Wanderlust Wrap Cardigan Free Pattern

Embrace the Wanderlust: Your New Favorite Boho Cardigan

There are certain pieces in our wardrobe that just feel like an extension of our soul—and this Wanderlust Wrap Cardigan is exactly that. With its free-spirited, open-front design and rich, textured stitch work, this isn't just another layer; it's a statement. Whether you're curling up with a book on a crisp autumn morning or layering it over a sundress for a summer evening, this cardigan drapes beautifully and moves with you, embodying that effortless, bohemian charm we all crave.

What makes this pattern truly special is its construction. Worked seamlessly from the top down, you'll watch the yoke grow with simple raglan increases before splitting for the body and sleeves. The magic, however, lies in the stitch pattern—a gorgeous combination of double crochet and post stitches that creates a ribbed, woven texture. It looks intricate and complex, but I promise, once you get into the rhythm of the front and back post stitches, it becomes a meditative, soothing project. Let's grab your hook and start this journey together!

Materials Needed

Before we dive into the stitches, let's gather our tools and yarn. For this project, we are using a lighter weight yarn to achieve that beautiful drape and flow.

• Yarn: DK weight (Category 3) yarn in a soft, heathered terracotta or dusty rose color. You will need approximately 1200–1600 yards depending on your chosen size. The heathered effect adds a beautiful depth to the post stitches.
• Hook: 4.5 mm crochet hook (or size needed to obtain gauge).
• Other Tools: Yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and stitch markers (optional, but helpful for keeping track of your raglan increases).

Gauge: 17 sts x 10 rows = 10 x 10 cm measured over double crochet. Always check your gauge to ensure the perfect fit!

Step-by-Step Instructions

This cardigan is a dream to construct. We'll start at the neckline and work our way down, increasing at four points to shape the shoulders. Don't be intimidated by the numbers—just follow the pattern for your size, and you'll be amazed at how quickly it comes together.

Special Stitches to Learn

These two stitches are the secret to that gorgeous ribbed texture. They are simple variations of the double crochet.

• FPdc (Front Post Double Crochet): Yarn over, insert your hook from front to back to front around the post of the next stitch (you are inserting the hook horizontally around the 'leg' of the stitch, not into the top loops). Yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through remaining two loops.
• BPdc (Back Post Double Crochet): Yarn over, insert your hook from back to front to back around the post of the next stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through remaining two loops.

Getting Started: The Yoke

Foundation: Chain 76 (84, 92, 100, 108, 116) loosely.

Row 1: Dc in the 4th ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (74, 82, 90, 98, 106, 114 dc)

Now, we will begin our raglan increases. You will notice that the increases happen at specific points to create the shoulder shaping. The stitch counts in parentheses correspond to sizes XS (S, M, L, XL, XXL).

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next 11 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 12 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 24 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 12 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 11 sts, dc in last st. Turn. (78, 86, 94, 102, 110, 118 sts)

Row 3: Ch 3, dc in next 12 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 14 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 24 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 14 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 12 sts, dc in last st. Turn. (82, 90, 98, 106, 114, 122 sts)

Row 4: Ch 3, dc in next 13 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 16 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 24 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 16 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 13 sts, dc in last st. Turn. (86, 94, 102, 110, 118, 126 sts)

Row 5: Ch 3, dc in next 14 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 18 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 24 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 18 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 14 sts, dc in last st. Turn. (90, 98, 106, 114, 122, 130 sts)

Row 6: Ch 3, dc in next 15 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 20 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 24 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 20 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 15 sts, dc in last st. Turn. (94, 102, 110, 118, 126, 134 sts)

Row 7: Ch 3, dc in next 16 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 22 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 24 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 22 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 16 sts, dc in last st. Turn. (98, 106, 114, 122, 130, 138 sts)

Row 8: Ch 3, dc in next 17 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 24 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 24 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 24 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 17 sts, dc in last st. Turn. (102, 110, 118, 126, 134, 142 sts)

Row 9: Ch 3, dc in next 18 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 26 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 24 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 26 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 18 sts, dc in last st. Turn. (106, 114, 122, 130, 138, 146 sts)

Row 10: Ch 3, dc in next 19 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 28 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 24 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 28 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 19 sts, dc in last st. Turn. (110, 118, 126, 134, 142, 150 sts)

Continue in this manner, increasing 8 sts every row (2 increases at each raglan line), until you have worked a total of 20 (22, 24, 26, 28, 30) rows from the foundation. The piece should measure approximately 20 (22, 24, 26, 28, 30) cm from the top of the shoulder. You are essentially creating a square or rectangle shape for the yoke.

Separating the Body and Sleeves

This is the most exciting part—we get to see the cardigan take shape! We will now create the armholes by skipping the sleeve stitches and working across the front and back only.

Next Row: Ch 3, dc in next 24 (26, 28, 30, 32, 34) sts (this is the front), skip next 44 (48, 52, 56, 60, 64) sts (this is the sleeve), ch 6 (8, 10, 12, 14, 16) for the underarm, dc in next 48 (52, 56, 60, 64, 68) sts (this is the back), skip next 44 (48, 52, 56, 60, 64) sts (second sleeve), ch 6 (8, 10, 12, 14, 16) for the underarm, dc in next 24 (26, 28, 30, 32, 34) sts (second front). Turn. (108, 120, 132, 144, 156, 168 sts for body)

Crocheting the Body

Now we work on the main body of the cardigan, introducing our beautiful post stitch pattern.

Row 1: Ch 3, dc in each st across, working dc in each chain of the underarm. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 3, *FPdc around next st, BPdc around next st; repeat from * across, ending with dc in last st. Turn.

Row 3: Ch 3, *BPdc around next st, FPdc around next st; repeat from * across, ending with dc in last st. Turn.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until the body measures approximately 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40) cm from the underarm, or your desired length. Fasten off.

Creating the Sleeves

Time to give those arms some love! We will work in the round, starting from the underarm.

Attach yarn at the center of the underarm chain.

Round 1: Ch 3, dc in each chain and in each stitch around the armhole. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch-3. (50, 56, 62, 68, 74, 80 sts)

Round 2: Ch 3, *FPdc around next st, BPdc around next st; repeat from * around, ending with dc in last st. Join with a sl st.

Round 3: Ch 3, *BPdc around next st, FPdc around next st; repeat from * around, ending with dc in last st. Join with a sl st.

Repeat Rounds 2 and 3 until the sleeve measures 5 cm from the underarm. Then, to shape the sleeve, decrease 2 sts evenly every 5 cm until the sleeve measures 40 (42, 44, 46, 48, 50) cm or your desired length. Fasten off.

Finishing Touches

You're almost there! The final steps will make your cardigan look polished and professional.

1. Weave in all ends carefully with your yarn needle to hide any loose threads.
2. Block the cardigan to shape. This is crucial for evening out the stitches and achieving that beautiful drape. Lay it flat on a blocking mat, pin it to the correct measurements, and mist with water. Allow it to dry completely.
3. Optional Border: For a clean, finished look, you can add a simple border of single crochet around the entire front opening and neckline. This helps the edges lie flat and gives it a more tailored appearance.

And there you have it—your very own Wanderlust Wrap Cardigan! A beautiful, textured piece that is as unique as you are. I can't wait to see how yours turns out. Happy crocheting!