This Tanjiro inspired crochet cardigan is built from simple half double crochet squares that are arranged into bold checkered panels, then joined to create a wearable cardigan with a clean shape and cozy fit.
Crochet Tanjiro Checkered Cardigan
Because the design is modular, it is easy to adjust the size by adding or removing squares, and it is also easy to control the length of the body and sleeves without rewriting the whole pattern. The cardigan is finished with classic ribbing at the cuffs and bottom hem, plus a front border with buttonholes, making it practical for everyday wear while still capturing that unmistakable Demon Slayer style.
Materials
- Yarn in turquoise and black
- Crochet hook that matches your yarn for half double crochet fabric
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Stitch markers or scrap yarn markers
- Buttons for the front opening
Abbreviations and Notes
- CH means chain
- SC means single crochet
- HDC means half double crochet
- SL ST means slip stitch
- BLO means back loop only
- The cardigan is made from squares that measure 8 cm wide and 7 cm tall in size S M
- Gauge is not required, but your squares must match the target square size so the panel measurements work
- Color changes create the checkered effect, so keep yarn tails long enough to weave in securely
- All steps are written as single bullet points, with no sub bullet points
Finished Size and Key Measurements Size S M
- Total circumference is about 108 cm
- Each square is 8 cm wide by 7 cm tall
- Front panels are 3 columns wide and 5 squares tall
- Back panel is 7 columns wide and 5 squares tall
- Sleeves are 5 columns wide and 5 squares long
- Armhole opening is about 18 cm
How the Checkered Layout Works
- The pattern uses turquoise and black squares placed in an alternating arrangement to form a checkerboard look
- You can make solid color squares and join them in an alternating layout or change color while making squares if you prefer fewer seams
- Keep both front panels mirrored so the checkered look stays balanced when worn
Make the Crochet Squares
Square Pattern Size S M
- Start with the first color and chain 17 or chain until the length measures 8 cm
- Work HDC in the second chain from the hook and continue HDC across to the end
- Chain 1 and turn
- Work HDC across the row
- Repeat HDC rows until the square measures 7 cm tall
- Fasten off and leave a joining tail
- Make additional squares in both colors so you can arrange the checkered layout
Square Count for Size S M
- Make 30 squares total for both front panels combined because each front panel uses 3 columns by 5 squares which equals 15 squares per front panel
- Make 35 squares for the back panel because it uses 7 columns by 5 squares
- Make 25 squares for each sleeve because each sleeve uses 5 columns by 5 squares
- Make 115 squares total for the full cardigan in size S M if you make sleeves as full checkered square panels
Build the Body Panels
Front Panel Left Make 1
- Arrange 15 squares into 3 columns and 5 rows in a checkered layout
- Join squares within each column first using SC through both layers to create a vertical strip that is 5 squares tall
- Make 3 vertical strips total for the front panel
- Join the 3 vertical strips side by side using SC through both layers to form the full front panel
- Weave in ends as you go to keep the inside neat
Front Panel Right Make 1
- Arrange 15 squares into 3 columns and 5 rows in the mirrored checkered layout
- Join squares within each column using SC through both layers to create a vertical strip
- Make 3 vertical strips total
- Join the 3 strips side by side using SC through both layers to form the second front panel
- Weave in ends as you go
Back Panel Make 1
- Arrange 35 squares into 7 columns and 5 rows in a checkered layout
- Join squares within each column first using SC through both layers to create 7 vertical strips
- Join the 7 vertical strips side by side using SC through both layers to form the full back panel
- Weave in ends as you go
Join the Body Panels at the Shoulders and Sides
The Shoulders
- Place the back panel flat with the right side facing up
- Place the two front panels on top of the back panel aligned at the top edge
- Join the top 3 squares of the left front panel to the left side of the back panel using SC through both layers
- Join the top 3 squares of the right front panel to the right side of the back panel using SC through both layers
- Leave the center top squares unjoined to create the neck opening
Join the Side Seams
- With panels still aligned, fold the cardigan so front panels meet the back panel at the sides
- Join each side seam using SC through both layers from the bottom edge upward
- Stop joining when the remaining opening measures about 18 cm for the armhole
Make and Attach the Sleeves
Sleeve Panel Make 2
- Arrange 25 squares into 5 columns and 5 rows in a checkered layout
- Join squares into vertical strips using SC through both layers until each strip is 5 squares tall
- Join the 5 strips side by side using SC through both layers to create the full sleeve panel
- Repeat to make the second sleeve panel
Form the Sleeve Tubes
- Fold one sleeve panel in half so the long edges meet
- Join the long edge using SC through both layers to create a tube
- Repeat for the second sleeve
Attach Sleeves to the Body
- Turn the body inside out or keep it flat with the armhole opening accessible
- Match the sleeve seam to the underarm point of the body opening
- Join the sleeve to the armhole using SC through both layers all the way around
- Repeat for the second sleeve
Ribbing for Cuffs
Cuff Ribbing Make 2
- Join yarn at the sleeve cuff edge
- Chain 17 to create a ribbing strip about 6 to 7 cm wide
- Work SC in the second chain from the hook and SC across
- Chain 1 and turn
- Work SC in BLO across the row
- Repeat BLO rows until the ribbing wraps comfortably around the wrist
- Join the short ends of the ribbing together to form a loop using SC or slip stitches
- Attach the ribbing to the sleeve edge using SC evenly around
- Repeat for the second cuff
Bottom Hem Ribbing
Hem Ribbing Attach As You Go
- Join yarn at the bottom corner of the cardigan
- Chain 17
- Work SC in the second chain from the hook and SC across
- Slip stitch into the next stitch on the cardigan bottom edge to anchor the ribbing
- Slip stitch into the following stitch on the cardigan bottom edge
- Turn the work
- Work SC in BLO back across the ribbing strip
- Chain 1 and turn
- Work SC in BLO across the ribbing strip again
- Slip stitch into the next two stitches on the cardigan bottom edge
- Repeat the attach as you go ribbing until you reach the starting corner
- Join the ribbing ends neatly using SC or slip stitches
Front Border and Neckline Border
Border Setup
- Join yarn at the bottom of one front opening edge
- Work HDC evenly up the front edge
- Continue HDC evenly around the neckline
- Continue HDC evenly down the other front edge to the bottom
- Chain 1 and turn
For Border Row 2 With Buttonholes on Right Side
- Work HDC across the border edge
- At the first button placement point chain 2 and skip 2 stitches then continue HDC
- Repeat for the remaining button placements so you have 3 buttonholes total
- Chain 1 and turn
Border Row 3 Secure the Buttonholes
- Work HDC across the border
- Work HDC into each chain space where you made chain 2 buttonholes
- Continue HDC evenly to the end
- Fasten off and weave in ends
Finishing
- Weave in all remaining ends securely on the inside of the cardigan
- Sew buttons onto the opposite border aligned with the buttonholes
- Block the cardigan lightly to help squares relax and seams settle
- Try on and adjust button placement if needed for best fit
Sizing Adjustments Using Squares
- To make it wider add one full column of squares to each front panel and the back panel
- To make it longer add one full row of squares to the bottom of the panels
- To make sleeves longer add one full row of squares to the sleeve length
- To make sleeves wider add one full column of squares to the sleeve circumference
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