Free knitting patterns for children's cardigans for girls and boys. Many of the patterns are free. Updated 4/8/24.
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
Applique Jacket
Child's garter stitch cardigan with knit appliques of stars, bees, hearts, cherries, and ladybugs. Size 2 to 13 years. DK weight yarn. Designed by Au Bout du Pré by Hobbii. A kit is also available.
David’s Cardigan
Classic v-neck child's cardigan knit in 12 row repeat basketweave. Size To Fit Age: 6 to 14 Years. DK weight yarn. Designed by Cascade Yarns.
Lace Yoke Cardigan
Girl's knit cardigan with pockets knit with an 8 row repeat cluster lace stitch texture at the bottom and yoke framing a 2 row repeat slip stitch texture, then finished with a knit scallop lace edging. The front edges are finished with double crochet but you could substitute a different edge. Size 2 to 13 years. DK weight yarn. 7172 Lace Yoke Jacket designed by Elle.
Little Scholar Cardigan
Shawl collar children's cardigan sweater knit with a 2 row repeat Garter Ridge stitch. Additional notes on collar are in the comments on pattern page. Sizes To Fit Age: 2 Years to 10 Years. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Red Heart
V-Neck Cardigan
Children's cardigan sweater v-neck and button bands knit as you go, so there's no picking up stitches. Perfect for gradient yarn. Sizes To Fit Age: 2-3 Years to 8 Years. Aran weight yarn. PTO-028_01 Lang Yarns Merino 150 Dégradé. Available in English, Danish, French, German
Zigzag Cardigan
Child and baby sized cardigan, vest, and pullover with a 12 row repeat zigzag texture. Size Birth to 8 years. Fingering weight yarn. 7073 Boy and Girl Set designed by Elle.
Aviator Jacket
Children's cardigan sweater in seed stitch with collar, pockets, and zipper. Size 4, 6, 8, 10 years. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Cascade Yarns.
Color Blocked Cardigan
Classic round necked cardigan with blocks of color and texture including criss cross cable, twisted stitch, stockinette, garter stitch. Also includes a pullover version. Size 4 years through 127cm / 51 inches. Aran weight yarn. 7552 Cardigan and Sweater designed by Elle.
Lil' Grandpa Cardigan
Shawl collared children's cardigan with cables on a garter stitch background. Size 1 through 10 years. DK weight yarn. Designed by Universal Yarn.
More Free Patterns
Flower Border Cardigan
Girl's sweater with a garden theme in a border of bobble flowers below garter stripes. Size 2 through 9 years. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Bernat.
Kid's Jacket
Children's cardigan with shawl collar knit separately and zipper. No picking up stitches! Size 4, 6, 8, 10 years. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Yarnspirations.
Radiant Cardigan
Children's cardigan knit sideways in one piece. No picking up stitches! Size 2T (4T, 6, 8). Aran weight yarn. Designed by Meghan Jones.
Mock Cable Cardigan
Button band is knit with the front for this baby and child-sized v-neck child's cardigan and not picked up! I love the mock cable detail. Knit flat. The stitches for the sleeve are picked up but I think you could knit those separate if you wanted. Sizes 3 mos to 8 Years. Aran weight yarn. Cherub Cardigan designed by Cascade Yarns.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- Get the recommended Cascade Yarns Cherub Aran yarn at Amazon
Striped Cardigan
Easy shawl collar cardigan for older children and teens knit flat in ribbed stripes. No picking up stitches! Size To Fit Age: 12 Years to 16 Years. Aran weight yarn. Girl’s Striped Cardigan S9474 designed by Schachenmayr. Available in English, Dutch, French, German
Fresh Picked Color 3/4 Sleeve Cardigan
Top buttoned cardigan with eyelet yoke and seed stitch neckband and button bands knit flat. No picking up stitches. Size To Fit Age: 6 to 12 Years. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Lion Brand.
Niels Cardigan
Child's cardigan with Gansey or sampler inspired textures including cables, basketweave, and garter stripes. Size To Fit Age: 4 Years to 12 Years. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Phildar.
Textured Cardigan
Round neck cardigan with an 8 row repeat texture. Size To Fit Age: 5 Years to 12 Years. Sport weight yarn. Girl’s Cardigan in Schachenmayr Catania S8911. Available in English, Dutch, French, German
Fantasi Children’s Cardigan
Girl's round-neck cardigan with ruffled flounces along button bands. Size To Fit Age: 1 to 10 Years. Designed by Strikkeblogg for Hobbii. A kit is also available.
Pear Cardigan
Fun kid's round-neck cardigan with Fair Isle gingham pockets and intarsia pear. Size To Fit Age: 2 to 10 Years. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Main Street Yarns.
Patterns for Purchase
Library Cardigan
Child's cardigan with shawl collar, stretchy rib, and optional elbow patches. Sizes: 4 to 12 years. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Kate Oates
Cable Cardigans
Cardigan with V -neck or shawl collar, aran style cables and stitch details. Sizes: 2 to 13 years. DK weight yarn. 2493 designed by Sirdar. A kit is also available.
Kids Baseball Jacket
The iconic baseball jacket re-imagined in a child sized cardigans. Sizes: 3 to 7 years. DK weight yarn. 2541 designed by Sirdar. A kit is also available.
Cable Coat
Child's cardigan with cables. Sizes: 2 to 13 years. Aran weight yarn. 2510 designed by Sirdar. A kit is also available.
Kids Varsity Cardigan
Child's v-neck cardigan with contrast intarsia letters and stripes. Sizes: 3 to 7 years. DK weight yarn. 2535 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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