Easy Cardigan Knitting Patterns

After sharing the pattern for a super simple boxy cardigan yesterday, I got to thinking more about cardigan knitting. I used to say that I didn’t like cardigans, but now I have a “house cardigan” that I wear as an extra layer around the house pretty much every day.

I’ve been meaning to upgrade it to a handmade version for a long time now, so this collection of easy cardigan knitting patterns is as much for me as it is for you. Let’s all be cozy at home or anywhere else in these cute and easy to knit cardigan.

The Knit Coat pattern from Mama in a Stitch is a literally large project, but it’s not at all difficult to make. Worked in super bulky yarn, it’s made in panels knit flat with minimal shaping. You don’t even have to make buttonholes; just stick the button between two stitches if you want to close up your coat. It even has a hood! This one is available in 5 sizes and is meant to be work with positive ease.

The Carefree Cardigan from Premier Yarns would be a great first garment project. It’s worked in garter stitch from side to side using two colorways of a self-striping yarn to make it look scrappy without the work (though of course you could use leftovers for this project, too). It uses DK weight yarn and you can get the free pattern from Premier Yarns.

Use all sorts of fun stitches (and all your leftover sock yarn) to make the Pockets Full Cardigan from Tina Tse. This one uses two strands of yarn held together so it’s perfect for using up leftovers to get that scrappy look. It also uses lots of different (but still easy) stitch patterns to give it tons of texture. And have you seen those giant pockets? This one has 10 size options and you can grab a copy on Ravelry.

If your idea of a good cardigan is slouchy and cozy, look no further than Ozetta’s Field Day Jacket. This classic “grandpa” style cardigan has buttons up the front, which can be made with snap buttons if you don’t want to work buttonholes. It uses worsted weight yarn, comes in 9 sizes, and you can buy it on Etsy.

Ready to try a raglan? The Let’s Boogie Raglan from A Honey Knits on Etsy is super easy to knit in worsted weight yarn held double. It’s a great introduction to top-down knitting and a sweater you’ll reach for all the time. Nine sizes are available.

Knit a Simple Cropped Cardigan with Poufy Sleeves

Free Pattern Long Cable Knit Cardigan

Use All Your Yarn Scraps on This Great Cardigan Knitting Pattern

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Many times when I write these posts I will say something like “you can use any yarn you want” or “this would be a great stash-busting project.” That’s just how my mind works. And my stash, too, since I probably have sweater quantity of two or three yarns at most, but tons of singles and odd balls and leftovers.

Blankets are generally a really good way to use up those bits, but in this case, I think you’re going to want to plan it out a bit better.

Looking at photos of the Color Study Blanket from Purl Soho, it looks like it’s made with two yarns held together, and that block in the center is worked with one of each color from the adjoining sides to make a mixed up color.

But that’s not actually how it’s done. This is three separate colors (four, really, with the neutrals in the corners) chosen form a yarn with an expansive palette so they play off each other. The project calls for a worsted weight superwash wool, which is a great choice for a blanket that’s both warm and washable.

This pattern was originally designed by Laura Ferguson and was updated by Hiromi Glover. It is worked in one piece in garter stitch intarsia, which is a great way to learn the intarsia technique if you don’t already know it. It comes in crib or throw sizes.

Despite the introduction to this post, I am going to go ahead and say that, yes, of course you could do this blanket with scraps or odd balls or even just choose five colors that don’t blend together so easily. But I really do love the look of the color play, and I think it would be worth your time to find colors that play well together to get a similar effect.

This pattern is available for free from Purl Soho.

[Photo: Purl Soho]

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