Free easy cardigan knitting patterns, easy enough for beginners. Many are knit flat in one piece, with or without added sleeves. Many of the patterns are free. Updated 3/24/24
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
All links on this site are for informational purposes, but please note that some links are to affiliate sellers that pay me a small commission on purchases.
Follow me for more patterns:
Free Patterns
Moss Stitch Coat
Easy cardigan knit flat with moss/seed stitch and ribbing. No picking up stitches. Does have shaping. Sizes S to XXL. DK weight yarn. Designed by BC Garn
Loquat Jacket
Easy long-sleeved cardigan knit flat with a 2 row repeat broken rib texture. No picking up stitches. Does have shaping and the construction is slightly different with the fronts knit in one piece with the back yoke. Sizes To Fit Bust: 81cm/32in to 132cm/52in. Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Berroco Design Team
Falmouth Shrug Cardigan
Cocoon cardigan with contrasting ribbed shawl collar knit flat in one piece. Beginning knitters would need to feel comfortable working decreases as well as basic stitches and changing colors. Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Bobbie Fitzgerald
Waterfall Cardigan
Draped front cardigan knit flat sideways with a 2 row repeat texture that's probably seed stitch. No picking up stitches. Sizes To Fit Bust: 82cm/33in to 107cm/42in. DK weight yarn. Designed by Elle
Shawl-Collared Cardigan
Easy cardigan with shawl collar knit along with the fronts. No picking up stitches. Sizes S to 3X. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Lion Brand
Wrapover Cardigan
Easy wrapped front long-sleeved cardigan with belt knit flat in stockinette with seed stitch front band and neckband knit as you go. No picking up stitches. Sizes To Fit Bust: 91cm/36in to 96cm/38in. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Patons
Ribbed Jacket
Easy long-sleeved cardigan knit flat with a 2 row repeat rib pattern. There is some shaping. No picking up stitches. The stripes come from a self-striping yarn. Sizes To Fit Bust: 82cm/33in to 107cm/42in. DK weight yarn. Designed by Elle
Lana Cardigan
Sleeveless cardigan or vest in tunic length knit flat with 4 row repeat in three colors. Designed for beginning knitters. I think the main skill beginners will need is to that you have to divide to knit the front piece. Sizes 30 inches to 62 inches. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Crystal Marin. Web version is free
More Free Patterns
Wrapcardi
Beginner cocoon cardigan knit flat in one rectangle with seed/moss stitch, stockinette, and ribbing. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Kyla Anastasia Osminin
Taconic Shrug
Simple cocoon cardigan knit flat in one rectangle with a 8 row repeat Lace stitch edged with garter stitch. Worsted weight yarn. Suitable for beginners who want to try lace knitting. Designed by Lisa Barnes for Lion Brand
Patchwork Blanket Cardigan
A quilt or basketweave texture adds interest to this beginner friendly blanket sweater cardigan is knit flat in one rectangle and seamed. I think the main skill beginners will need is to follow the texture stitch pattern which is 26 rows and requires some attention. 3 Sizes S - XXXL. Bulky weight yarn. Want a blanket instead? Just don't seam when you're done. Designed by Brome Fields. Web version is free
Y-Shaped Waistcoat
Perfect pattern for beginners. This is really a scarf sewn into a cardigan waistcoat with a 1 row repeat ribbing. It can be turned upside down – from being a tightfitting waistcoat into a shorter and loser waistcoat with collar. Sizes S/M,L/XL. Fingering weight yarn. Y-Shaped Waistcoat in BC Garn Baby Alpaca 2235BC.
Oversized Shrug
Super easy cocoon cardigan knit flat in one rectangle with a 6 row repeat Slip Stitch Mesh stitch edged with garter stitch. Sizes S/M, (L/XL). Fast project in Super Bulky and suitable for beginners. Woman’s Oversized Shrug in Plymouth Yarn De Aire 2391.
Shrowl Jacket
Easy sleeveless cardigan knit flat in one piece and seamed. Knit with a 6 row repeat that does include wrapped and dropped stitches which may be a new skill for some beginners. No picking up stitches. The stripes come from a self-striping yarn. Sizes To Fit Bust: 82cm/33in to 47cm/52in. DK weight yarn. Designed by Elle
Wildflower Cardigan
Super easy cardigan knit flat with a one row repeat seed stitch. It's basically 3 rectangles sewn together. Perfect for beginners a great showcase for multicolor yarn. Chunky weight yarn. Designed by Premier Yarns Design Team
Liz Cardi
Short sleeve cardigan sweater knit in one piece, starting from the back, separate for the 2 front panels, then seam up the side and you’re done. No picking up stitches. Rated easy by the designer Jesse Mozlan. Sizes S/L. Worsted weight yarn.
Patterns for Purchase
Easy Beginner Chunky Cardigan
Easy sweater pattern knit flat in garter stitch. 3 sizes S/M/l, but you can very easy make it in any size you want by adding or subtracting stitches and rows. Quick knit in Super Chunky weight yarn. Designed by Gorica Pavlovic.
Puff Cardigan
Easy cardigan with a seed stitch yoke and the rest in garter stitch, knit from the top down. The neckline is shaped with short rows. 6 sizes (S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL). Super bulky weight yarn. Designed by Au Bout du Pré
Chunky Shrug
Cocoon style wrap cardigan knit flat in one rectangle, then folded and seamed to form the cardigan. Finished sizes: S (M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL) Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Sandi Prosser for Annie’s Signature Designs.
Adelia Cardigan
Simple and relaxing to knit v neck sweater with a cropped fit. Works up using basic stitches and shaping. Sizes S, M, L. Chunky weight yarn. Designed by MMadisonMarie
Chunky Cardigan
Loose-fit cardigan with no side seams knitted flat in pieces. Techniques included rib st, stockinette st, increase sts, decrease sts. Sizes bust XS 80.5 cm / 32 inches to L 101.5-106.5 cm / 40-42 inches. Chunky weight yarn. Designed by ThroughTheStitch
Dramatic 3 Piece Cardigan
Cocoon cardigan knit with 3 identical rectangles and seamed. Easy knit but intermediate assembly. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Linda Marveng.
Inca Vest Wrap
Seamless sleeveless cardigan knit sideways in garter stitch and is versatile enough to be worn in several ways. Quick knit in super bulky yarn. Suitable for beginners according to designer, laurimukspatterns.
