Ever since I laid my eyes on Lion Brand Mandala Yarn I've wanted to get my hands on it. Unfortunately, almost as soon as it made its debut it was sold out! I have been waiting for months and I have finally found it! I have been able to purchase the yarn through Walmart, but for me, only online. I then had to have it shipped to the store. But I got it!! And hopefully you will too!
Because it has taken me so long to get this yarn, I have known for months what I wanted to make…. a cardigan! I have had this idea in my head for a while to create something that resembled colorblocking.
I thought this would be the perfect yarn because I knew I would not have to manually change colors every time I wanted to start a new "block" of color. I also knew that because the way the cardigan is constructed, the colors would not line up on the sides. But I actually LOVE that!
2 skeins of Lion Brand Mandala Yarn. If you choose to crochet the hood, you will need a third skein. The color in the photos is Pegasus.
NOTE: I chose to create an all white trim to go around the cardigan. The yarn I used is Lion Brand Baby Soft in White. It is a #3 weight yarn just like the Mandala Yarn. You can also use any comparable yarn.
The cardigan is very roomy. It is written for a size M/L. You will be able to close the cardigan when it is on.
To determine the WIDTH of your cardigan, simply measure from one hip to the next. This will determine how long to make your foundation chain. Note that your foundation chain must be in a multiple of 2.
To determine the LENGTH of your cardigan, simply add more rows when crocheting. Note that the cardigan falls below your rear end. See Pics.
For rows 11 thru 52 – Repeat rows 6 & 7 and 3 thru 5 respectively.
The pattern repeat is 2 rows of dc followed by 3 rows of X's.
The pattern repeat is the same as the BACK.
Next, measure approx. 8.5″ on each side from the top down. Place stitch marker on each side. Sew each side from the bottom all the way up to where the stitch marker is placed. This creates the armholes.
Attach yarn to opening of one of the armholes. Preferably underneath where armpit will be.
Ch.1 and sc all the way around the opening of the armhole. Join to first sc. I ended up with 45 sc's. If you have a different stitch count, that's fine. Make sure your stitch count is an ODD number.
Repeat rounds 1 thru 31 for other sleeve.
Lay cardigan upside down with front side facing you. Attach yarn to one side of the top. SEE PIC BELOW.
Next, fold hood in half lengthwise and sew top with mattress stitch.
With right side of cardigan facing you, attach yarn to bottom of one of the sides of the opening.
Row 1 – Ch 3 and dc all the way around the opening (hood included). For the trim, the stitch count does not matter. For reference, my stitch count is 260 dc's.
Row 2 – Ch. 3 turn, dc in first st and each stitch all the way around. For last st, dc in top of ch.3 of previous round.
Bind off. Weave in all ends!
Wow! This is a beautiful cardigan. Thank you so much for sharing your pattern and your talent.
Thank you so much for your sweet words! I'm so glad you like the pattern!
Round 11 on the sleeve. Can you tell me how to decrease if I have 65 stitches?
I would decrease by four stitches to end up with 61. Try to space out your decreases so it appears smaller all around.
Wow . . . I have been searching for a cardigan pattern like this for what seems like forever. Thank you for being a blessing and posting this!
I'm so happy you found the pattern! Thank you for your kind words!
Found this cardigan on Pinterest, it's fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing. I think the pattern is so strong it'd look great in a single colour, tweed or variegated yarn. Have pinned, cardi is now on my to do list, and am now following your Pins 🙂 happy crocheting!
How do you go back and dc in the skipped st. I'm a visual person.
Can this pattern be made with Caron Cakes?
For row 3 your are skipping every other stitch and crocheting a dc. You then go back and dc in the skipped stitch. So basically you are creating what looks like an "X" with dc's. You can make this cardigan with Caron Cakes but it will be bigger. The Mandala yarn is #3 weight yarn and the Caron Cakes is a worsted weight #4 yarn. Hope that helps!
I am interested in making it..how would I go about making it in a size 2x?
There are instructions in the blog post that you can view to determine the sizing.
Ok..thank you..I didn't see it when I read through.I'll look again.
Hi I just found this cardigan and love it. Can't wait to try it. I am a little confused about how to tell the right from wrong side of pattern, but my main question is on the seaming of the back and side panels it says to lay back wrong side facing you and the side panels wrong side facing you and to start at shoulder seams. But this isn't clear to me. Wrong side facing up on both????
I'm so glad you like the pattern. The right side is always facing you when the tail where you started is at the bottom left. Yes, wrong side facing up on both when competing the seam. You will then turn it right side out when finished. This is so you have a cleaner seam showing on the right side. Let me know if you have any more questions!
I don't see any dimentions to test for proper gauge…I'm using another #3 yarn…could you tell me how many stitches I should have in a 4" square?
I wish I would have tested this with a gauge swatch first but all is going well-thankfully!! Thank you for this great pattern- Im doing the Off the Shoulder top next & just ordered my Jelly Bean yarn! Cannot wait!
Hi! I love the pattern! I couldn't find the mandala yarn but reading your post has introduced me to the other "cakes out there! I found another that has colors I love!
Question: I've completed the chain 84 and then first row of dc. When dc across for the next row, should I use back loop only, or both loops? This may make me sound incredibly novice lol but I never really know the standard if not specified. Thanks!!
Love the pattern, thank you so much for sharing! I have been looking for a great pattern to use my Mandala yarn, yours is it. Purchased it in 6 different colors, the hard part to choose which to use! I plan to make 2, one with the full length sleeves and one with 3/4 sleeves. Thanks again.
I so glad you like the pattern! I just love the Mandala yarn. It is definitely one of my favorite yarns. I'm sure your cardigans will turn out awesome!
For a size smaller how many stitches less should I make each piece? Beautiful pattern!
Thanks so much! One more question, should the pieces end with the 2 rows of dc or the 3 rows of x's?
Hi Anna. I plan on making this sweater for my daughter who likes solid colors. I would prefer the mandala myself but this is for her. I was wondering if you knew how many yards of yarn it took? I've got 4 skeins of brown Caron yarn which are over 300 yards each. Would it be enough? Thanks so much for sharing your pattern!
It depends on the weight of the Caron yarn you have. Is it a #4 yarn? The mandala is a #3 yarn.
If you make a size Medium then you should have enough. I used roughly 1,200 yards. Each Mandala cake is 540 yds and I used 2 plus about a 1/3 of the third cake.
Thank you so much. Starting on it today. Than you again for a beautiful pattern!
Thanks for your beautiful pattern, Mary! Would you please give the measurements of your upper arms/biceps? Then I will know if your pattern needs adjusting to fit the correct size for mine, thanks!
As long as it's a #3 weight, it should work great!
I just found your blog today by this pattern. This sweater is what I have been looking for!!!!! I have 2 cakes of Mandala, and wanted to make a sweater. Needless to say, this sweater PERFECTLY fits the bill. Can't wait to make it. I'm a Christian as well, and so I really feel a nice connection to this blog.