Mismatched Color Block Crochet Cardigan Pattern

This mismatched color block crochet cardigan is such a fun project if you love colorful handmade clothing with a little personality.

The cardigan combines denim blue, burnt orange, light grey, mustard gold, silver grey, and cream in different arrangements across the front, back, and sleeves. The two sides are intentionally different, while the balloon-style sleeves, deep V-neck, ribbed trims, and colorful buttons bring everything together.

It has a relaxed fit that makes it perfect for layering through fall and winter, and the pattern includes five sizes from S to 2X.

Pattern General Information

Detail	Information
Pattern	Mismatched Color Block Crochet Cardigan
Skill Level	Intermediate
Sizes	S (M: L: XL: 2X)
To Fit Bust	81–86 (91–97: 102–107: 112–117: 122–127) cm
Finished Bust	100 (110: 120: 130: 140) cm
Finished Length	56 (56: 58: 58: 60) cm
Sleeve Length	46 cm for all sizes
Yarn Weight	DK
Hooks	4 mm and 5 mm
Estimated Time	30–45 hours
Construction	Separate pieces joined at the end

The cardigan is worked as a back, two front panels, two sleeves, front trims, and back neck trim before everything is sewn together.

Materials

You will need DK-weight yarn in six colors:

Yarn A: Burnt Orange
Yarn B: Denim Blue
Yarn C: Light Grey
Yarn D: Mustard Gold
Yarn E: Silver Grey
Yarn F: Cream

Yarn quantities by size:

Yarn	S	M	L	XL	2X
Burnt Orange	2	2	2	3	3
Denim Blue	2	2	2	2	2
Light Grey	2	2	2	3	3
Mustard Gold	1	1	2	2	2
Silver Grey	1	1	1	2	2
Cream	1	1	1	1	2

You will also need:

4 mm crochet hook
5 mm crochet hook
5 buttons
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Measuring tape

Make It in Your Own Colors

You do not have to use the same six colors.

This cardigan would also look beautiful in neutrals, pastels, autumn shades, or even different tones of one color.

If you change the palette, keep the yarn weight consistent and continue using the A–F labels so it is easy to follow the color changes throughout the pattern.

Gauge

Using the 4 mm hook:

16 stitches × 10 rows = 10 × 10 cm / 4 × 4 in

Work your gauge swatch in treble crochet.

Because this is a wearable project, checking your gauge before starting will help keep the finished cardigan close to the intended size.

Abbreviations

This pattern uses UK crochet terminology.

ch – chain
dc – double crochet
tr – treble crochet
dtr – double treble crochet
ss – slip stitch
dc2tog – double crochet 2 together
tr2tog – treble crochet 2 together
FPtr – front-post treble
BPtr – back-post treble
FPdtr – front-post double treble
BPdtr – back-post double treble
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
st / sts – stitch / stitches
rep – repeat

Interlocking Stitch Pattern

The colorful middle section uses a two-row interlocking stitch repeat.

Pattern Row 1

Ch 5, skip 2 sts.

Repeat:

tr in next 2 sts, ch 2, skip 2 sts

Work the trebles over the chain spaces and into the stitches two rows below.

Continue to the final 3 stitches, ch 2, tr in the last stitch, then turn.

Pattern Row 2

Ch 3.

Repeat:

tr in next 2 sts, ch 2, skip 2 sts

Continue across, working into the appropriate stitches two rows below.

This two-row repeat creates the little blocks of contrasting color that run across the cardigan and sleeves.

Piece 1: Back

Using the 4 mm hook and Yarn A, chain:

83 (91: 99: 107: 115)

Row 1

Tr in the third chain from the hook and in each chain across.

You should have:

81 (89: 97: 105: 113) sts

Rows 2–6

Work alternating front-post and back-post treble stitches to create the ribbed lower edge.

Row 7

Ch 1, dc2tog, then dc across.

You should have:

80 (88: 96: 104: 112) sts

Change to Yarn B and continue the upper section.

When you reach the patterned portion, change to the 5 mm hook and begin the interlocking stitch pattern.

Continue through the different color sections using cream, gold, silver grey, denim, burnt orange, and light grey.

After finishing the colorwork, return to the 4 mm hook and continue in treble crochet.

Shape both shoulders gradually at the top.

Piece 2: Right Front

Using the 4 mm hook and Yarn C, chain:

39 (43: 47: 51: 55)

Row 1

Tr in the third chain from the hook and across.

You should have:

37 (41: 45: 49: 53) sts

Work the lower ribbing, then change to Yarn B.

Continue in treble crochet before switching to the 5 mm hook for the interlocking colorwork section.

The right front moves through its own combination of cream, grey, blue, orange, and gold.

Near the upper section, begin decreasing along the front edge to create the V-neckline.

Continue until the shoulder is shaped to match the back.

Piece 3: Left Front

Using the 4 mm hook and Yarn B, chain:

39 (43: 47: 51: 55)

Row 1

Tr in the third chain from the hook and across.

You should have:

37 (41: 45: 49: 53) sts

Work the lower ribbing before changing to Yarn E.

Continue the solid section, then change to the 5 mm hook for the interlocking stitch pattern.

The left front uses a different color arrangement from the right side, which creates the cardigan’s signature mismatched effect.

Shape the V-neckline gradually and finish the shoulder.

Piece 4: Left Front Trim

With the right side facing and the 4 mm hook, join Yarn B at the upper edge of the left front.

Work evenly down the shaped front edge.

The trim uses alternating front-post and back-post stitches to create the thick ribbed band.

A taller row of double treble post stitches creates natural openings that will later be used as buttonholes.

Continue until the front trim has 6 rows.

Fasten off.

Piece 5: Right Front Trim

Using the 4 mm hook and Yarn A, join the yarn at the lower edge of the right front.

Work evenly up the front edge.

Continue with the same ribbed post-stitch pattern used for the left front trim.

Complete 6 rows, then fasten off.

This bright orange band is where the five buttons will be sewn during finishing.

Piece 6: Back Neck Trim

Using the 4 mm hook and Yarn D, join the yarn across the back neckline.

Row 1

Ch 1.

Work:

2 dc in the first stitch, dc across

You should have:

29 (29: 29: 31: 31) sts

Continue with the same ribbed stitch pattern used for the front trims until the neck edging is complete.

Fasten off.

Piece 7: Right Sleeve

Using the 4 mm hook and Yarn E, chain:

37 (39: 41: 43: 45)

Row 1

Tr in the third chain from the hook and across.

You should have:

35 (37: 39: 41: 43) sts

Rows 2–6

Work the ribbed cuff using alternating front-post and back-post trebles.

Change to Yarn A.

Row 7

Dc across.

Row 8

Increase strongly across the row by working 2 trebles into the stitches.

You should have:

70 (74: 78: 82: 86) sts

Row 9

Increase again at the beginning and end.

You should have:

72 (76: 80: 84: 88) sts

This sudden increase creates the gathered balloon shape above the fitted cuff.

Continue in treble crochet, then switch to the 5 mm hook for the multicolor interlocking section.

Finish the upper sleeve with the 4 mm hook.

Piece 8: Left Sleeve

Work the first six rows as for the right sleeve using Yarn E.

Change to Yarn B for the next section.

Increase to:

72 (76: 80: 84: 88) sts

Continue with the interlocking stitch pattern using the second sleeve’s color arrangement.

The two sleeves use the same general construction but different color placement, keeping the cardigan coordinated without making both sides identical.

Finish the final rows with Yarn C and the 4 mm hook.

Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Once all of the cardigan pieces are complete, lay everything flat before sewing.

Start with the shoulders.

With the wrong sides facing, join the shoulder seams using mattress stitch.
Join the back neck edging neatly between the two front sections.
Position each sleeve evenly inside its armhole.
Sew the sleeves into place using mattress stitch.
Join the sleeve seams.
Continue down both side seams.
Weave in the remaining yarn ends.

Take your time around the sleeve heads so the extra fullness is distributed evenly.

Adding the Buttons

Place five buttons evenly down the right front trim.

Before sewing them permanently, close the cardigan and make sure each button lines up with an opening in the opposite band.

To sew each button:

Mark the position with a pin.
Secure the yarn on the wrong side.
Bring the needle through the fabric and button.
Pass through several times to secure it.
Wrap the yarn beneath the button a couple of times to create a small shank.
Take the yarn to the back and weave in securely.

Using different button colors is a fun way to continue the mismatched design.

Blocking

Finish by gently blocking the cardigan to the measurements for your chosen size.

Shape the:

Front bands
V-neck
Ribbed hem
Cuffs
Sleeves

Allow everything to dry completely before wearing.

Final Thoughts

This mismatched color block crochet cardigan is one of those projects where the different details work together beautifully.

The blue and grey upper sections, orange front band, colorful interlocking stitches, balloon sleeves, chunky ribbing, and mismatched buttons give the cardigan a playful handmade personality.

You can recreate the colorful version or choose six completely different shades to make the design your own.

Once the pieces are assembled and blocked, you end up with a cozy statement cardigan that looks detailed, colorful, and wonderfully unique.