Free knitting patterns for women's cardigans with colorful stripes and patterns. Includes stash busters. Updated 4/28/25
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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
Summer Cardigan with Stripes
Striped cardigan with collar knit in seed stitch. There are no button bands though stitches are picked up for the collar. 3 Sizes. Great stash buster for Sport weight yarn. Designed by Ann Højgaard Slot. The pattern assumes you know how to knit seed stitch which is basically a one row repeat of k1 p1 on an odd number of stitches.
Ottolie Chevron Cardigan with Pockets
Striped v-neck cardigan with pockets knit with colorful zigzag stripes in 4 colors. Sizes 100 to 166cm / 39 to 65". Aran weight yarn. Designed by Robyn Macdonald. A kit is also available.
Schraffur Cardigan
Women's open front cardigan knit with stripes of two color Brioche at the bottom and collar. The unique look of the stripes in the sample is achieved by using a contrast color that incorporates the solid yarn color in its colorway. Knitted seamlessly top down. Sizes S to XXL. DK weight yarn. Designed by Edith "dieDita" Frank. Available in English and German
Fusing Cardigan
Women's open front cardigan knit in ribbing with colorful rib on the sleeves and lower body, created with slip stitch colorwork, one yarn per row. Sizes To Fit Chest: 93.5 cm to 180 cm / 37" to 70". DK weight yarn. Designed by Marie Régnier. A kit is also available.
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 splashes 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.
More Free Patterns
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.
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
Unicorn Tapestry Cardigan
Fanciful cardigan inspired by the medieval "Unicorn Rests in a Garden" tapestry with a crest on the front of a flower plucked from the garden in the back. The pattern also comes with optional flower rings along the cuffs, as well as the option to turn your swatch into little patch pockets. DK weight. Designed by Tamara Jordan.
Bi-Colour Cardigan
Classic cardigan jacket with moss stitch sleeves knit half in one color and half in another (though you could knit in one color!). Chunky weight yarn.. Size 28-58". Designed by Anxiousgirlknits.
Clouds Cotton Cardigan
Striped long cardigan with pockets. Great stash buster for Worsted weight yarn.. Size 28-64" (XS-5X). Designed by LovelybyLee.
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.
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.
