Free Crochet Pattern and Tutorial: Riverbed Cardigan for Juniors -

Hello everyone!

It’s pattern release day! This pattern has been eagerly anticipated for quite some time!

As soon as I mentioned creating a mini version of the Riverbed Cardigan, I received numerous requests for the pattern. When you ask, I deliver!

I can assure you, the mini version is quick to create (especially the smaller sizes), and it’s a delightful cardigan to craft and pair with your little ones!

I originally made this cardigan for my daughter, but you can easily customize it with different colors and materials for boys as well.

Sizing: This cardigan is designed to be less oversized for kids compared to adults, so please keep that in mind.

I created this cardigan in sizes 2T through 12T. It features approximately 4″ of positive ease (depending on the size), so it’s loose but not excessively oversized.

Adjusting the Size: The construction of this cardigan makes it easy to adjust to your needs.

To make it a bit longer, simply crochet a few more rows on the back and front panels. To shorten it, crochet fewer rows.

For sleeve adjustments, add or remove rows to achieve the desired length. Try it on as you go to ensure the fit is just right.

Please note that I used standard American sizes and dimensions.

Switching Colors: To Do or Not to Do?

In line with previous patterns, we will be switching colors every row, but that’s not a requirement!

You can opt to make the cardigan in a single color, and it will look just as lovely. To minimize the number of ends to weave in, we’ll cut the yarn and use the magic knot method to switch colors, eliminating any ends.

At the end of the project, we’ll add ribbing around the collar to help conceal the knots.

Wash/Block Your Cardigan: Regardless of the yarn you choose, I highly recommend washing or steam-blocking your cardigan.

This process helps the stitches relax and improves the overall fit, making your cardigan look less stiff.

If you prefer not to block, you can simply machine wash it.

I didn’t have time to wash the cardigan before taking photos (since I’m using acrylic yarn, it’s fine), so I opted for steam-blocking, which made the stitches appear looser and more relaxed.

Stitches to Know

Chain
Slip Stitch
Single Crochet
Double Crochet
Back Loop Only

Yarn You will need Worsted weight yarn, category 4, in the following quantities:

2y (4y) 6y (8y) 10y (12y) of each color
70g/158m (75g/169m) 80g/180m (85g/191m) 90g/203m (95g/214m) of each color, plus:
30g/68m (35g/79m) 40g/90m (45g/101m) 50g/113m (55g/124m) for the ribbing color

I used Color Theory by Lion Brand Yarn in the following colors:

Canyon – Color A (also used for ribbing)
Himalayan Salt – Color B
Ivory – Color C
Raisin – Color D

Notions

Size 5.5 mm crochet hook
Scissors
Tapestry needle
A few stitch markers

Gauge

Pattern stitch starting from the first row: 4″x4″ = 14 sts x 9 rows

Abbreviations This pattern uses US standard terms:

Ch(s): Chain(s)
St(s): Stitch(es)
Sl st: Slip Stitch
Sc: Single Crochet
Dc: Double Crochet
BLO: Back Loop Only
Cl: Cluster (3 double crochet in the same space)
[]: Repeat the sequence in the brackets

General Notes

IMPORTANT: Choose your colors A, B, C, and D.
The ch 2 at the beginning of each row counts as 1 dc.
Yarn will be cut and a new color joined on each row. You can use your preferred method for joining or the magic knot method.
Wash/block your cardigan to achieve the desired drape and fit.
This cardigan has 4″ of positive ease and is considered Oversized. Sizes are based on standard American body measurements.

Pattern

Color Sequence for the Whole Cardigan

Color sequence: [B, C, B, C, D, C, D, A, D, A, B, A]. Repeat this sequence until the end of each panel and sleeve.

Back Panel (make 1)

Ribbing

Using Color A, Ch 9 (all sizes)
Row 1: Sc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch across. Ch 1 and turn. (8 sts)
Row 2 to 53(59)65(68)74(77): Sc BLO across each st except the last. Sc 1. Ch 1 and turn. (8 sts)

Body

Turn ribbing sideways to work on the side, each row from the ribbing will have 1 st, so you’ll have 53(59)65(68)74(77) sts along the ribbing side.
Using Color B
- Row 1: Insert hook in the right corner, bring in Color B and ch 2. Make 1 dc in each row from the ribbing. Ch 1 and turn. (53(59)65(68)74(77) sts)
- Row 2: Sc in the space between the first and second st, [ch 2, skip 3 sts and sc in the space between sts]. Repeat across. Ch 2 and turn. (53(59)65(68)74(77) sts)
- Row 3: [Cl in the ch space from the previous row]. Repeat across to the last st, dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (53(59)65(68)74(77) sts)
- Row 4: Dc in the space between the first and second st, [cl in each space between the ones from the previous row]. Repeat across to the last space, dc in the space, then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (53(59)65(68)74(77) sts)
- Row 5: [Cl in the space between cl from the previous row]. Repeat to the end of the row, then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (53(59)65(68)74(77) sts)
- Row 6: Dc in each st across (not between spaces). Ch 2 and turn. (53(59)65(68)74(77) sts)
- Row 7: Sc in the space between the first and second st, [ch 2, skip 3 sts and sc in the space between sts]. Repeat across. Ch 2 and turn. (53(59)65(68)74(77) sts)
- Row 8: [Cl in the ch space from the previous row]. Repeat across to the last st, dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (53(59)65(68)74(77) sts)
- Row 9: Dc in the space between the first and second st, [cl in each space between the ones from the previous row]. Repeat across to the last space, dc in the space, then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (53(59)65(68)74(77) sts)
- Row 10: [Cl in the space between cl from the previous row]. Repeat to the end of the row, then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (53(59)65(68)74(77) sts)
Repeat rows 6 to 10 for a total of 26(28)30(32)34(36) rows.

Front Panels (make 2)

Ribbing

Using Color A, Ch 9 (all sizes)
Row 1: Sc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch across. Ch 1 and turn. (8 sts)
Row 2 to 20(23)26(29)32(32): Sc BLO across each st except the last. Sc 1. Ch 1 and turn. (8 sts)

Body

Turn ribbing sideways to work on the side, each row from the ribbing will have 1 st, so you’ll have 20(23)26(29)32(32) sts along the ribbing side.
Using Color B
- Row 1: Insert hook in the right corner, bring in Color B and ch 2. Make 1 dc in each row from the ribbing. Ch 1 and turn. (20(23)26(29)32(32) sts)
- Row 2: Sc in the space between the first and second st, [ch 2, skip 3 sts and sc in the space between sts]. Repeat across. Ch 2 and turn. (20(23)26(29)32(32) sts)
- Row 3: [Cl in the ch space from the previous row]. Repeat across to the last st, dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (20(23)26(29)32(32) sts)
- Row 4: Dc in the space between the first and second st, [cl in each space between the ones from the previous row]. Repeat across to the last space, dc in the space, then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (20(23)26(29)32(32) sts)
- Row 5: [Cl in the space between cl from the previous row]. Repeat to the end of the row, then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (20(23)26(29)32(32) sts)
- Row 6: Dc in each st across (not between spaces). Ch 2 and turn. (20(23)26(29)32(32) sts)
- Row 7: Sc in the space between the first and second st, [ch 2, skip 3 sts and sc in the space between sts]. Repeat across. Ch 2 and turn. (20(23)26(29)32(32) sts)
- Row 8: [Cl in the ch space from the previous row]. Repeat across to the last st, dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (20(23)26(29)32(32) sts)
- Row 9: Dc in the space between the first and second st, [cl in each space between the ones from the previous row]. Repeat across to the last space, dc in the space, then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (20(23)26(29)32(32) sts)
- Row 10: [Cl in the space between cl from the previous row]. Repeat to the end of the row, then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (20(23)26(29)32(32) sts)
Repeat rows 6 to 10 for a total of 26(28)30(32)34(36) rows.

Sleeves (make 2)

Ribbing

Using Color A, Ch 7 (all sizes)
Row 1: Sc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch across. Ch 1 and turn. (6 sts)
Row 2 to 24(25)26(27)28(29): Sc BLO across each st except the last. Sc 1. Ch 1 and turn. (6 sts)

Body

Turn ribbing sideways to work on the side, each row from the ribbing will have 1 st, so you’ll have 24(25)26(27)28(29) sts along the ribbing side.
Using Color B
- Row 1: Insert hook in the right corner, bring in Color B and ch 2. Make 1 dc in each row from the ribbing. Ch 1 and turn. (24(25)26(27)28(29) sts)
- Row 2: Sc in the space between the first and second st, [ch 2, skip 3 sts and sc in the space between sts]. Repeat across. Ch 2 and turn. (24(25)26(27)28(29) sts)
- Row 3: [Cl in the ch space from the previous row]. Repeat across to the last st, dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (24(25)26(27)28(29) sts)
- Row 4: Dc in the space between the first and second st, [cl in each space between the ones from the previous row]. Repeat across to the last space, dc in the space, then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (24(25)26(27)28(29) sts)
- Row 5: [Cl in the space between cl from the previous row]. Repeat to the end of the row, then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (24(25)26(27)28(29) sts)
- Row 6: Dc in each st across (not between spaces). Ch 2 and turn. (24(25)26(27)28(29) sts)
- Row 7: Sc in the space between the first and second st, [ch 2, skip 3 sts and sc in the space between sts]. Repeat across. Ch 2 and turn. (24(25)26(27)28(29) sts)
- Row 8: [Cl in the ch space from the previous row]. Repeat across to the last st, dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (24(25)26(27)28(29) sts)
- Row 9: Dc in the space between the first and second st, [cl in each space between the ones from the previous row]. Repeat across to the last space, dc in the space, then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (24(25)26(27)28(29) sts)
- Row 10: [Cl in the space between cl from the previous row]. Repeat to the end of the row, then dc in the last st. Ch 2 and turn. (24(25)26(27)28(29) sts)
Repeat rows 6 to 10 for a total of 12(14)16(18)20(22) rows.