There is no layer quite like a hooded cardigan for those in-between days when a coat feels like too much and a plain cardigan feels like too little, and that is exactly why this roundup of crochet hooded cardigan ideas took me so long to put together — I kept finding one more good one. Every design here is a genuine open-front cardigan with a real hood, not a pullover pretending to be one, and every single pattern is genuinely free, whether that means a free download, the full written pattern on the designer's blog, or a complete video tutorial that walks you through the whole garment. From two-hexagon wonders to waffle stitch, Alpine stitch and front-post texture, there is something here for every skill level and every yarn stash.
A quick honest note before we start: eighteen of these are full written patterns, and two are video tutorials, clearly labelled as such, because the written pool for hooded cardigans is genuinely thinner than for plain cardigans and I would rather show you two excellent taught-on-video designs than pad the list. I have also flagged two honest cousins along the way — one granny hoodie the designer herself says can be worn open as a cardigan, and one loose poncho-style cardigan — so you always know exactly what you are making. Sizes here run from XS right up to 5XL across the collection, so let's find your next cosy layer.
1. Two L-Shaped Panels in Chunky Yarn
We are starting with a beautifully simple construction: Stevie Entrekin's Katy Cardigan is made from two L-shaped panels seamed together down the centre back and sides, with the sleeves and the hood crocheted directly onto the body so there is no fiddly set-in sleeve to wrestle with. It comes in seven sizes from XS to 3X, with finished chest measurements from 31 to 55 inches, and it is worked in bulky weight yarn with a 10 mm hook, which means it grows fast enough to keep even an impatient crocheter happy. The pattern is available as a free download on Ravelry, and the two-panel shape gives it a relaxed, easy drape that looks wonderful worn open over a long-sleeved tee. If you love chunky yarn and clever-but-simple construction, this is a very satisfying place to begin.
Pattern: Katy Cardigan by Stevie Entrekin — Get the free pattern
2. One Seamless Piece You Can Wear Open or Closed
Jess Coppom of Make & Do Crew calls her Strata Sweater a simple, almost seamless hoodie, and the "almost" is doing very little work here — the back, the two fronts and the hood are worked in one piece, the sleeves are worked in the round, and the whole thing comes together with barely any seaming at all. It is written in six sizes from small to 3X, fitting busts from 32 to 56 inches, in DK weight yarn with a 5.5 mm hook, and it has an optional button closure along the neckline so you can wear it closed like a sweater or open like a cardigan. The full pattern is free on her blog, with an ad-free PDF sold separately for anyone who prefers to print. In a self-striping cake yarn the colour changes do all the decorating for you, and the hood sits beautifully when it is down.
Pattern: Strata Sweater by Jess Coppom at Make & Do Crew — Get the free pattern
3. Ribbed Texture in Nine Sizes
Meghan Makes Do's Waverly Hooded Cardigan is the one I would hand to a confident beginner who wants a garment that looks far more complicated than it is, because the back-loop-only stitches give the whole cardigan a cosy ribbed look without any actual ribbing technique to learn. It is written in nine sizes from XS to 5XL, it is described by the designer as beginner-friendly, and the full pattern is free on her blog, with an ad-free PDF sold for three dollars if you want a printable copy. The construction is straightforward, the fit is relaxed and forgiving, and the hood is generous enough to actually keep you warm rather than just look pretty. Make it in a solid neutral and it will go with everything you own, or pick a rich autumn shade and let it be the outfit.
Pattern: Waverly Hooded Cardigan by Meghan Makes Do — Get the free pattern
4. Two Hexagons, One Cosy Hood
If you have never made a hexagon cardigan, the Red Heart Long Hooded Hexi Cardi is a wonderful first one, because the famous two-hexagon trick does almost all the shaping for you: you crochet two large hexagons, fold them, seam them, and suddenly you have a body and sleeves. The hood is worked on afterwards, the design comes in adult sizes from XS/S right up to 4/5XL, and the pattern is a free download from Yarnspirations with no sign-up required at all. Because the hexagons are worked in a solid stitch rather than open granny clusters, the fabric is warm and substantial, more jacket than lace layer. This is the cardigan for cold mornings, big mugs of tea and not leaving the house until you absolutely must.
Pattern: Red Heart Long Hooded Hexi Cardi by Red Heart at Yarnspirations — Get the free pattern
5. Strawberry Pockets on a Hexagon Cardi
Staying with the hexagon family but adding a whole lot of charm, the Strawberry Patch Crochet Hexi Cardigan is another Red Heart design, this time with the sweetest detail in this entire roundup: little strawberry pockets worked right into the front. The free download from Yarnspirations needs no sign-up, it comes in adult sizes from XS/S to 4/5XL, and I checked the pattern document itself to confirm the hood section is really there, with the hood joined at the neckline and worked in rows before the top is seamed. The main fabric is a classic hexagon cardigan in worsted weight yarn, so it is warm and sturdy, and those strawberry pockets turn an everyday layer into something people will ask about. Make it in the suggested stripe-and-solid combination for the full effect, or keep it simple and let the pockets do the talking.
Pattern: Strawberry Patch Crochet Hexi Cardigan by Red Heart at Yarnspirations — Get the free pattern
6. Granny Stitch That Wears Two Ways
Here is the first of my two honestly flagged cousins, and it earns its place because the designer says so herself: Mama in a Stitch's Riptide Granny Hoodie is worked in rectangles of granny stitch, seamed together, and it can be worn closed as a cosy sweatshirt-style hoodie or worn open as a cardigan, which is exactly how I would style it here. The full pattern is free on her blog, with an ad-free PDF sold separately, and the granny stitch fabric is light, drapey and wonderfully mindless to crochet once you find the rhythm. Because the rectangles are simple shapes, this is a very forgiving first garment, and the granny stitch looks beautiful in a gradient or striped yarn. Wear it open over a plain tee and jeans and nobody will ever guess it started life as a hoodie.
Pattern: Riptide Granny Hoodie by Mama in a Stitch — Get the free pattern
7. Striped Hexagons With a Hood
Caron's Hexi Stripes Crochet Hooded Cardigan takes the two-hexagon idea and runs it in stripes, which is a lovely way to use up partial skeins or to plan a deliberate colour story across the garment. Like its Red Heart cousins it comes in adult sizes from XS/S to 4/5XL, and it is a free download from Yarnspirations, so there is nothing standing between you and the pattern. The striped hexagons fold into the usual cardigan shape with the hood added at the neck, and the stripes keep the long hexagon rounds interesting in a way that a single colour sometimes does not. If you have a stash of coordinating worsted weight yarns that have been waiting for a purpose, this is their moment.
Pattern: Caron Hexi Stripes Crochet Hooded Cardigan by Caron at Yarnspirations — Get the free pattern
8. One Piece, Pockets Included
April Lesley's Cardigan Hoody with Pockets is a practical dream of a pattern: the back and front are worked in one piece, the sleeves and the hood are worked straight on from there, and there are optional pockets, because a cardigan without pockets is a missed opportunity in my book. It is designed to be worn open, it is written in both UK and US crochet terms so nobody has to translate on the fly, and it is available as a free download on Ravelry. The one-piece body means there is very little seaming to dread at the end, and the straightforward stitch pattern makes it a relaxing project for evenings in front of something good on television. Add the pockets, obviously — you will thank yourself every single time you wear it.
Pattern: Cardigan Hoody with Pockets by April Lesley — Get the free pattern
9. Colour Blocks From the Top Down
MJ's Off The Hook Designs brings us a top-down raglan cardigan, which means no seaming at all: the Hooded Colour Block Cardigan is worked in one piece from the neck down, with the colour blocks changing as you go, in half double crochet that keeps the fabric soft and drapey. It comes in nine sizes from XS to 5X, it includes a video tutorial alongside the written pattern, and the free written pattern is available to the designer's blog subscribers, with an ad-free PDF sold separately. Top-down construction is a gift for anyone who likes to try things on as they go, because you can check the fit at every stage instead of hoping at the end. Pick three colours you love together and let the blocks do the colour work.
Pattern: Hooded Colour Block Cardigan by MJ’s Off The Hook Designs — Get the free pattern
10. Alpine Stitch With an Optional Zipper
Ashlea Konecny of Heart Hook Home designed the Kazbek Cardigan as a truly open-front hooded cardigan, worked top-down in the beautiful Alpine stitch, which gives the fabric a dense, textured, almost woven look that is perfect for cold weather. It is written in sizes from XS to 5XL, it has diagonal-top pockets worked right in, and if you prefer a closed front there is even an optional zipper, which is a rare and very practical touch in a crochet pattern. The full pattern is free on her blog, with an ad-free PDF sold on Ravelry, Etsy and her own shop for anyone who wants a printable version. This is the cardigan I picture over a dress on a crisp autumn walk, hood up against the wind, hands tucked into those clever pockets.
Pattern: Kazbek Cardigan by Ashlea Konecny at Heart Hook Home — Get the free pattern
11. A Beginner-Friendly Oversized Hexagon
Gina Michele's Easy Hooded Crochet Hexagon Cardigan Pattern for Women is exactly what its name promises: a hexagon cardigan with clear instructions for adding the cosy hood, written for beginners and worked in an oversized, relaxed fit that forgives a multitude of sizing sins. The full written pattern is free on her blog, with an ad-free PDF sold in her shop for anyone who prefers to print, and the construction follows the familiar two-hexagon route with the hood added at the end. Because it is oversized by design, it layers beautifully over chunky sweaters and long-sleeved tops without feeling tight across the shoulders. If the hexagon cardigan trend has been tempting you but the patterns looked intimidating, this gentle version is your way in.
Pattern: Easy Hooded Crochet Hexagon Cardigan Pattern for Women by Gina Michele — Get the free pattern
12. Three Pieces and a Hood on the Neck Edge
Vladimir Teriokhin's Balham Hooded Cardigan for Lion Brand is a refreshingly structured design: just three pieces plus a hood that is worked directly onto the neck edge, with crocheted buttons for a neat, finished front. It comes in three size groupings, small/medium, large, and 1X/2X, and it is worked in a touch-of-alpaca blend yarn that gives it a soft, slightly fuzzy warmth. Here is the honest pricing detail worth knowing: the pattern download itself is free at zero dollars on the Lion Brand site, while the yarn kit sold alongside it costs money, so grab the pattern and use your own stash if you prefer. The clean lines and simple construction make it a great choice if you like your cardigans tailored rather than slouchy, and the hood is properly sized for actual wear.
Pattern: Balham Hooded Cardigan by Vladimir Teriokhin at Lion Brand — Get the free pattern
13. Stripes, Two Strands and a Big Size Range
The Real Pink Sheep Design's Dobby's Hooded Cardigan is a joyful striped cardigan worked in half double crochet, holding two strands of worsted weight yarn together for a thick, warm fabric, or a single strand of bulky yarn if you prefer to keep it simpler. It is written in a genuinely size-inclusive range from XXS/XS all the way to 4X/5X, fitting busts from 26.5 to 58 inches, and the full pattern is free on the designer's blog, with an ad-free PDF sold on Etsy and a crochet-along video series to follow along with. The construction runs from the body through two front panels to the hood, with a front border and sleeves worked in the round, so it feels like a proper garment project rather than a weekend throwaway. Stripes mean you can play with colour as boldly or as quietly as you like, and the beginner-friendly rating means newer crocheters can absolutely take it on.
Pattern: Dobby’s Hooded Cardigan by The Real Pink Sheep Design — Get the free pattern
14. Made to Measure From Your Own Chest
YARNutopia's Hexagonal Granny Hooded Cardigan is the made-to-measure entry in this collection, and that is its superpower: instead of fixed sizes, you work the hexagons until each side measures half of your own chest measurement, so the cardigan fits your body rather than asking your body to fit the pattern. The full written pattern is free on the blog with a companion video, the hexagons are folded into their L-shape, lengthening rows extend the body and sleeves, and then the hood is attached at the skipped sleeve stitches and worked until it measures about fifteen inches before being folded and sewn at the top. Any yarn and any hook will work, which makes it a brilliant stash-buster, and the granny stitch keeps the whole thing light and rhythmic. If standard sizing has ever let you down, this is the pattern that hands the tape measure back to you.
Pattern: Hexagonal Granny Hooded Cardigan by YARNutopia — Get the free pattern
15. Herringbone Stitch With I-Cord Hood Pulls
Lorene Haythorn Eppolite of Cre8tion Crochet designed the Pizzelle Hooded Cardigan with some of the prettiest finishing details in this roundup: a herringbone half double crochet fabric, a bottom ribbing worked at the full body width, a back panel and two front panels seamed at the shoulders, sleeves worked in the round, and then a hood that is added, seamed closed and finished with an i-cord channel edging and little i-cord hood pulls. It comes in sizes from XS to 5X, it was originally published in a magazine winter issue and the free version now lives on her blog, and the herringbone stitch gives the fabric a subtle zigzag texture that looks far fancier than its simple repeat. This is the cardigan for crocheters who love a project with satisfying details at every stage, and those hood pulls are the kind of touch people notice.
Pattern: Pizzelle Hooded Cardigan by Lorene Haythorn Eppolite at Cre8tion Crochet — Get the free pattern
16. Front-Post Texture in Super-Bulky Yarn
Tasha Margette of Stardust Gold Crochet calls her Kirra Cardigan a perfect beginner cardigan pattern, and she is not exaggerating: it teaches you how to crochet and assemble a cardigan in a single post, using front-post treble and front-post double crochet to build a richly textured fabric over a simple panel construction. It is written in three sizes, small, medium and large, in super-bulky weight yarn with a 10 mm hook, so it works up quickly, and it finishes with wooden toggle buttons and pockets, which are two of my favourite things in any cardigan. The full pattern is free on her blog, with a video tutorial covering the first rows for visual learners, and she notes honestly that the original yarn has been discontinued, with substitution guidance included. This is a campfire cardigan in the best sense: warm, textured, a little bit rustic and made for chilly evenings outdoors.
Pattern: Kirra Cardigan by Tasha Margette at Stardust Gold Crochet — Get the free pattern
17. A Poncho-Style Cousin in Sideways Rectangles
Here is my second honestly flagged cousin, and it is a lovely one: Merry Mary Stories' Kallisto Poncho-Cardigan is a hooded, loose poncho-style cardigan made from four nearly rectangular pieces worked sideways plus a hood, so it drapes like a poncho but wears open like a cardigan. It is written in one very loose, oversized adult size that fits many body types, worked in worsted weight Stylecraft Special Aran yarn with a 6 mm hook, and the full pattern is free on her blog, with an ad-free large-print PDF sold separately and a tutorial video to follow. Because the pieces are simple rectangles, the construction is genuinely easy, and the oversized drape means fit anxiety basically disappears. Wear it open over a fitted top and slim trousers and let the poncho silhouette do the drama.
Pattern: Kallisto Poncho-Cardigan by Merry Mary Stories — Get the free pattern
18. Deep Waffle Texture With Buttons
Jasmine Kennon of Jas K Crochet gives us the only waffle stitch cardigan in this collection, and the texture is the whole point: deep front-post and back-post waffle stitches build a thick, cosy fabric with beautiful dimension, worked flat from the bottom up with buttonholes along the front. The full written pattern is free on her blog with a video showing how to work the waffle stitch, it uses Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes yarn with a 5 mm hook, and the construction divides the body into sides and back with armhole shaping before the shoulders and hood complete it. Waffle stitch eats yarn and rewards you with warmth, so this is the cardigan for the coldest part of the year, and the self-striping cake yarn means the colour changes happen on their own. Button it up against the wind or wear it open; either way the texture looks wonderful.
Pattern: Hooded Waffle Cardigan by Jasmine Kennon at Jas K Crochet — Get the free pattern
19. A Duster With Pockets, Taught on Video
Our first video tutorial is also the longest layer in the collection: TCDDIY's Hooded Duster Cardigan with Pockets is a full-length duster taught step by step on video, walking you through the front panel, the back panel, the shoulder and side seams, the sleeve and cuff, the hood, the bands and finally the pocket. The tutorial is free to watch on YouTube, with a written PDF sold on the designer's Etsy shop for anyone who wants to print the instructions, and the duster length makes it a dramatic layer over everything from jeans to dresses. Video-led garments suit a different kind of crocheter, someone who likes to see the shaping happen rather than read it, and this one is thorough enough that a patient beginner could follow along. If you have ever wanted a cardigan that feels like a coat, this is the one to queue up.
Pattern: Hooded Duster Cardigan with Pockets by TCDDIY — Get the free pattern
20. Mosaic Stitch in a Video Tutorial
We are finishing with our second video tutorial, and it brings a stitch pattern nobody else in this roundup uses: AC Crochets' Crochet Easy Hooded Cardigan works a mosaic stitch into a hooded cardigan for women, in an adult extra-small/small size, taught entirely on free video. Mosaic crochet looks like complex colourwork but is worked with only one colour per row, so the geometric pattern appears almost by magic, and the hooded cardigan shape keeps it wearable rather than fussy. Because this one is video-only, it is best for crocheters who are comfortable pausing, rewinding and working at their own pace, and the smaller size range means it suits petite frames exactly as taught. It is a beautiful final entry: proof that even the twentieth hooded cardigan on a list can still surprise you.
Pattern: Crochet Easy Hooded Cardigan by AC Crochets — Get the free pattern
Conclusion
And that is twenty hooded cardigans, my friend — chunky two-panel wonders and seamless top-down raglans, five different takes on the beloved hexagon, waffle and Alpine and herringbone textures, a made-to-measure granny design, a poncho-style cousin, and two video tutorials for the visual learners among us. Every one is genuinely free, every one has a real hood, and the sizes across the collection stretch from XS to 5XL, so there is truly something here for every body and every stash. If you are new to garments, start with the Waverly, the Gina Michele hexagon or the one-piece Cardigan Hoody; if you want a project with presence, the Kazbek, the Dobby's stripes or the TCDDIY duster are calling your name.
Now tell me — are you team hexagon cardigan or team textured stitch, and which of these twenty hooded cardigans is going on your hook first? I read every comment, and I cannot wait to see your makes!
