Jude Cardigan

Jude Cardigan by The Moule Hole

What is Being Made

The Jude Cardigan is a crocheted cardigan sweater designed by The Moule Hole. This garment is suitable for beginners and is constructed using fundamental crochet techniques to create a wearable, finished piece. The cardigan features button closures, making it a practical layering piece.

Craft and Primary Technique

This pattern is designed for crochet, specifically using a single crochet hook rather than multiple needles or tools. Crochet is a fiber craft that uses a single hook to create interlocking loops of yarn, building fabric from a series of connected stitches. The Jude Cardigan is classified as a beginner-level project, making it accessible to crocheters who are new to garment construction.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch used in the Jude Cardigan is half double crochet (hdc). This stitch creates a fabric with moderate height and density, falling between single crochet and double crochet in terms of drape and structure. Half double crochet is a foundational stitch commonly used in garment patterns because it produces a balanced fabric suitable for wearable items.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Jude Cardigan pattern calls for aran weight yarn. The designer specifically recommends Rico Essentials Soft Merino Aran as the suggested yarn. However, the pattern notes an important consideration: though classified as aran weight, the Rico Essentials yarn behaves closer to a DK or lightweight 3 weight yarn.

For crocheters using alternative yarns, the pattern provides substitution guidance:

• Use DK or lightweight 3 weight yarn with a 5mm crochet hook, or
• Use traditional aran or worsted weight yarn with a 4mm crochet hook

The recommended crochet hook size is 5.00mm (U.S. H/8), though the pattern specifies using the size needed to obtain proper gauge.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 14 rows measuring 10cm x 10cm (4 inches x 4 inches) in half double crochet. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit and finished dimensions. The pattern includes a yarn requirements chart to help crocheters determine the approximate yardage needed based on their chosen size.

Notions and Finishing Details

In addition to yarn and a crochet hook, the Jude Cardigan pattern requires:

• Stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping
• 4 to 8 buttons, each measuring 2cm or 0.8 inches in diameter, for the front closure

The button quantity allows for flexibility in design preference, whether the crocheter prefers a more buttoned or more open front closure.

Pattern Information

The Jude Cardigan pattern is provided as a downloadable PDF document and is the intellectual property of The Moule Hole. While the pattern itself cannot be modified, resold, or shared, crocheters are welcome to sell finished garments made from this pattern. The designer requests that finished garments include a mention that they were created using a pattern by The Moule Hole, supporting independent pattern designers.