Free knitting patterns for cardigan sweaters featuring cable designs. Most patterns are free. Updated 7/11/25.
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.
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Free Patterns
Cable and Rib Cardigan
Women's cardigan with elbow length sleeves and cables on ribbed background. Sizes: XS to 2X. DK weight yarn. Retro Cardigan Designed by Therese Chynoweth.
Creative Twist Cardigan
Quick cardigans knit with chunky cable details and options for long or short sleeves. Sizes: 36-40 (42-46). Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Rico Design.
Rustic Cardigans
Unisex cardigan with options for Round Neck or V-Neck and pockets, knit with cables and double moss stitch. Sizes 81 to 117 cm / 32 to 46 in. Designed by Yarnsmiths. Aran weight yarn.
Andante Cable Cardigan
Exquisite long-sleeved cardigan sweater with shawl collar knit with a variety of stunning cables. Sizes body circumference 92 to 132 cm / 36 to 52 in. Designed by Sari Nordlund for Novita. DK weight yarn.
Creative Cable Cardigan or Pullover
Cable cardigan with 12 row cable panels on the front and sleeves on a garter stitch background. Sizes 81 to 127 cm / 32 to 50 in. Pullover instructions also included. Rico R2103 Cardigan and Jumper in Creative Chic-Unique. Chunky weight yarn.
Cable and Texture Cardigan
Long-sleeved cardigan sweater knit in an 8 row repeat texture and horseshoe cable pattern. Sizes 34”, (38, 42, 46, 50). Womens Cardigan in Plymouth Yarn Cashmere De Cotone 3011. Worsted weight yarn.
Dovercourt Cardigan
Long-sleeved cabled cardigan sweater with deep ribbing at the hem and cuffs. Sizes XS to 5XL. Designed by Nicole Winer for Yarnspirations. Worsted weight yarn.
Cabled Open Cardigan 10220
Long-sleeved cardigan sweater features diamond trellis cables. Sizes Bust circumference: 47(51.25, 54.75, 59, 62.75, 67)“ 119(130, 139, 150, 159, 170) cm. Designed by Hayfield for Sirdar. Aran weight yarn.
Elle Cardigans 6961
Cabled cardigan buttoned at collar with Long-Sleeve and Cap-Sleeve options. Sizes To Fit Bust: 30½ (32½, 34¼, 36¼, 38¼, 40, 42¼, 44, 46) inches. Designed by Saprotex International Design Studio. DK weight yarn.
Sisterhood of the Sweater
Color-blocked cardigan knit with sections of 8 row honeycomb cable, 8 row Wild Oats cable, and seed stitch. Sizes To Fit Bust 32”-34” / 36”-38” / 40”-42” / 44”-46” / 48”-50”. Designed by Katie Rempe for Skacel. Worsted weight yarn.
More Free Patterns
Infinity Cardigan
Versatile cardigan knit in a unique construction that allows the flow of cables through the whole fabric and creates a drapey shawl collar that can also be worn as a hood or wrapped over the shoulder. Sizes S (M, L, XL, XXL), 32 (40, 48, 56, 62)". Designed by Tamara Ell. Fingering weight yarn.
Cabled Cardigan
Figure flattering cardigan with 4 row repeat cables framed with 8 row cables with a ribbed shawl collar. Sizes 28" to 53.9" / 72-77 (82-87, 92-97, 102-107, 112-117, 122-127,132-137) cm bust. Designed by Saprotex International Design Studio. DK weight yarn.
Cardigan with Cabled Yoke
Short-sleeved cardigan sweater features a beautiful cabled yoke, so there are cables running horizontally and vertically. Sizes XS/S 36" (91.5 cm), Medium / 40" (101.5 cm), Large 44" (112 cm), X-Large / 48" (122 cm), 2/3XL / 56" (142 cm), 4/5XL / 64" (162.5 cm). Designed by Patons. Worsted weight yarn.
Kittiwake Cardigan
Long-sleeved cardigan sweater features gull stitch-based cables and a wide collar that can be worn open over the shoulders or buttoned for scarf-like warmth. Sizes Chest: 30 (32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 46, 50, 54) inches, unbuttoned. Designed by Amy Herzog for Knitty. Aran weight yarn.
Dolman Cardigan
Extremely comfortable and very elegant cardigan sweater with cables and shawl collar. Knit in 2 halves. Sizes to fit bust 28-34 (36-42, 44-50) inches/71-86 (91-107, 112-127) cm. Designed by Irina Anikeeva. Worsted weight yarn.
Perchta Cardigan
Long-sleeved cardigan sweater with celtic cables on sleeves and back and simpler cables on the front. Sizes Bust (closed): 36.5[41, 45.5, 50, 54.5, 59, 63.5, 68, 72.5] inches/ 92.5[104, 115.5, 127, 138.5, 150, 161.5, 172.5, 184] cm. Designed by Alison Green for Knitty. DK weight yarn.
Skipness Cardigan
Cropped cardigan sweater with cables and three quarter sleeves. Sizes to fit bust 32-34 (36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50)" 81-86 (91-97, 102-107, 112-117, 122-127) cm. Designed by Martin Storey. DK weight yarn.
Argyle Tile Cardigan
Long-sleeved cardigan sweater with diamond cables and fair isle pockets. Knitted flat and seamed. Sizes To fit chest 76-81 86-91 91-97 102-107 112-117 cm, 30-32 34-36 36-38 40-42 44-46 in. Designed by Paintbox Yarns. DK weight yarn.
Arya Cardigan
Long-sleeved cardigan sweater features simple cables winding up the fronts and back. Sizes Bust (closed): 36 (40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60)". Designed by Berroco Design Team. Worsted weight yarn.
Coziest Cable Cardigan
Easy quick cardigan features oversized cables on garter stitch and stockinette. Knit flat with minimal shaping. Sizes S (M, L, XL). Super Bulky weight yarn. Web pattern is free. A printable pdf are available on Etsy. Designed by Jessica Reeves Potasz at Mama In A Stitch.
Patterns for Purchase
Sandstone Cardigan
Long-sleeved cardigan with intricate Celtic cables. Sizes XS to 4XL. Designed by IrmianDesign. DK weight yarn.
Cardigan and Waistcoat
No longer free. Long-sleeved cardigan and sleeveless vest knit with overlapping diamond cables on a 2 row repeat texture. Sizes To Fit Bust/Chest: 32/34", 36/38", 40/42", 44/46", 48/50", 52/54". Designed by Sirdar. Aran weight yarn.
Imagination Jacket
No longer free. Cardigan sweater jacket with 6 row repeat cable along front edges, sleeves, and sides. Sizes To Fit Bust 32/34" 36/38" 40/42" 44/46" 48/50" 52/54". Designed by Sirdar. Chunky weight yarn. Yarn also available on pattern page.
Imagination Cardigan 8090
No longer free. Flattering cardigan with ribbing that transforms into cables below the bodice. Sizes bust 32/24, 36/38, 40/42, 44/46, 48/50, 52/54 in. Designed by Sirdar. Bulky weight yarn.
Cabled Edge Cardigan
Long-sleeved cardigan sweater knit flat with a woven cable front edge and sleeve edges. Worked flat. Sizes S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X. Designed by Andi Javori. One of the patterns in Knit Cardigans - 12 Luxurious Sweaters will Become Everyday Favorites. Available in ebook or paperback.
Circlet Shrug
Short-sleeved cardigan sweater with cables and a draped front. Sizes: 46 (58, 70)“ (117 (147, 178) cm) at Bust. DK weight yarn. Designed by Norah Gaughan.
Cabled Cardigan
Seamless top-down cardigan sweater with cables on a garter stitch background. Sizes: Bust: 101 ( 106, 116, 121 ) cm / 39.7 ( 41.7, 45.6, 47.6 ) in. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Irene Lin.
Avalyn Cardigan
Long sleeved elegant sweater combines classic design with feminine shaping featuring an allover lattice texture, cables, and shawl collar. Sizes XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL). Designed by Vanessa Smith. Sport weight yarn. There is also a version for baby and child sizes.
