Two Simple Shapes = 26 Crocheted Cardigans, Tops & Sweaters: If you can crochet a square and rectangle, you can make these easy-to-wear designs!

By Salena Baca

“These easy-to-follow instructions will have you hooking up a whole new wardrobe of beautiful, creative crochet pieces you will be proud to wear.” —WeCrochet magazine
 
Making crochet tops has never been so easy!

Crocheted squares and rectangles can be shaped and combined to form a surprising array of pullovers, cardigans, lightweight tops, and wraps. Simple instructions will have you creating a variety of gorgeous crochet apparel. Most designs are beginner or intermediate level and build upon your knowledge of basic stitches to create textural styles that look more complex than they are. Crochet two squares to make the Diamond Crop Top, an on-trend lacy look you can whip up quickly, or crochet a rectangle, fold, and add sleeves to make the Goldenrod Cardigan, a squishy, comfy wrap to wear all year.

Sumptuous yarns in gorgeous colors from Lion Brand’s vast selection of yarns were chosen for the pattern samples shown in this book, assuring that all of the yarns used are easy-to-find, affordable options. Crochet in the colors shown, or try your own color scheme. Lion Brand yarns have a large selection of colors from which to choose, so enjoy the yarn aisle!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Jun 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9780811767712

Book preview

Introduction

Simple squares and rectangles can easily be constructed to create shawls, ponchos, pullovers, cocoon vests, and so much more. Since the shapes are kept simple, these patterns are the perfect playground for learning and practicing new-to-you stitches. Playing with these two basic forms as a theme, the creative crochet artists who contributed designs to Two Simple Shapes have produced a collection of gorgeous, easy-to-wear, timeless designs!

Each design in Two Simple Shapes has been paired with a trusted Lion Brand yarn, using plush colors and alluring patterns to create pieces that you’ll wear for years to come!

Peace + Love + Crochet

Salena

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This light vest works great as a spring and summer accessory! The style is easy to work up, and it complements a range of body shapes too.

SKILL LEVEL

Intermediate

SIZES/FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Small (Medium, Large)

Length: 18 (20, 22) in./45.5 (51, 56) cm

Width: 25.5 (30, 34.5) in./64.5 (76, 87.5) cm

YARN

Lion Brand Yarn 24/7 Cotton, medium weight #4 yarn (100% mercerized cotton; 186 yd./170 m per 3.5 oz./100 g skein)

■2 (3, 3) skeins Taupe 122

HOOK AND OTHER MATERIALS

■US size J-10 (6.0 mm) crochet hook

■Yarn needle

GAUGE

10 sts in pattern = 4 in./10 cm

2 rows in pattern = 1.5 in./4 cm

Adjust hook size if necessary to obtain gauge.

NOTES

■Similar #4 weight yarns may be substituted; please check gauge.

■Pattern is written in four sections: Back Panel, 2 Side Panels, Border.

■Turning chains do not count as a st.

■Vest style should be open about 10 in./25 cm in front. For best fit, measure under arms and around bust; follow size with width that is about 10 in./25 cm smaller than bust measurement.

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■ INSTRUCTIONS

Back Panel

Ch 47 (52, 57).

Row 1: Hdc into third ch from hook and in each ch across, turn—45 (50, 55) hdc.

Row 2 (RS): Ch 4, tr in each st across, turn—45 (50, 55) tr.

Row 3: Ch 2, hdc in each st across, turn—45 (50, 55) hdc.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until 21 (23, 25) rows complete; do not fasten off.

Side Panels

Right Panel

Row 1: Ch 4, tr in next 20 sts, turn—20 tr.

Row 2: Ch 2, hdc in each st across—20 hdc.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until 6 (8, 10) rows complete; fasten off.

Left Panel

With RS of Back Panel facing, skip 25 (30, 35) sts of Row 1; attach yarn.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 of Right Panel, until 6 (8, 10) rows complete; fasten off.

Border

With RS of Panels facing, join yarn to first st of Right Panel.

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in next 20 sts, ch 25, sc in each row end of Back Panel, ch 25, sc in next 20 sts of Left Panel, turn—61 (63, 65) sc, 2 ch-25 spaces.

Row 2: Ch 2, hdc in each st across, turn—111 (113, 115) hdc.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn—111 (113, 115) sc.

Row 4: Repeat Row 2.

Row 5: Repeat Row 3.

Fasten off.

Finishing

Weave in ends.

Fringe

Cut 5 pieces of yarn 20 in./51 cm for each fringe bundle. Evenly knot 1 bundle to each hdc row end of Border, and each tr row end from Back, Right, and Left Panels.

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This may look like a simple granny square, but the cold-shoulder style gives this top an ultramodern look!

SKILL LEVEL

Intermediate

SIZES/FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Small (Medium, Large)

Bust: 42 (46, 50) in./106.5 (117, 127) cm

Panel width: 21 (23, 25) in./53 (58, 63.5) cm

Panel height: 21 (23, 25) in./53 (58, 63.5) cm

YARN

Lion Brand Yarn Superwash Merino, light weight #3 yarn (100% superwash merino wool; 306 yd./280 m per 3.5 oz./100 g skein)

■3 (3, 4) skeins Charcoal 149

HOOK AND OTHER MATERIALS

■US size J-10 (6.0 mm) crochet hook

■Stitch markers

■Yarn needle

GAUGE

15 dc and 4 rows = 4 in./10 cm

Adjust hook size if necessary to obtain gauge.

NOTES

■Similar #3 weight yarns may be substituted; please check gauge.

■Pattern is constructed using two square panels and then seamed at the end.

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■ INSTRUCTIONS

Body Panel (make 2)

Make adjustable loop/ring.

Round 1: Ch 6 (counts as dc, ch-3 here and throughout), [dc, ch 1, dc, ch 3] 3 times in ring, dc in ring, ch 1, sl st to third ch of beginning ch-6 to join—8 dc, 4 corner ch-3 spaces, 4 ch-1 spaces.

Round 2: Sl st in next 2 ch, ch 6, dc in same space, [ch 1, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, dc in next dc, ch 1, (dc, ch 3, dc) in corner ch-3 space] 3 times, ch 1, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, dc in next dc, ch 1, sl st to third ch of beginning ch-6 to join—20 dc, 4 corner ch-3 spaces, 8 ch-1 spaces.

Round 3: Sl st in next 2 ch, ch 6, dc in same space, [ch 1, dc in next dc, dc in next ch-1 space, dc in each dc across side, dc in next ch-1 space, dc in next dc, ch 1, (dc, ch 3, dc) in corner ch-3 space] 3 times, ch 1, dc into next dc, dc into next ch-1 space, dc in each dc across side, dc into next ch-1 space, dc in next dc, ch 1, sl st to third ch of beginning ch-6 to join—36 dc, 4 corner ch-3 spaces, 8 ch-1 spaces.

Rounds 4–20 (22, 24): Repeat Round 3, each repeat of Round adds 16 dc to stitch count, but the 4 corner ch-3 spaces and 8 ch-1 spaces remain constant throughout.

Last Round: Sl st in next 2 ch, ch 6, dc in same space, *[ch 1, skip 1 st, dc into next] 40 (44, 48) times across side, ch 1, skip 1 st*, (dc, ch 3, dc) in corner ch-3 space; repeat from * around ending last repeat at *, sl st to third ch of beginning ch-6 to join—168 (184, 200, 216) dc, 176 (192, 208, 224) ch.

Fasten off.

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Seams

Small (Medium, Large)

(Seam instructions differ per size.)

With RS of Body Panel 1 facing, skip 13 dc on any side; attach yarn.

Right Seam

Row 1: Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch-1 here and throughout), skip 1 st, [dc in next, ch 1, skip 1 st] 18 times, dc into next st, turn—20 dc, 19 ch-1 spaces.

Row 2: Ch 4, skip 1 st, [dc in next, ch 1, skip 1 st] 18 times, dc into last st—20 dc, 19 ch-1 spaces.

Fasten off.

Left Seam

Repeat instructions from Right Seam.

Neck Seam

4 parts create cold-shoulder tabs.

Tab:

Row 1: Ch 4, skip 1 st, [dc in next, ch 1, skip 1 st] 2 times, dc into next st, turn—4 dc, 3 ch-1 spaces.

Row 2: Ch 4, skip