Welcome to the ultimate cozy project! If you’ve ever wanted to turn simple “granny” stitches into a high-fashion, oversized cardigan with a dramatic wide collar, this is the pattern for you. Inspired by the vibrant “Rainbow Granny Hexagon” design, this cardigan uses a clever geometric construction that turns two flat hexagons into a perfectly shaped garment.
This piece is designed to be plush, warm, and bursting with color. Because it is built from the center out, it is incredibly easy to customize for any body size—from toddlers to adults!
🧶 Materials & Tools Needed
Before we dive into the stitches, let’s gather our rainbow kit:
- Yarn: 8-ply (Worsted Weight) yarn in at least 5–7 different colors to achieve the rainbow effect.
- Pro Tip: Use a soft milk cotton or acrylic blend for that “drapey” cardigan feel.
- Hook: 5.5 mm crochet hook (or the size required to meet your yarn’s gauge).
- Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and 2-4 large wooden buttons (optional).
- Stitch Markers: Very helpful for marking your corners as the hexagons grow.
📐 Section 1: Crafting the Foundation Hexagons (Make 2)
The “magic” of this cardigan lies in two identical 6-sided hexagons. When folded, they create the “L” shape of the sleeve and body.
- The Center: Start with a Magic Ring.
- Round 1: Chain 3 (counts as 1 DC). Work 2 DC into the ring, Chain 2. Work 3 DC, Chain 2. Repeat from * to * four more times. You should have 6 groups of 3-DC clusters separated by 2-chain spaces. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the Ch-3.
- Round 2 (The Corners): Slip stitch into the next 2-chain space. Chain 3, 2 DC, Ch 2, 3 DC into the same space. Move to the next Ch-2 space and work (3 DC, Ch 2, 3 DC). Repeat around. You now have 6 distinct corners.
- Round 3 (Adding Sides): In every Corner Space, work (3 DC, Ch 2, 3 DC). In every Side Space (the gap between the clusters on a straight edge), work 3 DC.
- The Rainbow Growth: Continue repeating Round 3. Change your yarn color every 1 or 2 rounds to create the rainbow stripes.
- Sizing: Continue until the hexagon, when folded into an “L,” fits comfortably from your neck to your hip and has enough room in the “arm” section. For an average adult, this is usually 15–18 rounds.
🪡 Section 2: The “L-Fold” Assembly
Once you have two large, colorful hexagons, it’s time to see the cardigan take shape.
- The Fold: Lay one hexagon flat. Find two opposite corners and fold the piece so it forms an “L” shape. One half of the L is the top of the shoulder and sleeve; the other half is the front and back panel.
- The Seams: * Shoulder/Sleeve Seam: Using a tapestry needle and the “Mattress Stitch” (or a row of Slip Stitches), join the top edges of the L from the wrist all the way to the neckline.
- The Back Seam: Place your two “L” pieces side-by-side. Sew the back vertical edges together from the bottom hem up to the neckline.
- Result: You now have a basic cardigan “shell” with open fronts and two sleeves!
🧥 Section 3: Expanding the Body and Sleeves
If the cardigan feels too short or the sleeves too wide, we can add “extension” rows.
- Length Extension: Attach yarn to the bottom hem. Work rows of Granny Clusters (3 DC in each space) back and forth along the bottom edge only until you reach your desired length.
- Sleeve Tapering: If the sleeves are too long or wide, attach yarn to the wrist. Work rounds of DC, decreasing every 5th stitch, to narrow the cuff area before starting the ribbing.
🎀 Section 4: The Ribbed Cuffs
To give the sleeves a professional, snug finish, we use Post Stitches.
- Round 1: Attach yarn to the wrist opening. Work 1 DC in every stitch around. Join.
- Round 2: Chain 2. Work 1 Front Post Double Crochet (FPDC) around the next stitch, then 1 Back Post Double Crochet (BPDC) around the following stitch. Repeat from * to * around.
- Rounds 3–5: Repeat the FPDC/BPDC pattern. The “ribs” will align, creating a stretchy, comfy cuff. Fasten off.
🏛️ Section 5: The Dramatic Wide Collar & Border
This is the standout feature of the cardigan—the thick, cozy lapel.
- The Base Row: Start at the bottom right corner of the front opening. Work DC clusters up the front, around the back of the neck, and down the left front opening.
- Building the Width: Instead of just one row, work 5 to 8 rows of the cluster pattern around this entire front opening. This extra width creates the “fold-over” collar effect.
- The Final Ribbing: For the very last 3 rows of the collar, switch to the FPDC/BPDC ribbing used in the cuffs. This gives the edge of the collar a heavy, high-quality weight that stays in place.
✨ Section 6: Final Touches & Finishing
- Weaving Ends: Because of the rainbow colors, you’ll have many yarn tails. Use your tapestry needle to weave them securely into the clusters of the same color.
- Buttons: If you choose to add buttons, the spaces between the granny clusters naturally act as buttonholes! Simply sew your buttons onto the opposite side of the front ribbing.
- Blocking: Lightly steam your cardigan with an iron (holding it 2 inches away from the yarn) to relax the stitches and make the drape even more elegant.
Congratulations! You’ve finished your Rainbow Dream Cardigan. It’s thick, vibrant, and perfectly shaped for maximum comfort. Wear it over a simple tee and let the colors do the talking!
