Want the absolute best free knit cardigan patterns on the net? Find them here – you’re sure to find something you love!

Cardigans are a girl’s best friend! They’re cute. They’re cozy. And they go well with everything! Keep one in your car, or keep one right by the door to grab on your way out. You can wear a knit cardigan all year round. They’re so nice to have on hand for any weather. And the best part is that you get to say, “I made it myself!” You can make one (or a few!) for yourself with one of the amazing free knitted cardigan patterns in this free knitting pattern round-up. Yay!

So, how do you knit a cardigan anyway? It’s really not as hard as you might think. Seriously, a lot of these free knitting patterns are well-suited to beginner knitters! Choose from knit cropped cardigan patterns, knit boyfriend cardigan patterns, knit button cardigan patterns, knit long cardigan patterns and so much more! If you don’t think that you can knit a cardigan, just scroll down and see for yourself.

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Tips for knitting a perfect cardigan

First, gauge matters when making a sweater, whether it be a pullover or cardi, so make sure you are getting the gauge called for in the pattern. I’m tempted to skip the gauge swatch, too, but please don’t do this!

To ensure your gauge swatch is accurate, knit in the same method and stitch pattern you will be using in the pattern. So if it’s seed stitch in the round, you will want to work up a swatch that way.

Second, make sure the cardi you are going to make is something you (or the intended recipient) will actually wear. Hear me out here. I am drawn to bulky and super bulky yarns, but every time I would make a sweater out of these I would hate it on me.

I finally realized that the sweaters I was buying and wearing all the time were much lighter weight, so take a look at the sweaters that are most worn by the person who is going to wear the cardi. You don’t want to spend hours on a cardi only to hate the way it fits or looks.

25 Free Knit Cardigan Patterns for Everyday Wear

Le Pouf

Learn how to create gorgeous color gradients with the marling technique. You’ll be working with two strands of yarn at a time, which is perfect for using up all that sock yarn you bought and never used. This raglan cardigan knitting pattern is worked from the top down in the stockinette stitch. The design features a raglan sleeve and a form-flattering relaxed fit. 

Designer: Hedgehog Fibres

Yarn: Hedgehog Fibres Sock (Fingering Weight #1)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Pure Comfort Cardigan

Long cardigans and leggings go together like peanut butter and jelly – especially during transitional seasons like spring and fall. Most of the design is worked up in stockinette stitch, while the wide ribbed shawl collar is worked in fisherman’s rib. This free long sleeve cardigan sweater is worked seamlessly from the top down. 

Designer: Andrea Yetman for Biscotte Yarns

Yarn: Biscotte Yarns (DK Weight #3)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Effortless Cardigan

A cute and casual cardigan looks equally amazing when worn out on the town or when worn at home snuggling on the couch. You can make one for yourself with stockinette stitch for the main part and simple ribbing for the edging and cuffs. Oh and I almost forgot the best part – this design features pockets!

Designer: Zabeth for Lion Brand

Yarn: Lion Brand Basic Stitch (Worsted Weight #4)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Shapely Boyfriend Cardigan

A fitted cardigan is office-ready and definitely date-worthy too! This basic design uses stockinette stitch and a simple ribbed edging. You’ll be starting at the top of this cute cardigan and working your way down. The button enclosure is my favorite part! 

Designer: Stephanie Japel for Knitty

Yarn: O-Wool Classic (Worsted Weight #4)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Iced Cardigan

If you need to have your knit sweater finished like yesterday then I suggest you pick a pattern that uses super bulky yarn. The thicker the yarn, the faster the project after all! The main part of this free pattern is worked in stockinette stitch, while the attractive wide collar is worked in garter stitch. 

Designer: Carol Feller for Knitty

Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Ice (Super Bulky Weight #6)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Ausable Cardigan

Here’s a little something different than what we’ve seen so far – a free knit cardigan pattern that is knit from the bottom up. I’m sure the attractive cabled stitches along the sleeve caught your eye…just wait until you see the back! The sides of the cardigan are worked in moss stitch and you’ll also be working a purl 1, knit 1 ribbing for the cuffs and hem.

Designer: Amy Christoffers for Knitty

Yarn: Berroco Catena (Bulky Weight #5)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Cliffside Cardigan

If thinking of sweater yokes gives you hives – give this easy knit cardigan pattern a try. You’ll be working each component of the cardigan flat – one back panel, two front panels, and two sleeves. Sew it all together and you’ve got yourself one cozy cardigan. Here’s the stitch breakdown: stockinette, rib, and moss with some simple shaping and picking up stitches.

Designer: Two of Wands

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick (Super Bulky Weight #6)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Asheville Cardigan

Here’s a novel idea: a double-stranded knit cardigan that uses one super bulky weight yarn and one fingering weight yarn. The resulting color is so vivid and interesting. There’s even a slight color fading effect when you compare the top to the bottom. The purl side is worn on the outside of the cardigan and is framed by a fabulous wide purl 1, knit 1 ribbed collar. 

Designer: The Noble Thread

Yarn: Cestari Mt. Vernon Collection & Melissa Dawn Wool Artist BFL 

(Super Bulky Weight #6 and Fingering Weight #1 held together)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Simple Slouchy Sweater

Cozy oversized cardigans are like the socially acceptable version of wearing a blanket in public. They’re just so comfortable and cute! This free knit cardigan pattern was designed specifically for beginners. Everything is worked flat with just knit, purl, and knit front back stitches. There’s even a helpful video tutorial! 

Designer: Yay for Yarn

Yarn: Lion Brand Pound of Love (Worsted Weight #4)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Cozy Cloud Cardigan

The beauty of a cardigan worked from the top down is that you can try it on as you go to make sure it fits exactly how you want it to. This free knit cardigan pattern is simplicity at its finest. It’s made all in one piece with stockinette stitch. The edging is worked at the same time as the body of the piece, so you don’t have to worry about picking up stitches. 

Designer: Life is Cozy

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick (Super Bulky Weight #6)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Estuary Cardigan

The color block look is just so fun. It’s also a great way to introduce a second color to your design without switching between the two colors a bunch of times. This design is worked flat from the bottom up in stockinette stitch. The pattern features a ribbed edging, a button closure and a v-neck. 

Designer: Berroco Design Team

Yarn: Berroco Tuscan Tweed (Worsted Weight #4)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Uptown Cardigan

I basically live in slouchy cardigans when the weather turns colder. They’re great for layering and they are just so comfortable! This long cardigan makes a perfect pair with your favorite pair of leggings. You can make this one using garter stitch (and some rib stitch for the cuffs). You’ll be working multiple pieces from the bottom up and then seaming them together.

Designer: All About Ami

Yarn: Lion Brand Coboo (DK Weight #3)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Folded Squares Cardigan

I love knit cardigan patterns that use basic shapes like squares. This easy knit project is worked flat using garter stitch. You’d think that a design that’s all angles would be a bit boxy, but this beautiful cardigan defies the odds and remains fluid and drapey thanks to the lovely bamboo yarn. 

Designer: Purl Soho 

Yarn: Habu Textiles Bamboo (Fingering Weight #1)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Krydda Cardigan

Krydda means spice in Swedish. What a fitting name for such a unique and attractive knit cardigan! This design is worked from the top down with a raglan sleeve.  The solid fabric of the shoulders is made with the stockinette stitch. Then the real fun begins with the delicate lace pattern of the rest of this breathtaking layering piece. 

Designer: Yarn-Madness for Knitty

Yarn: Lisa Souza Max (Worsted Weight #4)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Oxford Boyfriend Cardigan 

Get on the fast-track to fashion and coziness with super bulky yarn in two colors. This free knit cardigan pattern is worked flat in 3 pieces and then seamed. You’ll be using knit, purl, knit 2 together, and slip slip knit stitches. This design is easier than it looks and perfect for adventurous knitting beginners looking to hone their craft. 

Designer: Two of Wands

Yarn: Lion Brand Fast-Track (Super Bulky Weight #6)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Land & Sea Cardigan

Sets of mini skeins of yarn are so much fun to play with. You can learn how to make gorgeous gradients like this with the free knit cardigan pattern with a round neckline. You’ll be using the fabulously textured reverse stockinette stitch and working from the top down. Some parts of the knit pattern are worked flat, while others are worked in the round. 

Designer: Biscotte Yarns

Yarn: Biscotte Yarns Bis-Sock (Fingering Weight #1)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Candyfloss Cardigan

Amp up the drama with this fluffy oversized cardigan. My favorite part of this one-size design is the trendy balloon sleeves. You can get that popular mohair look on a budget with brushed alpaca yarn. This sweater knitting pattern calls for the stockinette stitch and uses slip slip knits and knit 2 togethers to decrease.

Designer: Kat and Leni

Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk (Worsted Weight #4)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Dotty Cardigan

Have you tried the dot stitch before? It’s a must try knit stitch that’s simply bursting with texture! I love it when I see a free cardigan knitting pattern with texture like this. I wish I could feel the material through my computer! This fabulous design also features pockets, a generous tush-covering length and a wide ribbed edging. 

Designer: All About Ami

Yarn: Lion Brand Color Made Easy (Bulky Weight #5)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Tempest Cardigan

Behold this lovely fitted and striped cardigan that is the Tempest. This design features set in sleeves and cinched waist shaping. The thinner stripes in the middle help accentuate the waist nicely. You don’t even need to know any fancy knit stitches to make this beautiful cardigan, because it is entirely knit in stockinette.

Designer: Ann Weaver for Knitty

Yarn: Fleece Artist Blue Face Leicester 2/8 (Fingering Weight #1)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Coziest Cable Cardigan

These aren’t the tight little cables you might be used to seeing. These cables are oversized and relaxed. They’re dramatic but they’re also chill and they’re right at home on this cute and casual knit cardigan. Don’t be intimidated by how amazing this design looks, though, because it’s really quite simple. You’ll be working flat and using mainly stockinette stitch. 

Designer: Mama in a Stitch

Yarn: Lion Brand Color Made Easy (Bulky Weight #5)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Betty Cardigan

This adorable knit cardigan strikes the perfect balance between fitted and oversized. The soft pink color and seed stitch edging give this design a nice feminine touch. You can make this gorgeous sweater in one-piece. You’ll be working from the top down in stockinette stitch and making a raglan sleeve. 

Designer: Sewrella

Yarn: Lion Brand Color Made Easy (Bulky Weight #5)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Breckenridge Topper Cardigan

Here’s a silhouette that we haven’t seen yet. With an angled hem and ¾ sleeves, this free sweater pattern is sure to turn some heads. A bit of knit stitch witchery turns two basic stockinette stitch rectangles into the fashion masterpiece you see before you. This is excellent news for beginner knitters!

Designer: Mama in a Stitch

Yarn: Lion Brand Comfy Cotton Blend (DK Weight #3)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Lavender Breeze

Long lines of cozy english ribbing are the hallmarks of this wonderful knit cardigan. This design also features cuffed sleeves and a button front closure. You’ll be working with two strands of yarn held together and employing both increasing and decreasing methods for shaping. I just love the cozy relaxed fit and soft silhouette. 

Designer: DROPS Design

Yarn: DROPS Alpaca & DROPS Kid-Silk 

(Sport Weight #3 and Lace Weight #0 – held together)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Colonia Cropped Cardi

Cropped cardigans are a really popular style right now, and you can finish them much faster than traditional or longer length cardigans. It’s a win win! Check out the neat stripes of textured stitches along the shoulders. You’ll be using the garter stripe technique for this design – 3 rows knit and 1 row purl – as well as stockinette stitch and ribbing for the cuffs. 

Designer: Lisa Carnahan for Lion Brand

Yarn: Lion Brand Color Made Easy (Bulky Weight #5)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Kimono Sleeve Cardigan

Lush green is perfect for spring. This stunning women’s sweater uses the textured box stitch and features ¾ sleeves, extra-wide lapels and a cropped length. The design is worked flat from the bottom up. The front, sleeves and back are made all as one piece and then you’ll pick up stitches along the middle to work the seed stitch lapels. 

Designer: Bernat Design Studio

Yarn: Bernat Super Value (Worsted Weight #4)

Click here for the free knitting pattern!

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Knitting yourself something that you can actually wear is such an amazing feeling. There are just so many great free knit cardigan patterns out there! We couldn’t possibly fit them all in one round-up! So, please feel free to share your favorite free knit cardigan patterns with us in the comments below. 

Oh, and you’re definitely going to want to bookmark this page or save it to your pinterest board for when yet another friend or family member announces a pregnancy. It could be any day!

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

Be sure to check out all of my free knitting patterns here!

Happy Knitting!
Amanda