Knitting patterns for cardigan sweaters for girls and boys. Updated 3/21/23.
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.
Free Patterns
Zigzag Child Cardigan
Child cardigan sweater with diagonal stripes forming a chevron design. Sizes 4 (6) 8 (10) 12 years. Designed by Sanne Bjerregaard for Filcolana. Available in English, Danish, German, Norwegian, Swedish
Textured Kid's Cardigan
Easy cardigan sweater in child sizes knit with a 2 row repeat textured stitch. Child Sizes 2, 4, 6. Rated easy by designer. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Caron Design Team. Kit also available.
Short Sleeve Summer Sweater
Cardigan sweater with cable trim on front and sleeves. Size: Child’s size: 2 (3, 4, 5). DK weight yarn. Designed by Sheila Joynes for Cascade Yarns.
Garter Stitch Cardigan
Sweater knit in garter stitch. Size: Age 3-4 Years, 5-6 Years, 7-8 Years, 9-10 Years, 11-12 Years. Quick knit in chunky yarn. Designed by Cygnet. May only be free for a limited time.
Forest Walk Kid Cardigan
Basketweave cardigan with shawl collar designed by Darya Kuleshova & Aistė Butkevičienė. Size: 3 (4, 5, 6, 7) years. Available in English and Russian.
Little Man Cardigan
Alice Tang designed this stylish shawl-collared cable cardigan for Red Heart. Options for buttonholes on either side. Sizes 2 yrs, 4 yrs, 6 yrs, 8 yrs.
Strawberry Hill Cardigan
Cardigan sweater in toddler and child sizes features a smocked yoke. Toddler’s 2 (3–4, 5–6). Designed by Melissa Matthay Pictured project by RAELNE
Ferris Cardigan
Norah Gaughan designed this cardigan with flared hem, slightly bloused sleeves and a ribbed placket framed by simple cables. Sizes Chest (closed) – 26(28-30-32)”
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Also available in Berroco Patterns Comfort Book for Girls 291
- Get the recommended Berroco Comfort DK yarn on Annie’s (30 colors)
Harvest Cardigan
Easy seamless cardigan by tincanknits that is perfect for a first sweater project. Sizes for baby, child, and adult from newborn to 4XL. Make one for everyone in the family!
Simple Cardi
Hanna Maciejewska’s Simple Cardi is knit seamlessly (except pockets), top-down with set in sleeves, also knit seamlessly. Sizes
2 (4, 6, 8, 10, 12) years
More Free Patterns
All Grown Up Cardigan
This baby and child sweater features cable detail at the button band, side seams, and sleeves for a touch of grown up style. Sizes 1 to 6 years. One of the patterns in the free ebook The Art of Cable Knitting: 7 Free Patterns. Designed by Lisa Ellis
Cute Kimono Cardigan
Easy pattern by Ann E. Smith from Red Heart for a wrap cardigan in garter stitch. Sizes 2, 4, and 6 years.
Princess Smocked Cardigan
Jessica X. Wright-Lichter designed this cardigan for sizes 18 months (2, 4, 6) years. Pattern discontinued by available on Internet archive.
Yikes Stripes Cardigan
Yarn-Madness’s simple top down baby cardigan with assymetric intarsia stripes. Sizes Newborn, 3m, 6m, 12m, 2y, 4y, 6y, 8y. Pictured project by stickanni.
Cabled Knit Sweater & Leg Warmers
Cindy Craig designed this sweet double-breasted, short-sleeved cabled cardigan for Red Heart. It comes with instructions for matching legwarmers. Sizes 4 through 10.
Daisy Chain Cardigan
Amanda Lilley’s design is knit from the top down seamlessly with cap sleeves. Instructions included for the optional embroidered daisies. 1 yr., 2-3 yr., 4-5 yr.
Ewan Cardigan
Sarah Grieve of Petite Purls designed this cardigan in baby and children sizes 6-12 months [18-24 months, 2-3 years, 4 years, 5 years]. It is knit sideways in two parts.
Lacy Border Sweater
Melissa Leapman designed this cardigan for Red Heart with lace motifs and borders at the hem and sleeves. Sizes 4 through 10.
Short Notice Cardigan
Taiga Hilliard designed this asymmetrical cardigan for girls or boys, short or long sleeves, babies or children. Sizes – Newborn(3 months,6 months,9-12 months, 12-24 months,2-3 years,4-6 years)
Precision Wrap
Easy pattern by Cathy Payson from Red Heart for a dancer-style wrap cardigan. Sizes 6 through 12.
Bus Stop Cardigan
Patons cardigan features cozy cables for sizes 2 yrs, 4 yrs, 6 yrs, 8 yrs, 10 yrs, and 12 yrs
Hugs and Kisses Aran Cardigan
This cardigan features xo (hugs and kisses) cable patterns on the sleeves and sides and a twining cable pattern in front. Red Heart calls this Waiting for Santa Cardigan, but I think that’s too limiting for this cute sweater. Sizes from 2-10 years.
Patterns for Purchase
E-motion Cardigan
Child sized cardigan jacket knit flat in combination of Stockinette and Grid stitches. Sizes 9-12 months, 18-24 months, 3-4 years, 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years, 11-12 years. Aran weight yarn. Designed by ViTalina Craft.
Lavanda Cardigan
This child and toddler cardigan is worked as a top down raglan and is completely seamless with a ribbed bodice and cables. Hood is optional. Sizes 12-18m, 2T, 4T, 6, 8, 10, 12-14 year old. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Elena Nodel. Pictured project by mdcim.
Billy Jacket and Buddy Bear
Child's baseball jacket style cardidgan sweater with matching mascot bear softie in a mini baseball jacket. Sizes Kids Jacket - To Fit Age: 1 to 8 Years, Bear: 26cm high. Sport and DK weight yarn. Designed by Debbie Bliss
Cove Cardigan
This children’s sweater by Velvet Acorn features a leaf lace front. Sizes 2/3, 4/5, 6/7, 8/9, 10/11 years
Flower Cardigan
This sweater in baby and child sizes is worked from the centre of the flower motif on the back outwards. The cardigan is seamless: back and fronts are worked in one piece, then raglan sleeves are knitted onto the body. Sizes 3 (6, 12, 18, 24 months){4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 years}. DK weight yarn. Designed by Ewelina Murach
Saffron Cardigan
Playful shrug-cardigan that features cute ribbed ruffles with a top-down raglan construction, and it is completely seamless. Sizes available: 12-18 months, 1-2T, 2-3T, 3-4T, 4-5, 5-6, 6-7, 8-9, 9-10, 10-12, 12-14 years. DK weight yarn. Designed by Elena Nodel
Elisa Cardigan
This lace sweater for babies, children, and teens by KatyTricot features a circular yoke and is knit from the bottom up. Sizes for 6 months (12 months, 2, 4, 6) [8, 10, 12, 14] years size
Cabled Cardigan
This cute cardigan features cable detail on the sleeves and pockets. 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 1-2 years, 2-3 years, 4-5 years, 6-7 years
Brink Cardigan
This children’s sweater by Velvet Acorn is a quick knit in super bulky yarn. Sizes included 2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, 9/10, 11/12, S, M, L
Helena Bean Cardigan
This pretty cardigan by Jenni Lansing features cables, lace, and bobbles for a unique texture. Sizes from 2 to 9 years.
