Cardigan and Top in Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo & Cotton DK - 9916 - Downloadable PDF

Stylecraft 9916: Crochet Tee Shirt and Cardigan in Naturals Bamboo & Cotton DK

Stylecraft pattern 9916 is a downloadable PDF offering two distinct crochet designs: a relaxed crochet tee shirt and a coordinating cardigan, both worked in Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo & Cotton DK yarn. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and includes a generous size range to suit a wide variety of figures, from a 32/34 inch to a 48/50 inch chest/bust (approximately 81/86 cm to 122/127 cm), making it an inclusive and versatile choice for crochet enthusiasts.

About the Yarn: Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo & Cotton DK

Both designs are worked in Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo & Cotton DK, a yarn that blends the softness of bamboo with the breathability of cotton. This makes it particularly well suited to warm-weather garments such as tee shirts and lightweight cardigans. The DK weight gives the finished fabric a fluid drape, ideal for garments worn close to the body. The pattern references a main colour (MC) and at least one contrast colour (CC1), allowing for creative colour combinations across both designs.

Recommended Hook Size

Both garments are worked using a 4mm crochet hook, which is a standard size for DK weight yarn and helps achieve a neat, even tension appropriate for wearable garments.

Design One: The Crochet Tee Shirt

The crochet tee shirt is a lightweight, casual top designed to be worked in pieces — including a back — and seamed together. It features a short sleeve, with sleeve lengths of approximately 4½ to 5½ inches (12 to 14 cm) depending on the size chosen. The full length of the tee shirt ranges from approximately 23½ to 28 inches (60 to 71 cm), making it a comfortable, hip-grazing length suitable for everyday wear.

The actual finished bust measurements range from 36 inches to 52 inches (92 cm to 132 cm), incorporating positive ease for a relaxed, comfortable fit. The tee shirt is constructed by working the back beginning with a foundation chain using CC1, with the fabric built up from a foundation row of double crochet (dc) stitches before transitioning into the main stitch pattern.

Stitch Pattern: Wave Pattern

The defining feature of the tee shirt fabric is a wave pattern, which creates a textured, visually interesting surface. This stitch pattern is worked over multiple rows and incorporates the following crochet stitches and techniques:

• Double crochet (dc) — used in the foundation row to establish the base fabric
• Treble crochet (tr) — used within the wave pattern rows
• tr2tog (treble crochet two together) — a decrease stitch where two treble crochets are worked together to reduce the stitch count and create the wave shaping; the first row begins with a tr2tog at the edge, which counts as a standard treble
• htr3tog (half treble crochet three together) — a cluster stitch worked into a single stitch, creating a bobble-like texture at the peak of each wave
• Chain spaces (ch) — used to create openwork gaps within the wave repeat, adding lightness and drape to the fabric

The wave pattern is worked on right side (RS) rows, with the wrong side (WS) established during the foundation row. This combination of increases, decreases, and cluster stitches produces a rhythmic, repeating wave motif that adds visual interest without being overly complex — making it accessible to intermediate crocheters who are comfortable working multi-stitch repeats and combination stitches.

Design Two: The Cardigan

The second design in Stylecraft pattern 9916 is a crochet cardigan, worked in the same Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo & Cotton DK