Navajo Inspired Blanket Cardigan | Free Crochet Pattern | Beginner Friendly

The Navajo Blanket Cardigan is a beginner-friendly crochet pattern created using basic stitches, the single crochet & double crochet. This pattern is written as a plus-size but has instructions for making it smaller within the pattern.

The Crochet Inspiration

The inspiration for this pattern was to challenge me and to create a cozy warm PLUS sized cardigan that looked kinda hippy but could also dress up nice too. You can modify this to a smaller size, and those instructions are below.

The Navajo style blankets are beautiful and even though this doesn’t have traditional Navajo patterns, my friend Crystal of The Crocheted Baby & Crochet-A-Memory said it reminded her of a Navajo blanket, so I said Yes!  Hence, the name ;). Crystal is a member of the Chocktaw Nation too, so that makes me feel a little better.

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Would you like the PDF? If you purchase from me, on my website, you have permanent access, like Ravelry and Etsy purchases, except we are cutting out the middle man! If you prefer to add them to your Ravelry or Etsy libraries, that is okay too. Please see links below for PDF’s

Let’s get started!

Navajo Inspired Blanket Cardigan

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+ Skill Level

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Beginner to Easy – this pattern contains only basic stitches. Piecing it together is easy and there is a full-color photo tutorial to help you.

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Materials:

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• Suggested Yarn: All colors in pictured blanket poncho are Yarn Bee Soft Secret (6oz/170g – 300 yds/275m)
• Suggested Colors: C1 – Ivory C2 – Blue Teal C3 – Cocoa C4 – Cognac C5 – Burgundy
• Yardage needed: Pattern uses 2 full skeins of cocoa – with a little more of the third skein. You only need one skein of each of the other colors and you will have leftovers for those colors unless you choose to make it larger.
• Hook Size (s): 6mm (J) hook (main body), 5.5 mm (I) hook (sleeves)
• Scissors
• Darning Needle
• Stitch marker(s)
• 2 Buttons (1.5 – 2”)

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Abbreviations:

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C(1-5)	color 1…5
st(s)	st(s)
R	row
ch	chain
sc	single crochet
fsc	foundation single crochet
dc	double crochet
sk	skip
st	stitch
*…*	*crochet instructions between asterisk* repeated as many times as indicated

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Stitch guide:

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sc – single crochet

insert hook in indicated st, yo, draw up a loop, yo draw through both loops on hook.

dc – double crochet

yo, insert hook in indicated st, yo, draw up a loop, *yo, draw through 2 loops* – repeat from * to * until you have one loop left on the hook.

dc3tog – double crochet 3 together (decreases by 2)

yo, insert hook in indicated st, yo, draw up a loop, yo, draw through 2 loops.  *yo, insert hook in next st, yo, draw up a loop, yo, draw through 2 loops* repeat from * to * one more time, yo, draw through all four loops on hook.

fsc – foundation single crochet

create a slip knot.  ch 2, insert hook in 1^st chain.  yo, draw up a loop.  ch 1, yo, draw through both loops on hook.  (2^nd st) insert hook in bottom two loops of ch 1.  yo, draw up a loop, ch 1, yo, draw through both loops (2 fsc created).

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Sizing:

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The stitch counts in this pattern is basically a one size fits most.  It is made to fit a woman size 14 – 16, but will fit smaller sizes too as oversized.  Max measurements it will fit before modifying (if you decide to modify it):         Bust – 41 – 45” / Waist: 36” – 40” / Hips: 45” – 50” / Biceps: 10” – 14”

How to modify size:

Make it longer or shorter:

Reduce or increase the number of stitches in the foundation chain – maintain an odd number of sts, i.e. (101, 99, 97).

To reduce the bust and hip circumference:

I recommend eliminating Rows 25, 26, 70, 80, 89 & 90. :  That will reduce it by around 4”.

To increase bust & hip circumference:

I recommend adding one sc and one dc row after the same rows above mentioned above.

To reduce or increase armhole size:

Instructions are within the pattern.  Making modifications to length will make stitch counts below inaccurate.

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• All single crochet rows and double crochet rows are worked the exact same throughout the entire pattern unless otherwise indicated (as for armhole rows). You can find those under “special stitches” below.
• The first stitch of the single crochet rows are worked into the same space as the ch 1 at the beginning of each row.
• The first stitch of the double crochet rows are worked into the first ch sp of each previous row (unless indicated otherwise)
• Stitch count is 101 throughout entire main body.
• I can tell you that I accidentally added and skipped stitches a few times while working on this pattern, so make sure to count your stitches occasionally.  I find counting them on the dc rows is easiest.  This pattern is very forgiving though, so don’t fret if your counts are not perfect, just make sure to increase or decrease at the end of the double crochet rows to fix it.  If you find your single crochet row stitches off, – just make sure you end your last stitch with a single crochet until you get back to 101.
• Ch 2’s count as a stitch and are included in stitch count.  You will also work the last sc of each sc row into the ch 2.
• Ch1’s do not count as st and not counted in stitch count.

Notes:
When Crystal was testing this pattern, her gauge was tighter than mine, and her cardigan ended up being shorter compared to mine. I worked very loosely for this pattern. So make sure the gauge matches or you will need to modify your size or increase your needle size to make it match. The cardigan is meant to be loose and flow, but ultimately, this is yours to do with what you please ;). lol.

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+ Special stitches

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This pattern consists of repeating rows of a single crochet pattern, and a double crochet pattern. Those stitch patterns are laid out below. The table below will list either “sc” or “dc,” which means to work those rows using the stitch patterns below.

Single crochet rows (listed as “sc” in the pattern):

*sc 1, ch 1, sk 1* – repeat *…* to end of row. sc in last st of the row, ch 2, turn.

Double crochet rows (listed as “dc” in the pattern):

 *dc 1 in ch 1 sp, dc 1* – repeat *…* to end of row. ch 1, turn.

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Pattern:

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Main Body (6 mm, J Hook):

R1:  C1 – fsc 101, ch 1, turn.

R2:  C1 – sc 1, ch 2, sk 2, sc 1 in each fsc to end.

using the special stitch patterns mentioned above, complete the following rows – remember that “sc” and “dc” below refers to the stitch patterns above in the special stitches, here and throughout – unless otherwise indicated.

R3	sc	C2
R4	dc	C1
R5	sc	C3
R6	dc	C4
R7	sc	C1
R8	dc	C5
R9	sc	C5
R10	dc	C5
R11	sc	C4
R12	dc	C2
R13	sc	C4
R14	dc	C3
R15	sc	C4
R16	dc	C2
R17	sc	C5
R18	dc	C2
R19	sc	C4
R20	dc	C2
R21	sc	C2
R22	dc	C2
R23	sc	C1
R24	dc	C3
R25	sc	C3
R26	dc	C3
R27	sc	C3
R28	dc	C3
R29	sc	C1
R30	dc	C4
R31	sc	C2
R32	dc	C4
R33	sc	C1
R34	dc	C5
R35	sc	C5
R36	dc	C5
R37	sc	C4
R38	dc	C3
R39	sc	C4
R40	dc	C3

R41 (armhole row) C2:

Lay piece flat with buttonhole on your left side.  Measure 5” down the edge. Place st marker. Mine was 14 sts and I placed my st marker in the 15^th st. 

Measure from stitch marker down 8.5” – 9.0” (or however large you would like your armhole) Place stitch marker.  My armhole was 26 sts including the blue st marker below.

Work the sc pattern until you reach your first st marker (mine was 63 sts).  Count the number of sts in your armhole.  Chain that number of sts (mine was 26).

Continue working the sc pattern start working in the 27^th st (or where you placed your st marker).

R42	dc	C3
R43	sc	C4
R44	dc	C3
R45	sc	C4
R46	dc	C5
R47	sc	C5
R48	dc	C5
R49	sc	C1
R50	dc	C4
R51	sc	C2
R52	dc	C4
R53	sc	C1
R54	dc	C3
R55	sc	C3
R56	dc	C3
R57	sc	C4
R58	dc	C2
R59	sc	C4
R60	dc	C3
R61	sc	C3
R62	dc	C3
R63	sc	C1
R64	dc	C4
R65	sc	C2
R66	dc	C4
R67	sc	C1
R68	dc	C5
R69	sc	C5
R70	dc	C5
R71	sc	C4
R72	dc	C3
R73	sc	C4
R74	dc	C3

R75 (armhole row) C2:

Repeat instructions for the previous armhole, using the same stitch counts. I am wording it like this because yours may be different than mine if you modified the size. Otherwise, use my recommended counts.

R76	dc	C3
R77	sc	C4
R78	dc	C3
R79	sc	C4
R80	dc	C5
R81	sc	C5
R82	dc	C5
R83	sc	C1
R84	dc	C4
R85	sc	C2
R86	dc	C4
R87	sc	C1
R88	dc	C3
R89	sc	C3
R90	dc	C3
R91	sc	C3
R92	dc	C3
R93	sc	C1
R94	dc	C2
R95	sc	C2
R96	dc	C2
R97	sc	C4
R98	dc	C2
R99	sc	C5
R100	dc	C2
R101	sc	C4
R102	dc	C3
R103	sc	C4
R104	dc	C2
R105	sc	C4
R106	dc	C5
R107	sc	C5
R108	dc	C5
R109	sc	C1
R110	dc	C4
R111	sc	C3
R112	dc	C1
R113	sc	C2

R114:  

with C1 – ch 2, dc in ch sp, ch 2, sk 2, dc remainder of row.  Cut, tie, and weave in all tails.

Sleeves (make 2):

If you want to modify the width or length of the sleeves, you can simply reduce the starting fsc around the wrist – keep the sts an odd number to maintain the pattern – however, modifying it will change st counts below.  Make sure your stitch count on row 56 matches the number of sts surrounding your armhole for sewing together.

Hook:  I-9 (5.5mm)

R1:  C1 – fsc 35, ch 1.

R2:  sc 35 (this row is a regular single crochet row, not the sc special stitch pattern).

complete the following rows using the “sc” and “dc” stitch pattern from special stitches – stitch counts are in the last column

R3	sc	C2		(35)
R4	dc	C1		(35)
R5	sc	C3		(35)
R6	dc	C4		(35)
R7	sc	C1		(35)
R8	dc	C5		(35)
R9	sc	C5		(35)
R10	dc	C5		(35)
R11	sc	C4		(35)
R12	dc	C2		(35)
R13	sc	C4		(35)
R14	dc	C3		(35)
R15	sc	C4		(35)
R16	dc	C2		(35)
R17	sc	C3		(35)
R18	dc	C2		(35)
R19	sc	C3		(35)
R20	dc	C3		(35)
R21	sc	C3		(35)
R22	dc	C3		(35)
R23	sc	C4		(35)
R24	dc	C3		(35)
R25	sc	C4		(35)

note: For the following rows you’ll be making increases on the dc rows only as indicated in the table – this will add 2 sts to each dc row, except the very last row, which will add an additional dc.  To make these increases, make one extra dc at the beginning and one extra dc in the last st of each dc row.

complete the following rows using the “sc” and “dc” stitch pattern from special stitches.

R26	dc	C3		(37)	inc
R27	sc	C3		(37)
R28	dc	C3		(39)	inc
R29	sc	C3		(39)
R30	dc	C3		(41)	inc
R31	sc	C4		(41)
R32	dc	C3		(43)	inc
R33	sc	C4		(43)
R34	dc	C3		(45)	inc
R35	sc	C3		(45)
R36	dc	C3		(47)	inc
R37	sc	C3		(47)
R38	dc	C3		(49)	inc
R39	sc	C4		(49)
R40	dc	C3		(51)	inc
R41	sc	C4		(51)
R42	dc	C3		(53)	inc
R43	sc	C3		(53)

Notes for Rows 44 & Rows 45 – 56:

R44 – you will complete as normal, however, you will add one extra dc in the last st –  giving you a stitch count of 56 – this count should match the number of stitches surrounding your armhole.  If you modified the armhole – your stitch counts will be different than what is below.  Just make sure your final row matches the number of sts of your armhole.

R’s 45–56 – the extra stitch will make the single row pattern shift a bit.  please complete the pattern and do 1 sc at the end of the row.  Because the sc row pattern is shifted, the dc row will begin in the first sc from previous row, then into the ch sp.  for dc rows – continue working 1 dc in each sc from previous row and 1 dc into each ch sp from prev row.

R44	dc	C3		(56)	inc(3)
R45	sc	C3		(56)
R46	dc	C3		(56)
R47	sc	C3		(56)
R48	dc	C3		(56)
R49	sc	C3		(56)
R50	dc	C3		(56)
R51	sc	C3		(56)
R52	dc	C3		(56)
R53	sc	C3		(56)
R54	dc	C3		(56)
R55	sc	C3		(56)
R56	dc	C3		(56)

finished with arms. –
cut, tie, and weave in all tails –

Collar:

After working this pattern, I realized it was a little loose on top, so I decided to add a collar of decrease stitches on the backside to draw it all together.  Here is how to add the collar.  This is adjustable.  You can make it tighter if need be or even taller if you’d like, using a fancy border too!

With WS facing you (the inside of the cardigan)…

Row 1: insert hook in top of the first dc row, ch 2.  *dc3tog* (this means you work one dc over three sts)– see photo and stitch guide to help you work this stitch. Of course, you can use or create any style of border you’d like :).

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+ Assembly:

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How to construct the cardigan and sew it together.

 

Ever wonder how big your blanket will be?

Piecing it Together:

Arms

The “wrong” side looks likes this:

The “right” side (outside) looks like this:

With the right side facing you…

use the dark brown to whip the main part of the sleeves together, and white to do the cuff. 

Use white to sew the bottom portion of the sleeve.

Sewing the arms to the body

Whipstitch arms to the body.  Arms will be right side out when you insert them into the armhole.  Align the seam of the arm, to the bottom of the armhole.  Stitch through all four loops (2 top loops of the arm, 2 top loops of the armhole as pictured below).

 

Adding the tassels

For the tassels, I used varying rows of all white and a mix of all five colors.  Measure out pieces in 12” strips using 5 strands.  For the white, use 5 strands of white.  For the mixed, use 5 strands, one of each color.  Fold them in half.  Insert hook into where you will create the tassel.  Lay the center of the strands over the hook and wrap around the hook as best you can.  pull through halfway.  Insert your fingers into the loop and draw through all the strands pulling it tight.

I spaced them as pictured below – inserting into the bottom-most space, skipping one of the blue dot, and inserting into the next.  Alternating colored strands with white strands.

Adding the buttons

Button placement is your preference on how you’d like your cardigan to lay.  I place my outside button on my right shoulder.  The inside button is on the inside left shoulder (not a mirror image, I mean right and left as if I am wearing it, not looking at it).

Space button about an inch from the top of armhole as pictured here:

Congratulations!  You’re finished!

PDF’S are available on Etsy & Ravelry – click photos to take you there.

Also, the sleeves are fairly long. I like long sleeves, and the cuff is able to fold up nicely too. If you want shorter sleeves, I recommend removing rows closest to the top of the sleeve. There are more detailed instructions on how to do this inside the pattern :).

I hope you enjoy this pattern! Please tag me or make a project so I can see what lovely colors you all come up with! <3