If you’ve ever embarked on the quest for the perfect men’s cardigan knitting pattern, you probably know it’s a journey filled with twists and turns. A lot of designs that claim to be “unisex” are a bit more feminine than a guy would usually prefer to wear. Lucky for you, we’ve found 25 of the best men’s cardigan knitting patterns from some great pattern designers and we’ve compiled them all in one place, just for you.
Let’s face it, finding the right men’s cardigan knitting patterns can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. It’s almost as if the knitting universe conspires to keep them hidden, making you unravel your patience in the process. Well, we’ve unraveled that mystery for you, and you’ll be delighted with the array of choices we’ve uncovered.
From sleek zippered creations that scream contemporary cool to buttoned beauties adorned with intricate cablework or colorwork, there’s something here for everyone. And for those who prefer the simple joys of knitting, we’ve got some more simple and straightforward options for free knitting patterns too. After all, simplicity is a staple in a man’s wardrobe.
But before you dive into these delightful designs, remember one golden rule of knitting: always check your gauge first! This may sound like a small, optional sort of step that slows you down from starting on the project that you’re very excited to begin, but trust us when we say that it’s actually very important! There’s nothing worse than spending all that time and yarn making one of these men’s cardigan knitting patterns only to discover that the sweater you made is too big or too small.
Men’s cardigan knitting patterns aren’t just about crafting a garment; they’re about pouring your love, creativity, and warmth into every stitch. Whether it’s a gift from the heart for the special man in your life or a wardrobe upgrade for yourself, these cardigans are your canvas to create memories that last a lifetime. So, pick your occasion, gather your materials, and let your knitting needles weave stories of love and style into every knit and purl with your next new knitting project.
Yorkview Zipper Cardigan
If you want to make something really special, then choose a pattern with cablework. There’s just something about cabled designs that look refined and they are sure to impress everyone with your knitting skills too. This gorgeous collared design uses a combination of honeycomb and horseshoe cables.
Designer: Katherine Poole-Fournier for Yarnspirations
Yarn: Patons North America Highland Bulky (Super Bulky Weight #6)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Maximilian
Another way to make your cardigan project stand out is with a bit of colorwork. This pattern calls for simple stockinette stitch to really make the stranded colorwork stand out. Rib stitch accents are used along the cuffs, collar, and hem. It’s knit all in one piece using a circular needle to accommodate the large number of stitches.
Designer: Jennifer Owens for Knitty
Yarn: Cloudborn Fibers Superwash Merino Worsted Twist (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free pattern!
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Gryten – Men’s Jacket
This cardigan features an allover texture and the sleeves extend past the wrists to end in cuffs with thumb holes for maximum warmth and coziness. The seemingly simple stockinette stitch design employs a couple more advanced knitting tricks to turn out a most impressive cardigan. Special techniques include i-cord cast ons and german short rows.
Designer: The Weststrand Sisters
Yarn: Järbo Svensk Ull 3 tr (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Sulo Cardigan
Adding a long V-neck to a cardigan gives it a level of sophistication that is perfectly suited to the career or education oriented fellow. It just makes it look a little bit more polished and proper, don’t you think? This pattern calls for double seed stitch, 1×1 rib stitch, and a couple different kinds of cablework.
Designer: Ronja Hakalehto
Yarn: Novita Merino DK (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Zipped Cardigan with Pockets
Adding a zipper to a cardigan may sound like a challenge, but the sleek appearance that it gives to your project is well worth the extra effort. This zippered cardigan design is hiding a secret in its ribbing. There are actually two sideways pockets that blend in with the vertical lines of the design. The pattern calls for both 2×2 rib and fancy rib stitches.
Designer: Bergère de France
Yarn: Bergère de France Prisme (55% acrylic) (DK Weight #3)
Click here for this free classic cardigan pattern!
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Stormy Staghorn Cardigan
In our opinion, a cardigan paired with a flannel collared shirt is a match made in heaven. Just look at this gorgeous cardigan design! Whether he’s going camping or visiting with friends, he is sure to look his best in this cabled cutie. Included in the stitch pattern are stockinette, rib, and staghorn cable stitches.
Designer: Paintbox Yarns
Yarn: Paintbox Yarns Wool Mix Chunky (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Greywind
Fans of the TV show Game of Thrones may recognize the motifs in this cardigan design. Stockinette stitch and stranded colorwork are used to make the direwolves and the surrounding motifs. A clever use of short rows creates a seamless transition between the folded collar and the rest of the cardigan.
Designer: Meghan Babin for Knitty
Yarn: Hudson + West Co. Forge (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Man’s Cardigan
Men’s cardigan knitting patterns require lots of yarn. If you don’t have 5 or 6 skeins of the same color laying around, then you should consider making a multicolored cardigan instead of a solid colored one. The thick and thin stripes of this eye-catching design are set against a textured background of checkerboard stitches.
Designer: Schachenmayr
Yarn: Schachenmayr Catania Color and
Schachenmayr Catania Denim Originals (Sport Weight #2)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Neighborly Cardigan
PBS icon Mr. Rogers, a.k.a. everyone’s favorite neighbor, is the inspiration behind this zippered cardigan design. The pattern calls for stockinette and rib stitches along with a striking column of cables on either side of the zipper closure. This is a fitted design that really draws attention to those broad shoulders.
Designer: LB Design
Yarn: Lion Brand Touch of Alpaca (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for this great pattern!
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Hey Handsome Knit Cardigan
You might have noticed that the yarn recommendations for these men’s cardigan knitting patterns run the gamut from fingering to bulky weight, but the most popular yarn weight is a trusty worsted weight. A medium weight yarn adds just the right amount of stitch definition to this cabled cardigan design that calls for twisted rib stitch as well as 8 stitch cables..
Designer: Nicole Winer for Yarnspirations
Yarn: Patons North America Classic Wool Worsted (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Fell
Turn up the textured with this rugged men’s cardigan design. The subtle contrast between knit and purl stitches is used to create little arrow and zig zag designs in the surface of the sweater. Generously wide sections of 2×2 ribbing are used to create the handsome collar, cuffs, and hem.
Designer: Martin Storey for Rowan
Yarn: Rowan Hemp Tweed Chunky (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Thorpe
A tweed yarn, a shawl collar, and toggle style buttons give this dashing cardigan design a rustic finish. Abstract geometric shapes are created in the surface of the work using knit and purl stitches. The best part is that the recommended bulky weight yarn will help this sweater work up quickly so you can get it on and off your needles in time for the cold weather.
Designer: Martin Storey for Rowan
Yarn: Rowan Hemp Tweed Chunky (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Men’s V-Neck Cable Cardigan
Now this is one smart looking cardigan! 2 and 3 stitch cables are joined by smooth sections of stockinette and accented with small strips of 1×1 rib stitch along the edges. My favorite thing about this design is the deep plum color that the designer chose to make it in. It just goes to show that not all men’s cardigan knitting patterns need to be gray!
Designer: Julie Farmer for Yarnspirations
Yarn: Red Heart Soft (Solids & Heathers) (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Streymoy
A cardigan that’s knit in the round might sound like a myth, but it’s actually possible through the use of steeks. A steek is a narrow panel of stitches which will later be cut out. In the case of the Streymoy cardigan, the steeks bridge the gap across the chest where the button band will eventually be. Cutting your knitting may sound stress inducing but working in the round does make the stranded colorwork a lot easier!
Designer: Todd Gocken for Knitty
Yarn: Cascade Yarns ® Ecological Wool® (Bulky Weight #5)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Transitions Cardigan
This lightweight cardigan is a great transition piece to add his spring or fall wardrobe. The design itself transitions from thick, closely spaced stripes tat the bottom to thinner, more sparsely spaced stripes at the top. You’ll be using stockinette and rib stitches for this design and working from the bottom up.
Designer: Patons
Yarn: Patons Canadiana (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Rambling Man
A shawl collar and a generous amount of cablework really set this cardigan design apart from the rest. The pattern for this distinguished sweater contains a fair amount of garter and 2×2 rib stitch, but I think it’s safe to say that the two kinds of cablework really steal the show.
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Lima (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Unisex Adult Raglan Sleeve Jacket
This simple everyday cardigan is sure to become his new go-to sweater for all the chilly days (and even the not to chilly days, because he’ll look for every chance to wear it). Simple stockinette and rib stitches turn this zip up cardigan design into an instant classic. When the collar is folded down, the textured reverse of stockinette stitch is revealed.
Designer: Patons
Yarn: Patons North America Classic Wool Worsted (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Cedric
Make him a cardigan that’s as unique as he is with this one-of-a-kind design. This playful piece calls for garter and rib stitches. Stranded colorwork is used to create the checkerboard stripes. Two toggle style buttons secure the cardigan in the front. It’s the perfect combination of cute and cozy.
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Alaska (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Brooklyn
Sporty racing stripes turn this plain blue cardigan design into something really special. The smaller white stripes along the hem, cuffs and collar are made by switching colors in stockinette stitch, while the thicker raised ridges of stripes along the tops of the sleeves are made to stand out with some clever cablework.
Designer: Martin Storey for Rowan
Yarn: Rowan Original Denim (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Coast Living
Choose a self-striping yarn for making multicolor cardigans without the fuss of manually changing colors or weaving in all those extra ends. Simple stockinette and rib stitches conspire together along with a slightly fuzzy yarn to make the most out of this everyday cardigan design. He’ll never want to take it off!
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Delight (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Richard
This handsome design strikes a great balance between rugged and refined. You may use DK and Sport weight yarn held together, or substitute with bulky weight yarn instead. The subtle waffle-like texture is created using just knit and purl stitches. The dense stitchwork combined with the high collar make this cardigan extra cozy.
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Karisma (DK Weight #3) and
Garnstudio DROPS Silke-Tweed (Sport Weight #2)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Retrofit
Make him a cardigan that’s as cool as he is (or at least as cool as he thinks he is) with this stunning two-toned design. The pattern calls for just 2×2 rib and stockinette stitches, so it’s really quite simple. What sets it apart is the use of two contrasting colors and the sporty raglan sleeves.
Designer: Jesse Loesberg for Knitty
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Galway Worsted (Worsted Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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High Neck Stocking Stitch Cardigan
Give him a cardigan with a little extra wiggle room if he likes to have the option to roll his sleeves up. The thinner DK weight yarn recommended for this design gives the project a generous amount of drape that moves and flows like fabric. With just stockinette and rib stitches, you can’t go wrong with this simple design.
Designer: Bergère de France
Yarn: Bergère de France Mérinos 4 (DK Weight #3)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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High Neck Zip Up Cardigan
If knitting an entire cardigan out of the same color sounds too boring, but doing stranded colorwork sounds too tricky for where you’re at in your knitting journey, then you need to find a happy medium. This design fits the bill with a sporty combination of color block and stripes. The pattern calls for 1×1 rib and stockinette stitches.
Designer: Bergère de France
Yarn: Bergère de France 100% Recyclé 4 (Aran Weight #4)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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Firecracker
Let’s end the round-up with a bang! This firecracker inspired design has a whole host of warm red and brown tones that are perfect for fall. He’s sure to appreciate the fact that there are pockets! Knitting with the yarn held doubled, you’ll be using stockinette and rib stitches for this design.
Designer: DROPS Design
Yarn: Garnstudio DROPS Fabel (Fingering Weight #1)
Click here for the free knitting pattern!
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The world of men’s cardigan knitting patterns is a treasure trove of creativity and warmth, offering something for every knitter and style enthusiast, if you know where to look. With our handpicked selection of 25 diverse patterns, you now have the perfect starting point to embark on your knitting journey, whether you’re crafting for a loved one or yourself.
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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!