Caramel Bobble Yoke Cardigan Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

The Caramel Bobble Yoke Cardigan is a cozy, open-front cardigan worked seamlessly from the neck down, so there is no seaming at the end. It is designed for anyone comfortable with double crochet who wants to try a single, satisfying row of bobbles as the only decoration. The chocolate brown body and sleeves feel soft and warm in DK acrylic, while one caramel bobble row across the upper chest and a caramel single-crochet edging give it a sweet, cottagecore look. It drapes straight and easy with long sleeves, making it a perfect throw-on layer for cool days.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: DK weight (3), 100% acrylic, 300 yds per 100 g skein.
  • Chocolate (MC): 4 skeins (about 1200 yds)
  • Caramel (CC): 1 skein (about 300 yds)
• Hook: 3.5 mm (US E/4) crochet hook
• Notions: stitch markers (4 for raglan lines), tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure
• Finished size: Women's Medium — bust 36–38 inches, length 24 inches, sleeve length 18 inches

Abbreviations

• ch — chain
• dc — double crochet
• sc — single crochet
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• yo — yarn over
• MC — main color (chocolate)
• CC — contrast color (caramel)
• bobble — a cluster stitch: [yo, insert hook in st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops] 3 times, yo, pull through all 4 loops on hook

Gauge

5 dc x 2.5 rows = 1 inch (2.5 cm). Work a small swatch in dc and measure a 4-inch section; if you have more stitches than 20 dc across 4 inches, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Place a stitch marker in each of the 4 raglan increase stitches after Row 2 so you never lose track of where the 2-dc increases go.
• Keep your chain-3 turning chains consistent in tension; they count as the first dc of each row, so do not work into the base of the turning chain.
• Work the bobbles loosely enough that they pop forward — pulling the loops too tight flattens them into the fabric.
• Try the yoke on as you go; the raglan increases should sit comfortably at the shoulder before you divide for the body and sleeves.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Yoke (MC)

Row 1: Ch 80, dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across (78 dc).

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next 11 sts (front), 2 dc in next st, dc in next 14 sts (sleeve), 2 dc in next st, dc in next 24 sts (back), 2 dc in next st, dc in next 14 sts (sleeve), 2 dc in next st, dc in last 12 sts (front) (86 dc).

Rows 3–8: Ch 3, dc in each st across, working 2 dc in each raglan increase st (2 dc in each marked st) (134 dc after Row 8).

Change to CC.

Row 9 (Bobble row): Ch 3, dc in each st across, but work bobbles as follows: *dc in next 3 sts, bobble in next st; rep from * to last 2 sts, dc in last 2 sts (33 bobbles).

Change to MC.

Rows 10–14: Ch 3, dc in each st across, continuing raglan increases (2 dc in each raglan st) (174 dc after Row 14).

Divide for Body and Sleeves

Row 15: Ch 3, dc in next 25 sts (front), skip next 36 sts (sleeve), ch 6, dc in next 50 sts (back), skip next 36 sts (sleeve), ch 6, dc in last 26 sts (front) (108 dc + 12 ch).

Body

Rows 16–40: Ch 3, dc in each st and ch across (120 dc). Fasten off.

Sleeves (make 2)

Join MC at underarm.

Rnd 1: Ch 3, dc in each st around sleeve opening (36 sts) and in each of 6 ch underarm (42 dc).

Rnds 2–20: Ch 3, dc in each st around (42 dc). Fasten off.

Edging

Join CC at right front corner.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around entire outer edge (fronts, neck, hem, cuffs), working 3 sc in each corner. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

There is no seaming — the cardigan is worked in one piece from the neck down, and the sleeves are worked directly into the armholes. Weave in all ends on the wrong side, threading them through a few stitches so they stay secure. Block lightly: mist the cardigan, shape it flat to the finished measurements (bust 36–38 inches, length 24 inches, sleeves 18 inches), and let it dry away from direct heat. Gently pat the bobble row into place while damp so the caramel bobbles sit proud of the fabric.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Add length: Work extra repeats of the Body rows before the edging for a longer, tunic-style cardigan — each extra row adds about 0.4 inch.
• Color swap: Make the body caramel and the bobble row chocolate for an inverted look, or use a self-striping DK for a subtle gradient yoke.
• Button it up: Add a simple button and a crochet chain loop at the top front edge, or work a second bobble row near the hem for extra texture.