Rylan Cardigan for Big Kids and Teens

I’m excited to share a new free crochet pattern! There is now a Rylan Cardigan for big kids and teens!

When the Rylan Baby and Toddler pattern came out a couple weeks ago, I had some requests for larger sizes. So I’ve been busy creating sizes 8 – 16 as a separate (free!) pattern.

I wasn’t sure what my daughter, age 10, would think of this pattern, but she loves it! (Insert happy dance here!)

The baby/toddler pattern actually goes up to size 6. So if you are making for a size 7 and up, this would probably be the pattern for you. Just be sure to check the sizing and make a gauge swatch.

Checking gauge is easier than you might think! I’ve started including instructions for how to make a gauge swatch with all my sweater patterns. On the Rylan sweater, you really have to be concerned with stitches per inch. The number of rows doesn’t matter as much because you will be measuring the yoke and sleeve length as you go.

So be sure to check the instructions for checking gauge in the pattern, below. And let me know if you have any questions!

Video Tutorial

The video for making the baby sweater also applies for making this one…it’s the same pattern, just different numbers. So if you want help, you can watch the video here:

Rylan Cardigan Pattern for Big Kids and Teens

Thank you to my testers and tech editor, you are a huge help! xoxo

To download the PDF, please visit on Etsy or Ravelry.

General Instructions: This modern sweater is worked from the top down in rows. Simple increases are used to create the yoke, followed by a sleeve separation. The body features the cute bobble stitches that make this sweater unique.  Ribbing and button bands are added next. Finally, the sleeves are worked flat and seamed at the end.

Supplies:

J/10 (6mm) crochet hook (or size needed to obtain gauge), 3/4” buttons (9-12), ruler, tapestry needle, sewing needle and matching thread for buttons.

Yarn:  Medium weight (4); 708 (796; 885; 942; 1,028) Yards; Lion Brand Wool-Ease, Vanna’s Choice, Heartland, or any other #4 yarn

Gauge: 4” x 4” = 12 stitches / 14 rows in sc
For accurate sizing, make a gauge swatch before you begin your sweater.
Directions for gauge swatch:
Ch 13
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across, turn (12 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in ea st, turn.
Repeat row 2 until you reach a total of 14 rows (including row 1).
Swatch should measure approximately 4” across and 4” down. If swatch is too small, try again with a larger hook. If swatch is too big, try again with a smaller hook.

Sizing
Finished chest circumference: 29 (30, 31, 32, 34) inches
Ease: 2-4”
Suggested sizing: 8 (10, 12, 14, 16)
To find the right size, measure chest and add 3”. Make the size with the finished circumference closest to this number.  Model is a petite 10yo wearing size 8.

Suggestion: Before you begin, read through the pattern and circle your size throughout. Pictures are located at the end of the pattern so you can print just the pattern pages without printing the pictures. (applies to the downloadable PDF version)

Abbreviations and Special Stitches

bpdc: back post double crochet
ch: chain
dc: double crochet
fpdc: front post double crochet
inc: increase (2 sc in same st)
rep: repeat
sc: single crochet
sc2tog: single crochet 2 together (decrease made)
sk: skip
sl st: slip stitch
st(s): stitch(es)

Bobble: yo, insert hook into next st, yo, draw up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, *yo, insert hook into same st, yo, draw up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook; repeat from * 3 more times, yo, draw through all 6 loops on hook

Pattern Notes

• Ch 1 at the beginning of a row does not count in stitch count.
• Turn at the end of each row.
• When measuring yoke height, lay sweater flat so it forms a semi-circle. Find the approximate back center (back neck) of the sweater and measure straight down. Do not measure the edge of the work.
• Please see last pages for some helpful pictures.

Yoke

Ch 55 (57, 59, 61, 65)
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across. 54 (56, 58, 60, 64) sts
Row 2:  ch 1, sc in each sc.
First increase: ch 1, *sc, inc; rep from * to end of row.81(84, 87, 90, 96) stsSc as many rows as needed until yoke height measures 2 (2, 2.5, 2.5, 2.5) inches, ending with an even number of rows.
Second increase: Ch 1, *2sc, inc; rep from * to end of row.108 (112, 116, 120, 128) sts
Sc as many rows as needed until yoke height measures 4.5 (4.5, 5, 5, 5.5) inches, ending with an even number of rows.
Third increase: Ch 1, *3sc, inc; rep from * to end of row.135(140, 145, 150, 160) sts
Sc as many rows as needed until yoke height measures 6.5 (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5) inches, ending with an even number of rows.
Sleeve separation:
Ch 1, 20 (21,22, 23, 24) sc,
ch 3
sk 27 (28, 29, 30, 32) sts,
41 (42, 43, 44, 48) sc,
ch 3
sk 27 (28, 29, 30, 32) sts,
20 (21,22, 23, 24) sc. Do not tie off.

Body
We will now be working the body only, saving the sleeves for later.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in each sc and in each ch st. 87 (90, 93, 96, 102) sc.
Row 2: Ch 1, 4 (0, 2, 3, 1) sc, *4sc, bobble, 5sc; rep from * until 3 (0, 1, 3, 1) sts remain, sc in remaining sts.
Rows 3-5: ch 1, sc in each st.
Row 6: Ch 1, 4 (0, 2, 3, 1) sc, *9sc, bobble; rep from * until 3 (0, 1, 3, 1) sts remain, sc in remaining sts. (For size 10, omit last bobble and replace with sc.)
Rows 7-9: ch 1, sc in each st.
Repeat rows 2-9 until total sweater height (including yoke) reaches 15 (16.5, 17.5, 18, 18.5) inches. Do not tie off.

Hem Ribbing

Row 1: ch 2, sk 1^st sc, dc in each st across, turn.
For sizes 10, 14, 16 only:
Rows 2-3: ch 2, sk 1dc, *fpdc, bpdc; rep from * across, dc in top of ch 2.

For sizes 8 and 12:
Row 2: ch 2, sk 1dc, fpdc, *bpdc, fpdc; rep from * across, dc in top of ch 2.
Row 3: ch 2, sk 1dc, bpdc, *fpdc, bpdc; rep from * across, dc in top of ch 2.


Neck Ribbing: Tie slip knot on hook and insert hook in top corner of sweater. Sl st and work same as row 1 of hem ribbing, working in each ch st across the neck of the sweater: Work row 2 same as hem ribbing (don’t do row 3).
Tie off.  Weave in loose ends.

Button Band (wearer’s right)
Tie slip knot on hook and insert hook in bottom (top for left-handed crocheters) corner of sweater.
Row 1: Sc in the end of each row up the side of the sweater, turn.
Rows 2-3: Ch 1, sc in each sc to end of row, turn.
Tie off.  Weave in loose ends.

Before adding buttons, the front edges may overlap. This is normal and allows for our curved body shape

Button Hole Band (wearer’s left)
Tie slip knot on hook and insert hook in top (bottom for left-handed crocheters) corner of sweater.
Row 1: Sc in the end of each row down the side of the sweater, turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, 3sc, *ch 1, sk 1, 6 sc; rep from * as many times as you can until not enough sts remain, sc in remaining sts, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each sc and 1sc in each ch 1 sp, turn.
Tie off.  Weave in loose ends.
Sew buttons on button band opposite each ch space.

Sleeve
Notes: Continue to turn at the end of each row. Sleeve is measured from the outside edge.

Tie slip knot onto hook and join yarn to armpit of sleeve in the center of the ch sts.
Row 1: Sc in 2 ch sts and each st around sleeve opening, ending with sc in last ch st. 30 (31, 32, 33, 35) sc
Row 2: ch 1, sc in each sc.
Sc as many rows as needed until sleeve length reaches 4 (4, 4.5, 5, 5) inches.
First decrease: ch 1, sc2tog, sc until 2 sts remain, sc2tog. 28 (29, 30, 31, 33) sc
Sc as many rows as needed until sleeve length reaches 5.5 (6, 6.5, 7.5, 8) inches.

Second decrease: ch 1, sc2tog, sc until 2 sts remain, sc2tog. 26 (27, 28, 29, 31) sc
Sc as many rows as needed until sleeve length reaches 7 (7.5, 8, 10, 10.5) inches.
Third decrease: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc until 2 sts remain, sc2tog. 24 (25, 26, 27, 29) sc
Sc as many rows as needed until sleeve length reaches 8.5 (9.5, 9.5, 12.5, 13) inches.

Fourth decrease: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc until 2 sts remain, sc2tog. 22 (23, 24, 25, 27) sc
Sc as many rows as needed until sleeve length reaches 10.5 (11.5, 13.5, 14.5, 15) inches.

Sleeve Ribbing:
Row 1: ch 2, sk 1dc, dc in each st, turn.
Row 2: ch 2, sk 1dc, *fpdc, bpdc; rep from * across, dc in top of ch 2.
Sizes 8 and 12 only: repeat row 2.
Row 3 for sizes 10, 14, 16: ch 2, sk 1dc, *bpdc, fpdc; rep from * across, dc in top of ch 2.

Tie off, leaving a long tail for seaming.  Join sleeve seam with tapestry needle and whip or ladder stitch. Tie off, weave in loose ends.
Repeat for the other sleeve.

You’re all done! I hope you enjoyed this pattern!

Get the downloadable PDF on Etsy or Ravelry.

Pattern and photos copyright 2019, Jen Dwyer of Teal & Finch. All rights reserved. No part of this pattern may be reproduced or sold in any form.  You may sell items that you make with this pattern but you may not use the photos for marketing purposes.

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