Striped Velvet Cardigan

Striped Velvet Cardigan by Nicole Riley

What is Being Made

The Striped Velvet Cardigan is a crocheted cardigan garment featuring alternating color stripes in bright magenta and white. This intermediate-level crochet project creates a finished cardigan suitable for personal wear, utilizing chunky yarn for a quick and satisfying making experience.

Crochet Techniques and Construction

This cardigan employs several foundational crochet techniques to achieve its structured, textured appearance. The pattern uses post stitches to create visual interest and dimension—specifically front post double crochet (fpdc) and back post double crochet (bpdc) stitches, which work around the posts of previous rows rather than into the tops of stitches. This technique creates a ribbed or corded effect that adds depth to the striped design.

The garment is seamed together using the whip stitch or mattress stitch method, a professional finishing technique that creates nearly invisible seams by joining pieces edge-to-edge. This approach is ideal for creating polished, wearable garments from separately crocheted pieces.

Stitches Used

• Chain (ch) – the foundation stitch used to create the base of the project
• Double crochet (dc) – a fundamental stitch providing height and structure throughout the cardigan
• Slip stitch (sl st) – used for joining rounds and finishing edges
• Decrease (dec) – combines two stitches into one, used for shaping the garment
• Front post double crochet (fpdc) – creates textured striping by working around the front post of previous stitches
• Back post double crochet (bpdc) – creates textured striping by working around the back post of previous stitches
• Alternative turning chain (atc) – a specialty turning chain technique using stacked single crochet for a neat edge finish

Materials Required

This project requires Yarnspirations Crushed Velvet bulky yarn, a luxurious chunky-weight yarn that creates quick results and a soft, velvety texture. The pattern calls for two skeins each of two colors: Bright Magenta (color A) and White (color B). Each skein contains 10.5 oz (300g) and 315 yards (288 meters), providing ample yardage for the complete cardigan.

Additional supplies include a 5.0mm crochet hook, which is appropriately sized for working with bulky yarn. A tapestry needle is essential for weaving in yarn ends and executing the mattress stitch seaming technique. Basic tools such as scissors are needed for cutting yarn.

Skill Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, this pattern assumes familiarity with basic crochet stitches and techniques. Crocheters should be comfortable with post stitches and seaming methods before beginning this project, though the pattern references tutorials for the mattress stitch seaming technique to support successful completion.