Free knitting patterns for pullovers, cardigans, and other tops with empire waistline. Many of the patterns are free. Updated 2/26/24
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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
Galanthus
Empire waisted top with 8 row repeat lace skirt and lace bell sleeves. Sizes To Fit Bust: 28in to 52in. Galanthus is the Greek name for the snowdrop flower. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Rachel Henry for Knitty.
Woman’s Rustica Jacket
Cardigan with double-breasted empire bodice in 8 row repeat Flame Stitch. Front bands are knit in with the body as you go. Only stitches picked up are for the collar. Chunky weight yarn. Sizes To Fit Bust: 32in to 55in / 82cm to 137cm. 7119 Jacket designed by Elle.
Empire Pullover
Empire waist pullover sweater with flared ribbed sleeves and lower body. Worsted weight yarn. Sizes To Fit Bust: 32in to 50in / 81cm to 128cm. Designed by Robin Melanson.
Gaia Cardigan
Short sleeved sweater with lace empire bodice knit seamlessly in one piece. Designed by Kristen TenDyke for Berroco. Sizes To Fit Bust: 81cm/32in to 132cm/52in. Worsted yarn. This pattern was featured in Season 8 of Knit and Crochet Now! and is free with registration at Annie’s. Pictured project by whirly who lengthened the sleeves-
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- Get the recommended Berroco Remix yarn
Julia
Sleeveless Roman-style tunic with lace skirt and drawstring empire waist under a billowy top. Worsted weight yarn. Sizes To Fit Bust: 34in to 57in. Designed by Jennifer Wood for Knitty.
Woman’s Flare Jacket
Cardigan with empire bodice, lace skirt, and elbow length sleeves. Aran weight yarn. Sizes To Fit Bust: 34in to 46in. Designed by Plymouth Yarn Design Studio.
Soft Sweet Turtleneck
Woman's pullover with three-quarter sleeves and empire silhouette knit with 4 row repeat mock cable eyelet pattern. Worsted weight yarn. Sizes To Fit Bust: 36 inches to 54 inches / 91.5 to 137 cm. Designed by Heather Lodinsky for Lion Brand. A kit is also available.
Celsian Cardigan
Striped textured cardigan with empire waist with pleats below bodice. Bodice and sleeves are knit sideways cuff to cuff and lower cardigan worked bottom up. No picking up of stitches. Aran weight yarn. Sizes To Fit Bust: 32in to 52in / 81cm to 132cm. Designed by Norah Gaughan.
Sunset Sleeveless Tunic
Sleeveless top with empire waist above flowing Santorini diamond lace. DK weight yarn. Sizes To Fit Bust: 28in to 50in / 71cm to 127cm. Designed by Melissa Leapman.
Manchester Jacket
Tailored cardigan coat with double-breasted empire waist, A-line silhouette, a carefully shaped collar, and clever piping-effect welting and I-cord. Aran weight yarn. Sizes To Fit Bust: 32in to 58in. Designed by Alice Halbeisen.
More Free Patterns
Relax Sweater
Short sleeved pullover sweater with empire bodice knit in double moss stitch above a body with a cable panel. Aran weight yarn. Sizes To Fit Bust: 34in to 49in / 86cm to 126cm. Designed by Jenny Watson for Noro.
Vienna Cardigan
Lace cardigan with empire waist buttoned at bodice, with yoke in 8 row repeat Madeira Lace and body in 4 row repeat Rickrack lace. DK weight yarn. Sizes To Fit Bust: 33in to 51in. Designed by Faina Goberstein.
Everyday Stripe Sweater
The color blocking on this pullover creates the look of an empire waist in color. Bulky weight yarn. Sizes To Fit Bust: 32 inches to 8 inches / 81 to 147 cm. Designed by Paintbox Yarns. A kit is also available.
Shaped Cable Top
Flattering pullover sweater with cabling on yoke that forms an empire silhouette with elbow length sleeves, also with cables. DK weight yarn. Sizes To Fit Bust: 37 inches to 53 inches / 94 to 134.5 cm. Designed by Lion Brand. A kit is also available.
Ohia Tunic
Short-sleeved pullover sweater with cable and ribbed empire waist. Worsted weight yarn. Sizes To Fit Bust: 32 inches to 44 inches. Designed by Nikki Van De Car
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted yarn at Amazon
Manitoba Swing Jacket
Long-sleeved cardigan with empire waist and lace details on body and sleeves. Aran weight yarn. Sizes To Fit Bust: 36in to 56in. Designed by Julie Ferguson
Leaf Patterned Sweater
Pullover sweater with an 8 row repeat lace bodice above an empire waist. Worsted weight yarn. Sizes S to XL. Designed by Sanne Fjalland
Woman’s Jacket
Long-sleeved cardigan with ribbed bodice and sleeve, empire waist, and body in stockinette. Super Bulky weight yarn. Sizes To Fit Bust: 34in to 50in. Woman’s Jacket in Plymouth Yarn De Aire 2092
Fearne Tunic
Short sleeved pullover with a flattering empire waist and A-line silhouette that flares at hips. DK weight yarn. Sizes To Fit Bust: 32in to 42in. Designed by Twilleys of Stamford
Cardi to Love
Women's cardigan knit with a 4 row repeat easy lace sttich below the bodice and on the bell sleeves. Sizes Finished Bust: 34 (39, 43, 48, 53)”. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Lynda for Red Heart.
Patterns for Purchase
Cable Sweater
Pullover with shawl collar knit sideways so cables flow horizontally forming an empire waist. Sizes To Fit Bust/Chest: 32 in (81 cm) / 55 in (137cm). Sweater in Hayfield Bonus Aran 7379. Aran Weight yarn.
Riptide Cardi
Worked entirely in garter stitch, the unusual construction of this cardigan has an empire bodice knit in one direction and the body of the cardigan knit in a diferent direction. Sizes To Fit Bust/Chest: 32 in to 54 in. 10704 designed by Sirdar. Chunky Weight yarn. A kit is also available.
Aquitaine
Cardigan in two lengths with empire bodice and A-line shaping, knit with two different yet simple slip stitch patterns. The short version is smart and dressy, while the long version is elegant and sophisticated. Sizes XS to 4X. Designed by Holli Yeoh. DK Weight yarn.
Empire Coat
Fitted coat or cropped jacket with soft empire shaping and wide Garter stitch edging on bodice and cuffs. Sizes To Fit Bust/Chest: 32 in (80 cm) / 48 in (120cm). Designed by Jo Sharp. DK Weight yarn.
Tisane Cardigan
Women's cardigan worked from the bottom up with a lacy lower body, high empire waist, short or 3/4 length sleeves and seamless shoulders. Sizes: 27.5 in (70 cm) / 54 in (137cm). Designed by MariaOlsonDesigns. Sport Weight yarn.
Circles Vest
Figure-flattering button-front, sleeveless vest with deep V-neck, empire waist accented with texture, and curved front hems. Sizes To Fit Bust/Chest: 29 in (73.5 cm) / 53 in (135.5cm). Designed by Angela Hahn. DK Weight yarn.
Empire Top
Flattering pullover sweater with empire waist. Sizes To Fit Bust/Chest: 32 in (81cm) / 44 in (111cm). Designed by Lily Go. Sport or DK Weight yarn.
Amalfi Cardigans
Long and Short Sleeved Cardigans with lace body below stockinette yoke. Sizes To Fit Bust/Chest: 32/34", 36/38", 40/42", 44/46", 48/50", 52/54". Sirdar Amalfi DK 7774. DK weight yarn.
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