Ripple Sushi Motif Toddler Cardigan Free Crochet Pattern
Introduction
This Ripple Sushi Motif Toddler Cardigan is a playful, cozy little sweater made for the sushi-obsessed grown-up and the toddler who just wants to be comfy. It's worked in baby-soft acrylic in olive and ochre chevron stripes, with a big, friendly sushi roll appliquéd on the back made from simple circles and rectangles. The wavy ripple texture gives it a squishy, wearable feel, while the boxy shape and easy button front make it a breeze to pop on and off. It's a great match for confident beginners ready to try a chevron stitch and a little seaming.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Baby-soft acrylic, DK weight (Category 3), 100% acrylic, 280 yards (256 m) per 100 g skein.
- Color A (Olive): 2 skeins (560 yds / 512 m)
- Color B (Ochre): 1 skein (280 yds / 256 m)
- Color C (White): 1 skein (280 yds / 256 m)
- Color D (Black): small amount (20 yds / 18 m)
- Color E (Salmon): small amount (20 yds / 18 m)
- Hook: 4.0 mm (US G-6)
- Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, 4 buttons (about ½ inch / 12 mm), scissors
- Finished size: Chest circumference 22 inches (56 cm); length 12 inches (30.5 cm); sleeve length 8 inches (20 cm). Fits toddler size 2–3 years.
Abbreviations
- ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through.
- sc — single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
- sc3tog — single crochet 3 together: a decrease that turns 3 stitches into 1 (insert hook in next st, pull up a loop, repeat in next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through all 4 loops).
- inc — increase: work 2 sc in the same stitch.
- st(s) — stitch(es)
- RS — right side (the outside of the cardigan)
- MR — magic ring: an adjustable loop used to start a circle.
- sl st — slip stitch: insert hook, yarn over, pull through everything on the hook.
Gauge
16 stitches and 8 rows in the chevron pattern = 4 inches (10 cm). Work a small swatch in the chevron pattern and measure a relaxed section; if you have more stitches than 16, go up a hook size, and if fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- Count your peaks and valleys. The chevron repeat is a multiple of 14 sts + 2, so each row should keep the same stitch count — check it at the end of every row before turning.
- Change colors cleanly. Change to the new color on the last pull-through of the final stitch of the row before the color change, so the stripe edge stays neat.
- Mark your armhole gaps. Place stitch markers in the 2 skipped stitches at each side when you divide for fronts and back — it makes sleeve placement much easier later.
- Keep the motif simple. The sushi pieces are plain sc circles and rectangles; block them flat before sewing so they sit smoothly on the back.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Chevron Pattern (multiple of 14 sts + 2)
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, sc in first st, *sc in next 6 sts, sc3tog, sc in next 6 sts, 3 sc in next st; rep from * to last st, sc in last st. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, *sc in next 6 sts, sc3tog, sc in next 6 sts, 3 sc in next st; rep from * to last st, sc in last st. Turn.
Repeat Row 2 for the pattern.
Body (Color A)
Row 1 (RS): Ch 86, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 5 ch, sc3tog, sc in next 6 ch, 3 sc in next ch, *sc in next 6 ch, sc3tog, sc in next 6 ch, 3 sc in next ch; rep from * to last ch, sc in last ch. Turn. (86 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, *sc in next 6 sts, sc3tog, sc in next 6 sts, 3 sc in next st; rep from * to last st, sc in last st. Turn. (86 sts)
Rows 3–12: Repeat Row 2. (86 sts)
Rows 13–18: Repeat Row 2 in Color B. (86 sts)
Rows 19–25: Repeat Row 2 in Color A. (86 sts) Fasten off.
Divide for Fronts and Back
Left Front: Skip first 2 sts (armhole), join A in next st, work chevron pattern across next 20 sts. Turn. (20 sts)
Rows 2–13: Work even in pattern. (20 sts) Fasten off.
Back: Skip next 2 sts (armhole), join A in next st, work chevron pattern across next 42 sts. Turn. (42 sts)
Rows 2–13: Work even in pattern. (42 sts) Fasten off.
Right Front: Skip next 2 sts (armhole), join A in next st, work chevron pattern across next 20 sts. Turn. (20 sts)
Rows 2–13: Work even in pattern. (20 sts) Fasten off.
Sleeves (make 2, Color A)
Row 1 (RS): Ch 30, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 5 ch, sc3tog, sc in next 6 ch, 3 sc in next ch, sc in next 6 ch, sc3tog, sc in next 6 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Turn. (30 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, *sc in next 6 sts, sc3tog, sc in next 6 sts, 3 sc in next st; rep from * to last st, sc in last st. Turn. (30 sts)
Rows 3–20: Repeat Row 2, increasing 1 st at each end every 4th row (5 times) by working 2 sc in the first and last st. (40 sts) Fasten off.
Sushi Motif
Rice (Color C):
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [sc, inc] x6. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] x6. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] x6. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: Sc in each st around. (30 sts) Fasten off.
Nori (Color D):
Row 1: Ch 16, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (15 sts)
Rows 2–10: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (15 sts) Fasten off.
Salmon (Color E):
Row 1: Ch 12, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (11 sts)
Rows 2–6: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (11 sts) Fasten off.
Edging and Button Loops
Edging (Color B): With RS facing, join B at bottom right corner. Work 1 row sc evenly around the entire outer edge (fronts, neck, bottom), working 3 sc in each corner. Fasten off.
Button Loops (Left Front, Color B): Join B at neck edge, *ch 3, skip 1 row, sl st in next row; rep from * 3 more times, evenly spaced. Fasten off.
Assembly and Finishing
Shoulder seams: With RS facing, sew 6 sts at the outer edge of each front to the corresponding sts of the back, leaving a center neck opening.
Sleeves: Sew each sleeve into its armhole, easing to fit and matching the marked 2-st gaps.
Side and sleeve seams: Sew side seams from underarm to bottom hem, then sew each sleeve seam.
Sushi motif: Sew the rice circle to the center back. Sew the nori rectangle over the lower half of the rice circle. Sew the salmon rectangle on top of the nori, centered.
Buttons: Sew 4 buttons on the right front opposite the loops.
Finishing: Weave in all ends. Block lightly by misting with water and patting flat to shape; let dry completely before wearing.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Color swap: Try a different sushi palette — swap salmon for tuna pink, or make the rice band a soft cream for a subtler look.
- Sturdier closure: Replace button loops with a simple sc buttonhole band along the front for a faster, more secure finish.
- Motif placement: Shrink the sushi pieces by one round/row and place them on a front panel for a smaller, pocket-sized accent.
