Perfect Crochet Strawberry Cardigan Pattern Free With Edging Techniques

If you've been working on a crochet strawberry cardigan, you'll know that the finishing touches can truly elevate the piece. This step-by-step guide walks you through completing your cardigan with techniques that add both structure and style.

Crochet Strawberry Cardigan

From creating a ribbed bottom edging that cinches the fabric for a neat fit, to shaping the neckline and front placket for a polished finish, this tutorial covers all the essential details. Whether you're adding buttonholes or working the sleeves in the round, each step is designed to be simple and effective, ensuring your Crochet Strawberry Cardigan fits beautifully and looks as good as it feels.

Bottom Edging (Ribbing)

The goal is to create a tight, ribbed edge at the bottom of the cardigan, skipping the chain-one spaces to cinch the fabric slightly.

Starting Position: Ensure you have left approximately 3-4 cm of the desired total length for this edging.
Your last row of the main body should not have any strawberries.

Row 1 (Right Side Facing):

Chain two (counts as a Half Double Crochet - HDC).
Work the pattern: Front Post Double Crochet (FPDC) around the first double crochet, then Half Double Crochet (HDC) into the next stitch.
Repeat the sequence: FPDC, HDC, FPDC, HDC... all the way across.
Skip the chain-one spaces completely.
Finish with a post stitch (FPDC) followed by a HDC into the final chain-two space.

Row 2 (Turning):

Chain two and turn.
Work the opposite post stitch over the posts from the previous row: Back Post Double Crochet (BPDC) around the post stitch, then HDC into the next stitch.
Repeat the sequence: BPDC, HDC, BPDC, HDC...
Repeat: Continue alternating rows of FPDC/HDC and BPDC/HDC until you reach the desired edging length (The video suggests four rows).

Neckline Edging

Use a smaller hook (e.g., 3.5 mm) if the neckline is too wide (>15 cm) to help it close in.

Row 1 (Foundation):

Attach yarn on the right-hand side (top).
Chain two and turn.
Create a foundation row of double crochets (DC) all the way around the neck: Two DC into each main loop, and One DC in between the loops.
Finish with a half double crochet at the edge.

Row 2 (Ribbing):

Chain two to start.
Work the ribbing pattern: Front Post Double Crochet (FPDC) around the first stitch, then Half Double Crochet (HDC) into the next stitch.
Repeat: FPDC, HDC... all the way around.
Finish with a FPDC and a HDC into the chain two.
Repeat: Add another row if needed to narrow the neckline to the target width (approx. 14-15 cm).

Front Edging (Button Placket)

Side with NO Buttonholes (Right-Hand Side)

Row 1 (SC): Attach yarn at the bottom edge. Chain one and work Single Crochets (SC) evenly up the side. Aim for approximately three SC over the side of every two rows of the main body fabric. Crucially, count your total stitches for matching the other side later.
Row 2 & 3 (SC): Chain one, turn, and make one SC into each stitch for two more rows.
Finish the last stitch of the third row with a slip stitch.

Side with Buttonholes (Left-Hand Side)

Row 1 (SC): Attach yarn at the top edge.
Chain one and make the exact same number of Single Crochets evenly down the side to match the opposite edge.

Row 2 (Buttonholes):

Mark the button positions (top, bottom, and spaced evenly in the middle).
Chain one and turn.
SC to the first marked position.
Make Buttonhole: Chain two, skip one stitch, and SC into the next stitch.
(If you need a bigger hole, skip two stitches).
Continue SC until the next marked position and repeat the buttonhole.

Row 3 (Finishing):

Chain one and turn.
SC to the chain-two space. Make only one SC into the chain-two space (this SC is over the skipped stitch below to keep the stitch count even).
Continue SC until the end of the row.

Sleeves

This pattern is worked in the round, using turning rows to maintain the original fabric pattern.

Decrease/Closing Gap:

Attach yarn at the bottom center of the armhole.
Chain two.
Close the corner gap by making a Slip Stitch through the two chain-one spaces right above the double crochets on the front and back of the cardigan (This decreases stitches and closes the underarm gap).

Sleeve Pattern (Main Body):

Repeat Row 1 (Turning Round): Chain two and turn. Make a double crochet next to the chain two.
Chain one. Continue the pattern: Three Double Crochets into each chain-one space, Chain one.
Finish with a double crochet before the starting chain two, then slip stitch to join.
Repeat Row 2 (Non-Turning Round): Chain two. Do NOT turn.
Go straight into the next chain-one space and make Three Double Crochets.
Chain one, and continue the pattern. Slip stitch under the starting chain two to join.
Continue alternating Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until you are about 4-5 cm from the final sleeve length.

Pre-Edging Row (Optional):

In the final row before the decrease, stop making the "Chain one" spaces between the three double crochets to tighten the fabric.

Final Decrease (Before Ribbing):

Chain one.
Single Crochet (SC) Decrease: SC into the next four stitches, then skip one stitch.
Repeat: SC 4, Skip 1 all the way around.
Slip stitch to join.

Sleeve Ribbing (Arm Cuff):

Row 1 (Foundation): Chain two and turn. Make one Double Crochet into each stitch all the way around. Slip stitch to join.
Row 2 (Ribbing): Chain two. FPDC around the next stitch, then HDC into the next stitch. Repeat: FPDC, HDC... all the way around.
Skip the very last stitch if the count is uneven. Slip stitch to join.
Row 3 (Ribbing): Chain two and turn.
Work the opposite: BPDC around the next post stitch, then HDC into the next stitch.
Continue alternating FPDC/HDC and BPDC/HDC rows until the cuff is the desired length (e.g., 22-23 cm total sleeve length).