Free knitting patterns for cardigans knit with garter stitch, most are easy and many are suitable for beginners. Many of the patterns are free. Updated 9/18/24
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
Jytte Cardigan
Cozy cardigan with short sleeves knitted from the top down in garter stitch. No picking up stitches. Designed by Charlotte Spagner. Bulky weight yarn. Available in English and Danish
My First Cardigan
Cropped garter stitch cardigan knit in garter stitch with ribbed cuffs, front bands, and hem. Sizes XS to 3X, Approx 32” (80 cm) to 57” (148 cm). Designed by Loopy Mango. Super Bulky weight yarn.
MMMDI Cardigan
Easy women’s garter stitch striped cardigan with a shawl collar in broken rib and pockets! The #MarlyMadeMeDoIt cardigan body is knit in one large piece from the bottom up with the only seaming on the sleeves and the armholes. Sizes Bust 30 to 62" / 76 to 157.5 cm. Aran weight yarn. Web pattern is free with a lot of photos. PDF available for purchase. Designed by Marly Bird.
Midtown Cardigan
Easy drop sleeve cardigan knit flat in garter stitch with pockets with a beautiful drape. Sizes Width across back: 28″/71 cm (S), 30″/76 cm (M), 32″/81 cm (L), 34″/86 cm (XL). DK weight yarn. Web pattern is free with a lot of photos. PDF and kit available for purchase. Designed by Stephanie Jessica Lau of All About Ami.
Vera Vest
Sleeveless cardigan in tunic length with wide folded over self-collar. Knit in garter stitch, and increased on the back of your work, so a wedge is created from the neck and down between the shoulder blades. One size. Designed by Stine Radicke for Hobbii. A kit is also available.
Hooded Jacket
Easy cardigan hoodie knit flat in garter stitch. Sizes Finished Chest 33 to 54 in. / 84 to 136 cm. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Go Handmade. A kit is also available.
Onza Cardigan
Long sleeved cardigan with cute collar knit in garter stitch. No picking up stitches. This does have shoulder pads for some reason which I'd personally leave off. Sizes Finished Chest 32 to 40 in. / 81 to 102 cm. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Kim Hargreaves.
Stella Sweater
Draped front cardigan knit side to side in garter stitch with a welted collar knit separately and sewn on. Sizes Finished Chest 40 to 56 in. / 101.6 to 142 cm. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Heather Lodinsky.
Phebe
Worked top down in one piece, this raglan cardigan worked in garter stitch with turned up cuffs. A gentle rolled edge frames the neckline. Sleeves are knit in the round so there is some purling. Sizes Finished Chest 34 to 52 in. / 96.5 to 132 cm. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Sara Elizabeth Schmidt. Pictured project by Kristenlynnea
More Free Patterns
Sasha Boxy Jacket
Garter stitch cardigan with collar. Sizes Finished Chest 38 to 52 in. / 96.5 to 132 cm. Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Lion Brand.
Asheville Cardigan
Garter stitch cardigan knit seamlessly from the top down with the wide ribbed collar knit first. Sizes Finished garment chest measurement: 36” (38”, 40.5”, 43.25”, 46”). Designed by The Noble Thread.
Long Swing Waist Coat
Sleeveless cardigan vest knit sideways in garter stitch, with options for short or long length. No picking up stitches. Sizes To Fit Bust: 109cm/41in to 124cm/49in. Designed by Ros Wilson for Manos del Uruguay. Aran weight yarn.
Short-Sleeved Garter Stitch Cardigan
Short-sleeved slightly cropped, boxy cardigan worked in one piece in garter stitch. Sleeves and sides are sewn. Sizes 36½ to 68½”. Designed by Premier Yarns Design Team. Bulky weight yarn.
Biased Cardigan
Cardigan jacket with convenient insert pockets knit flat in 4 garter stitch panels worked on the bias to gives it personality without complicated stitches. The sleeves are worked in stockinette stitch with a classic 1×1 cuff ribbing. Sizes 35” bust, 32 cm to 67” bust, 52 cm. Web version is free. PDF is for purchase. Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Knitting with Chopsticks.
Avalon Cardigan
The lace weight yarn gives this garter stitch cardigan an airy sophisticated look. Long sleeved v-neck cardigan knit flat in garter stitch with ribbed cuffs and hem. Sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL. Designed by Au bout du pré for Hobbii. Lace weight yarn. A kit is also available.
Oh-So-Simple Cardigan
Easy cardigan with pockets knit in garter stitch and neatly finished knit on edge. Sizes: 40 to 60 in. / 101.5 to 152.5 cm. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Lion Brand
Carefree Cardigan
Easy striped cardigan knit sideways in garter stitch in two pieces and joined in the back. No picking up stitches! Knit with two colors of gradient yarn to let the yarn do the striping work. Sizes To Fit Bust: Bust: 36 (40, 44, 48, 52) (56, 60, 64, 68)”. Designed by Amy Gunderson for Premier Yarns. DK weight yarn.
Leyland Jacket
Easy color-blocked cardigan sweater worked in simple garter stitch with three-quarter length sleeves and slightly asymmetrical fronts. Sizes To Fit Bust: 30in to 50in. Designed by Amanda Keep Williams. Aran weight yarn.
Garter Stitch Jacket
Cardigan sweater with three-quarter length sleeves knit in garter stitch with ribbed lapels. Sizes To Fit Bust: 81cm to 127cm, 32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46, 48-50". Designed by Debbie Bliss. DK weight yarn.
Patterns for Purchase
Zaira Cardigan
Striped garter stitch cardigan. Sizes: To Fit Bust: 81-127cm (31.8"-50"). Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Debbie Bliss.
Great Garter Bomber
Garter stitch jacket cardigan with folded collar. Size: 28 to 67“ / 71 to 170 cm. DK weight yarn. Designed by LovelybyLee.
Brooklyn Cardigan
Double‐breasted garter stitch jacket cardigan is worked flat from the top down. Size: 33 to 57“ / 83.8 to 146.1 cm. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Deb Hoss.
Double Dipped Cardigan
A classic and timeless piece, this top-down garter stitch cardigan features colour blocking on both the body and arms, and is trimmed with double brim collars. Sizes: 28-30” bust to 60-62” bust. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Knitatude
Winter Moonlight Cardigan
If you like cardigans and don't like purling, you will love this garter stitch cardigan! It is worked almost seamlessly from the top down. It is mostly made with knit stitch. The rolled front band is worked at the same time as the cardigan. Size: 76 to 167.5 cm / 30 to 66 inches. Designed by MinimiKnitDesign
Bobby Jacket
Knitted entirely in garter stitch, this cardigan is a very simple and quick to knit hand knitting pattern. It is stylish for any age group and can be dressed up or down. Size: XS to XXL. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Marianne Henio
- See more pics and get the knitting pattern at Etsy
- Get this pattern in a collection that includes other garter stitch patterns
Loopy Puffy Cardigan
Cozy oversized garter stitch cardigan with dropped shoulders and puffy shaped sleeves and 1x1 rib trim. Sizes XS/S, M/L, XL/2XL. The assembly of this cardigan is super easy as the only seams you need to sew are the shoulder seams. Knitting with super bulky yarn and large needles means you will be able to whip up this cardigan in no time at all! Designed by Gillian Docherty - Loopy Handmade. A kit is also available.
Jong
Easy one-size-fits-all cardigan jacket in garter stitch designed by by Julie Tootill. Quick knit in super bulky yarn. Ravelrers have rated it very easy and easy. Pictured project by devaknits
Lagoon Cardigan
Easy cardigan knit top down in garter stitch. Instructions included for creating a gradient effect. Size: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL. Worsted or fingering weight yarn. Designed by CamexiaDesigns
