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Pajama Cardigan Pattern

Pajama Cardigan Pattern
4.6β˜… Rating
12-15 Hours Time Needed
2.4K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Iο»Ώdeal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Multi-Day Project

A rewarding 12+ hour journeyβ€”perfect for dedicated crafters who love detailed work.

πŸ‘•

Casual Chic

Relaxed style with a modern twist, perfect for everyday wear while maintaining that handcrafted uniqueness.

About This Pajama Cardigan Pattern

This pattern creates an oversized, cozy Pajama Cardigan with a subtle pattern stitch body and textured pockets. The design includes a gentle V-neck shaping, roomy pockets, and thumbhole-capable lower sleeves for extra comfort. Worked flat and in the round where indicated, it offers approachable shaping and finishing for an elevated handmade sweater.

Pajama Cardigan Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Written for multiple sizes with needle and gauge guidance to help you achieve the desired fit. Includes pocket and sleeve instructions plus a patterned buttonband/collar for a polished finish.

Why You'll Love This Pajama Cardigan Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it blends comfort and wearable design into a single, easy-to-wear cardigan. I designed the Pajama Cardigan to be a go-to layering piece you can reach for every morning or evening. I enjoy how the simple pattern stitch adds texture without overwhelming the silhouette. I especially love the roomy pockets and thumbhole-ready sleeve options which make it both practical and cozy.

Pajama Cardigan Pattern step 1 - construction progress Pajama Cardigan Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Pajama Cardigan Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Pajama Cardigan Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love to customize this cardigan by changing the yarn color to make it uniquely mine; a soft neutral keeps it classic while a bold hue makes a statement.

I often make a sport or DK weight version using smaller needles to create a lighter, more drapey cardigan if I want a subtler silhouette.

I sometimes add contrast cuffs and pocket edges by switching to a complementary color for a modern twist and extra definition.

If I want extra warmth, I use a slightly bulkier yarn and larger needles to create a thicker, cozier version perfect for cold evenings.

I occasionally lengthen the body by working a few extra inches in the stockinette section to get a longer tunic-style cardigan.

For a more fitted look, I reduce the number of increase rounds on the sleeve and remove a couple of positive-ease inches from the body measurements.

I like to embroider a small motif above one pocket or add a tiny crocheted flower for a personalized touch that reads handmade and special.

To make it a layering piece year-round, I experiment with cotton blends in spring and wool blends in fall to adapt the warmth level.

If you prefer pockets placed higher or lower, try pinning them in different positions before sewing to find the most flattering and functional placement.

I sometimes replace the knitted buttonband with a sewn-on fabric facing or add large decorative buttons to change the overall style instantly.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

βœ— Casting on too tightly can make the ribbed hem and buttonbands stiff; use a slightly looser tension for the cast-on and larger needle if needed to match gauge. βœ— Forgetting to keep selvedge stitches in stockinette will distort edges and make seaming difficult; always maintain the edge stitches as instructed to create neat shoulders and seams. βœ— Joining the cuff in the round accidentally will change the stitch counts and shaping later; double-check the instruction to 'do NOT join in the round' at the beginning of the sleeve cuff. βœ— Skipping marker placement at BOR for sleeve joins leads to uneven increases; place a marker at BOR when joining in the round to ensure increases are centered and consistent. βœ— Not blocking the pieces before attaching pockets or sewing seams can leave the garment misshapen; block panels to the given measurements and shape of the pattern before final assembly.

Pajama Cardigan Pattern

Make a cozy, oversized Pajama Cardigan that's perfect for lounging or casual layering. This relaxed cardigan features a textured pattern stitch, roomy pockets, and thumbhole-ready sleeves so you can stay comfy and stylish. Clear stitch instructions and shaping notes help you create a beautifully finished sweater you'll reach for again and again.

Intermediate 12-15 Hours

Materials Needed for Pajama Cardigan Pattern

β€” Main Fabric

  • 01
    Mungo by Rosa Pomar of Retrosaria, color Fossil (002) - 100 g per skein (approx. 220 m / 240 yds) - 50% recycled wool, 50% recycled cotton
  • 02
    Yarn amounts: 6 (6, 7, 7) [8, 8, 9, 9, 10] skeins (sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X respectively)
  • 03
    Approximate total yardage: 1,440–2,400 yards of any wool/cotton blend in worsted weight for the full cardigan

β€” Tools Required

  • 01
    Circular needles US size 3 / 3.25 mm (for ribbing and cuffs)
  • 02
    Circular needles US size 6 / 4 mm (32"/80 cm or 40"/100 cm) for body and larger sections
  • 03
    Double-pointed needles (dpns) for sleeves if not using magic loop
  • 04
    Stitch marker (1)
  • 05
    Yarn needle
  • 06
    Blocking tools (pins, mats)
  • 07
    Scissors (optional)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

β€” Back Panel :

Info :

Beginning at bottom with smaller needles, CO 98 (110, 122, 134)[146, 158, 170, 182, 194] sts.

Info :

Keeping each edge stitch worked in stockinette st (selvedge sts), work in *K1P1* ribbing for 2”.

Stockinette Stitch Section :

Change to larger needles.

Row :

Work in stockinette st (K on RS, P on WS) for 6 (6, 6.5, 6.5)[6.25, 6.25, 6.25, 6.75, 6.75]". End after a WS row.

Pattern Stitch Instructions :

*Pattern Stitch Instructions: (worked flat) Continue to keep each selvedge st worked in stockinette st Row 1(RS): K2, *YO, k2, pass the YO over the 2 k sts* rep from * to * until 2 sts from end, k2. Row 2 (WS): P across row. Repeat rows 1 + 2 as directed.

Pattern Stitch Section :

Work in Pattern St for 8.5 (9.5, 9.5, 10)[10, 10.5, 10.5, 10.5, 10.5].

Stockinette Stitch Section :

Now, work in stockinette st for 8.5 (8.5, 8.5, 8.5)[9, 9, 9, 9, 9]. End after a WS row.

Shoulder BO :

BO 12 (15, 17, 20)[14, 16, 17, 19, 20] sts at the beginning of the next 4 (4, 4, 4)[6, 6, 6, 6, 6] rows. BO remaining neck sts.

β€” Left Front Panel :

Info :

With smaller needles, CO 44 (50, 56, 62)[68, 74, 80, 86, 92] sts.

Row :

Work in*K1P1* ribbing for 2”.

Info :

Change to larger needles and work in stockinette st until entire length is 19.5 (20, 20, 20.5)[20.5, 21, 21, 21, 21.5]. End after a WS row.

V-Neck Shaping :

Work V-neck shaping at end of RS rows as follows: k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. WS: P. Work these last 2 rows a total of 19 (20, 20, 21)[22, 22, 23, 23, 24] times or until front panel matches length of back panel.

Shoulder BO :

BO 12 (15, 18, 20)[15, 17, 19, 21, 23] sts at the beginning of the next row, k to end of row. WS: P. BO 13 (15, 18, 21)[15, 17, 19, 21, 23] sts at the beginning of the next row, Sizes XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X, p to end of row. Sizes XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X only: RS: K. WS: Sizes XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X only: BO 16 (18, 19, 21, 22) sts.

β€” Right Front Panel :

Info :

With smaller needles, CO 44 (50, 56, 62)[68, 74, 80, 86, 92] sts.

Row :

Work in *K1P1* ribbing for 2”.

Info :

Change to larger needles and work in stockinette st until entire length is 19.5 (20, 20, 20.5)[20.5, 21, 21, 21, 21.5]. End after a WS row.

β€” POCKETS :

POCKETS: (make 2) :

With larger needles, CO 36 sts.

Row :

Work 6 rows of *K2P2* ribbing.

Row :

Work in Pattern St Instructions (worked flat) for 7” or until pocket is desired length.

Info :

BO sts and set aside to be blocked and attached to garment later.

β€” SLEEVES :

Info :

SLEEVES: (make 2) With smaller needles, beginning at cuff, CO 42 (44, 44, 46)[46, 48, 48, 50, 50] sts. (do NOT join in the round).

Row :

Work 28 rows or 4” in Stockinette st (k RS, p WS). End after a WS row.

Info :

Join in the round (if using dpns, distribute sts evenly on 3 needles), place marker at BOR.

Wrist + Arm: Stockinette Stitch Section :

Inc. rnd.: Kfb on each side of the marker. (2 sts inc)

Row :

With larger needles, work inc rnd every 6 (6, 6, 6)[4, 4, 3, 3, 3]th/rd rnd 9 (9, 9, 9)[15, 15, 22, 22, 23] times.

Pattern Stitch Instructions :

*Pattern Stitch Instructions: (worked in the rnd) Rnd 1: *YO, k2, pass the YO over the 2 k sts*, rep from * to * to end of rnd. Rnd 2: K.

Pattern Stitch Section :

Work rnds 1 + 2 of Pattern Stitch (in the round) for 5.5 (5.5, 5.5, 6)[6, 6.5, 7]”.

Info :

At the same time, work the inc rnds every 6 (6, 6, 5)[4, 3, 3, 3, 3]th/rd rnd 6 (6, 8, 10)[9, 14, 11, 15, 14] times and then work EVEN until pattern section is approx 6.5 (6.5, 6.5, 7)[7, 7.5, 8]" in length. 72 (74, 78, 84)[94, 106, 114, 124, 124] sts.

Stockinette Stitch Section :

Continue to work even by knitting ea rnd (without inc) until sleeve measures 18.5 (18.5, 18.5, 18.5)[17.5, 17.5, 17, 17, 16]" from CO edge (or your desired length). BO.

β€” Buttonband + Collar :

Info :

Using larger circular needle, and with RS facing, pick up and k 158 (162, 165, 168)[171, 174, 174, 176, 176] sts along right front, 58 (58, 60, 60)[66, 66, 70, 70, 74] sts along back neck, and 158 (162, 165, 168)[171, 174, 174, 176, 176] sts along left front.

Row :

Work in Pattern Stitch Instructions (worked flat) on 374 (381, 390, 396)[408, 414, 418, 422, 426] sts until button band measures 1.5-2". BO loosely in p.

β€” Assembly :

Info :

*Buttons are not needed for this design, however if buttons are desired, place evenly spaced on left side of button band and secure well. The pattern stitch edging on the right side lends itself well for the buttonholes or you can knit them in!

Info :

Sew shoulder seams.

Info :

Sew in sleeves.

Info :

Sew up lower sleeve seams leaving a 2" gap for each thumbhole (if desired). Otherwise, sew up entire seam.

Info :

Sew up the side seams.

Info :

Sew on the pockets.

Info :

Block and enjoy!

Assembly Instructions

  • If you want buttons, place buttons evenly spaced on the left side of the button band and securely sew them in place; the pattern stitch edge suits either buttonholes or knitted buttonholes.
  • Sew shoulder seams together carefully, aligning shoulder bind-off edges and using mattress stitch for an invisible join.
  • Sew in sleeves by matching sleeve caps to armhole openings, easing evenly and securing with small stitches.
  • Sew up lower sleeve seams leaving a 2" gap for each thumbhole if you want thumbholes; otherwise sew the entire seam closed.
  • Sew up side seams from hem to underarm, then sleeve seams from underarm to cuff, checking alignment as you go.
  • Pin and sew on pockets to the front panels at desired placement, ensuring both pockets are level and symmetrical.
  • Block all pieces to measurements, press into shape, then weave in ends and enjoy your finished cardigan.

Important Notes

  • πŸ’‘Maintain the gauge of 24 sts + 28 rows = 4"/10 cm blocked in stockinette st with the larger needle to ensure correct sizing.
  • πŸ’‘Keep selvedge stitches worked in stockinette to create clean edges for seaming and the buttonband/collar pickup.
  • πŸ’‘Place a marker at BOR when joining sleeves in the round to track beginning of round for increases and shaping.
  • πŸ’‘Do not join the cuff in the round when starting the sleeve cuff; begin flat as instructed to create the cuff hem.
  • πŸ’‘Block panels and pockets before final assembly for best drape and accurate seam alignment.

This Pajama Cardigan pattern creates a relaxed, oversized cardigan that feels like a warm hug every time you put it on. The subtle pattern stitch and roomy pockets make it both stylish and supremely comfortable. Perfect for lounging, gifting, or layering through cooler months. 🧢 Cozy up and enjoy every stitch! ✨

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The pattern includes sizes to fit women with chest measurements approx 30 (34, 38, 42)[46, 50, 54, 58, 62]" and finished length measurements given in the pattern; finished sizing depends on your gauge and yarn choice.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

You can substitute yarns, but changing weight will affect size and drape; choose a yarn with similar gauge or adjust needle sizes to match the stated 24 sts x 28 rows = 4"/10 cm gauge.

Do I need double-pointed needles to make the sleeves?

You may use dpns or the magic loop method with long circular needles; the pattern suggests distributing stitches on 3 dpns if you prefer, but both techniques work.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

This is a multi-day project and typically takes 12-15 hours to complete depending on your knitting speed, experience, and the size you are making.