Hey there, fellow knitting enthusiasts and all you lovely beginners out there! Are you ready to get cozy and crafty? We’ve got something super exciting to share with you today: cardigan knitting patterns for beginners! Yes, you heard that right! We’re about to unlock a world of snuggly goodness and stylish creations, perfect for those just starting their knitting journey.
Now, you might be thinking, “Why cardigans? Aren’t they a bit too advanced for new knitters?” Well, my friend, let me assure you that these designs were hand picked with you in mind. Imagine this: you, lounging on your favorite chair, with your knitting needles in hand, and a big smile on your face. With these cardigan knitting patterns for beginners, you’ll be able to fashion your very own trendy and oh-so-comfy cardigans in no time!
Whether you’re a fashion-forward trendsetter or simply seeking that extra dose of warmth during chilly evenings, these cardigan knitting patterns for beginners have got you covered. We’ve handpicked a variety of styles that will make you the envy of all your friends. From classic and timeless designs to more modern and eye-catching options, there’s a perfect cardigan pattern for everyone on this list.
Are you ready to embark on this exciting knitting journey? You won’t know if you can do it unless you give it a try so let’s dive into the enchanting world of cardigan knitting patterns for beginners and create something truly magical!
Easy Cardigan
Slow and steady wins the race with this cardigan design. A thinner weight yarn makes this sweater a little slower to create than some, but it’s so satisfying to watch the variegated yarn paint the surface of your work in stripes. The pattern is worked flat in pieces using knit and purl stitches along with basic increases and decreases.
Designer: Saprotex International Design Studio
Yarn: Elle (Saprotex) Pullskein Double Knit (DK Weigh #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Easy Breezy Cardi
You can rock this short sleeved cardi all year round. Pop it on over a long sleeve shirt in the colder months and wear it over a tank top in the warmer months. The cardigan is worked flat but a cable needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches. You’ll be using stockinette stitch for the majority of this design along with some simple ribbing for the collar and button band.
Designer: Vladimir Teriokhin
Yarn: Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Comfy Easy Eyelet Cocoon Cardi
This is the kind of cardi that you will never want to take off. You could practically live in this thing it’s so roomy! The unique stitch pattern alternates columns of easy eyelet lace and ribbed stitches. This generates a fabric with a fabulous texture and a dash of breathability so you won’t get overheated when you’re swathed in all that yardage.
Designer: Red Heart Design Team
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Easy Cozy Cardi
Cardigan knitting patterns for beginners like this one are perfect for pairing with leggings – especially when there’s a high low hem involved. Working in rows, you’ll knit the first half of each sweater panel in textured seed stitch and then switch to smooth sailing stockinette for the second half. You’ll finish things off with a generously sized collar made with 2×2 ribbing.
Designer: Irina Poludnenko
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Solids (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Easy Knit Cardigan
This cute and easy little number calls for knit and purl stitches along with purl 2 togethers. A smooth stockinette stitch background is interrupted every few rows with a garter stitch ridge to infuse some tantalizing texture into the design. Classic 1×1 rib stitch is used for the edging along the bottom of the cardigan while a garter stitch edging is used along the button band and sleeves.
Designer: Brindle Babe Designs
Yarn: Furls Whims Merino Z Twist (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Telluride Easy Knit Kimono
You can make this cozy oversized cardi using just knit and purl stitches. There’s no shaping whatsoever so you don’t even need to know how to increase or decrease. Even better, the pattern calls for super bulky weight yarn and you get to work with nice big knitting needles. Talk about beginner friendly!
Designer: Mama in a Stitch
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Solids (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Easy Vel-Luxe Cardigan
Adventurous beginners will love the challenge of working with soft velvet yarn to create this cozy cardigan. The fuzziness of the yarn can make it a little tricky to see your stitches, put the unparalleled softness of the finished cardigan is totally worth it! The pattern calls for knit and purl stitches along with slip slip knits and knit 2 togethers.
Designer: CoCo Crochet Lee
Yarn: Lion Brand Vel-Luxe (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Easy Knit Blanket Sweater
If you can knit a dishcloth, then you can knit this cardigan. Seriously, it’s just one big stockinette stitch rectangle with a bit of clever seaming. Any yet somehow you end up with an effortlessly chic cardigan that’s both cozy and cute. Sounds like a bit of stitch witchery to me!
Designer: Mama in a Stitch
Yarn: Lion Brand Woolspun (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Easy Baby Cardi
Learn the basics of cardigan knitting patterns for beginners by making a baby cardi first. You’ll save time and yarn while still learning a lot about garment knitting along the way. After you tackle a quick and easy baby cardi like this garter stitch one, you’ll feel more confident about taking on a larger project!
Designer: Universal Yarn
Yarn: Universal Yarn Bamboo Pop (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Easy Rectangle Cardigan
The Easy Rectangle Cardigan is here to impress. I love the longer length of the design and the contrasting color on the pockets. I also just really really love the fact that it has pockets, because pockets are amazing! Want to know something else that’s impressive? You can make the whole thing with basic stockinette stitch!
Designer: Bobbie Fitzgerald
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice and
Lion Brand Vanna’s Tapestry (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Extra Easy, Extra Fabulous Sweater
The basic cardigan gets a few stylish upgrades with this design. An off center button band and a wide square neckline are sure to turn some heads. I also really like the 3/4 length sleeves. Best of all, you can make one for yourself using just easy peasy garter and stockinette stitches.
Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Solids (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Light ‘N Easy Cardigan
Working with self striping yarn is a satisfying way to knit up a seriously stylish cardigan like this one. The pattern is worked in two mirrored halves that start at the sleeve and go to the center of the cardigan. Then the pieces are connected along the back and it’s ready to wear! You’ll be using reverse stockinette and garter stitch for this design.
Designer: Kaz for Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Easy Garter Stitch Baby Cardigan
Here’s another one of our cardigan knitting patterns for beginners that’s perfect for leveling up your garment knitting game. The pattern is worked flat in garter stitch. Rather than being worked in pieces, it’s all one big piece that is folded over and seamed.
Designer: Gina-Michele
Yarn: Lion Brand Mandala (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Cotton Candy Beginner Cardigan
You might wonder why this cardigan is called the Cotton Candy Beginner Cardigan. Obviously that bright pink color is spot on for the namesake, but it’s also because of the fluffy soft texture of the fabric that the yarn creates. The pattern uses stockinette and garter stitches along with some basic shaping.
Designer: Mama in a Stitch
Yarn: Lion Brand Feels Like Butta (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Beginner Friendly Baby Cardigan
Fact: everything is cuter in miniature form and that’s especially true for cardigan knitting patterns for beginners. This adorable baby cardigan pattern calls for stockinette, garter, and 2×2 rib stitches. It will teach you how to knit a cardigan with a classic raglan sleeve.
Designer: EmiHeartMade
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Cotton Merino (DK Weight Yarn #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Simple Seed Cardi
How cute is this cardigan? I would love to add this piece to my wardrobe. It’s simple enough to pair well with a variety of outfits but still interesting enough to keep you engage while you work on it. The pattern calls for knit and purl stitches along with knit front backs, knit 2 togethers, and slip slip knits.
Designer: Tori Gurbisz for Premier Yarns
Yarn: Stitch Please Yarns Superwash Chunky (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Simply Stated Cardigan
The boyfriend style cardigan features a relaxed fit and a classic silhouette. You really can’t go wrong with this Simply Stated Cardigan design! The pattern uses stockinette and rib stitches. A very detailed video tutorial is included alongside the written instructions which is seriously helpful for beginner knitters and visual learners.
Designer: Ashley Lillis
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Solids (Super Bulky Yarn #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Simple Comfy Blanket Sweater
The blanket sweater is the socially acceptable way to get away with basically wearing a blanket in public. It’s cute, it’s cozy, and it’s actually really fun to knit too! When it’s time to change colors for the next bold stripe, it’s also time to switch up your stitch pattern. The pattern rotates between stockinette, seed and mesh stitches. In addition to your basic knits and purls, there are also some yarn overs involved.
Designer: SeeLoveShare
Yarn: Red Heart Dreamy (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Soft and Simple Knit Baby Cardigan
Keep it simple with this next cardigan design. Each piece of the pattern is worked flat in back and forth rows using garter stitch. There’s no shaping in the form of increasing and decreasing. This is great news for beginner knitters and it would make an amazing baby shower present.
Designer: Yarnspirations Design Studio
Yarn: Bernat Baby Blanket Tiny Solids (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Super-Simple Ombre Colorwork Cardigan
Let’s face it, colorwork can certainly be intimidating! The faux fair isle technique used for this cardigan can help you conquer your fears. You only need to work with one color per row so you don’t have to worry about juggling two strands of yarn at a time. Along with the knit and purl stitches needed to make the stockinette stitch, you’ll be using slip stitches to do the simple colorwork.
Designer: Ann E. Smith
Yarn: Schachenmayr Catania Grande and Schachenmayr Multicolor (Worsted Weight Yarn #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Simple Hooded Cardigan
This is the first one of our cardigan knitting patterns for beginners that features a hood. Now you can unlock the secret of adding a hood to your garment knitting projects with this quick and easy design. The pattern is worked flat in pieces using basic stockinette and garter stitches.
Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Jiffy Solid (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Moonbow Slouchy Knit Cardigan
Sometimes the best compliment you can receive about a knitting project is when someone asks you wear you bought it. The Moonbow Slouchy Knit Cardigan is totally one of those designs that’s nice enough to appear store bought! The pattern calls for just knit and purl stitches along with knit 2 togethers.
Designer: Mama in a Stitch
Yarn: Lion Brand Hue + Me (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Rectangle Garter Baby Cardigan
When you see a basic cardigan design laid out flat like this it really helps put things in perspective. When you break it down, it’s all really basic shapes like the humble rectangle. Best of all, you don’t have to do any purl stitches for this design since it’s made entirely in garter stitch.
Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
Yarn: Lion Brand Baby Wool Solids (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free easy knitting pattern!
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Coral Cardigan
A short sleeve cardi is a summer must have if you love the layered look. Pop it on over a tank top and jeans for an easy breezy style that’s sure to impress. You can make this ombre beauty using the recommended self striping yarn. The pattern calls for knit and purl stitches along with knit 2 togethers and yarn overs.
Designer: Yay for Yarn
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver Ombré (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free pattern!
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Namaste At Home Cardigan
Cardigan knitting patterns for beginners don’t get any easier than this one! This design is finger knit with loop yarn. The pre looped yarn takes things like tension completely out of the equation so you can just focus on learning the basic cardigan shapes. I really like the stitch definition that you get with this yarn too!
Designer: The Hook Nook Life
Yarn: Bernat Alize Blanket EZ (Jumbo Weight #7)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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You’ll Also Love This Easy Video Tutorial:
See also: Everyday Cardigan Knitting Patterns
Final Thoughts on Our Cardigan Knitting Patterns for Beginners
Are you still nervous about attempting your first cardigan project? Don’t be! Sometimes the hardest part is getting started. All you need to do is pick your favorite design and get to knitting. Don’t let your skill level hold you back – you can knit a beautiful cardigan.
A short sleeved cardigan with a simple front band can be a quick knit, so that’s the style of cardigan I would recommend from our list of easy cardigan knitting patterns. A hand-knit cardigan is a wonderful addition to your wardrobe!
I hope you have enjoyed this list of easy patterns for different sizes and in any yarn weight you choose – there are a lot here to choose from! So whether you choose to use chunky yarn with large needles or a smaller yarn and circular needles, or anything in between, we’ve got you covered. Even experienced knitters can enjoy one of these free knit patterns for cardigan sweaters.
One thing I wouldn’t recommend for beginners is using fingering weight yarn because it will work up so slowly that a beginner knitter can get discouraged. The best cardigan knitting patterns for beginners, in my opinion, are chunky cardigan patterns. These make for a quick project, especially in basic stitches, and bonus if you can find video tutorials to help you knit your perfect project.
Don’t forget, sharing is caring! Send this free knitting pattern round-up to all your knitting friends so they can join in on the fun too! Bookmark this page or save the link to your Pinterest board for amazing knitting patterns.
I’ll see you next week for another free knitting pattern round-up. Make sure to follow the blog so you never miss a post. <3
Happy Knitting!
