This adorable Sweetheart Scallop Cardigan is the perfect layer for any little one! It features a structured top-down yoke, beautifully wide, puffy sleeves, and a body worked in a delicate Simple Shell Stitch that provides a feminine texture and gentle flare. Finished with scalloped edges and a ribbon tie, this piece is an absolute heirloom treasure.
This detailed pattern is written for the 6-12 Month size and is suited for the Intermediate crocheter familiar with seamless raglan shaping and working different stitch repeats within one garment.
Materials Needed 🧶
- Yarn: Approximately 350-400 yards of DK Weight (Light Worsted / #3) yarn. A soft acrylic or blend is recommended for a cozy, drapeable finish.
- Main Color (MC): Baby Pink (Solid)
- Crochet Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6), or the size needed to obtain gauge.
- Ribbon: 1 yard of 1/4-inch matching ribbon for the front tie.
- Tapestry Needle: For weaving in ends.
- Stitch Markers: 4 markers for the raglan corners.
Skill Level & Notes 💡
- Skill Level: Intermediate. Requires consistent raglan shaping, changing from flat work (yoke) to working in the round (sleeves/body), and maintaining the shell stitch pattern.
- Construction: The yoke is worked flat in rows from the top-down to create the back opening/button placket. The body is then joined and worked flat to maintain the opening, while the sleeves are worked in the round.
- Shell Repeat: The Simple Shell Stitch requires a total stitch count that is a multiple of 4 stitches.
- Chains: Ch 2 at the beginning of HDC rows always counts as the first HDC unless noted otherwise.
Gauge 📏
In Half Double Crochet (HDC) (Yoke section) using a 4.0 mm hook: 16 HDC stitches and 11 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) square.
Abbreviations 📚
| Abbreviation | Description |
| ch | chain |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| sc | single crochet |
| hdc | half double crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| rep | repeat |
| sk | skip |
| sp | space |
| SSS | Simple Shell Stitch |
Special Stitches ✨
Simple Shell Stitch (SSS)
This forms the repeating body texture:
- SSS: 5 double crochet stitches all worked into the same stitch or space.
Scallop Edge
This forms the hem and cuff edges:
- Scallop: (Sc, [ch 3, 3 dc, ch 3, sl st] all in the same st or sp) – used for the collar/placket.
- Hem Scallop: (Sc, [sk 2 sts, 5 dc in the next st, sk 2 sts, sc in the next st]) – used for the body/sleeve edge.
Part 1: The Yoke (MC – Baby Pink) ⬆️
The yoke is worked flat in rows with a front opening.
Row 1 (Foundation): Ch 72. Hdc in the 3rd ch from hook (counts as 2 hdc). Hdc in the next 9 ch. [Hdc, ch 2, hdc] in the next ch (PM in ch-2 sp). Hdc in the next 10 ch (Shoulder). [Hdc, ch 2, hdc] in the next ch (PM). Hdc in the next 16 ch (Back). [Hdc, ch 2, hdc] in the next ch (PM). Hdc in the next 10 ch (Shoulder). [Hdc, ch 2, hdc] in the next ch (PM). Hdc in the last 5 ch. (76 hdc, 4 ch-2 sps)
Rows 2-10 (Increase Rows): Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each st until the first ch-2 sp. [Hdc, ch 2, hdc] in the ch-2 sp. Rep the increase sequence 3 more times. Hdc in each remaining st. (Increases by 8 hdc each row.)
- End of Row 10 Stitch Count: 156 hdc, 4 ch-2 sps.
Part 2: Body Separation & Body (SSS) 🧥
Row 11 (Separation): Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each st until the first ch-2 sp. Hdc in the ch-2 sp. Ch 2 (skips the sleeve stitches/PMs). Hdc in the second ch-2 sp. Hdc in each st across the back to the third ch-2 sp. Hdc in the ch-2 sp. Ch 2 (skips the second sleeve stitches). Hdc in the fourth ch-2 sp. Hdc in each remaining st. (124 hdc)
Row 12 (Prep for Shell): Ch 1, turn. Sc evenly across the row, working 2 sc into each ch-2 underarm sp. (128 sc)
- Note: 128 is a multiple of 4, perfect for the SSS pattern.
Row 13 (SSS Row 1): Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn. [Sk 1 st, sc in the next st, sk 1 st, SSS (5 dc) in the next st] rep across, ending with sk 1 st, sc in the last st.
Row 14 (SSS Row 2): Ch 3, turn. Dc in the same st. [Sc in the center (3rd dc) of the SSS, SSS in the next sc] rep across. Sc in the center of the last SSS. 2 dc in the last st.
Row 15 (SSS Row 3): Ch 1, turn. Sc in the first st. [SSS in the next sc, sc in the center (3rd dc) of the SSS] rep across. SSS in the last sc. Sc in the top of the beg ch-3.
Rows 16-25: Repeat Rows 14 and 15 until the body reaches the desired length.
Row 26 (Hem Scallop): Ch 1, turn. Sc in the first st. [Sk 2 sts, 5 dc in the next st, sk 2 sts, sc in the next st] rep across. Fasten off.
Part 3: The Sleeves (HDC) 👚
Make 2 sleeves, worked in the round.
Round 1 (Setup): Attach yarn at the center of the underarm. Ch 2. Hdc evenly around the armhole opening, placing 2 hdc into the ch-2 underarm space and 1 hdc per row side. Sl st to join. (Approx. 44 hdc).
Round 2 (Puff Start – Increase): Ch 2. [Hdc in the next 3 sts, 2 hdc in the next st] rep around. Sl st to join. (Approx. 55 hdc).
Rounds 3-12 (Puff Body): Ch 2. Hdc in each st around. Sl st to join.
Round 13 (Cuff Decrease): Ch 2. [Hdc2tog, hdc in the next 2 sts] rep around. Sl st to join. (Approx. 42 hdc).
Round 14 (Cuff Finish): Ch 1. Sl st in each st around for a tight edge.
Round 15 (Cuff Scallop): Ch 1. Sc in the first st. [Sk 2 sts, 5 dc in the next st, sk 2 sts, sc in the next st] rep around. Sl st to join. Fasten off.
Part 4: Finishing and Edging 🎀
A. Front Placket and Neckline (MC):
- Entire Edge: Attach yarn to the bottom right hem. Work 1 round of sc evenly up the front edge, around the neck opening, and down the left front edge. Sl st to join.
- Scallop Edge: Work the Scallop Edge pattern (Sc, [ch 3, 3 dc, ch 3, sl st] all in the same st) very loosely and evenly around the neckline and down the two front placket edges. Fasten off.
Video Tutorial:
Assembly and Final Touches 🫧
- Weave in all ends securely using the tapestry needle.
- Attach Ribbon: Thread the ribbon through the gaps or around the Hdc posts near the neckline or waist, and tie it in a neat bow to close the cardigan.
- Blocking: Gently steam block the entire garment. Pin out the body shells and the hem scallops to fully open the stitch definition and enhance the cardigan’s soft flare.
Your charming Sweetheart Scallop Cardigan is ready to be worn and admired!
