A cardigan is the hardest-working sweater in your closet. It goes over a tee in spring, a dress in summer evenings and a turtleneck in winter. The good news is that a knit cardigan can be surprisingly simple, and some of the easiest ones start as plain rectangles.
This list is for beginners and relaxed knitters who want a cozy layer without fussy shaping. You’ll find rectangle cardis, seamless top-down raglans, chunky quick knits and a few pieces to grow into. Every pattern here is free.
Easy Knit Cardigan Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Long circular needles, 32″ to 40″ (for wide cardigan rows)
- Worsted or bulky weight yarn
- Locking stitch markers
- Buttons, if your pattern has a button band
- Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends
- Row counter
- Blocking mats and pins
1. Easy Street Cardigan
Photo: Cozy Nooks Designs
This is a classic button-up cardigan without the stress. It’s knit seamless from the top down: you work the raglan yoke, set the sleeves aside, finish the body, then knit the sleeves in the round. Button bands and a collar go on last. Worsted yarn and nine sizes, XS to 5X, make it a great first cardigan.
- Designer: Cozy Nooks Designs
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 5 mm (US 8) and 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid ad-free PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Coral Cardigan
Photo: Yay For Yarn
Can you knit a rectangle? Then you can knit this cardigan. It’s worked flat as one big rectangle with a slit for the front, then seamed at the sides, leaving openings for the arms. It drapes into a soft, open shape that looks lovely in ombre yarn. Three size groups cover bust sizes from 30″ to 62″.
- Designer: Yay For Yarn
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 6 mm (US 10)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid ad-free PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Breckenridge Knit Topper Cardigan
Photo: Mama In A Stitch
This relaxed topper is made from two rectangular panels with 2×2 rib edging. The panels are folded and seamed up the back and sides, so there’s no armhole shaping at all. It’s knit in a cotton-blend yarn on big 8 mm needles, which makes a light, open fabric for spring layering.
- Designer: Mama In A Stitch
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 8 mm (US 11)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid ad-free PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Easy Cardigan on Straight Needles
Photo: Handy Little Me
This oversized raglan cardigan is knit flat in five pieces: a back, two fronts and two sleeves. The front band is ribbed in as you go, and the pieces are joined with mattress stitch. It’s mostly stockinette above a 1×1 rib hem, so it’s relaxing to knit. The baggy fit is very forgiving.
- Designer: Handy Little Me
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Bulky (#5)
- Needle size: 8 mm (US 11) and 7 mm (US 10.5)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid ad-free PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Betty Cardigan
Photo: Sewrella
Betty is a cozy bulky cardigan worked top-down with raglan shaping. The yoke and body are knit flat, the sleeves are knit in the round with magic loop, and the neckband is added last. Bulky yarn on 8 mm needles makes it a quick project you could finish in a couple of weeks.
- Designer: Sewrella
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Bulky (#5)
- Needle size: 8 mm (US 11)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid ad-free PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Effortless Cardigan
Photo: Lion Brand Yarn
The name says it all. This simple stockinette cardigan is meant to be the easy layer you grab every morning. It’s knit in worsted yarn and comes in five sizes, with a finished length of about 24 to 26 inches. A plain design like this shows off a heathered or speckled yarn nicely.
- Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free (Lion Brand account needed to download)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Top-Down Raglan Cardigan
Photo: Laura Chau
This classic crew-neck cardigan is worked top-down with raglan sleeves, and you can choose three-quarter or long sleeves. It’s knit in aran or heavy worsted yarn on one main needle size. It’s a smart basic that you can make plain or dress up with special buttons.
- Designer: Laura Chau
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Aran / heavy worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 5.5 mm (US 9)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Loupy Stripe Cardi
Photo: Loupy Studio
Stripes make any cardigan feel cheerful. This one is a top-down raglan worked in one piece, with the button band built in, so there’s no band to pick up at the end. It’s a fun way to use two or three colors you love. Three generous sizes fit up to a 64″ bust.
- Designer: Loupy Studio
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Aran (#4)
- Needle size: 6 mm (US 10) and 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Dotty Cardigan
Photo: All About Ami
The Dotty Cardigan is a chunky drop-sleeve cardi worked in a dot stitch that adds texture without being hard. The pieces are knit bottom-up and seamed, then a ribbed collar is picked up around the front. Two dot-stitch pockets are sewn on at the end, and they’re handy for keeping your hands warm.
- Designer: All About Ami
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Bulky (#5)
- Needle size: 8 mm (US 11)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid ad-free PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Iced Cardigan
Photo: Carol Feller for Knitty
Iced is a quick top-down raglan cardigan on 8 mm needles. The body is worked down from the underarms, the sleeves are picked up and knit in the round, and the collar is worked in garter stitch with short rows so it drapes nicely. Sizes run XS to 3X.
- Designer: Carol Feller for Knitty
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Drops Ice (see pattern)
- Needle size: 8 mm (US 11)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Pure Comfort Cardigan
This longline cardigan has pockets and a deep fisherman’s rib shawl collar that’s picked up at the end. It’s knit in DK yarn, so it’s warm without bulk, and it comes in sizes XS to 5XL. The PDF is free; you add it to your cart and check out at $0.
- Designer: Andrea Yetman for Biscotte Yarns
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6) and 3.75 mm (US 5)
- Price: Free PDF ($0 checkout)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Lights Up Cardigan
Photo: Wool and the Gang
Lights Up is a bold patchwork cardigan made from stockinette panels in six colors, seamed together and finished with a rib trim. Each panel is simple, but putting them together takes some patience. Save this one for when you want a statement piece.
- Designer: Wool and the Gang
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Alpachino Merino (see pattern)
- Needle size: 6.5 mm (US 10.5) and 8 mm (US 11)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- Brand-new knitter? Start with #2, the Coral Cardigan. It’s one rectangle.
- Want a real button-up cardigan? #1, the Easy Street Cardigan, is seamless and well explained.
- Need it fast? Try #4, #5 or #10. Bulky yarn and big needles do the work.
- Love color? #8 has stripes and #12 is a full patchwork.
- Want something lighter? #3 for spring or #11 in DK.
FAQ
Is a cardigan harder to knit than a pullover?
Only a little. A cardigan adds a front opening and usually a button band or collar. If you choose a top-down raglan cardigan or a simple rectangle design, the extra steps are small. Picking up stitches evenly for the band is the main new skill, and it gets easier with practice.
How do I make button bands lie flat?
Pick up about 3 stitches for every 4 rows along the front edge, and use a needle one or two sizes smaller than the body. Work the band in rib or garter stitch, which lies flatter than stockinette. Blocking at the end will smooth out small ripples.
What yarn is best for a beginner knit cardigan?
A smooth worsted or bulky yarn in a light or medium color is easiest. You can see your stitches clearly and fix mistakes quickly. Wool or a wool blend holds its shape well and blocks nicely. Skip very fuzzy or dark yarns for your first cardigan.
Pick your favorite, cast on, and enjoy a cozy layer you made yourself.
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