Free Crochet Pattern-X Stitch Challenge, X Marks the Spot Cardi

X Marks the Spot Cardi

Enjoy this month’s X Stitch Challenge crochet pattern

Summertime is quickly approaching but spring can still be cool. This month’s X Stitch Challenge crochet pattern is the perfect accessory for those chilly days. I designed this pattern using the modified  X stitch but you can use the traditional one if you prefer. I made this cardi in I Love This Cotton with a shimmer and I love the finished look. The cardi closes at the bodice with a set of button taps arranged to form an “X” (like that twist on the X Stitch theme?). 

 

Click HERE to add the XStitch Cardi to your Ravelry Favorites

And don’t forget to Pin this Cardi too!

 

 

 

 

 

This cardi pattern is sized in 6-12 months but I’m sure you can adjust it easily if you need a little smaller or larger — simply adjusting the number of repeats in the bodice. The cardi works up super quick and the color possibilities are endless.

 

 

 

 I hope you enjoy making this quick project and will share your finished pictures on my Facebook page and the SHOW IT OFF link party.

 

 

 

 

 

 

X Marks the Spot Cardi

Materials: 
Made with worsted weight cotton yarn such as I Love This Cotton ~450 yards
3/4″ buttons – 4
Stitch markers

Gauge: Hook US H/5.00mm; 15 hdc x 11 Rows = 4”

Size: 6-12 months

Abbreviations:
beg- beginning
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
hdc – half double crochet
sc – single crochet
sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together
sl st – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
tr – treble crochet

Special Stitch:
Special Stitches (see tutorial at end)
• Modified XSt – X Stitch – skip next st, dc in next stitch, working around stitch just made, work dc in skipped stitch.

• Front and Back Post Treble crochets are used – working in the front or back as indicated, work a treble crochet around the post of the next stitch instead of in the stitch itself.

Notes:
• Weave ends as you work
• Numbers in ( ) at end of the round are the number of stitches in that round.
• Work instructions in [ ] as designated
• When a number precedes a stitch, such as 3hdc, work that number of stitches in the next stitch.

 

Body:
Row 1: Ch66, hdc in 3^rd ch from hook (skipped ch sts count as hdc), hdc next 8, [hdc, ch1, hdc] in next st, hdc next 9, [hdc, ch1, hdc] in next st, hdc next 23, [hdc, ch1, hdc] in next st, hdc next 9, [hdc, ch1, hdc] in next st, hdc last 10 sts. (69 hdc total – Sections of 11, 11, 25, 11, 11)

Row 2: Ch2 (counts as hdc here and throughout), turn, * hdc in each st to ch1, [hdc, ch1, hdc] in ch1 space *. Repeat between * 3 more times, hdc to end. (77 – Sections of 12, 13, 27, 13, 12)

Rows 3 to 9: Repeat Row 2 – you will increase the stitch count by 8 for each row. Place a stitch marker in each ch1 corner. (133 hdc after last repeat – Sections of 19, 27, 41, 27, 19)

Row 10: Ch2, turn, hdc next 18, hdc in ch1 space, ch2, skip next 27 sts (armhole), hdc in next ch1 space at next marker, hdc next 41, hdc next ch1 space, ch2, skip next 27 sts (armhole), hdc in next ch1 space at next marker, hdc last 19 sts. (83 hdc + 4 ch)

Row 11: Ch3 (counts as dc here and throughout), turn, dc in each hdc and ch to end. (87)

Row 12: Ch3, turn, [Front Post tr, Back Post tr] to last 2 sts, Front Post tr in next st, dc in last st.

Row 13: Ch3, turn, dc in each st to end.

Row 14 to 24: Ch3, turn, XSt to last 2 sts, dc in last 2 sts. Fasten off. (42 XSt + 3 dc)

 

Sleeve:
Round 1: Working in skipped sts on armhole of Body, join in center st at underarm, sc in each st. Join with sl st to beg sc. (33)

Rounds 2 to 4: Ch1, turn, hdc in each st. Join with sl st to beg hdc. (33)

Round 5: Ch1, turn, hdc in first st, hdc2tog, hdc in each st until there are 3 sts left, hdc2tog, hdc last st. Join with sl st to beg hdc. (31)

Rounds 6 to 13: Repeat Rounds 2 to 5, two more times. (27 sts after last repeat)

Round 14: Ch1, turn, hdc in each st to end. Join with sl st to beg hdc. (27)

Round 15: Ch1, turn, hdc in first st, [hdc next 2, hdc2tog] 5 times, hdc last 6 sts. Join with sl st to beg hdc. (22)

Round 16: Ch1, turn, hdc in each st. Join with sl st to beg hdc. (22)

Round 17: Ch1, turn, [Front Post dc, Back Post dc] to end. Join with sl st to beg dc. (22)

Round 18: Ch1, [Front Post hdc, Back Post hdc] to end. Join with sl st to beg hdc. Fasten off. (22)

Repeat for other sleeve.

 

Left Front Band:
Row 1: Join yarn at left neckline corner, working sides of center front rows, work 35 sc evenly to end. Tip: I usually work 1 sc in the side of each hdc and 2 sc in the side of each dc and adjust as needed. (35)

Row 2: Ch1, turn, working in Front Loop Only, work sc in each st to end. (35)

Row 3: Ch1, turn, working loosely sl st in each st to end. Fasten off.

 

Right Front Band:
Join yarn at lower right side of hem, repeat as for Left Front Band

 

Neckline:
Row 1: Join yarn at right neckline corner, work 1 sc in each st of the beg ch, skipping the chs that have 2 sts in them.

Row 2: Ch1, turn, working in Front Loop Only, sc in same st and next 9, sc2tog, sc next 8, sc2tog, sc next 22, sc2tog, sc next 8, sc2tog, sc to end.

Row 3: Ch1, turn, working loosely sl st in each st to end. Fasten off.

 

Hemline:
Join yarn at lower left band at hemline, working in Back Loop Only, sl st in each st to end. Fasten off.

 

Tabs – make 2:
Round 1: Ch16, 3sc in 3^rd st from hook, sc in next 13, 3sc in last ch, working around opposite side of beg ch, sc next 13. Do not join.

Round 2: Starting in first st of Round 1, 2sc in first st, ch4, skip 1, 2sc in next st, sc next 13, 2sc in next 3 sts, sc next 13. Do not join.

Round 3: Work sc in next 2 sts (from previous round), 5 sc in ch4 space, sc next st, sl st next st. Fasten off. Finish with invisible finish. Crochet Zone has a simple tutorial for the invisible finish – click here.

Attach tab without buttonhole on one side of sweater front as indicated in picture, place button on top and sew through all thicknesses to tack in place. Sew button on opposite side of sweater. Repeat for next tab.

 

 

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