Free knitting patterns for women's cardigans with colorful stripes and patterns. Includes stash busters. Updated 3/18/25
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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
Summertime Cardigan CY1821
Colorful women's cardigan knit with easy garter ridges and moss stitch colar and borders that showcases the color of self-striping cake yarn. I think you could also adapt it for stash busting. Bust Sizes 90 to 121cm / 35½ to 47 in. DK weight yarn. Designed by Cygnet.
Kiln Cardigan
Women's cardigan with splashed of color including vertical rectangles in the lower body and a two color checkerboard pattern in the cuffs and bottom border. Worked seamlessly from the top down. Sizes To Fit Chest: 79 cm to 159 cm / 31" to 62". Designed for at least 6 colors, it's a great stash buster for DK weight yarn. Designed by Vicky Aquilino. A kit is also available.
Comfy Colors Cardigan
Easy color blocked cardigan knit flat in garter stitch and seed stitch. Sizes Small, Medium, Large, XL, XXL. Worsted weight yarn. Web pattern is free. A printable pdf are available on Etsy. Designed by Jessica Reeves Potasz at Mama In A Stitch.
Playful Patchwork Cardigan
Cardigan sweater knit with blocks of different colors and easy stitches. Great for stash busting. Size To Fit Chest: 81 cm to 147 cm / 32" to 58". Designed by Paintbox Yarns. Quick knit in Super Bulky weight yarn. A kit is also available.
More Free Patterns
Country Roads Cardigan
Cardigan sweater with sections of 5 different colors and 5 different stitches and broken rib sleeves. Great for stash busting. Sizes S (M, L, 1X, 2X). Designed by Lion Brand. DK weight yarn.
Breezy Striped Cardigan
Women's cardigan with stripes on the sleeves and bottom border that are perfect for stash yarn, as well as contrasting border. Sizes To Fit Bust: 81cm to 102cm / 32" to 42". DK weight yarn. Designed by Paintbox Yarns.
Seeing Stripes Sweater
Women's pullover combines color blocked panels with horizontal stripes of vertical colorwork stripes. Sizes To Fit Chest: 81 cm to 147 cm / 32" to 58". Designed for at least 4 colors, it's a great stash buster for DK weight yarn. Designed by Paintbox Yarns.
Candy Cardigan
Garter stitch cardigan with colorful triangular motif sleeves and bottom border that are perfect for stash yarn. Sizes To Fit Bust: 81cm to 107cm / 32" to 42". DK weight yarn. Designed by Paintbox Yarns.
Patterns for Purchase
Color Me Cardi
Patchwork cardigan knit with 4 working colors at a time so there is very little seaming! This is a beginner friendly pattern. Size inclusive ranging from small to 5XL. Designed by KoziKnitz.
Tilly Bomber
Cropped bolero cardigan that is designed for 10 colors so it's a great stash buster for DK weight yarn. 8 Sizes XS to 4XL. Designed by knitstitchrepeat. A kit is also available.
Stash Buster Patchwork Cardigan
Patchwork sweater with a boho festival look. Great use for all the leftover oddballs you have lying around. Designed by Suzy Rai.
San Francisco Cardigan
Color blocked cardigan sweater in duster length. Aran weight yarn. Designed by The Blue Mouse
No Shades of Grey Cardigan
Bright bold cardigan design inspired by traditional quilts knit in garter stitch. Designed for 10 shades it's great for stash busting and leftover yarn. Sizes 70-100 cm / 27.55-39.35” (100-130 cm / 39.35-51.2”, 130-160 cm / 51.2-63”). Sport weight yarn. Designed by Katie Jones. A kit is also available.
