The Roona Cardigan is a little extra special because it was created alongside my maker bestie, MeghanMakesDo, who designed the knit version, The Raynee!We wanted to create two cardigans that shared the same overall look and feel while giving you the option to make one in crochet or knit. Getting to photograph them together while we were in Norway made the whole collaboration even more fun. There was something pretty magical about seeing both versions out in the wild together, surrounded by all that beautiful scenery!
The Roona has a classic, cozy shape with a deep V-neck, button closure, and softly tapered sleeves. It’s worked with a simple extended single crochet stitch and three colors to create an easy-to-wear striped design. The cardigan is worked in pieces and finished with ribbed edging, giving it just enough structure while keeping that soft, comfortable feel you want from a favorite everyday cardigan. The result is a timeless piece that looks great layered over just about anything. If you’re a knitter, you can make the coordinating Raynee instead!
Meet The Roona Cardigan, your new favorite cozy layer. With its deep V-neckline, classic button closure and soft, comfy feel, this is the cardigan you’ll reach for again and again. Simple ribbed texture and an easy extended single crochet stitch keeps the construction approachable, while playful colored stripes add just the right amount of personality. A full video tutorial is included to help guide you through. The Roona is part of a crochet + knit collaboration with the Raynee Cardigan.
To make a gauge swatch, work up 17 rows of 18 Esc Sts. Your swatch will be larger than the required gauge. Measure 4×4” within that swatch to check gauge.
This cardigan is made from the bottom up in separate panels.
The Ch 2 does not count as a St.
The sleeve instructions are split into different sets of instructions. XS(S, M, L, XL) and 2X(3X, 4X, 5X). Be sure to view the correct set for your size.
You can add or remove length to your cardigan by adding or removing rows in multiples of 2, to the back panel. Add or remove the same amount of rows to the front panels, just before the neckline shaping begins. Take into account this will alter the yardage requirements listed above.
Stitches and Abbreviations (US Terms):
Ch(s)- Chains(s)
St(s)- Stitch(es)
Sc- Single Crochet
BLO- Back Loop Only
Esc- Extended Single Crochet
Esc2tog- Extended Single Crochet 2 Together (decrease)
RS- Right Side
Color Guide: Use the color guide below for all color changes throughout the cardigan. Color changes are also noted within the Front and Back Panel instructions for easy reference.
Color A- Peacock
Color B- Hazelnut
Color C- Amber
Pattern:
Back Panel-
With Color A
Ch 11
Row 1: 1 Sc in the second Ch from the hook and each across, turn. (10
Sc)
Rows 2-68(74, 82, 88, 96, 102, 110, 116, 124): Ch 1, 1 Sc in first St, 1 Sc (BLO) in each St across until 1 remains, 1 Sc in last St, turn. (10 Sc)
Do not turn after the last row made. We will now be working Row 1 of
the main body into the ends of the ribbing rows.
Row 1(RS): Ch 2(does not count as a St here and throughout), 1 Esc into the end of each ribbing row across, turn. (68(74, 82, 88, 96, 102, 110, 116, 124) Esc)
Row 2: Ch 2, 1 Esc in each St across, turn. (68(74, 82, 88, 96, 102, 110, 116, 124) Esc)
Row 39(41, 43, 43, 45, 45, 47, 47, 49): Ch 2, 1 Esc in first St, Esc2tog, 1 Esc in each remaining St across row, turn. (31(34, 38, 41, 45, 48, 52, 55, 59) Esc)
Row 40(42, 44, 44, 46, 46, 48, 48, 50): Ch 2, 1 Esc in each St across, turn. (31(34, 38, 41, 45, 48, 52, 55, 59) Esc)
Rows 41(43, 45, 45, 47, 47, 49, 49, 51)-68(70, 72, 72, 74, 74, 76, 76, 78): Repeat Rows 39(41, 43, 43, 45, 45, 47, 47, 49) & 40(42, 44, 44, 46, 46, 48, 48, 50). Your St count will decrease by 1 St, every 2 rows. You will end with 17(20, 24, 27, 31, 34, 38, 41, 45) Esc.
Fasten off.
Left Front Panel-
Repeat Right Front Panel Ribbing Rows 1-32(35, 39, 42, 46, 49, 53, 56, 60) and main body rows 1-38(40, 42, 42, 44, 44, 46, 46, 48).
We will now begin shaping the neckline.
Row 39(41, 43, 43, 45, 45, 47, 47, 49): Ch 2, 1 Esc in each St across until 3 Sts remain, Esc2tog, 1 Esc in last St, turn. (31(34, 38, 41, 45, 48, 52, 55, 59) Esc)
Row 40(42, 44, 44, 46, 46, 48, 48, 50): Ch 2, 1 Esc in each St across, turn. (31(34, 38, 41, 45, 48, 52, 55, 59) Esc)
Rows 41(43, 45, 45, 47, 47, 49, 49, 51)-68(70, 72, 72, 74, 74, 76, 76, 78): Repeat Rows 39(41, 43, 43, 45, 45, 47, 47, 49) & 40(42, 44, 44, 46, 46, 48, 48, 50). Your St count will decrease by 1 St, every 2 rows. You will end with 17(20, 24, 27, 31, 34, 38, 41, 45) Esc.
Fasten off.
Sleeves (make 2)-
Sizes XS(S, M, L, XL) ONLY
With Color A
Ch 11
Row 1: 1 Sc in the second Ch from the hook and each across, turn. (10
Sc)
Rows 2-28(28, 28, 30, 32): Ch 1, 1 Sc in first St, 1 Sc (BLO) in each St across until 1 remains, 1 Sc in last St, turn. (10 Sc)
Do not turn after the last row made. We will now be working Row 1 of
the main body into the ends of the ribbing rows. The color changes are not listed below but begin in Row 7 and are the same as the back and front panels. View the color graph to reference your color changes.
Row 1: Ch 2(does not count as a St here and throughout), 1 Esc in each St across, turn. (28(28, 28, 30, 32) Sts) Note- The initial Row 1 will be worked into the ends of the ribbing rows.
Row 2: Ch 2, 1 Esc in each St across, turn. (28(28, 28, 30, 32) Sts)
Row 3: Ch 2, 2 Esc in first St, 1 Esc in each St across until 1 St remains, 2 Esc in last St, turn. (30(30, 30, 32, 34) Esc)
Row 4-33(36, 42, 45, 48): Repeat Rows 1-3. Your St count will increase by 2 Sts with every Row 3 repeat. You will end with (50(52, 56, 60, 64) Sts.
Row 1: 1 Sc in the second Ch from the hook and each across, turn. (10
Sc)
Rows 2-32(32, 34, 34): Ch 1, 1 Sc in first St, 1 Sc (BLO) in each St across until 1 remains, 1 Sc in last St, turn. (10 Sc)
Do not turn after the last row made. We will now be working Row 1 of
the main body into the ends of the ribbing rows. The color changes are not listed below but begin in Row 7 and are the same as the back and front panels. View the color graph to reference your color changes.
Row 1: Ch 2(does not count as a St here and throughout), 1 Esc in each St across, turn. (32(32, 34, 34) Sts) Note- The initial Row 1 will be worked into the ends of the ribbing rows.
Row 2: Ch 2, 2 Esc in first St, 1 Esc in each St across until 1 St remains, 2 Esc in last St, turn. (34(34, 36, 36) Sts)
Rows 3-34(36, 38, 40): Repeat Rows 1 & 2. Your St count will increase by 2 Sts with every Row 2 repeat. You will end with (66(68, 72, 74) Sts.
Block your panels to the measurements listed above. I recommend a steam block.
Place your front and back panels together RS facing.
Using your preferred seaming method attach the front panels to the back panel at the shoulders (I used a needle and did the mattress stitch across). Be sure your panels are aligned and that you aren’t bunching or skipping stitches.
Next, using the same joining process as above, we will be attaching the sleeves to the cardigan. Make sure the center of the sleeve is aligned with the shoulder seam. Be sure to check that your sleeves are even on both the front and back panel as you go. It is helpful to use SM’s here to keep your sleeve in place as you join.
Finally, fold your cardigan so that the back and front panels are on top of each other, RS facing. Seam from the cuffs to the underarm and down the side of the cardigan.
Button Band-
With your cardigan RS out, join yarn with a Sl St to the bottom left corner.
Row 1: Ch 1, Sc evenly up the side of the front panel, along the back neckline and down the second front panel, stopping when you reach the corner, turn.Exact St count is not crucial here. You will want to work about 1 Sc into the end of each row, feel free to make adjustments if you feel like you need slightly more less.
Rows 2 & 3: Ch 1, 1 Sc in each St across, turn.
In the following row we will be deciding where to place our button holes. Mark off where you want your 5 button holes to be, on your left hand side (right panel when worn). For each button hole you will be chaining 2 and skipping 2 Sts. Take 2 St markers and place them in 2 Sts next to each other to mark off your first hole. I counted from the bottom left corner of my panel and placed my first button hole in the 5th & 6th St. I left 9 Sts in between each remaining button hole. You can adjust these St markers as you see fit and even use more or less buttons. This is easy to customize to your liking so feel free to place them wherever you like.
Row 4: Ch 1, 1 Sc in each St across, when you reach the first set of SMs, Ch 2, Sk 2, 1 Sc in each St until you reach the second set of SMs, Ch 2, Sk 2 and continue the process with each set of SMs until you reach the bottom corner, turn.
Row 5: Ch 1, 1 Sc in each St across, when you reach the first button hole, work 2 Sc into the Ch Sp, repeat with each button hole across, turn.
Row 6: Ch 1, 1 Sc in each St across.
Fasten off.
Sew Buttons:
With your cardigan RS out, place your buttons on the right hand side in the same position as the button holes. Use your needle and yarn to sew buttons in place. Weave in all ends.
