Free cardigan sweater knitting patterns suitable for men, though many can be knit for women as well. Most patterns are free. Updated 8/4/24
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
Mens Varsity Jacket
Men's cabled cardigan knit with Celtic cables and a variety of cable panels. It fastens with a zip. Sizes To Fit Bust/Chest: 32" to 46". Designed by Woman's Weekly. DK weight yarn. May only be free for a limited time.
INSTRUCTIONS: At the pattern site, select the free option. Make sure the price is 0.Add the pattern to your basket. Then "check out" without payment to get the link to download the pattern
Reverb Stripes Cardigan
Men's striped cardigan with with graduated stripes and v-neck. Sizes 28 to 62 in. / 71 to 157 cm. Designed by Nicole Winer. Worsted weight yarn. A kit is also available.
Hugh Rolled Collar Jacket
Men's cardigan with shawl collar and buttoned front with facing. Designed for men though can easily be worn by others. 5 Sizes 95 to 135 cm / 38 to 54 in. Designed by Patons Australia. DK weight yarn.
Ribbed Jacket
Men's cardigan knit with a 2 row repeat pattern. Designed for men though can easily be worn by others. 4 Sizes 101 to 132 cm / 40 to 53 in. Designed by Spotlight. Worsted weight yarn.
Men’s V-Neck Cable Cardigan
Classic long-sleeved cardigan sweater for the men in your life featuring 4 row repeat cables. Sizes To Fit Chest: 86cm/34in to 127cm/50in. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Julie Farmer
Yorkview Cardigan
Long-sleeved men's cardigan jacket with zipper featuring horseshoe cables cables on the front, and a backe panel of horseshoe and honeycomb cables. Sizes To Fit Chest: 34-36” [86.5-91.5cm] to 58-64” [147.5-162.5 cm]. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Katherine Poole-Fournierr
Cable Cardigan
Cardigan with all over 6-row cable pattern, shawl collar, and pockets, designed for men though can easily be worn by others. Sizes: 100(106)112(120)132(144) cm / 39¼(41¾)44(47¼)52(56¾) in. Designed by Lea Petäjä as Ruskan Hetki Cable Cardigan. Worsted weight yarn. Kit is also available.
Neighborly Cardigan
Cardigan with cabled front and zipper closure, designed for men though can easily be worn by others. Sizes: Finished Chest About 42 (45, 49, 52, 56) in. (106.5 (114.5, 124.5, 132, 142) cm). Designed by Lion Brand. Worsted weight yarn. Kit is also available.
More Free Patterns
Maximilian Cardigan
Men's cardigan (that's also great for women!) with shawl collar and geometric stranded colorwork. Sizes: 37[40, 43.75, 48, 52, 56, 60.5, 64] inches / 94[101.5, 111, 122, 132, 142, 153.5, 162.5] cm. Designed by Jennifer Owens for Knitty. Aran weight yarn.
Empathy Cardigan
Men's cardigan with cabled body and sleeves with shawl collar. Sizes: To fit 36(38, 40, 42, 44)". Designed by Sue Hanmore. Aran weight yarn.
Thorpe Cardigan
Men's cardigan with a ribbed shawl collar and textured houndstooth shaped design. Sizes: Mens: 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 inches. Designed by Martin Storey for Rowan. Bulky weight yarn.
Gaius Cardigan
Men's cardigan with an easy to work Barbara Walker twisted stitch pattern decorating the fronts and back. Knit flat from the bottom up and seamed for sturdy structure. Sizes: S(M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). Designed by Merri Fromm for Knitty. DK weight yarn.
Stormy Staghorn Cardigan
This men's sweater has staghorn cables along front and down the back. Sizes To Fit Chest: 81cm to 127cm. Designed by Paintbox Yarns. Bulky weight yarn.
Hey Handsome Cardigan
Long-sleeved sweater with mirrored cables in a 6 row repeat and shawl collar. Men’s sizes XS to 5XL. Designed by Yarnspirations
Men’s Transitions Cardigan
V-neck cardigan with graduated stripes for a stylish look. Sizes: 28-34" [71-86.5 cm], 36-38" [91.5-96.5 cm],40-42" [101.5-106.5cm], 44-46" [112-117 cm], 48-54" [122-137 cm], 56-62" [142-157.5 cm]. Designed by Patons. Worsted weight yarn.
Saturday Morning Hoodie
Classic shaping, handy pockets and a flattering hood to wear up or down. Simple sizing and raglan sleeves make this a great unisex cardigan. Sizes Finished Chest 40 (44, 48, 53, 56, 60) in. [101.5 (112, 122, 134.5, 142, 152.5) cm]. Finished Length 24.5 (25.5, 26, 27, 27.5, 28.5) [62 (65, 66, 68.5, 70, 72.5) cm]. Designed by Lion Brand Yarn. Bulky weight yarn.
Patterns for Purchase
Flat Collar and Shawl Collar Cardigans
No longer free. Men's or women's cardigan with diamond and honeycomb cables. Options for shawl collar or flat collar. Sizes To Fit Bust/Chest: 32/34", 36/38", 40/42", 44/46", 48/50", 52/54". Designed by Sirdar. Aran weight yarn.
V Neck and Shawl Collar Cardigans
No longer free. Men's or women's cardigan with cables on a moss stitch background. Options for shawl collar or v neck. Sizes To Fit Bust/Chest: 32/34", 36/38", 40/42", 44/46", 48/50", 52/54". Designed by Sirdar. Aran weight yarn.
Men's Cardigan
Men's cardigan sweater with shawl collar with texture and cables. 6 sizes from 81/86cm 32/34" to 132/137cm 52/54". Aran weight yarn. Men's Cardigan In Bonus Aran Sirdar 10079. Kit is also available.
Gear Cardigan
This long-sleeved open cardigan is suitable for advanced beginners and a quick knit in bulky yarn. Perfect for men and women. Chest 94 (100; 106; 112; 118) cm / 37 (39½; 41¼; 44; 46½) inches. Designed by ViTalinaCraft
Fitzgerald Cardigan
Aran-style cable cardigan with a shawl collar and raglan shoulders. By Amy Christoffers. Sizes Chest (closed) 36(40-44-48-52-56-60)”. One of the 12 patterns in the Berroco Vintage Men pattern booklet.
Zipped Jacket
This long-sleeved cardigan features a graphic striped pattern and is knit in stockinette and rib. Sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL. One of 33 patterns in Bergere Magazine 184 Knitting and Crochet Pattern Booklet
