This beautiful Sweetheart Eyelet Cardigan combines a classic structured yoke with a soft, airy lace body and sleeves. The open stitch provides a light layer perfect for any season, while the ribbon and button closure adds a charming, traditional touch. The inherent flare of the stitch gives the sleeves and hem a lovely, subtle ruffle.
This detailed pattern is written for the 6-12 Month size and is best suited for the Intermediate crocheter who is comfortable with top-down raglan shaping and managing a two-row lace repeat.
Materials Needed 🧶
- Yarn: Approximately 350-400 yards of DK Weight (Light Worsted / #3) yarn. A soft acrylic, wool, or cotton blend will achieve the desired drape and structure.
- Main Color (MC): Soft Baby Pink (Solid)
- Crochet Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6), or the size needed to obtain gauge.
- Buttons: 3 small (1/2 inch) buttons.
- Ribbon: 1/2 yard of 1/4-inch matching ribbon for the neck tie.
- Tapestry Needle: For weaving in ends and sewing buttons.
- Stitch Markers: 4 markers for the raglan corners.
Skill Level & Notes 💡
- Skill Level: Intermediate. Requires consistent raglan shaping, working flat and in the round, and maintaining the lace stitch pattern across increases.
- Construction: The yoke is worked flat in rows from the top-down to create the front opening. The body continues flat, and the sleeves are worked in the round.
- Lace Repeat: The V-Stitch Cluster pattern 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 |
| ch-sp | chain space |
| V-st | V-Stitch (dc, ch 1, dc in same st/sp) |
| VSC | V-Stitch Cluster |
Special Stitch ✨
V-Stitch Cluster (VSC)
This two-row repeat creates the open, lacy body fabric:
- Row A (V-st Row): Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in the same st. [Sk 3 sts, V-st in the next st] rep across.
- Row B (Cluster Row): Ch 1 (counts as sc). Sc in the ch-1 sp of the first V-st. [5 dc Shell in the sc between V-sts, sc in the ch-1 sp of the next V-st] rep across.
Part 1: The Yoke (MC – Soft 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 (VSC) 🧥
Row 11 (Separation): Ch 2, turn. Hdc in each st until the first ch-2 sp. Hdc in the ch-2 sp. Ch 4 (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 4 (skips the second sleeve stitches). Hdc in the fourth ch-2 sp. Hdc in each remaining st. (124 hdc)
Row 12 (Prep for Lace): Ch 3, turn. Dc in each st and 4 dc into each ch-4 underarm sp. (132 dc)
Row 13 (VSC Row A – V-st Row): Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn. Dc in the same st. [Sk 3 sts, V-st in the next st] rep across to the last 2 sts. Dc in the last 2 sts.
Row 14 (VSC Row B – Cluster Row): Ch 1 (counts as sc), turn. Sc in the ch-1 sp of the first V-st. [5 dc Shell in the next dc (center of the 3 skipped sts), sc in the ch-1 sp of the next V-st] rep across. Sc in the last st.
Rows 15-28: Repeat Rows 13 and 14 until the body reaches the desired length. (The last row should be a V-st row).
Row 29 (Hem Finish): Ch 1, turn. Sc evenly across the bottom edge. Fasten off.
Part 3: The Sleeves (VSC) 👚
Make 2 sleeves, worked in the round.
Round 1 (Setup): Attach yarn at the center of the underarm ch-4 space. Ch 3. Work 40 dc evenly around the armhole opening (4 dc in the ch-4 sp, 1 dc per st on the sleeve side). Sl st to join. (40 dc – multiple of 4).
Round 2 (VSC Round A – V-st Row): Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in the same st. [Sk 3 sts, V-st in the next st] rep around. Sl st to the top of the beg ch-3.
Round 3 (VSC Round B – Cluster Row): Ch 1 (counts as sc). Sc in the ch-1 sp of the first V-st. [5 dc Shell in the sc between V-sts, sc in the ch-1 sp of the next V-st] rep around. Sl st to the beg sc.
Rounds 4-12: Repeat Rounds 2 and 3 until the sleeve reaches the desired length.
Round 13 (Cuff Finish): Ch 1. Sc evenly around the cuff, ensuring the final count is 32 sc. Sl st to join.
Round 14 (Cuff Scallop): Ch 1. Sc in the first st. [Sk 1 st, 3 dc in the next st, sk 1 st, sc in the next st] rep around. Sl st to join. Fasten off.
Part 4: Finishing and Plackets 🎀
A. Neckline and Front Edges:
- Right Front Placket (Buttonholes): Attach yarn to the bottom right hem. Ch 1. Sc evenly up the edge. [Sc in the next 3 sts, ch 2 (buttonhole), sk 2 sts] rep 3 times, spacing the buttonholes evenly. Sc to the neckline corner.
- Neckline Edge: Sc evenly around the neckline.
- Left Front Placket: Sc evenly down the left front edge to the bottom hem. Sl st to join. Fasten off.
B. Collar Scallop:
- Attach yarn to the bottom left hem. Work a simple scallop edge: Ch 1, turn. Sc in the first st. [Sk 1 st, 3 dc in the next st, sk 1 st, sc in the next st] rep across the entire front and neck edges. Fasten off.
Video Tutorial:
Assembly and Final Touches 🫧
- Weave in all ends securely.
- Sew Buttons: Sew the 3 small buttons onto the Left Front Placket, aligning them with the buttonholes on the Right Placket.
- Attach Ribbon: Thread the ribbon through the lace fabric or around the HDC posts just below the collar and tie it in a neat bow.
- Blocking: Gently steam block the cardigan. Pin out the lace pattern on the body and sleeves to open the eyelets fully and enhance the drape.
Your charming Sweetheart Eyelet Cardigan is ready to keep a little one cozy and stylish!
