Free knitting patterns for easy cardigan sweaters, including beginner patterns. Updated 2/8/25
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Free Patterns
Hortensia Cardigan
Garter stitch cardigan knit flat and shaped with short rows. No picking up stitches. Sizes XS to 3XL. Designed by Nanna Gudmand-Høyer for Filcolana. Available in English, Danish, German
Lacy Waistcoat S7378
Easy cardigan with diagonal eyelet lace knit flat in one piece with with front bands knit as you go. Only 6 stitches picked up for part of the neckband. Sizes to fit bust 76cm/30” to 102cm/40”. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Schachenmayr. Available in English, Dutch, French, German
Relaxed Cardigan
Slipped stitch lines in a 4 row repeat add elegant texture to this easy v-neck cardigan. Body is knit in one piece and front bands and back collar extensions are knit as you go. No picking up stitches. Sizes XS/S 28"-34" [71-86.5 cm] to 4/5XL 56"-62" [142-157.5 cm]. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Caron.
Chill Out Cardigan
Knit flat in two rectangles with a 6 row repeat, this cardigan is about as easy as it gets. The one new technique for some would be drop stitches, but those are fun to learn. Perfect summer beach and pool cover up. Sizes UK 6-12 14-20 22-28 US 2-8 10-16 18-24. DK weight yarn. Chill Out Zone Cover Up Sirdar 1056.
Amira Cardigan
Easy cardigan knit with a 6 row garter ridge texture and trimmed with seed stitch. Knit in pieces. No picking up stitches. Sizes S / M / L / XL. Aran weight yarn. Jacket 232-11 designed by Langyarns.
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Gaston Cardigan
Easy two-color cardigan with pockets knit in reverse stockinette with garter stitch front edges and back collar knit as you go. No picking up stitches. Sizes S/L (1X/3X) . Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Vladimir Teriokhin for Lion Brand.
VuxenVinkel
Easy cropped cardigan or shrug knit flat in one piece with diagonal garter stitch. Basic shaping creates an angled shape to make fronts, sides, and back in one piece that is then seamed. Option for button fastening. Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL. Rated easy by Ravelrers. VuxenVinkel means "Adult Angle." A perfect project for self striping yarn. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Yarn-Madness. Child vesion also available.
Saunio Cardigan
Fun lace cardigan knit flat with a 4 row repeat large hole mesh lace. No picking up stitches. The front bands are knit as you go and a back collar extension is knit as you go and sewn in. Sizes S (M/L, 1X/2X). Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Irina Poludnenko for Lion Brand.
Easy Rectangle Cardigan And Cowl
Easy cardigan with pockets and matching cowl is worked in stockinette with seed stitch edges, in one piece, then divided to work left and right fronts separately. The only picking up stitches is minimal for the pocket bands. Matching cowl is knit in seed stitch. Worsted weight yarn. Rated easy by the designer Bobbie Fitzgerald for Lion Brand.
More Free Patterns
Berkeley Cardigan
Easy women's cardigan knit flat in 4 pieces with a 12 row repeat Spider Lace edge knit into the pattern. No picking up stitches. The collar extensions and lace require attention but other than that, it seems very easy. Sizes S-L (1X-2X). Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Lion Brand.
Long and Lacy Jacket
Easy women's cardigan knit flat in 4 rectangular pieces with a multiple row repeat lace stitch. No picking up stitches. The lace requires some attention, but otherwise it seems easy. Sizes To Fit Bust: 28-34" [71-86.5 cm] to 4/5XL 56-62 [142-157.5 cm]. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Caron.
Van Wyck Cardigan
Easy women's cardigan knit with a flattering slightly ruffled border in a contrasting color. Knit flat. No picking up stitches. I think this would be suitable for beginners. Sizes To Fit Bust: 32in to 52in. Main body is knit in Super Bulky weight yarn. Border knit in Worsted weight. Designed by Berroco.
Somerdale Cardigan
Very easy striped cardigan knit flat in 5 pieces with a ribbed band knit as you go. No picking up stitches. I think this would be suitable for beginners. Sizes Finished Bust About 46 (50, 54, 58) in. (117 (127, 137, 147.5) cm). Quick knit in Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Lion Brand.
Red Hot Sweater Jacket
Easy shawl collared cardigan knit flat in garter stitch and seamed. No picking up stitches. Designer says it's suitable for beginners. Sizes 37 (39, 43, 46) in. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Mari Lynn Patrick for Lion Brand. Pictured projects by blucoyote using Noro yarn and the designer.
Seed Stitch Cardi With Scarf
Easy cardigan with attached scarf collar. Knit flat in 2 row repeat seed stitch. Back and sleeve are rectangles. Front has minimal shaping for v-neck. No picking up stitches. Sizes Finished Bust About 40 (44, 48, 52, 56, 60) in. (101.5 (112, 122, 132, 142, 152.5) cm) Designed by Irina Poludnenko for Lion Brand. Bulky weight yarn. Rated as suitable for beginners by designer.
Waterfall Cardigan
Easy cardigan knit flat in garter stitch and seamed. No picking up stitches. Sizes 82 cm to 137 cm / 32 in to 55 in. DK weight yarn. Designed by Elle.
V-Neck Cardigan
Easy women's cardigan knit in stockinette with ribbed front border that is knit as you go. No picking up stitches. Sizes 81/86 cm /32/34” to 132/137 cm /52/54”. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Sirdar as V-Neck Cardigan 10145
Cabled Jacket
Easy cabled-edged cardigan knit in stockinette with 8 row repeat cable front band knit as you go so there is no picking up stitches. Instructions are for only one size but it should be easy to customize. Cabled Jacket in Noro Obi. Designed to showcase gradient or self-striping Bulky weight yarn but would look great in solid colors too.
Patterns for Purchase
Puff Cardigan
Easy cardigan with a seed stitch yoke and the rest in garter stitch, knit from the top down. The neckline is shaped with short rows. 6 sizes (S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL). Super bulky weight yarn. Designed by Au Bout du Pré
Weekend Jacket
Easy cardigan worked seamlessly from the top down. You can make it as long as you want. The neckline is shaped with short rows. This pattern is graded with inclusive sizing in mind, designed to fit actual bust sizes from 76 cm / 30 inches to 168 cm / 66 inches. Required Skills Decreases, increases, knitting in the round. Super bulky weight yarn. Designed by MinimiKnitDesign
Ridgeline Duster
A top-down knit cardigan, where the collar is knit at the same time. This raglan style cardigan is sleek, simple and long with a garter stitch detail on the sleeves and a long split hem. 9 sizes XS – 28-30” bust to 5XL – 60-62” bust. You will need to know how to provisional cast on, knit and purl both flat and in the round, increase, decrease and bind off. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Chantal Miyagishima of Knitatude
Adelia Cardigan
Simple and relaxing to knit v neck sweater with a cropped fit. Works up using basic stitches and shaping. Sizes S, M, L. Chunky weight yarn. Designed by MMadisonMarie
Chunky Cardigan
Loose-fit cardigan with no side seams knitted flat in pieces. Techniques included rib st, stockinette st, increase sts, decrease sts. Sizes bust XS 80.5 cm / 32 inches to L 101.5-106.5 cm / 40-42 inches. Chunky weight yarn. Designed by ThroughTheStitch
Moonlight Cardigan
Easy garter stitch cardigan knit almost seamlessly from the top down, mostly made with knit stitch. The rolled front band is worked at the same time as the cardigan, making it easy to adjust the length. Sizes bust circumference of 76 to 167.5 cm / 30 to 66 inches. Designed by MinimiKnitDesign
Inca Vest Wrap
Seamless sleeveless cardigan knit sideways in garter stitch and is versatile enough to be worn in several ways. Quick knit in super bulky yarn. Suitable for beginners according to designer, laurimukspatterns.
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