Free knitting patterns for children's cardigans for girls, though many are unisex and can be worn by boys. Many of the patterns are free. Updated 2/16/25.
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
Iris Cardigan
Striped children's cardigan knit with a 4 row repeat welted texture. Size Ages: 3 months to 4 years. Knit with 6 colors, it's a great stash buster for Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Nash Knits.
Kiddies Cable Cardigan AE-2014
Children's cardigan knit with cables and double moss stitch in a 4 row repeat. Size Ages: 5 yrs to 10 yrs. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Dorothy Jacobs for African Expressions.
Kids Striped Cardigan
V-neck cardigan with bold stripes in 3 colors, and ribbed cuffs and hem. Size Ages: 3 yrs to 7 yrs. DK weight yarn. Designed by Sirdar. A kit is also available.
Bright Student Kids Cardigan
Colorful child's cardigan with pockets and contrasting stripes on sleeves, cuffs, and button bands. Size Ages: 4 yrs to 10 yrs. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Yarnspirations. A kit is also available.
Ruffled Cardigan
Baby and child cardigan with ruffle at bottom of 2x2 ribbed body and trimmed with faux fur at collar, cuffs, and bottom. Size Ages: 1 yr to 8 yrs. DK weight yarn. Stylecraft 8398 Eskimo Cardigan by Audrey Wilson.
Cute as a Button Cardi
Seamless child's cardigan with 8 row repeat Larkspur lace on the yoke, cuffs, and bottom. Only a few stitches picked up for sleeves. Size Ages: 18 mos to 10 yrs. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Universal Yarn Design Team . Pictured project by DotsYarns
More Free Patterns
Loren Cardigan
Girl's cardigan sweater with classic lines, buttoned at the neck, finished with seed stitch bands. Size Ages: 2 Years to 12 Years. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Sara Elizabeth Schmidt.
Carousel Cardigan
Girl's sweater with pretty eyelet rows. Sizes Ages: 2 Years to 12 Years. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Fraya.
Kitty Cardigan
Girl's sweater with a fair isle design of fields of flowers. Size Ages: 2 Years to 9 Years. Designed for 8 colors, it's a great stash buster for leftover DK weight yarn. Designed by Willow and Lark.
Lisa Cardigan
Girl's cardi with pockets knit with a 2 row repeat Fisherman's rib. The buttons bands are knit with the fronts and not picked up. Sizes Ages: 2 Years to 12 Years. DK weight yarn. Designed by Kari Haugen for Dale yarn.
Girl’s Jacket in Lace S9482
Girl's cardigan with eylet shawl collar and body of 8 row repeat lace. Size Ages: 8 Years to 15 Years. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Schachenmayr. Available in English, Dutch, French, German
Patterns for Purchase
Sarabeth Cardigan
Girl's short-sleeved cardigan is worked seamlessly from the bottom-up. Sizes: 2 to 16 years. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by KateOatesTotToppers
Cable Coat
Child's cardigan with cables. Sizes: 2 to 13 years. Aran weight yarn. 2510 designed by Sirdar. A kit is also available.
Super Star Cardigan
Child's crew neck cardigan with star pattern sleeves and two star patches. Sizes: 3 to 7 years. Designed by Sirdar. DK weight yarn.
Coming Home Cardigan
Baby and child sweater knit seamlessly from the top down with a variety of stitch motifs including lattice stitch and a herrignbone. DK weight yarn. Sizes newborn (3mo, 6mo, 12mo, 18mo, 24mo) [4, 6, 8, 10]. Designed by Aimee Alexander
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