I call this one the Berry Blush Cardigan, and honestly, it has been living in my design notebook for longer than I care to admit. The original sketch dates back to a rainy afternoon when I was flipping through old photos of my grandmother’s handmade sweaters. She had this way of adding unexpected little details to everything she made. A flower here, a leaf there. I kept thinking about how fun it would be to create something with that same playful spirit but with a modern cropped silhouette.
When I finally sat down to work out the construction, I knew I wanted oversized balloon sleeves, a flattering V-neckline, and those adorable three-dimensional strawberries scattered across the fabric like they just tumbled out of a summer garden. The whole thing came together piece by piece over several weekends, and now I get to share it with you.
This cropped cardigan is an intermediate-level project that combines simple half double crochet fabric with separately crocheted strawberry appliques. If you have worked flat garment pieces before and feel comfortable with basic shaping, you are absolutely ready for this one. Let’s walk through everything you need to bring this cozy, whimsical piece to life.
About This Crochet Pattern
This Pink Strawberry Cropped Cardigan features a relaxed, oversized fit with a cropped length that falls just below your natural waist. The body is worked in a dense half double crochet through the back loop only (hdc-blo) fabric, which creates that beautiful uniform texture you see in the photos. The sleeves have a fun balloon shape thanks to gradual increases from the cuff upward, and the ribbed cuffs and hem band give everything a polished, professional finish.
The cardigan is constructed in five flat pieces: the back panel, two front panels, and two sleeves. You will seam these together, add the ribbed hem band, work a continuous front band with buttonholes, and then attach those sweet strawberry appliques as the final touch. The three red buttons down the center front add the perfect pop of color against the soft pink yarn.
Skill Level and Time Estimate
I would call this an intermediate crochet project. The stitches themselves are beginner-friendly, but you will need to be comfortable with a few techniques: working flat garment pieces, basic shaping using increases and decreases, seaming panels together, and crocheting small three-dimensional appliques in the round.
Plan for approximately 30 to 45 hours of work from start to finish. That includes making all 14 to 16 strawberries, which are honestly quite meditative once you get into a rhythm. This is definitely a project to spread over several weeks rather than rush through in a weekend.
Finished Measurements
The pattern is written for one size labeled Medium/Large. Here are your finished measurements:
This cardigan is designed to be worn with 2 to 4 inches of positive ease for that relaxed, oversized look. Size customization tips are included at the end of the pattern if you need to adjust for a smaller or larger fit.
Materials Needed
Yarn:
Yarn Suggestions:
Any bulky weight yarn that achieves gauge will work beautifully. I recommend choosing something with a bit of stretch for the ribbing sections.
Hooks:
Notions:
Gauge
Getting gauge right is critical for garment fit. Please do not skip this step.
Main Body Gauge (with US K / 6.5 mm hook, in hdc):
14 hdc x 10 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm (blocked)
Ribbing Gauge (with US J / 6.0 mm hook, in sc-blo):
14 sc x 14 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm
Crochet a swatch, block it, and measure before you begin. Adjust your hook size up or down as needed to match these numbers.
Abbreviations and Stitch Definitions
Here are all the abbreviations you will encounter in this crochet tutorial, with plain-English definitions:
Special Stitches Explained
Hdc Through Back Loop Only (hdc-blo):
Insert your hook into the back loop only of the stitch (that is the loop farthest from you when the right side faces you). Yarn over, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on your hook. This creates a beautiful ridged texture throughout the main fabric.
Single Crochet Through Back Loop Only for Ribbing (sc-blo):
Insert your hook into the back loop only of the stitch. Yarn over, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through both loops. When worked in rows, this creates stretchy ribbing that mimics knitted rib texture.
Hdc2tog (Half Double Crochet Two Together):
This is your decrease stitch for shaping. Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Yarn over, insert hook into the following stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (5 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through all 5 loops. You have decreased by one stitch.
Sc2tog (Single Crochet Two Together):
Insert hook into next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). Insert hook into the following stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through all 3 loops. This decreases by one stitch.
Pattern Notes Before You Begin
1. The cardigan is constructed in five flat pieces: Back, Right Front, Left Front, Right Sleeve, Left Sleeve. These are seamed together after completion.
2. All main body pieces are worked with hdc-blo throughout. The turning chain counts as a chain only, not as a stitch. Begin each row by chaining 1, turning, then working your first hdc into the first stitch of the previous row.
3. Ribbing is worked with sc-blo throughout using the smaller hook size.
4. Stitch counts in parentheses at the end of each instruction line show the total working stitch count at the completion of that row or round.
5. The cardigan shown uses approximately 14 to 16 strawberry appliques total: 3 to 4 on each sleeve, 2 to 3 on each front panel, and 2 to 3 on the back.
6. Always turn your work at the end of each row when working flat.
Step by Step Crochet Pattern Instructions
Back Panel
With Yarn A and US K hook, chain 79.
Row 1 (RS): Hdc in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across. Turn. (78 hdc)
Row 2: Ch 1, hdc-blo in each st across. Turn. (78 hdc)
Rows 3 through 35: Repeat Row 2. (78 hdc)
Checkpoint: After Row 35, your back panel should measure approximately 14 inches / 35.5 cm in height and 22 inches / 56 cm in width.
Fasten off. Set aside.
Right Front Panel
With Yarn A and US K hook, chain 41.
Row 1 (RS): Hdc in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across. Turn. (40 hdc)
Row 2: Ch 1, hdc-blo in each st across. Turn. (40 hdc)
Rows 3 through 25: Repeat Row 2. (40 hdc)
After Row 25, begin V-neck shaping.
Row 26 (neckline decrease row, RS): Ch 1, hdc-blo across to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (39 hdc)
Row 27: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc-blo across. Turn. (38 hdc)
Row 28: Ch 1, hdc-blo across to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (37 hdc)
Row 29: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc-blo across. Turn. (36 hdc)
Row 30: Ch 1, hdc-blo across to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (35 hdc)
Row 31: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc-blo across. Turn. (34 hdc)
Row 32: Ch 1, hdc-blo across to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (33 hdc)
Row 33: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc-blo across. Turn. (32 hdc)
Row 34: Ch 1, hdc-blo across to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (31 hdc)
Row 35: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc-blo across. Turn. (30 hdc)
Fasten off. This is your shoulder edge.
Left Front Panel
With Yarn A and US K hook, chain 41.
Row 1 (RS): Hdc in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across. Turn. (40 hdc)
Row 2: Ch 1, hdc-blo in each st across. Turn. (40 hdc)
Rows 3 through 25: Repeat Row 2. (40 hdc)
Row 26 (neckline decrease row, RS): Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc-blo across. Turn. (39 hdc)
Row 27: Ch 1, hdc-blo across to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (38 hdc)
Row 28: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc-blo across. Turn. (37 hdc)
Row 29: Ch 1, hdc-blo across to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (36 hdc)
Row 30: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc-blo across. Turn. (35 hdc)
Row 31: Ch 1, hdc-blo across to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (34 hdc)
Row 32: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc-blo across. Turn. (33 hdc)
Row 33: Ch 1, hdc-blo across to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (32 hdc)
Row 34: Ch 1, hdc2tog, hdc-blo across. Turn. (31 hdc)
Row 35: Ch 1, hdc-blo across to last 2 sts, hdc2tog. Turn. (30 hdc)
Fasten off.
Sleeve (Make 2)
The sleeve is worked flat from cuff to underarm. The cuff ribbing is worked first as a separate rectangle, then the sleeve body is worked perpendicular into the long edge of the ribbing.
Sleeve Cuff Ribbing:
With Yarn A and US J hook, chain 11.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (10 sc)
Rows 2 through 42: Ch 1, sc-blo in each st across. Turn. (10 sc)
After Row 42, do not fasten off. Fold the rectangle and seam the short ends together using a sl st seam to form a cuff ring. Fasten off and rejoin yarn to the long edge.
Sleeve Body:
With Yarn A and US K hook, join to long edge of cuff ribbing.
Setup Row: Ch 1, work 42 sc evenly across the long edge of the cuff ribbing into the row-end sts. Turn. (42 sc)
Row 1: Ch 1, hdc-blo in each st across. Turn. (42 hdc)
Row 2: Ch 1, 2 hdc-blo in first st, hdc-blo across to last st, 2 hdc-blo in last st. Turn. (44 hdc)
Row 3: Ch 1, hdc-blo across. Turn. (44 hdc)
Row 4: Ch 1, 2 hdc-blo in first st, hdc-blo across to last st, 2 hdc-blo in last st. Turn. (46 hdc)
Row 5: Ch 1, hdc-blo across. Turn. (46 hdc)
Row 6: Ch 1, 2 hdc-blo in first st, hdc-blo across to last st, 2 hdc-blo in last st. Turn. (48 hdc)
Row 7: Ch 1, hdc-blo across. Turn. (48 hdc)
Row 8: Ch 1, 2 hdc-blo in first st, hdc-blo across to last st, 2 hdc-blo in last st. Turn. (50 hdc)
Row 9: Ch 1, hdc-blo across. Turn. (50 hdc)
Row 10: Ch 1, 2 hdc-blo in first st, hdc-blo across to last st, 2 hdc-blo in last st. Turn. (52 hdc)
Row 11: Ch 1, hdc-blo across. Turn. (52 hdc)
Row 12: Ch 1, 2 hdc-blo in first st, hdc-blo across to last st, 2 hdc-blo in last st. Turn. (54 hdc)
Row 13: Ch 1, hdc-blo across. Turn. (54 hdc)
Row 14: Ch 1, 2 hdc-blo in first st, hdc-blo across to last st, 2 hdc-blo in last st. Turn. (56 hdc)
Row 15: Ch 1, hdc-blo across. Turn. (56 hdc)
Row 16: Ch 1, 2 hdc-blo in first st, hdc-blo across to last st, 2 hdc-blo in last st. Turn. (58 hdc)
Row 17: Ch 1, hdc-blo across. Turn. (58 hdc)
Row 18: Ch 1, 2 hdc-blo in first st, hdc-blo across to last st, 2 hdc-blo in last st. Turn. (60 hdc)
Row 19: Ch 1, hdc-blo across. Turn. (60 hdc)
Row 20: Ch 1, 2 hdc-blo in first st, hdc-blo across to last st, 2 hdc-blo in last st. Turn. (62 hdc)
Rows 21 through 30: Ch 1, hdc-blo across. Turn. (62 hdc)
Checkpoint: After Row 30, the sleeve should measure approximately 14 to 15 inches from the top of the ribbing. Total sleeve length including ribbing should be approximately 18 inches.
Fasten off. Make a second identical sleeve.
Hem Band
The hem band is worked across the bottom edge of the assembled cardigan body after shoulder seams are joined.
After joining shoulder seams:
With Yarn A and US J hook, RS facing, join to bottom corner of Right Front.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc evenly across the bottom of Right Front, Back, and Left Front. Pick up approximately 156 sc total (40 across each front, 76 across the back). Turn. (156 sc)
Rows 2 through 8: Ch 1, sc-blo across. Turn. (156 sc)
The hem band should measure approximately 2 inches in depth.
Fasten off and weave in end.
Front Band and Neckline Trim
This band is worked in one continuous strip up the Right Front, around the neckline, and down the Left Front.
With Yarn A and US J hook, RS facing, join to bottom right corner of Right Front.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc evenly up the Right Front edge, around the V-neckline shaping, across the back neck, down the Left Front neckline shaping, and down the Left Front edge. Work approximately 2 sc for every 3 rows along vertical edges. Approximate total: 194 sc. Turn. (194 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc-blo across. Turn. (194 sc)
Row 3 (buttonhole row): Ch 1, sc-blo across the Left Front and neckline portion (approximately 106 sc). Continue working sc-blo, placing 3 buttonholes evenly spaced along the Right Front. To make each buttonhole: ch 2, sk 2 sts. Place the first buttonhole near the neckline, the third near the hem, and the second centered between them. Turn. (194 sc, counting each ch-2 loop as 2 sts)
Row 4: Ch 1, sc-blo across, working 2 sc into each ch-2 buttonhole space. Turn. (194 sc)
Row 5: Ch 1, sc-blo across. Turn. (194 sc)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Strawberry Applique (Make 14 to 16)
Use Yarn B (red) and US G hook.
Round 1: Make a magic ring (MR). Work 6 sc into MR. Pull tail to close ring. Do not join. Work in a continuous spiral. Place marker in first st of each round. (6 sc)
Round 2: Work 2 sc in each st around. (12 sc)
Round 3: (Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) 6 times. (18 sc)
Round 4: (Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st) 6 times. (24 sc)
Round 5: (Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st) 6 times. (30 sc)
Rounds 6 and 7: Sc in each st around. (30 sc)
Round 8: (Sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog) 6 times. (24 sc)
Round 9: Sc in each st around. (24 sc)
Round 10: (Sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog) 6 times. (18 sc)
Lightly stuff the strawberry with a small amount of fiberfill. Do not overstuff.
Round 11: (Sc in next st, sc2tog) 6 times. (12 sc)
Round 12: (Sc2tog) 6 times. (6 sc)
Sl st in next st. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Thread tail through the 6 remaining sts and pull tight to close.
Each strawberry should measure approximately 2 inches in diameter and 1.75 inches in height.
Strawberry Seed Detail
Using Yarn D (yellow) and a tapestry needle, embroider 6 to 8 small V-shaped seed marks evenly across the surface of each strawberry. Each seed is a simple two-stitch V shape. Weave ends in securely.
Strawberry Calyx (Make 14 to 16)
Use Yarn C (green) and US G hook.
Make a magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 1, work 5 sc into MR. Pull ring closed. (5 sc)
Round 2: In each sc, work the following leaf: ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in last ch, sl st into same base sc. Repeat in each of the 5 sc. (5 leaves formed)
Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Sew the calyx to the top of each strawberry, centered over the closure point.
Assembly and Finishing
Shoulder Seams: Hold the Back and Right Front with RS together, aligning the shoulder edges. The Right Front shoulder is 30 sts wide. Match this to the corresponding 30 sts on the right shoulder of the Back. Seam using mattress stitch or a sl st seam. Repeat for Left Front to left shoulder of Back.
Sleeve Attachment: Lay the body flat. With RS together, fold each sleeve so the center top aligns with the shoulder seam. Pin and seam each sleeve into the armhole opening using mattress stitch.
Side and Sleeve Seams: With RS together, seam each side seam from hem to underarm. Continue seaming down each sleeve seam from underarm to cuff.
Blocking: Wet-block or steam-block all pieces. Pin to finished measurements and allow to dry fully.
Button Attachment: Mark button positions on the Left Front band opposite the buttonholes. Sew each button securely.
Strawberry Placement: Pin and sew each strawberry applique onto the finished cardigan. Place 3 to 4 on each sleeve, 2 to 3 on each front panel, and 2 to 3 on the back. The goal is an organic, scattered arrangement with no two strawberries touching.
Size Customization Tips
For a smaller size (S/M, approximately 38 to 40 inch bust): Reduce the Back starting chain by 12 sts (chain 67, yielding 66 hdc). Reduce each Front starting chain by 6 sts (chain 35, yielding 34 hdc). Begin V-neck shaping at Row 22.
For a larger size (XL/2X, approximately 50 to 52 inch bust): Increase the Back starting chain by 14 sts (chain 93, yielding 92 hdc). Increase each Front starting chain by 7 sts (chain 48, yielding 47 hdc). Begin V-neck shaping at Row 28.
Care Instructions
Hand wash in cool water with gentle detergent. Gently press out excess water without wringing. Lay flat to dry. Do not tumble dry. Store folded rather than hung to prevent the balloon sleeves from stretching.
You Did It!
Thank you so much for choosing this Pink Strawberry Cropped Cardigan crochet pattern. I truly hope you love making it as much as I loved designing it. If you give it a try, I would absolutely love to see your finished piece! Tag me on Instagram or share in our Facebook group so I can cheer you on.
If this pattern made you smile, go ahead and save it to your Pinterest boards so you can find it whenever you are ready to start. And please drop a comment below if you make one. I read every single one, and hearing about your projects honestly makes my whole day. Happy crocheting, friend!
