Crochet Tips & Tricks + Free Pattern.
If you want to try crocheting a cardigan with a similar construction, without any mosaic colorwork, try the Autumn Wheat Beginner Crochet Cardigan or the Easy Diamond Crochet Cardigan Pattern. Or for a flat construction with a v-neck, get your hooks ready for the Finch V-Neck Crochet Cardi Pattern.
Tips for Mosaic Success
Tension Control: Maintain consistent tension throughout your work to ensure an even and professional-looking fabric.
Practice Swatches: Before diving into a larger project, create a swatch to familiarize yourself with the pattern and test your tension.
Counting Stitches: Pay close attention to your stitch count, especially when working color changes, to avoid mistakes in the pattern.
Have Patience: Inset mosaic crochet can be intricate and require attention to detail, so take your time and enjoy the process.
What Crochet Supplies You Will Need
Yarn
Brava Recycled - Worsted Weight Yarn
100% Recycled Acrylic, 306yds/100g
Colorways: Color 1 (C1): Zeke, Color 2 (C2): Lily Flower
Yarn Quantities
1655 (1700, 1800, 1900, 2000) (2150, 2250, 2450) total yds.
C1: 1425 (1460, 1545, 1630, 1720) (1845, 1935, 1975, 2105)
C2: 230 (240, 255, 270, 280) (310, 325, 345, 375)
C1: 5 (5, 6, 6, 6) (7, 7, 7, 8)skeins
C2: 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) (2, 2, 2, 2) skeins
Yarn Substitutions
Brava Sport - 100% Premium Acrylic, 340yds/100g
Swish DK - 100% Fine Superwash Merino Wool, 123yds/50g
Lion Brand Coboo - 51% Cotton, 49% Rayon from Bamboo, 232yds/100g
Remember to always check gauge and drape when substituting yarns.
Crochet Hook
Size G (4.0mm) Crochet Hook, or hook to obtain gauge.
Notions
Scissors
Yarn Needle
Removable Stitch Marker
Skill Level
Intermediate
Sizing
XS (S, M, L, 1X) (2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
To fit chest: 39 (43, 48, 52, 56) (60, 65, 69, 73)” finished bust measurement; garment is meant to be worn with 6-12” of positive ease.
Abbreviations
blo - back loop only
ch - chain
dc - double crochet
hdc - half double crochet
mdc - mosaic double crochet (see below)
sc - single crochet
sl st - slip stitch
st(s) - stitch(es)
Stsc - stacked single crochet
Gauge
15 sts and 12 rows = 4” over Half Double Crochet, blocked
15 sts and 16 rows = 4” in mosaic colorwork, blocked
How to Crochet A Gauge Swatch
Working a gauge swatch will let you know if you will have the correct sizing for this pattern. A gauge swatch helps you practice the stitches used in this project and improve your stitch work for a flawless look.
Are you struggling to match gauge? Check out the blog post on What is Crochet Gauge and How To Fix It
Gauge Swatch Instructions:
Start by chaining 20 sts, work 15 rows in half double crochet and measure your swatch. Adjust as needed.
Construction
The Seabird Cardigan has a unique construction making it a beginner friendly crochet garment. Cardigan body and arms are crocheted flat in one piece, then seamed together under the arms and down the sides. After seaming the top of the cardigan, the Mosaic crochet colorwork and ribbing is added to the bottom of the body.
Special Stitches
Stacked Single Crochet (Stsc): Do NOT chain, insert hook into next stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo and pull through both loops, insert hook in the vertical bar below, yo, pull up a loop, yo and pull through both loops on the hook.
Mosaic Double Crochet (mdc): is worked as a double crochet stitch, but it will be worked into the skipped stitch three rows below. This stitch will be worked on the front (or right sides) of the cardigan.
Notes
• Do not ch 1 at the beg of row unless indicated.
• Mosaic colorwork section is worked in 2 alternating colors, each line in the chart represents
2 rows of 1 color.
• One RS and WS row are worked in the first color, before changing to the next color to work
the next 2 rows.
• RS row numbers are written on right side of chart, WS row numbers are written on left
side.
• Carry the color not in use up the side of the work as you go.
• Colored squares on the outside of the red rep lines on the chart denote color to use for row.
• Blank squares in same color as working row are SC sts, work as ch-sp when square is different
color.
This Pattern Uses Standard US Terminology
Video Tutorial:
Watch how easy it is to work up this crochet piece with a tutorial.
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Cardigan Written Instructions
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Back and Sleeves
Note: Sleeves are added directly to Upper Back, adjust ch length for longer or shorter sleeves.
With RS facing, join with sl st in last st of Row 12, ch 64, fasten off.
Row 1 (RS): Ch 64, Stsc in first ch from hook and in the next 63 chains, HDC in next 78 (86, 94, 102, 110) (118, 126, 134, 142) sts, HDC in 64 chs, turn. | 206 (214, 222, 230, 238) (246, 254, 262, 270) sts.
Rows 2-18 (20, 20, 22, 22) (26, 26, 30, 30): Stsc in first st, HDC across, turn. | Back is approximately 6 (6.75, 6.75, 7.25, 7.25) (8.75, 8.75, 10, 10)” after Row 18 (20, 20, 22, 22) (26, 26, 30, 30).
Handy Customization Tip
Want to adjust the sleeve length? Chain fewer or more rows to each side of the back body to adjust the length of the sleeve.
Right with Sleeves
This section will begin to make space for the neck and front opening.
Row 1 (RS): Work in the established stitch row repeat for 94 (98, 102, 106, 110) (114, 118, 122, 126) sts, leaving the remaining unworked for the Left Side of the garment, turn. 94 (98, 102, 106, 110) (114, 118, 122, 126) sts
Repeats: Work in the established stitch row repeat for 94 (98, 102, 106, 110) (114, 118, 122, 126) sts until there are a total of 16 (18, 18, 22, 22) (26, 26, 30, 30) rows for this section. Turn and fasten off.
Right Front
This section will be the right front panel without the arms.
Row 1 (RS): Skip the first 64 sts and join the yarn, work in the established row repeat the remaining 30 (34, 38, 42, 46) (50, 54, 58, 62) sts in hdc, turn.
Repeats: Work across these 30 (34, 38, 42, 46) (50, 54, 58, 62) sts in the established stitch row repeat for the same number of rows worked for the back body. Fasten off.
Left Front With Sleeves
Row 1 (RS): Working to the left of the right side panel, skip 18 stitches and attach the yarn to the next st with a sl st. Working in the established row pattern, work the remaining 94 (98, 102, 106, 110) (114, 118, 122, 126) sts, turn.
Repeats: Work across these 94 (98, 102, 106, 110) (114, 118, 122, 126) in hdc sts. Work each row in hdc sts until there are a total of 16 (18, 18, 22, 22) (26, 26, 30, 30) rows for this section. Do not fasten off.
Left Front
This section will be the left front panel without the sleeves.
Row 1 (RS): Work the first 30 (34, 38, 42, 46) (50, 54, 58, 62) sts in hdc, leave the remaining sts unworked, turn.
Repeats: Work across these 30 (34, 38, 42, 46) (50, 54, 58, 62) sts in the established stitch row repeat for the same number of rows worked for the back body.
Fasten off with a long tail for seaming.
Seaming
Block to measurements. Fold sweater in half with RS facing out and WS together. With preferred seaming method, sew front to back at side seam, beg at bottom hem, working to underarm, then seam across sleeve in one continuous seam. Rep for other side.
Want an easier blocking experience? Get a block combs for getting a clean sharp look.
Mosaic Colorwork
Setup Row: With MC and WS facing, working into the foundation ch, join with sl st in first st at bottom of Right Front. SC across, turn. | 138 (154, 170, 186, 202) (218, 234, 250, 266) sts.
Row 1 (RS): With C1, ch 1 (does not count as st here and throughout), SC in first st, [SC in next st, ch 7, sk 7] across to last st, SC in last st, turn. | 138 (154, 170, 186, 202) (218, 234, 250, 266) sts.
Row 2 (and every even row) (WS): Work in patt as established in previous row, working SC in each SC or MDC st, ch and sk the same number of sts as previous ch-sp.
Row 3: With MC, ch 1, SC in first st, [SC in next st, MDC in next 7 st] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 5: With C1, ch 1, SC in first st, [ch 4, sk 4, SC in next st, ch 3, sk 3] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 7: With MC, ch 1, SC in first st, [MDC in next 4 sts, SC in next st, MDC in next 3 sts] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 9: With C1, ch 1, SC in first st, [SC in next st, ch 3, sk 3] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 11: With MC, ch 1, SC in first st, [SC in next st, MDC in next 3 sts, ch 1, sk 1, MDC in next 3 sts] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 13: With C1, ch 1, SC in first st, [SC in next st, ch 3, sk 3, MDC in next st, ch 3, sk 3] to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 15: With MC, ch 1, SC in first st, [ch 1, sk 1, MDC in next 3 sts, SC 1, MDC in next 3 sts] to last last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 17: With C1, ch 1, SC in first st, [MDC in next st, SC in next st, ch 2, sk 2, SC in next st, ch 2, sk 2, SC in next st] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 19: With MC, ch 1, SC in first st, [ch 1, sk 1, SC in next st, MDC in next 2 sts, ch 1, sk 1, MDC in next st 2 sts, SC in next st] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 21: With C1, ch 1, SC in first st, [MDC in next st, ch 2, sk 2, SC in next st, MDC in next st, SC in next st, ch 2, sk 2] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 23: With MC, ch 1, SC in first st, [SC in next st, MDC in next 2 sts, ch 1, sk 1, SC in next st, ch 1, sk 1, MDC in next 2 sts] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 25: With C1, ch 1, SC in first st, [SC in next st, ch 1, sk 1, SC in next st, MDC in next st, ch 1, sk 1, MDC in next st, SC in next st, ch 1, sk 1] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 27: With MC, ch 1, SC in first st, [SC in next st, MDC in next st, SC in next st, ch 1, sk 1, MDC in next st, ch 1, sk 1, SC in next st, MDC in next st] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 29: With C1, ch 1, SC in first st, [SC in next st, ch 2, sk 2, MDC in next st, SC in next st, MDC in next st, ch 2, sk 2] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 31: With MC, ch 1, SC in first st, [ch 1, sk 1, MDC in next 2 sts, SC in next st, ch 1, sk 1, SC in next st, MDC in next 2 sts] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 33: With C1, SC in first st, [MDC in next st, SC in next st, ch 2, sk 2, MDC in next st, ch 2, sk 2, SC in next st] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 35: With MC, ch 1, SC in first st, [ch 2, sk 2, MDC in next 2 sts, SC in next st, MDC in next 2 sts, ch 1, sk 1] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 37: With C1, ch 1, SC in first st, [MDC in next 2 sts, SC in next st, ch 3, sk 3, SC in next st, MDC in next st] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 39: With MC, ch 1, SC in first st, [SC in next st, ch 2, sk 2, MDC in next 3 sts, ch 2, sk 2] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 41: With C1, ch 1, SC in first st, [ch 1, sk 1, MDC in next 2 sts, ch 1, sk 1, SC in next st, ch 1, sk 1, MDC in next 2 sts] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 43: With MC, ch 1, SC in first st, [MDC in next st, ch 2, sk 2, MDC in next st, SC in next st, MDC in next st, ch 2, sk 2] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 45: With C1, ch 1, SC in first st, [SC in next st, MDC in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, MDC in next 2 sts] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 47: With MC, ch 1, SC in first st, [ch 2, sk 2, SC in next st, MDC in next 3 sts, SC in next st, ch 1, sk 1] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 49: With C1, ch 1, SC in first st, [MDC in next 2 sts, ch 2, sk 2, SC in next st, ch 2, sk 2, MDC in next st] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 51: With MC, ch 1, SC in first st, [ch 1, sk 1, SC in next st, MDC in next 2 sts, ch 1, sk 1, MDC in next 2 sts, SC in next st] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 53: With C1, ch 1, SC in first st, [MDC in next st, ch 2, sk 2, SC in next st, MDC in next st, SC in next st, ch 2, sk 2] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 55: With MC, ch 1, SC in first st, SC in next st, MDC in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk 3, MDC in next 2 sts] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 57: With C1, ch 1, SC in first st, [SC in next st, ch 1, sk 1, SC in next st, MDC in next 3 sts, SC in next st, ch 1, sk 1] to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 59: With MC, ch 1, SC in first st, [SC in next st, MDC in next st, ch 2, sk 2, SC in next st, ch 2, sk 2, MDC in next st] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 61: With C1, ch 1, SC in first st, [ch 2, sk 2, MDC in next 2 sts, ch 1, sk 1, MDC in next 2 sts, ch 1, sk 1] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 63: With MC, ch 1, SC in first st, [MDC in next 2 sts, SC in next 2 sts, MDC in next st, SC in next 2 sts, MDC in next st] across to last st, SC in last st, turn.
Row 64: With MC, ch 1, SC across, turn.
Hem Ribbing
Row 1: With RS facing and MC, ch 12, SC in 2nd ch from hook and across back towards Body, sl st in next 2 sts along Body edge, turn. | 11 SC, 2 sl sts.
Row 2: Sk 2 sl sts, SC Blp across to last st, SC in both lps of last st, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1 (does not count as st here and throughout), SC through both lps of first st, SC Blp across, sl st in next 2 sts along Body edge, turn.
Rep Rows 2-3 around the Body edge, ending with Row 2; do not fasten off.
Front Opening Ribbing
Row 1: Rotate piece 90 degrees to the right, ch 12, SC in 2nd ch from hook and across back towards Front edge, sl st in next 2 sts along Front edge, turn. | 11 SC, 2 sl sts.
Row 2: Sk 2 sl sts, SC Blp across to last st, SC in both lps of last st, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, SC through both lps of first st, SC Blp across, sl st in next 2 sts along Front edge, turn.
Rep Rows 2-3 around Front and Neck.
Fasten off.
Cuff Ribbing
Note: For a tighter cuff, alternate between sl st 1 st per 3 rows and 2 sts per 3 rows.
Use MC.
Row 1: Join with sl st in Sleeve seam, ch 12, SC in 2nd ch from hook and across back towards Sleeve, sl st in next 2 sts (2 sts per every 3 row ends) along Sleeve edge, turn. | 11 SC, 2 sl sts.
Row 2: Sk 2 sl sts, SC Blp across to last st, SC in both lps of last st, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, SC through both lps of first st, SC Blp across, sl st in next 2 sts along Sleeve edge, turn.
Rep Rows 2-3 around Sleeve, with WS facing, sl st through Blp of first and last rows together to seam Cuff.
Fasten off. Rep for 2nd Sleeve.
Finishing the Cardigan & Caring For Your Crochet Piece
Weave in all ends, wash and lightly block to measurements.
Creating a crochet mosaic cardigan can be a fulfilling and rewarding project, adding a touch of handmade charm to your wardrobe.
Additionally, caring for your crochet garment is essential to maintain its beauty and integrity over time. Handwashing with mild detergent and laying flat to dry is often the best method for preserving the shape and colors of your creation. Avoiding harsh chemicals and excessive heat will help extend the life of your crochet cardigan, allowing you to enjoy it for years to come.
And if you are looking for you next mosaic crochet project to get on the hooks, check out the Waves Mosaic Crochet Blanket Free Pattern or the How To Crochet A Mosaic Blanket. Happy crocheting!
Well That Was Fun! What's Next?
