Ije Awele Cardigan

Description

Ije Awele is Igbo for safe journey — and this cardigan carries that spirit in every stitch. The sweeping wave-patterned shawl collar evokes the ocean in motion, while the classic drop-shoulder silhouette keeps the whole piece grounded in quiet elegance. This is crochet that encourages you to be brave.

Safe journey.

Skill Level

Intermediate

Construction

Ije Awele is worked sideways in three rectangular panels — one back panel and two identical front panels — which are then joined at the sides and shoulders to form the body. The sleeves are crocheted flat and attached from one side of the underarm to the other, with short rows shaping the fit before joining. The shawl collar is worked in two halves and seamed at the back of the neck.

Four video tutorials are included as audiovisual guides — watch all of them before casting on.

Sizes

XS · S · M · L · XL · 2XL · 3XL · 4XL · 5XL

To fit full bust circumference:

28–30 (32–34, 36–38, 40–42, 44–46) (48–50, 52–54, 56–58, 60–62) inches

Measurements

— Full body + shawl: 42 (44, 48.5, 50.75, 55) (60.25, 64.5, 68.25, 71.5) in · 106.5 (112, 123, 129, 139.5) (153, 164, 173.5, 181.5) cm
— Length from underarm to hem (cropped): 12.25 in · 31 cm
— Length from underarm to hem (full): 16.25 in · 41.5 cm
— Back of neck: 7.75 (8.5, 8.5, 9.25, 9.25) (10, 10, 10.75, 10.75) in · 19.5 (21.5, 21.5, 23.5, 23.5) (25.5, 25.5, 27.5, 27.5) cm
— Armhole circumference: 16 (16.75, 17.50, 18.25, 19) (19.75, 20.25, 21, 22) in · 40.5 (42.5, 44.5, 46.6, 48.5) (50, 51.5, 53.5, 56) cm
— Sleeve length: 20.25 in · 51.5 cm
— Cuff circumference: 8.25 (9, 9.75, 9.75, 9.75) (10, 10, 10, 10) in · 21 (23, 25, 25, 25) (25.5, 25.5, 25.5, 25.5) cm
— Front sleeve width: 5.25 (5.75, 6.75, 7, 8.25) (9, 10, 10.75, 11.75) in · 13.5 (14.5, 17, 18, 21) (23, 25.5, 27.5, 29) cm
— Shawl width: 13 (13, 13, 13, 13) (14.5, 14.5, 14.5, 14.5) in · 33 (33, 33, 33, 33) (37, 37, 37, 37) cm

Materials

— Fingering weight yarn (size 1)
— 4mm crochet hook
— Stitch markers
— Tapestry needle

Yarn used in sample: School Knits 100% Acrylic Fingering Weight in sky blue. Any fingering weight yarn may be substituted — gauge is what matters.

Estimated Yardage

Cropped cardigan:
2183 (2343, 2556, 2869, 3161) (3535, 3848, 4261, 4532) m · 2387 (2563, 2795, 3138, 3458) (3866, 4208, 4660, 4958) yds

Full-length cardigan:
2532 (2718, 2965, 3328, 3667) (4101, 4464, 4943, 5257) m · 2769 (2972, 3242, 3640, 4010) (4484, 4882, 5405, 5749) yds

Gauge

24 sts and 22 rows in (slst in 1 st, hdc in 1 st) pattern over 4 in · 10 cm using a 4mm hook. The stitch pattern is stretchy — as long as your stitch gauge is met with a gentle stretch, you are good to go.

Made this? I would genuinely love to see it. Share your finished Ije Awele Cardigan on Instagram using #IjeAwele and tag @Yarnpunzel — seeing your makes is truly my favourite part of designing.