Free knitting patterns for women's cardigans. Includes stash busters. Updated 9/21/26
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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
Dance Cardi
V-neck, long sleeve cardigan that is tied in front. Sizes XS to 5X. DK weight yarn. Web pattern is free. Designed by Judy Jewell.
Triple Cord Cardi
Long sleeve cardigan with three ties in front knit seamlessly. Includes video tutorials. Sizes XS to 5X. DK weight yarn. Web pattern is free. Designed by Rachel Alford.
Frozen Porcelain Jacket
Wrapped front cardigan inspired by Ming Dynasty ceramics and hanfu (clothing) knit with crossed collar, tied in front, an finished with embroidery inspired by floral scrolls on porcelain. Sizes XS to 5X. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Jasmine Lin for Knitty.
Woven Kyoto Cardigan
Long-sleeved cardigan knit flat with two row repeat Wicker Stitch and fastened with belt tie. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Erin Chen.
Ballet Wrap Cardigan
Cropped ballerina cardigan with overlapped front and ties knit with a 2x1 rib pattern. Sizes XS to XXL. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Júlia Lolbert-Szabó.
Pismo Cardigan
Wrap front cardigan with a lovely drape and ties. Knit flat with no picking up stitches. Sizes S to XL. Lace weight yarn. Designed by Marie Wallin.
Short Sleeve Coat
Short-sleeved cardigan with a belt tie in front knit flat in 2 row repeat with borders in contrasting yarn. Worsted weight yarn. Sizes M to XXL. Available in English, Spanish. Designed by Katia.
Kilimanjaro Wrap Cardigan
Long-sleeve cardigan knit with a lovely drape, wrapped in front and tied with a double-knit tie. Knit flat, but stitches are picked up to make the garment seamless. Sizes XS to 4XL. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Ögla Knitwear Design. Available in English, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, German, Norwegian, Swedish
Tie Front Cardigan
Women's cardigan sweater with front ties knit sideways in two pieces. Sizes: XS to L. DK weight yarn. Designed by Lang Yarns. Available in English, French, German
Seed Stitch Cardi With Scarf
Easy cardigan with attached scarf collar. Knit flat in 2 row repeat seed stitch. Sizes Finished Bust 40 to 60 in. / 101.5 to 152.5 cm. Designed by Irina Poludnenko for Lion Brand. Bulky weight yarn. Rated as suitable for beginners by designer.
Cropped Box Stitch Jacket
Short-sleeved cropped cardigan knit with a 4 row repeat box stitch with dramatic long scarf ties at the collar. Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL. Looks pretty easy. Designed by Cleckheaton. DK weight yarn.
Casual Chic Vest
Tunic length open front vest with a lace lapel that flows into a scarf that can be draped down the front or tied. 7 sizes from X-Small to 3XL. Pattern includes free video instruction. Designed by Brooke Nico for Red Heart. Worsted weight yarn.
More Free Patterns
Pineberry Cardigan
Cropped wrapped front cardigan with a 6 row repeat lace pattern. Sizes 79.5 to 162 cm / 31 to 63". Sport weight yarn. Designed by Audrey Borrego.
Wrap Cardigan
Ballet style cropped wrapped front cardigan with short-sleeves and fastened with ties. Sizes 81 to 127 cm / 32 to 51". DK weight yarn. Designed by Birch Knits.
Convertible Cardigan
This lovely cardigan features a literal shawl collar that can be pulled up over your head like a hood, draped over the shoulders, tied in front, and more. The body of the cardigan in knit flat in 2 row repeat Tuck Stitch. Sizes XS to 5X. Designed by Laura Zukaite for Knitty.
Ballet Wrap Cardigan
Wrap style cardigan with a tie front and long sleeves. Finished Bust 28 (31, 34, 37, 41) in. (71 (78.5, 86.5, 94, 104) cm). Aran weight yarn. Designed by Lily Chin for Lion Brand
Ruffle Tie-front Cardigan
Cropped cardigan with ruffled collar and ruffled cuffs on elbow length sleeves. Sizes XS to 5XL. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Caron.
Fantail Bolero
Long sleeve cropped cardigan with tied front. Sizes: S to XL. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Spotlight.
Vignale Cropped Cardigan
Easy bolero with flared sleeves and tied front knitted flat from the bottom-up. No picking up stitches. Sizes: 67 to 116 cm / 26.5 to 45.5 in. Designed by lynxrows. A kit is also available.
Understudy Bolero
Stunning lace cropped cardigan center-out circular jacket knit in feather and fan stitch with tied front and sleeves picked up. Extensive instructions with explanation of techniques. It would be fantastic paired with a halter top, evening dress, or swimsuit. Can also be worked as a reversible octagonal shawl. Sizes: extra small to 5x. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Jolie Elder.
Bellini Bolerino
Bolero cardigan with darts at bust for flattering fit and interesting texture alternating rib and stockinette. Sizes: To Fit: 40 to 44. Quick knit in Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Adriafil.
Silva Cardigan
Marled v-neck cardigan knit with a ribbed texture and fastened in front with an i-cord tie. Knit seamlessly from the top down. Sizes XS to 2XL. Sample is knit with 3 strands of yarn held together to form a marled effect in the equivalent of Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Trine Brøndum Nordholt for Filcolana. Available in English, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Norwegian, Swedish
Skylark Cardigan
Tie-front cardigan knit flat with a 2 row repeat open mesh stitch with the ties creating a cropped silhouette and v-neck. Sizes XS to 5X. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Laura Zukaite for Knitty.
Womens Bolero With Tie Front
Free for a limited time. Woman's cropped cardigan shrug bolero with lace detail on sleeves and tie front. Sizes To Fit Bust 32 - 42". Designed by Woman's Weekly. DK weight yarn.
Bolero with Leaf Ties
Cropped cardigan with elbow length sleeves, scoop neck, and picot edge. Sizes 32 (34 ½, 37 ½, 40, 4 2½, 45). Worsted weight. Designed by Stefanie Japel for Knitty.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Also available in Fitted Knits:
25 Designs for the Fashionable Knitter - See the Ravelry page
I Love Hue Longline Cardigan
Shawl collared cardigan coat with pockets and belt with 6 row repeat cable details. Sizes To Fit Chest: 81cm to 147cm/ 32" to 58". Aran weight yarn. Designed by Paintbox Yarns
Patterns for Purchase
Easy Beginner Chunky Cardigan
Easy sweater pattern knit flat in garter stitch. 3 sizes S/M/l, but you can very easy make it in any size you want by adding or subtracting stitches and rows. Quick knit in Super Chunky weight yarn. Designed by Gorica Pavlovic.
Bontle Cardigan Shrug
This bolero features cables along the front and sleeves with cables and a textured panel on the back, all fastened with a wide ribbon. 9 Sizes XS to 5XL. Designed by Noma Ndlovu.
Miss Carter Tie Front Shrug
Ballerina shrug with ties across bust can be worn a variety of ways. Knit sideways from sleeve to sleeve. Sizes XS (S) M (L) XL (XXL) equals 37 (38) 42 (44) 45 (46) cm cross back. Designed by Artesanitarium Designs. Fingering weight yarn.
Sleeveless Jacket
Easy cardigan wrap knit with belt. Sizes To Fit Chest: 81cm/32in to 117cm/46in. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Debbie Bliss
