Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Easy Cardigan Knitting Patterns

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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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Add a Little Lace to Your Knitting Patterns

If you’re new to lace knitting or just aren’t sure how to incorporate the technique into garments, check out these tops and sweaters that use lace as a decorative element.

The easiest lace out there is eyelets, and you can practice them plenty with this eyelet covered sweater from Knitcro Addict. It uses light/DK weight yarn and is worked in four pieces knit flat. It’s intended to be a little cropped and a little oversized, and includes sizes XS to XXL in the pattern.

If you’re in parts of the world where it’s getting colder as you read this, the Nora sweater from Bummbul might be a good choice. This is actually a great one for learning lace because it’s worked in super bulky yarn, which makes it easier to see what you’re doing and makes the lace super graphic. This one just comes in one size, with a 42 inch (106) cm bust, but that could fit a variety of people depending on how much ease you like.

Minimi Knit Design has a cute allover lace cardigan worked in one piece from the bottom up. It’s worked in lace weight mohair held double, which maybe isn’t the best for those new to lace (because it can be hard to rip out) but it sure is pretty. Sizes range to fit from 30 to 66 inches/76 to 168 cm bust measurements.

If you’d rather not have lace all over your sweater, you can knit the Lumi sweater from Originally Lovely, which has a chevron lace pattern on the yoke and is otherwise worked in reverse stockinette stitch. (It’s worked inside out so you don’t have to purl every stitch.) The pattern has 9 sizes from XS to 5XL and uses worsted weight yarn.

Or try the super romantic sookie blouse from Trust the mojo (available on Ravelry). This sweet top is started working flat from the bottom up and has a V-neck and I-cord edgings. The sleeves are worked separately in the round, and the pieces are all joined together to work in one piece to finish off the top. It comes in eight sizes and is available in English and French.

You can also pair lacy sleeves with an otherwise plain top, like on the Starflower Wrap from Annelise Driscoll Gingrow. This intermediate pattern makes a wrap sweater with generous lacy sleeves and a double wrap belt. The pattern has nine sizes, from XS to 5XL, and is available for free from Hobbi.