Calling all knitting enthusiasts and parents with a passion for crafting: discover a treasure trove of free children’s cardigan knitting patterns that will keep your little ones cozy and stylish! That’s right, today we are talking about kid’s cardigans and let me tell you these free knitting patterns are utterly charming. Just imagine how cute and cozy your kids, grandkids, nieces, and nephews are going to look with their new duds!
There’s nothing quite like the joy and satisfaction of crafting something for someone you love and this feeling might be even sweeter when it comes to kid’s cardigans. Maybe that’s because these free knitting patterns for children’s cardigans take much less time and yarn than their adult-sized counterparts. Or maybe it’s because kids just make everything they wear a little cuter!
If you’ve tried searching for free knitting patterns for children’s cardigans on your own, then you know just how many designs there are out there. It can be pretty overwhelming to slog through page after page of search results looking for “the one”. That’s where we come in! We’re curated 25 of our favorite designs just for you. As always, there’s a healthy variety of skill levels and styles, so you’re sure to find something to suit your fancy.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter whether the design you select is super easy or really complicated. The love and care that you put into each stitch transforms these humble free knitting patterns for children’s cardigans into tangible reminders of love and care. Keep in mind that it’s the thought that counts! Whatever design you decide on, it is sure to be appreciated. Scroll down to see all of these beautiful designs for yourself!
Coco Cardigan
Kids can be very discerning about the styles they wear and especially about how the clothes feel. Choose high quality yarn to ensure that your gift is well received. A thinner weight yarn like the one recommended by this stockinette and rib stitch design may take longer but it will also result in a garment that moves and drapes just like regular fabric.
Designer: Eweknit Toronto
Yarn: The Fibre Co Canopy Fingering (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Butterfly in Fall
Don’t be afraid to add a touch of lace to your cardigan projects, even as the weather starts to turn. A little decorative element goes a long way, as evidenced by the pretty columns of lace in this button up cardigan. The pattern calls for knit and purl stitches along with knit slip passovers and easy eyelet lace.
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Sky (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Professor Sweater
If your little one likes feeling all grown up and copying the dressing habits of the adults around them, then they are sure to appreciate this adorable Professor Sweater. The simple stockinette stitch design has garter stitch accents among the hem, collar, and elbow patches.
Designer: Rae Blackledge
Yarn: Willow Yarns Daily DK Weight (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Feeling Whimsy
Now this looks like the kind of cardigan you could practically live in! Choosing free knitting patterns for children’s cardigans just makes sense because they afford more warmth and they provide more room to grow too. This pocketed cardigan design is knit double stranded using stockinette stitch and ribbing.
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Kid-Silk (Lace Weight #0) and Garnstudio DROPS Sky (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Zigzag
You would have a hard time finding a cardigan like this at the store but being able to knit unlocks all sorts of stylish doors! This playful design is worked top down and it uses increases and decreases to form the sweater shape. This also allows the chevron stripes to flow seamlessly from the body of the sweater to the sleeves.
Designer: Sanne Bjerregaard
Yarn: Filcolana Tilia and Filcolana Saga (Lace Weight #0)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Daisy Chain
Free knitting patterns for children’s cardigans aren’t just for the colder months! This short sleeve stockinette stitch design is perfect for spring and summer. The design is accented with textured garter stitch and embroidery. The daisy chains along the button band are made using two basic embroidery stitches which are explained in depth in the pattern.
Designer: Amanda Lilley Designs
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Pima Tencel (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Sawtelle
This peacoat style cardigan is cute as a button. The color block design and the adorable collar really help polish this design into something quite stylish and special. Using just knit stitches you’ll create the garter stitch body of the sweater by working in rows and the stockinette stitch sleeves by working in the round.
Designer: Amanda Keep Williams
Yarn: Berroco Remix® (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Cabled Knit Cardigan
Experienced knitters will relish the challenge of this cabled cardigan design. Special stitches include 3 and 4 stitch cables along with 3 stitch twisted cables. You have the option to embroidery cute little flowers in a contrasting color in the nooks and crannies created by the intertwining cable stitches.
Designer: Patons
Yarn: Patons Canadiana (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Candy Bar Cardigan
The next one of our free knitting patterns for children’s cardigans ticks all the boxes for current trending styles: color block, bright colors, and cozy oversized sleeves. The topmost color block section is made in garter stitch and the rest of the sweater is stockinette. Best of all, this project would make a great stash buster!
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Nepal (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Chaplin
The thin stripes of our next design were inspired by mimes, and by Charlie Chaplin, in particular. The unisex style features a contrasting collar for the button band and cuffs. It would look equally adorable with a pair of jeans as it does with a big fluffy tutu.
Designer: Maria Bach Jensen
Yarn: Filcolana Vilja (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Steggie
Your kiddo is sure to roar with delight when this next design comes to life on your knitting needles. The stockinette and seed stitch design employs a clever bit of construction that allows you to knit the colorful sawtooth edging concurrently with the rest of the piece using intarsia colorwork. This saves you from having to knit it separately and then sew it on afterward.
Designer: Julia Farwell-Clay
Yarn: Classic Elite Yarns Jil Eaton Minnow Merino (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Wonder Wave
Here’s another one of our free knitting patterns for children’s cardigans that’s perfect for the warmer months. The wavy stitch pattern uses knit and purl stitches along with knit 2 togethers and yarn overs. It’s a dainty and delicate design that does well to dress up a t-shirt or provide additional modesty atop a tank top or sleeveless dress.
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Muskat (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Shawl Collar Cardigan
Bulky weight yarn makes this cozy cardigan extra chunky and cute. The piece is knit from the bottom up and joined in such a way that the only time you’ll need to whip out the sewing needle is when you’re ready to sew the buttons on. The recommended baby yarn ensures that the finished product will be comfy and soft.
Designer: Bernat Design Studio
Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby Chunky (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Mini Uptown Cardigan
This mini version of a popular adult size cardigan is just begging to be made as a mommy and me set. The pattern calls for garter stitch and ribbing and it features an extra long length. The stylish slouchy fit will allow your child to wear and enjoy their new cardigan for years to come and the pockets are sure to come in handy for hunting seashells and cool rocks.
Designer: All About Ami
Yarn: Lion Brand Coboo (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Ellen
Selecting a design with a hood is a great way to keep things casual, especially if your child doesn’t like to wear anything too fancy. You can’t go wrong with this beautiful and basic stockinette and rib stitch design. The relaxed fit and cheerful stripes are sure to help this project become your child’s new go-to.
Designer: Ella Rae for Knitting Fever
Yarn: Ella Rae Amity Solids & Heathers (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Honeycomb Hoodie
Sometimes it can be fun to push yourself with challenging projects like this striking Honeycomb Hoodie. The design uses a combination of textured moss stitch and interlocking cablework that resembles honeycomb. There are so many cables that it is recommended to use the cabling without a cable needle method to save time
Designer: Judy Kaethler
Yarn: Three Irish Girls Springvale Worsted (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Easy Kid’s Cardigan
It doesn’t get much cuter and cozier than this. With softness you can see, and a relaxed fit with lots of room to grow, this just might become your new favorite kid’s cardigan design. The beginner friendly pattern calls for stockinette and rib stitch. You’ll be knitting the individual components of this sweater separately and then sewing them together.
Designer: Gina-Michele
Yarn: Lion Brand Heartland (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Hooded Sweater
The next pattern on our list is a triumph of color and texture. Working with two strands of yarn at once, you’ll use two strands of the same yarn for the solid sections and two different colors of yarn to soften the color transitions. The pattern calls for knit and purl stitches along with knit 2 togethers and slip slip knits.
Designer: Heatherly Walker
Yarn: Red Heart Chic Sheep by Marly Bird (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Watch the Birdie
The bold blue hue of the edging, cuffs, and pockets contrasts nicely with the 5 pastel colors used to create the body of this striped cardigan. This is a great project for using up skeins of yarn leftover from other projects and for multipacks of mini yarn skeins. The beginner-friendly pattern calls for just stockinette and rib stitches.
Designer: Unicorn Designs
Yarn: Fingering Weight #1
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Edge of the Woods Jacket
Stranded colorwork adds a playful touch to the round yoke of our next kid’s cardigan design. The classic blue and brown color palette is an easy choice for boys and it contrasts wonderfully with the stark white of freshly fallen snow. It is made with stockinette and rib stitches.
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Merino Extra Fine (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Aviator Jacket
It can be discouraging to select free knitting patterns for children’s cardigans if you aren’t 100% sure that your kiddo will actually want to wear a hand knit sweater. Sweeten the deal with this seed stitch aviator design that is sure to appeal to their sense of imagination and adventure!
Designer: Cascade Yarns Design Team
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Cascade 220® Superwash Aran (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Kid’s Hooded Cardi
Choose a color changing yarn to recreate the playful nature of this cozy hooded cardigan. This is a great way to incorporate multiple colors into a project without having to manually change colors or weave in any extra ends. Best of all, it’s super beginner friendly and calls for juts stockinette and ribbing.
Designer: Premier Yarns Design Team
Yarn: Premier Yarns Colorfusion DK (DK Weight Yarn #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Poppy Children’s Cardigan
Everyone loves a bit of texture and I think that’s especially true for kids. The bobble stitch accents on the bottom of this cardigan design are pure tactile bliss! The pattern also uses knit and purl stitches to make the stockinette and rib stitch bits.
Designer: Sanna Mård Castman
Yarn: Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/4 (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Child’s Cardigan
The next one of our free knitting patterns for children’s cardigans is positively geometric. The block stitch pattern uses just knit and purl stitches. This is a stitch pattern that you don’t see very often but I think that it is very appealing – both to look at and to touch.
Designer: Plymouth Yarn Design Studio
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Pima Rino Tweed (Worsted Weight Yarn #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Kid’s Cozy Rainbow Cardigan
The statement sleeves on this last cardigan design are like mini works of art. You will be happy to hear that the rainbow motif continues around the sleeves and across the back of the sweater, so it looks great from everything angle. The pattern is worked in pieces using stockinette and rib stitches. Then everything is seamed together.
Designer: Paintbox Yarns
Yarn: Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free pattern!
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See also: Everyday cardigan knitting patterns
Final Thoughts on Childrens Cardigan Knitting Patterns
That’s a wrap on all of these free knitting patterns for children’s cardigans! Did you have a favorite one of these gorgeous cardigans on this list?
Personally I love a cardigan with saddle shoulders, and I can’t resist a toddler cardigan or baby cardigan, especially if they are made with chunky yarn. A long sleeve chunky cardigan for kids is sooo cute!
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!