A colorful, modern take on the classic granny square cardigan.

This vibrant granny square crochet cardigan brings retro charm into a fresh, wearable design. Built from bold, multicolored squares, this cardigan is perfect for crocheters who love color-play and modular projects. The pattern includes small granny squares, one large square for each sleeve, and a clean striped border that pulls the whole piece together.

If you’re searching for a granny square cardigan pattern, colorful crochet jacket, or easy modular crochet garment, this pattern fits beautifully into your handmade wardrobe. Customize your colors, adjust sizing, and enjoy the meditative rhythm of building each square—one by one.

Materials

• Yarn (Lana Grossa “Principessa” or similar substitute)
  • 225 g main color
  • 75 g color 1
  • 75 g color 2
  • 75 g color 3
  • 50 g color 4
  • 50 g color 5
• Hooks: 5.0 mm and 6.0 mm
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors

Gauge

• Small square: 13.5 × 13.5 cm
• Large square: 28 × 28 cm
• Basic pattern w/ 5 mm hook: 16 sts × 16 rows = 10 × 10 cm
• Basic pattern w/ 6 mm hook: 13 sts × 6.5 rows = 10 × 10 cm

Pattern Notes

• Cardigan is worked from granny squares. Back and fronts are crocheted in one piece until armholes, then separated.
• Sleeves are formed from one large square + side gussets.
• Join squares using slip stitches in Jeans color.
• Always crochet Round 4 of each small square in Jeans.
• “3 dc in one space” = 1 dc group.

Small Granny Square (Hook 6 mm)

Follow Chart 1 in rounds.

1. Foundation: Ch 5, join with sl st to form a ring.
2. Rounds 1–4:
   • Begin each round with the number of turning chains shown in the chart.
   • End each round with a sl st into the last beginning chain.
   • Move to the next round’s starting point with 2 sl sts, changing color on the second slip stitch.
   • Corners: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the corner space.

Large Square for Sleeves (Hook 6 mm)

Work as small square for the first 4 rounds, then continue:

• Work 5 additional rounds, continuing the same stitch logic.
• Total: 9 rounds.
• Make two large squares (one per sleeve).

Basic Stitch Pattern (Stripe Sections) – Hook 5 mm

• Multiple of 4 + 1
• Follow Chart 2.
• First row: dc groups placed offset from the last round of the square.
• Continue pattern logically.

Back + Front (worked as one)

1. Arrange the 36 small squares according to layout (as per the original diagram).
2. Join squares with slip stitches in Jeans.
3. Leave armhole openings:
   • 20–25 cm open after the first square row
   • 20–25 cm open before the last square row
4. Join shoulder seams:
   • Attach the outer squares of the front to the corresponding back squares using sl st (Jeans).

Sleeves

1. Use the large square as the main sleeve body.
   • Side 1 = top of sleeve
   • Sides 2 & 4 = gusset edges
   • Side 3 = underarm
2. Gussets:
   • Along sides 2 & 4, crochet 6 cm (4 rows) in basic pattern (Jeans).
3. Underarm + Length:
   • Along the bottom edge + both gusset edges:
     • Crochet basic pattern in stripe sequence.
     • Shape sleeve by decreasing evenly: over next 12 rows, reduce 6 cm on each side.
   • Continue until total crocheted length from join = 18.5 cm (12 rows).
4. Finish with 1 row sc in Jeans.

Finishing

Front & Neckband

1. With hook 5 mm, work the entire front opening + back neckline in the basic stitch pattern, following the stripe sequence.
2. Continue for 12 cm.
3. Finish with 1 row sc in Jeans, placing 3 sc in each lower front corner.

Assembly

• Sew sleeve seams.
• Insert sleeves into armholes.
• Weave in all ends.