The Nova Crochet Ribbed Cardigan Free Pattern

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The Nova Crochet Ribbed Cardigan Free Pattern

Hi everyone, today I am bringing to you the Nova crochet ribbed cardigan (free pattern). This ribbed cardigan is a cozy yet structured piece designed with texture and shape in mind. Featuring beautifully tapered sleeves and a flattering vertical rib pattern, it combines comfort with a polished silhouette. Made using two different crochet hook sizes, the design achieves the perfect balance between soft drape and defined structure.

The video tutorial is available here:

The Nova Crochet Ribbed Cardigan Free Pattern: A Modern Crochet Project

There’s something timeless about a ribbed cardigan. The texture, the structure, the effortless drape — it’s the kind of piece you reach for again and again. Today I’m sharing one of my latest makes: a chunky ribbed cardigan with beautifully tapered sleeves and shape, created using two different crochet hook sizes for the perfect balance of structure and comfort.

This cardigan is all about texture. The ribbing gives it a modern, minimal look while adding stretch and depth to the fabric. Worked vertically, the ribs create a flattering silhouette that naturally hugs the body without feeling restrictive. The slightly oversized fit through the body contrasts with the more fitted, tapered sleeves, creating a balanced and polished shape. The open front keeps it versatile — easy to layer over a simple tee, a dress, or even loungewear.

I love crochet cardigans so much! Last year I crocheted the Cottage Cardigan, a project that I absolutely love until this day.

The Nova Crochet Ribbed Cardigan Free Pattern: A Tapered Design

Why Tapered Sleeves? Tapered sleeves make such a difference in a chunky cardigan. While oversized sleeves can sometimes feel bulky, a gentle taper toward the wrist creates a cleaner finish and a more intentional silhouette. They also make the cardigan more practical — no more sleeves dipping into your coffee or getting in the way while working!

One of the key techniques in this project was using two different crochet hook sizes. A larger hook was used for the body to create a softer drape and slightly looser ribbing. A smaller hook was used for the sleeves, cuffs and bottom of the cardigan to achieve a firmer structure and enhance the tapered effect. This subtle change in hook size helps shape the garment naturally without complicated decreases. It also adds durability to the cuffs, ensuring they hold their shape over time.

This pastel patchwork cardigan I made a few years ago is also a great classic crochet design. I love nothing more than a classic and feminine crochet cardigan, and this is also a great design to make.

The Nova Ribbed Cardigan Free Pattern: A Jeans Yarn Crochet Cardigan

The yarn choice plays a huge role in this design. A medium-to-bulky weight yarn enhances the ribbed texture, making every stitch stand out. The result is a cozy, sculptural fabric that feels substantial yet breathable. The soft blue tone adds a calm, modern touch — perfect for transitional seasons and easy to pair with neutrals.

For this project, I used Lion Brand Jeans yarn in shade Faded. This yarn is considered a medium 4 “aran” weight yarn, and it is such a joy to crochet with! I have personally always loved this yarn, and I really enjoyed working with it for this project. Indeed, I used this yarn for this hexagon cardigan that I made last year.

This ribbed cardigan works beautifully with:

High-waisted jeans and ankle boots
A simple white tee and tailored trousers
A midi dress for a cozy layered look
Soft knit trousers for elevated comfort

It’s the kind of handmade piece that elevates everyday outfits while still feeling relaxed and wearable.

This project reminded me how small technical choices — like hook size adjustments and sleeve shaping — can completely transform the final look of a garment. Texture, structure, and proportion truly make all the difference. I hope this inspires you to experiment with ribbing and shaping in your own crochet projects.

Connecting with you

I would like to take a moment to thank every single one of you, for supporting me and my crochet journey. Please do follow me on Social Media so we can connect. You can find me across all social media accounts under the name Selina Veronique Crochet.

You can follow me on TikTok, or join my Facebook group for example.

The Nova Crochet Ribbed Cardigan: The Pattern

You can purchase the ad free, large print, PDF pattern from my Etsy store: The Crochet Nova Ribbed Cardigan PDF Pattern

You can purchase the ad free, large print, PDF pattern from my Ravelry store: The Nova Crochet Ribbed Cardigan PDF Pattern

Level: Easy +

Notes

I will be using US terms (British terms in brackets).

Gauge

4” (10 cm): 15 stitches

4” (10 cm): 11 rows

Size of finished cardigan (including borders, excluding sleeves).

Measurements are given as follows: height x width

S: 20,5” (52 cm) x 21” (53 cm)

M: 22,5” (57 cm) x 23” (58,5 cm)

L: 24,5” (62,5 cm) x 25” (63,5 cm)

XL: 26,5” (67 cm) x 27” (69 cm)

XXL: 28,5” (72,5 cm) x 29” (74 cm)

XXXL: 30,5” (76,5 cm) x 31” (79 cm)

Materials

4 skeins of Lion Brand Jeans yarn in shade Faded (S) [5 skeins for sizes M/L, 6 skeins for sizes XL/XXL, 7 skeins for size XXXL]

You can substitute with any of your preferred 100% acrylic medium 4/aran yarn of your choice.

5,5 mm crochet hook

4 mm crochet hook

Pair of scissors

Tapestry needle

Stitch markers

Sewing pins (optional)

Abbreviations

Ch: Chain

Sl st: slip stitch

St: Stitch

Sk: skip

Sp: Space

HDC: Half Double Crochet (UK Half Double Treble)

BLO: Back loop only

EOR: End of row

General Pattern Notes

We will be using the two different hook sizes for this project as we go (more details below).

We will be crocheting different parts of this project before sewing the cardigan together.

You will be making the back and the 2 front panels, and then 2 identical sleeves before sewing your cardigan together.

Pattern written for size S, M written in ( ), L in [ ], XL in bold, XXL in cursive, XXXL in ().

Begin pattern here

Back panel

Chain 77 (84) [91] 98, 105 (112)

1: With 5,5 mm crochet hook, HDC in 3rd chain from the hook, HDC into each ch until end of row (first ch 2 counts as a HDC) until you reach stitch number 60; place stitch marker and switch to 4 mm crochet hook for the last chains.

2: Still with 4 mm crochet hook, ch 2 (=HDC), turn your work, HDC into second HDC from previous row BLO and each stitch across (BLO) until you reach stitch marker; at stitch marker, switch to 5,5 mm crochet hook until eor.

3–56 (60) [64] 68, 72 (76): Repeat row 2, switching your crochet hook every time you reach your stitch marker.

You should have 60 stitches crocheted with the 5,5 mm crochet hook, and the rest (bottom side of project) with the 4 mm crochet hook. This creates the shaping of the cardigan as we go.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Front panels (make 2)

Chain 77 (84) [91] 98, 105 (112)

3–28 (30) [32] 34, 36 (38): Repeat row 2, switching your crochet hook every time you reach your stitch marker.

You should have 60 stitches crocheted with the 5,5 mm crochet hook, and the rest (bottom side of project) with the 4 mm crochet hook. This creates the shaping of the cardigan as we go.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Sleeves (make 2)

Chain 73

3–44 (47) [50] 53, 56 (59): Repeat row 2, switching your crochet hook every time you reach your stitch marker.

You should have 60 stitches crocheted with the 5,5 mm crochet hook, and the rest (the cuff of the sleeve) with the 4 mm crochet hook. This creates the shaping of the cardigan as we go.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

To sew your cardigan together

With wrong side facing, place your sleeves flat and fold in half (make sure you fold them so that the rows are vertical, see photo).

With tapestry needle and yarn, sew your seam across so as to create your sleeves.

Now place your back and front panels as seen in photo below:

Once this is done, sew your sleeves onto each side of the cardigan. To do this, place your sleeve at the top of the cardigan on each side, so that the top of each sleeve joins the top of the body of the cardigan. Make sure the seams of your sleeves are facing down, and that the tapering of the sleeves are facing out.

Continue sewing cardigan

Now attach a piece of yarn to the top of the cardigan, where the top front panel is touching the sleeve; start sewing the sleeve and front panel together. Once you reach the bottom side of the sleeve, just carry on sewing the front and back panels together, without stopping. When you reach the bottom of the cardigan, fasten off.

Now turn your project around so as to sew in the back part of your sleeve to the back panel. Attach yarn at the top of shoulder, and sew both parts together. Once you reach the bottom of the sleeve, fasten off.

Repeat this process on the other side of the cardigan.

Fasten off, tidy up all loose ends.