Market Day Cardigan Pattern (Part 3)

The Market Day Cardigan is an easy and interesting sleeveless cardigan or oversized open-front vest! This crochet topper features a fun granny square construction and includes sizes XS to 5X. In this post, get Part 3 of this free crochet pattern, where we add the collar and hem!

Here in Part 3 is where the magic of this design happens – it transforms from “squares” to a wearable piece! We’ll learn how to crochet in the front and back loop only, and how to make one of my favorite styles of crochet ribbing.

Materials & Sizing

Yarn: 4(5, 6) skeins Red Heart All In One Granny Square Yarn (#4 Medium; 100% acrylic; 250g / 8.8 oz, 381 m/417 yds). Colorway shown: Aran-Cream.
Hook: US-H, 5.0 mm crochet hook
Other: Stitch Markers
Gauge: One granny square measures 6″ x 6″

Sizes (Bust Measurement)

XS/S/M: 28 – 39″ bust
L/XL/2XL: 40 – 51″ bust (shown)
3XL/4XL/5XL: 52 – 62″ bust

Notes on Adjusting Length

For a longer-length sweater: Add squares to the top two rows along the sides, and to the bottom of the bottom row of squares. Be sure to add as many columns of squares to the top sides as you add rows of squares to the bottom. Remember that each column/row adds 6 inches of length. The collar instructions do not need to be changed, but you may wish to add seaming along the sides – be sure to leave the top 2 sets of squares at the top unsewn for an armhole.

Part 3 Instructions: Collar and Hem

Continuing with the active loop from Part 2…

Make the Shawl Collar (worked along the longest, top edge)

Row 1: Ch 13, skip the ch closest to the hook, BLO sc in each rem ch across, slst2tog in the next 2 sts of edging; turn. (12 sc)
Row 2: Skip slst2tog, blo sc in each st across; turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, blo sc in each st across, slst2tog in the next 2 sts of edging; turn.
Repeat Rows 2 and 3 to first marked stitch, rep Row 2 once more.
Row 1: Ch 1, 2 blo sc in first st, blo sc in each rem st across, slst2tog in the next 2 sts of edging; turn. (13 sc)
Row 2: Skip slst2tog, blo sc in each st across; turn.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until st count is 26 sc.
Row 1: Ch 1, blo sc in each st across, slst2tog in the next 2 sts of edging; turn. (26 sc)
Row 2: Skip slst2tog, blo sc in each st across; turn.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 to second marked stitch, rep Row 2 once more if needed.
Row 1: Ch 1, blo sc2tog in first 2 sts, blo sc in each rem st across, slst2tog in the next 2 sts of edging; turn. (25 sc)
Row 2: Skip slst2tog, blo sc in each st across; turn.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until st count is 12 sc.
Row 1: Ch 1, blo sc in each st across, slst2tog in the next 2 sts of edging; turn. (12 sc)
Row 2: Skip slst2tog, blo sc in each st across; turn.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 to next corner at top of piece, ending on a Row 2 rep. Do not break yarn.

This is your last chance to block this sweater laid flat. It is optional but recommended.

Make the Bottom Hem (turning the flat piece into a garment)

This section will be worked in rows. The first, or “connecting” row is worked across the last row of the collar, the side of the top two rows, the bottom of the bottom row, the opposite side of the top two rows, and finally across the first row of the collar.

Row 1: Ch 1, blo sc across the last row of the collar, blo sc across ch sp and side of next 2 squares, blo sc across the bottom of the bottom 5(6, 7) squares, blo sc across sides of top 2 squares on final side, blo sc across Row 1 of the Collar; turn.
Rows 2 – 13: Ch 1, blo sc in each st across; turn. After Row 13 (or desired hem length), break yarn and finish off.