This crochet pattern is an original design from my book Summer Crochet: 19 Delicate Designs with Simple Lace and Timeless Silhouettes, first published in 2025 by Page Street Publishing.
Summer Crochet can be found wherever you buy your books, or at these retailers.
ABOUT
The striking lace pattern on the Saltwater Cardigan creates a unique netlike mesh fabric, designed to be worn over a swimsuit while walking along the shoreline or lounging by the pool for that effortless coastal aesthetic. The perfect addition to your tropical vacation ensemble. Pairs well with a piña colada.
This pattern is fully written + charted.
More Content: For more information and tester photos, visit knitsnknots.ca/saltwater-cardigan.
MATERIALS
Yarn: Fingering—WeCrochet® Lindy Chain™ in colorway “Celery”
Yardage Required: 9 (10, 11, 12, 13) balls or approximately 1600 (1800, 1925, 2125, 2325) yds [1463 (1646, 1760, 1943, 2126) m]
Yarn Tip: Since there is a lot of fabric to this oversized cover-up, choose a fiber content that will not stretch too much with wear. If your cover-up is too heavy, your stitches will stretch substantially, especially if you plan on wearing it near the water or getting it wet. Avoid 100% bamboo yarns, as these will be too slippery; a little grip is needed to avoid excessive stretching. Linen is a great option for this design because it is lightweight, durable and does not stretch like most other fibers. Note that linen yarn usually feels scratchy at first but will soften with each wash.
Yarn Substitution: Visit knitsnknots.ca/saltwater-cardigan for an extensive list of yarn substitutes and yarns used during pattern testing. Substitute WeCrochet Lindy Chain with any similar fingering-weight (category #1) yarn that matches gauge, preferably with some linen content, or any other lightweight fiber. Note that fingering weight is often referred to as “4-ply” in the U.K. and Australia.
Hook: Size U.S. E/4 (3.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
Notions: Tapestry needle, 4 locking stitch markers, plus several more stitch markers (optional) to help with seaming
GAUGE
4 x 4” (10 x 10 cm) = 7 pattern repeats across (where each cluster counts as 1 repeat and each V-st counts as 1 repeat), and 9 rows
See gauge swatch information fully written out at knitsnknots.ca/saltwater-cardigan.
SIZING + FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
See listing photos for full sizing chart and finished measurements.
TERMS + ABBREVIATIONS USED
Written in U.S. Crochet Terms
BOR: beginning of round
ch(s): chain(s)
ch-sp(s): chain space(s)
cluster: this refers to a group of 3 double crochets worked into the same space
dc: double crochet (tr in U.K. terms)
PM: place marker
rep: repeat
rnd(s): round(s)
RS: right side
sc: single crochet (dc in U.K. terms)
sk: skip
sl st: slip stitch
st(s): stitch(es)
tch: turning chain
WS: wrong side
Special Stitches
V-st: V-stitch - work (dc, ch 3, dc) in designated stitch
PATTERN NOTES
Skill Level: Intermediate
Sizing: This cover-up is written in five sizes as follows: XS (S/M, L/XL) (2X/3X, 4X/5X). Make sure to follow the numbers for your size only.
Stitch Counts: Stitch counts are listed after each row/round. If no stitch count is given, there has been no change since the previous row/round.
Reversible: There is no right side or wrong side to this fabric; both sides are identical. You will designate a “right side” later in the pattern so that your bottom hem and sleeve finishing rounds have the same sides facing when you work these sections, although either side can be worn as the “right side.”
Turning Chain: The turning chain (ch-3) counts as 1 dc throughout the pattern.
Construction: The entire body of this cover-up is worked flat in one piece, beginning with the bottom hem of the back panel and finishing with the bottom hem of the front panels, creating one large U-shaped body panel. Next, the panel is folded in half, hinging at the shoulders, and partially seamed along the sides while leaving openings for the short sleeves, which are crocheted directly onto these openings. A simple finishing row is worked along the bottom hem and sleeve hems to clean up the raw edges.
More Content: For more information and tester photos, visit knitsnknots.ca/saltwater-cardigan.
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WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE:
Immediately after purchase, you will instantly receive a digital download of the PDF pattern. Please include your email when prompted (be sure it's spelled correctly). Please send me an email if you don’t receive the download link!
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Books: Modern Crochet Sweaters | Summer Crochet
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