The monarch butterfly cardigan, with orange wings running across the back and down each sleeve, is the crochet cardigan everyone asks about. It is a paid pattern by Biyabimi and I could not find a free version of it, so it leads this list with a clear label.
The other nine are bold in their own way: a butterfly shaped cardigan, flower cardigans, a heart tapestry cardigan and a bat wing sweater. I checked every link, and a few ask for an email before the free pattern unlocks, which I say in the entry. For more eye catching layers, see our statement crochet cardigan patterns.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The links below are affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.
Items you’ll need:
- Crochet hooks
- Worsted weight yarn
- Tape measure
- Tapestry needles and stitch markers
- Embroidery scissors
- Blocking mat and pins
Butterfly and statement cardigans to explore
1. The Monarch Butterfly Cardigan
Designer Biyabimi at biyabimi.com. This is the paid one, at about 7.95 euros, and it is the only paid pattern in this list. It is an oversized half circle cardigan with the monarch wings worked in tapestry colorwork from three charts, so the orange wings run across the back and down both sleeves. It comes in XS-S, M-L and XL-2XL and calls for worsted weight yarn (1,600 to 2,700 yards) and a 5.0 mm hook. The purchase includes a 10 page PDF and a 40 minute video.
2. Making the Crochet Monarch Butterfly Sweater, Part 1
Channel Janelle Irene on YouTube. A free watch-along of someone making Biyabimi’s monarch cardigan, not a pattern of its own, so you still need the paid pattern above. It runs about 12 minutes and covers one side of the sweater while learning tapestry crochet for the first time, which makes it a useful preview of what the colorwork is like before you buy. Part 2 follows on the channel.
3. Butterfly Cardigan
Designer Claire Goodale at E’Claire Makery. No colorwork here: the butterfly wing look comes from the shape, because the back is gathered once the two rectangles are folded and seamed. It is worked in crystal stitch with worsted weight yarn and a 6 mm (J/10) hook, in sizes XS to 5X. The full free pattern is on the page.
4. Flower Power Cardigan
Designer Stitch and Hound at Stitch and Hound. The sleeves are made of hexagon flower granny motifs joined with whip stitch, and the body is worked flat in three pieces with ribbed edges. It uses light weight (3) yarn and a 4 mm hook, in sizes from 2-4 years up to 3XL-4XL. The free pattern unlocks with a quick email signup, and a paid ad free PDF is also sold.
5. Floral Cardigan in 8 Sizes
Designer Sarah-Jayne Fragola at Bella Coco Crochet. A flower toned granny square cardigan: you make 69 to 120 four round squares depending on size and join them as you go. It uses sport weight merino and a 3 to 5 mm hook, in sizes XS to 5X. The free pattern unlocks when you enter your email, and a paid PDF exists too.
6. Flower Cardigan Crochet Tutorial
Channel Nightmoon Studio on YouTube. A calm, no talking video of about 29 minutes that builds the whole cardigan: the back panel as ten flower rows, then the front panels, sleeves, edging and buttons, with timestamps for each part. It can be made with long or short sleeves and in any size, and the abbreviations are in US terms.
7. Red Heart Flower Passion Crochet Cardigan
From Yarnspirations. A cropped cardigan in moss stitch with wide ribbing, finished with crochet flowers in a cream shade. It uses single crochet, chain, puff cluster and slip stitch with Red Heart Super Saver Brushed, in sizes from XS/S up to 4/5 XL. Free.
8. Crochet Flower Cardigan
Designer Jane at Beautiful Crochet Stuff. A light summer cardigan that mixes a flower lace pattern with plain sections, with eight crocheted buttons. The sample uses Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/4 and a 3 mm hook, and the page shows how to resize it to any bust measurement. The full free pattern is on the page.
9. All You Need Is Love Cardigan
Designer Chelsea Obermann of Stitch Fast, Die Warm, shared on Itchin’ for Some Stitchin’. The closest free match to the monarch’s technique: heart motifs worked in tapestry crochet, bottom up in half double crochet, with worsted weight yarn and a 5 mm hook, in sizes XS/S to 3X/4X. The page has the written instructions only, and the chart is in a paid PDF.
10. Crochet Bat Wing Sweater
Designer Sylvia Talo at Crazy Cool Crochet. Not a cardigan, but the wing shape is the point: two rectangles worked in single crochet, seamed into a slouchy sweater with wide sleeves that measure about 59 inches cuff to cuff in the small size. It uses #4 weight yarn and a 4.25 mm hook, in sizes S to 2X, with a free video tutorial and written pattern.
