Belinda Cardigan

Belinda Cardigan by Annelies Baes

What is Being Made

The Belinda Cardigan is a boxy lightweight cardigan designed by Annelies Baes as a downloadable crochet pattern. This intermediate-level project features an elegant, openworked construction ideal for warm-weather layering. The cardigan showcases delicate lace detailing throughout, making it a sophisticated garment suitable for both casual and dressy occasions.

Construction Method

The Belinda Cardigan is worked bottom-up in separate pieces, allowing for customizable fit and easier construction. The body sections are crocheted individually before being joined together. Side seams and shoulder seams are then closed using standard seaming techniques. Both sleeves are worked directly onto the cardigan body using the same openworked stitch pattern, creating visual continuity throughout the design. The cardigan is finished with a delicate front border worked in slipstitch pattern, adding a refined edge detail.

Crochet Stitches and Techniques

This pattern employs several key crochet stitches and abbreviations using UK crochet terminology:

• Chain (ch) – foundational stitch for creating chain spaces and structure
• Double crochet (dc) – used throughout the pattern for fabric density
• Treble crochet (tr) – creates the main pattern repeat with five treble groups
• Slipstitch (slst) – used for joining and finishing, particularly in the front border
• Slipstitch in back loops only (slstbl) – creates texture variation in the border detail
• Chain-spaces (ch-sp) – openwork elements that define the lace pattern

The special stitch featured in this pattern is the shell, which consists of five treble stitches worked into a two-chain-space. This shell stitch creates the characteristic openworked lace appearance throughout the cardigan body and sleeves.

Yarn and Materials

The Belinda Cardigan is designed to be worked with Garthenor Organic Number 01, a laceweight Shetland yarn made from 100% Certified Organic Undyed British Pure New Wool. This yarn is supplied in 50-gram balls with 350 meters (383 yards) per ball. The recommended shade is Shale. Pattern sizes require 4 to 6 balls of yarn depending on size selection.

Crochet hooks required are sizes 3.5 mm and 4 mm. The pattern specifies a gauge of five three-treble groups and four two-chain-spaces by 11.5 rows in the main pattern, measuring 10 x 10 centimeters (4 inches) when worked with the 3.5 mm hook.

Additional materials needed for completion include scissors, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming, a ruler for measuring gauge and finished dimensions, pins for blocking, and a blocking mat to shape the finished cardigan.

Pattern Format and Skill Level

The Belinda Cardigan is an intermediate-level crochet pattern provided as a downloadable PDF. The pattern includes crochet charts to assist with following the stitch sequences, making it accessible to crocheters with foundational skills who are ready to work with lace patterns and multiple stitch types. The combination of bottom-up construction, lace stitches, and finishing techniques makes this an engaging project for developing intermediate crochet abilities.