Mia Cardigan

Mia Cardigan by Divine Debris

What is Being Made

The Mia Cardigan is a crochet cardigan designed by Divine Debris as a downloadable PDF pattern. This garment is constructed in three distinct sections—Body, Upper Back, Sleeves, and Lapel—that are worked separately and then seamed together to create a finished cardigan. The design uses a multi-color approach with three different yarn colors incorporated throughout the piece, allowing for creative color blocking or striping options depending on the crafter's preference.

Techniques and Construction Method

The Mia Cardigan employs a bottom-up construction technique, beginning with the Body section worked from the lower edge upward. Once the Body reaches the desired length, the Upper Back section is added. The shoulder seams are then joined together, creating armhole openings. The Sleeves are subsequently worked directly into these armhole openings, eliminating the need for separate sleeve cap shaping. Finally, the Lapel is worked into the row ends along the front opening, completing the cardigan structure. This modular approach makes the pattern accessible and allows crafters to try on the garment as they progress through each section.

Stitches Used

The Mia Cardigan pattern utilizes several fundamental crochet stitches:

• Extended Single Crochet (Esc): The primary stitch used throughout the pattern. This stitch is created by inserting the hook into a stitch, yarning over and pulling up a loop, yarning over and drawing through one loop, yarning over, and then pulling through the remaining two loops on the hook. This creates a slightly taller and more textured stitch than a standard single crochet.
• Single Crochet (Sc): A foundational stitch used in select areas of the pattern for shaping or finishing details.
• Chain (Ch): Used to create foundation chains and turning chains throughout the pattern. Note that the chain-1 turning chain at the beginning of rows and rounds does not count as a stitch.
• Slip Stitch (Slip st): Used to join rounds and seam sections together, particularly when connecting the Body to the Upper Back and attaching the Sleeves and Lapel.

Materials and Tools

The Mia Cardigan requires a US L (8.00 mm) crochet hook, which is sized to work with chunky weight yarn. The pattern calls for Size #5 Bulky weight yarn in three different colors; the specific yardage amounts for each color are provided in the Finished Product Details section of the pattern. Additional notions include scissors for cutting yarn, a measuring tape for checking gauge and finished dimensions, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming sections together.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 8 extended single crochet stitches by 7 rows, measuring 4 inches when blocked. Achieving this gauge is important for ensuring the cardigan fits as intended, and crafters are encouraged to work a gauge swatch before beginning the project to verify their tension matches the pattern requirements.

Skill Level

The Mia Cardigan is rated at an Easy to Intermediate skill level. While the stitches used are relatively basic, the multi-section construction and seaming techniques require some experience with crochet fundamentals. This pattern is well-suited for crafters who have completed several basic projects and are comfortable with reading pattern abbreviations, working in the round, and basic seaming methods.