Velma Cardigan

Velma Cardigan by Holly Woodward Designs

What is Being Made

The Velma Cardigan is a cropped, drop-shoulder button-up cardigan designed as an original pattern by Holly Woodward Designs. This versatile garment can be worn open, buttoned, and with or without a layer underneath, making it suitable for various styling preferences and seasons. The cardigan features a contemporary cropped silhouette with a relaxed drop-shoulder construction that creates an effortlessly comfortable fit.

Craft and Primary Technique

This pattern is worked entirely in crochet, making it an excellent beginner-friendly project despite its polished, professional appearance. The Velma Cardigan is constructed using the Half Treble Crochet (HTR) stitch worked vertically throughout most of the design. This vertical stitch orientation creates a distinctive knit-like ribbed effect that mimics the appearance of traditional knitted ribbing while being achieved entirely through crochet techniques. The cardigan is worked flat in simple geometric shapes and then sewn together to form the finished garment, keeping construction straightforward and accessible.

Stitches Used

• Half Treble Crochet (HTR) – the primary stitch used throughout the cardigan, worked vertically for the body pieces to create the signature ribbed texture
• Additional shaping stitches for sleeve and body construction, worked horizontally for the sleeves

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Velma Cardigan is designed to be worked with Aran weight yarn, which contributes to the garment's notably squishy texture and quick construction time. Aran yarn is a medium-weight option that creates substantial fabric with excellent drape and structure, perfect for a tailored cardigan silhouette. The pattern requires appropriate crochet hooks sized for Aran yarn to achieve proper gauge and fabric consistency.

Construction Details

The pattern employs a thoughtful construction method where the body is worked vertically and the sleeves are worked horizontally. This directional approach means that body length is determined by the number of stitches in each row, while body width is determined by the number of rows worked. This logical construction method allows for easy customization and adjustments to fit various sizes and preferences.

Difficulty Level

Rated as a beginner difficulty pattern, the Velma Cardigan is designed to be accessible to crocheters new to garment construction while remaining engaging for experienced makers. The use of simple shapes, straightforward stitching, and basic assembly techniques makes this an ideal project for developing garment-making skills.