A new summer cardigan knitting pattern – the Soft Current Cardigan – is now a free knitting patterns here on the blog. Read all about this knitting pattern for lace cardigan, scroll down to view the full free patterns or purchase an ad free PDF from my shop, Etsy shop, Ravelry shop or get your Lion Brand Kit (includes pattern and yarn).
No time right now? Pin this knitting pattern for lace cardigan for later!
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The Soft Current Cardigan is a lovely, easygoing lace knit that’s perfect for throwing on any time of year. It features a pretty arrow lace detail that adds just the right amount of interest without being too fussy. Since it’s sleeveless, it works really well layered over a tee, dress, or long-sleeve top, making it a super versatile piece for your wardrobe. The light, airy fabric gives it a soft drape that feels as good as it looks.
It’s also a really approachable project, especially if you like simple construction. The cardigan is made from two panels that are seamed together, so you can just relax and enjoy the knitting without worrying about anything too complicated. The lace pattern repeats nicely, making it easy to get into a rhythm. And since it’s a free pattern, it’s a great option if you’re looking for something stylish and satisfying to knit without spending extra.
Summer Cardigan Knitting Pattern Construction
Each panel forms the front and back of one side of the cardigan.
The lace stitch is written slightly differently for each size, so make sure you follow the instructions for the size you are making once you finish the Start Ribbing section.
Once both panels are complete, you’ll seam the sides and the center back to assemble the cardigan.
Downloadable PDF for Soft Current Cardigan Knitting Pattern
Grab the printable PDF of the Soft Current Cardigan Knit Pattern now in my shop, Etsy shop, on Ravelry shop or as a Lion Brand Kit:
Soft Current Cardigan Knitting Pattern Lion Brand Kit
Wrap yourself in something soft, lightweight, and effortlessly stylish. The Soft Current Cardigan is a calming, rhythmic knit that lets you ease into lace while creating a piece you’ll reach for again and again. This kit includes everything you need to make this lacy summer cardigan knitting pattern. You’ll love knitting and wearing again and again.
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Before You Start Your Soft Current Cardigan Free Lace Knitting Pattern
Materials
- 4.5 mm/US 7 knitting needles
- Lion Brand Pound of Love (454g, 100% acrylic, 932 m/1020 yd) you will need 2 skeins in color Stone 550-134A: 975 (1275, 1500) m/1075 (1400, 1650) yards
- Tapestry needle to weave in the ends
- Measuring tape
Size
This women’s cardigan knitting pattern is available in the 3 hybrid sizes: XS-M, L-2XL, 3XL-5XL.
Sizes are noted throughout the pattern in the following way: XS-M (L-2XL, 3XL-5XL).
The pictures illustrate size L-2XL on a size XL wearer.
Final garment measurements are:
- Bust circumference: 132.5 (172.5, 197.5) cm/ 52 (68, 78)”.
- Length (nape of neck to hem): 87.5 cm/34.5”.
The cardigan is designed with a generous oversized fit, around 50 cm/20” of positive ease at the bust for most sizes. Because of the wide size range, the exact amount of ease will vary depending on body size and shape. The smaller sizes are designed with a bit less ease to maintain balanced proportions across the full size range. Don’t hesitate to select the size with the amount of ease you personally prefer.
Gauge
The gauge for this pattern with 4.5 mm/US 7 needles, in the lace stitch pattern, is 16 st by 20.5 rows for a 10 cm by 10 cm/4” by 4” square.
Abbreviations & Instructions
- st = stitch
- k = knit
- p = purl
- sl1k = slip one stitch knitwise
- sl1p = slip one stitch purlwise
- yo = yarn over
- ssk = Sl1k twice then knit the two slipped sts together
- k2tog = knit two sts together as one
Repeat instructions between [] the indicated number of times or until the end of the round/row.
The final number of stitches is indicated at the end of the round/row between < >.
Special Stitches and Techniques
Mattress stitch: this creates a very neat seam on knitted pieces that are mostly knits on the right side and purls on the wrong side. It’s almost invisible until the seam is stretched.
- Lay your piece out with the two edges to sew side by side with the right sides of both facing up. To sew the sleeve underarm seam, you will have to fold each side over to the center.
- Find the right place to sew: Look for the little horizontal bars between the edge stitch and the next stitch. You’ll be working under these bars.
- Start the seam: Thread a yarn needle with a strand of your working yarn. Begin at the bottom of the seam, securing the yarn with two stitches through the corner stitches of each side.
- Insert the needle under the first two bars on the right edge and pull through.
- Move to the left piece and insert the needle under the first two bars on the left edge. Pull the yarn through.
- Work up the seam, Keep alternating right edge, then left edge always going under the next two bars on each side. Every few stitches, gently pull the working yarn to tighten the seam. The edges should draw together neatly without puckering.
- When you reach the top, weave in the yarn tail on the wrong side to secure.
Sweater Construction
Each panel forms the front and back of one side of the cardigan.
The lace stitch is written slightly differently for each size, so make sure you follow the instructions for the size you are making once you finish the Start Ribbing section.
Once both panels are complete, you’ll seam the sides and the center back to assemble the cardigan.
The Actual Soft Current Cardigan Knitting Pattern For Lace Cardigan
Body Panel (make 2)
Start Ribbing (All Sizes)
With your 4.5 mm/US 7 needles cast on 53 (69, 79) st.
Row 1 (RS): Sl1k, [p1, k1] across. <53 (69, 79) st>
Row 2 (WS): Sl1p, [k1, p1] across.
Row 3 – 4: Repeat Row 1-2 once more, do not fasten off and continue with the set of instructions for the size you are making.
Main Section (Size XS-M Only)
Row 1: Sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k9, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k2tog, yo, k4, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k9, [p1, k1] 2 times. <53 sts>
Row 2 (WS) and all wrong side rows: Sl1p, k1, p1, purl to last 4 sts, [k1, p1] twice.
Row 3: Sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k9, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k5, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k9, [p1, k1] 2 times.
Row 4: As Row 2.
Row 5: Sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k3, k2tog, yo, k4, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k4, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k4, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k3, k2tog, yo, k4, [p1, k1] 2 times.
Row 6: As Row 2.
Row 7: Sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k2, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k3, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k3, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k2, [p1, k1] 2 times.
Row 8: As Row 2.
Row 9: Sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k9, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k2, k2tog, yo, k7, yo, ssk, k2, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k9, [p1, k1] 2 times.
Row 10: As Row 2.
Row 11: Sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k9, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k9, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k9, [p1, k1] 2 times.
Row 12: As Row 2.
Row 13: Sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k9, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k2tog, yo, k4, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k9, [p1, k1] 2 times.
Row 14: As Row 2.
Repeat Rows 3-14 until total length is 173 cm/68”, do not fasten off and continue with End Ribbing section.
See next page for chart for size XS-M: right side rows only, starting at row 1 and showing 4 repeats of rows 3-14. Chart is rotated to landscape view for better readability.
Main Section (Size L-2XL Only)
Row 1: Sl1k, [p1, k1] 2 times, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k2tog, yo, k4, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k9, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k2tog, yo, k4, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, p1, k1, yo, ssk, [k1, p1] 2 times, k1. <69 sts>
Row 2 (WS) and all wrong side rows: Sl1p, k1, p1, purl to last 4 sts, [k1, p1] twice.
Row 3: Sl1k, [p1, k1] 2 times, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k5, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k9, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k5, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, [k1, p1] 2 times, k1.
Row 4: As Row 2.
Row 5: Sl1k, [p1, k1] 2 times, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k4, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k4, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k3, k2tog, yo, k4, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k4, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k4, p1, k1, yo, ssk, [k1, p1] 2 times, k1.
Row 6: As Row 2.
Row 7: Sl1k, [p1, k1] 2 times, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k3, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k3, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k2, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k3, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k3, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, [k1, p1] 2 times, k1.
Row 8: As Row 2.
Row 9: Sl1k, [p1, k1] 2 times, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k2, k2tog, yo, k7, yo, ssk, k2, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k9, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k2, k2tog, yo, k7, yo, ssk, k2, p1, k1, yo, ssk, [k1, p1] 2 times, k1.
Row 10: As Row 2.
Row 11: Sl1k, [p1, k1] 2 times, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k9, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k9, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k9, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, [k1, p1] 2 times, k1.
Row 12: As Row 2.
Row 13: Sl1k, [p1, k1] 2 times, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k2tog, yo, k4, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k9, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k2tog, yo, k4, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, p1, k1, yo, ssk, [k1, p1] 2 times, k1.
Row 14: As Row 2.
Repeat Rows 3-14 until total length is 173 cm/68”, do not fasten off and continue with End Ribbing section.
See next page for chart for size L-2XL: right side rows only, starting at row 1 and showing 4 repeats of rows 3-14. Chart is rotated to landscape view for better readability.
Main Section Size (3XL-5XL Only)
Row 1: Sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k9, p1, k2tog, yo, k4, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k9, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k2tog, yo, k4, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, p1, k9, [p1, k1] 2 times. <79 sts>
Row 2 (WS) and all wrong side rows: Sl1p, k1, p1, purl to last 4 sts, [k1, p1] twice.
Row 3: Sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k9, p1, k5, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k9, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k5, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k5, p1, k9, [p1, k1] 2 times.
Row 4: As Row 2.
Row 5: Sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k3, k2tog, yo, k4, p1, k4, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k4, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k3, k2tog, yo, k4, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k4, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k4, p1, k3, k2tog, yo, k4, [p1, k1] 2 times.
Row 6: As Row 2.
Row 7: Sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k2, p1, k3, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k3, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k2, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k3, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, k3, p1, k2, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k2, [p1, k1] 2 times.
Row 8: As Row 2.
Row 9: Sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k9, p1, k2, k2tog, yo, k7, yo, ssk, k2, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k9, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k2, k2tog, yo, k7, yo, ssk, k2, p1, k9, [p1, k1] 2 times.
Row 10: As Row 2.
Row 11: Sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k9, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k9, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k9, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k9, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k9, [p1, k1] 2 times.
Row 12: As Row 2.
Row 13: Sl1k, p1, k1, p1, k9, p1, k2tog, yo, k4, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k9, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k2tog, yo, k4, k2tog, yo, k5, yo, ssk, p1, k9, [p1, k1] 2 times.
Row 14: As Row 2.
Repeat Rows 3-14 until total length is 173 cm/68”, do not fasten off and continue with End Ribbing section.
See next page for chart for size 3XL-5XL: right side rows only, starting at row 1 and showing 4 repeats of rows 3-14. Chart is rotated to landscape view for better readability.
End Ribbing
Row 1 – 4: Repeat Start Ribbing Row 1-4.
Cast off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Assembly
Instructions for mattress stitch are included in the special stitches and techniques section. This method will give a very neat seam, however you can use other seaming techniques if you prefer.
First, fold Body Panels in half so the ribbed ends match at front and back. Create the side seams by sewing up one side of each panel from the start of the ribbing, until you have a 22.5 (27.5, 32.5) cm/ 9 (11, 13)” long gap remaining for the armhole.
Next, create the back seam by placing the body panels next to each other with their unsewn edges together and sewing these edges together from start of ribbing until the seam measures 75 cm/29.5”.
Blocking
You are done with the knitting part. Make sure to weave in all the ends.
To make your sweater even prettier and help even your stitches wet block your project.
Don’t skip this step as it can make a huge difference. Read my detailed tutorial on why block, how-to, and all my tips and tricks if you need help.
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You may not share, sell or claim my patterns as your own. You can make finished items to sell (i.e. on Etsy, at craft fairs) from my patterns but I ask that you link back to my blog knittingwithchopsticks.com and provide credit for the pattern. Copyright 2025
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