Biased Cardigan Knitting Pattern

cardigan knitting pattern FREE

A new chunky knit cardigan pattern – the Biased Cardigan is a new free knitting pattern on the blog. Read about my inspiration and the cardigan construction. Then purchase the pdf pattern with photos and instructions here for $4.7 or scroll down for the free version. 

No time right now? Pin this chunky knit cardigan pattern for later!

Cardigan Knitting Pattern FREE
Cardi

*This post contains affiliate links (only for products I love, use and spend my own money on obviously). This means I earn some yarn money if you make a purchase through one of these links (of course at no extra cost for you!), which I promise to use to create more awesome patterns like this one. All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here

A Cardigan Coat

Between a cardigan and a coat, the biased cardigan knitting pattern has the elegant look of a jacket with all the coziness of a chunky cardigan.

It’s that extra layer you can easily throw over a jeans to instantly dress it up. Or wear it with a cute dress, a pair of boots and you’re good to go anywhere and not be cold.

Cross between a knit cardigan and knit coat

The Cardigan Construction

Knit in panels worked on the bias it is much easier than it looks! The cardigan is made from 4 garter stitch panels worked on the bias and then sewed together. Working on the diagonal is what gives this cardigan it’s personality without using any complicated stitches.

The sleeves are worked in stockinette stitch with a classic 1×1 cuff ribbing then sewed to the body.

It also has convenient insert pockets to keep your hands warm or hold your phone. The pockets are worked while knitting the front panels. Thanks to the bias construction, the pockets have the perfect angle without you even having to work for it.

Close up of the insert pocket of the cardigan knitting pattern

Downloadable PDF

Click here to purchase the downloadable PDF of the Biased Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Why I Recommend You Purchase the PDF Pattern

If you’ve never used PDF patterns before, you are missing out on so much convenience!

  • You don’t need an internet connection
  • You don’t need to have your computer, phone or tablet around to work on your project.
  • You don’t need to panic if your husband accidentally closed the page
  • You can take notes, highlight your size and write down where you are.
  • When your best friend begs you to make her the same dress, you have the pattern ready.
  • It’s a great way to support the blog so I can continue to bring you knitting tutorials.

Grab the printable PDF of the Biased Cardigan knitting pattern now in my Etsy shop or on Ravelry:

More Chunky Cardigans You'll Love View All

Before you Start your Chunky Knit Cardigan Pattern

Materials

  • 10 mm/ US 15 knitting needles. I used my circular needles for convenience, but you don’t need them.
  • Zeeman Ayla (Bulky weight 5, 100% acrylic, 115m /126yd, 100g/3.5oz) in off white colorway: 8 skeins (696g)
    • XS, S: 6 skeins
    • M: 7 skeins 
    • L, XL:  8 skeins
    • 2XL & 3XL: 9 skeins
    • 4XL: 10 skeins
    • 5XL: 11 skeins
  • Tapestry needle to weave in the ends. I love this set as it has different eye sizes for different yarn thicknesses and it comes in a small tube which is very convenient so I don’t lose them.

Unfortunately the Zeeman yarn is not available everywhere so here are some good substitutes:

Size

The cardigan is available in the following sizes: XS to 5XL. Sizes are noted throughout the pattern in the following way: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL). The pictures illustrate the Large size.

Final garment measurements are:

  • XS: 88 cm / 35” bust, 32 cm / 12.5” upper arm circumference
  • S: 96 cm / 38” bust, 33 cm / 13” upper arm circumference
  • M: 108 cm / 42.5” bust, 35 cm / 14” upper arm circumference
  • L: 119 cm / 47” bust, 38 cm / 15” upper arm circumference
  • XL: 127 cm / 50” bust, 42 cm / 16.5” upper arm circumference
  • 2XL: 139 cm / 55” bust, 45 cm / 17.5” upper arm circumference
  • 3XL: 147 cm / 58” bust, 47 cm / 18.5” upper arm circumference
  • 4XL: 158 cm / 62” bust, 50 cm / 20” upper arm circumference
  • 5XL: 170 cm / 67” bust, 52 cm / 20.5” upper arm circumference

The cardigan is designed with a loose fit 10 – 15 cm / 4” – 6” ease at the bust.

Total cardigan length is 70 cm / 27.5”. You can easily adjust the length to your desired length. Continue knitting the panels to your desired length before starting the decreases, highlighted in italics in the pattern.

Gauge

The gauge for this pattern, in garter stitch, is 12 st by 24 rows for a 10 cm by 10 cm square (4” by 4”).

Abbreviations & Instructions

free knitting and crochet cheatsheets
  • st = stitch
  • k = knit
  • p = purl
  • k2tog = knit 2 stitches together

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

  • Garter stitch: knit on both sides of your project.
  • Stockinette stitch: knit on the right side and purl on the wrong side of your project.
  • Add 1 st at the end of the row: cast on 1 additional stitch at the end of the row.

Cardigan Construction

The cardigan is made from 4 garter stitch panels worked on the bias and then sewed together. The sleeves are worked in stockinette stitch with a classic 1×1 cuff ribbing and sewed to the body.

The pockets are worked while knitting the front panels.

The Actual Chunky Knit Cardigan Pattern

Front Panels

Make 2; one with each pocket version below.

With your 10mm / US 15 knitting needles cast on 2st.

Knit 1 row.

[Knit until the end of the row, add 1 st] repeat until you reach 31 (34, 38, 42, 45, 49, 52, 56, 60) st.

Knit 1 row.

Front panel of the knit cardigan worked on the bias

[K2tog, knit until end of row, add 1 st.

Knit 1 row.] repeat until you reach 40 cm / 15.75” (on the long side).

Continue increasing until the long side of the knit panel reaches 40 cm

Pocket for panel 1

Row 1: K2tog, k21, turn (leave the remaining stitches unworked).

Note: You can either leave them on your needle and ignore them until you finish the pocket or use a stitch holder / piece of yarn to hold them.

Row 2: P14, turn (leave the remaining stitches on the side).

Make the insert pockets of the knit cardigan

Knit those 14 st in stockinette st back and forth until you reach 30 cm / 11.75”.

Keep working the pockets separately

Pocket for panel 2

Row 1: K2tog, k7, p14, turn (leave the remaining st on the side).

Row 2: K14, turn (leave the remaining st on the side).

Knit those 14 st in stockinette back and forth until you reach 30 cm / 11.75”.

Re-join all stitches and work in complete rows from here onwards.

Rejoin the pocket stitches with the rest of the row
Keep knitting the front cardigan panel

[K2tog, knit until end of row, add 1 st.

Knit 1 row.] repeat until you reach 70 cm /27.5” (on the long side).

Note: You can adjust the length of the cardigan by adding/removing rows here.

K2tog, knit until end of row.

Repeat until 2 st remain. Cast off.

Decrease to shape the top of the chunky knit cardigan front panel

Back Panels

Make 2.

With your 10mm / US 15 knitting needles cast on 2st.

Knit 1 row

[Knit until the end of the row, add 1 st] repeat until you reach 31 (34, 38, 42, 45, 49, 52, 56, 60) st.

Knit 1 row.

[K2tog, knit until end of row, add 1 st.

Knit 1 row.] repeat until you reach 70 cm /27.5” (on the long side).

K2tog, knit until end of row.

Repeat until 2 st remain. Cast off.

Sleeve

Complete knit cardigan sleeve

With your 10 mm / US 15 needles, cast on 38 (40, 42, 46, 50, 54, 56, 60, 62) st.

Knit in stockinette stitch for 8 (8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19) cm / 3.25 (3.25, 4, 4.75, 5.5, 6, 6.75, 7, 7.5)”.

[Decrease Row: K1, k2tog, knit until the last 3 st, k2tog, k1. <36 (38, 40, 44, 48, 52, 54, 58, 60) st>

Purl 1 row, knit 1 row, purl 1 row.] repeat until 20 (22, 24, 26, 28, 28, 30, 30, 30) st remain.

Cuff Row: [K1, p1] across.

Repeat until you reach 8 cm / 3.25”.

Cast off and leave a long tail for sewing.

Blocking

You are done with the knitting part. Make sure to weave in all the ends.

To make your cardigan even prettier, help even your stitches and flatten your pockets, 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.

Assembly

Start assembling your cardigan by sewing both back panels together (along the long sides).

Sew both back panels of the cardigan along the long edge

Place both front panels, make sure the pockets are leaning in the right direction. They should be closer to the back panels than the front. Refer to the picture below.

Close up of the insert pockets

Sew the sides up leaving 16 (17, 18, 19, 21, 22.5, 23.5, 25, 26) cm / 6.25 (6.75, 7, 7.5, 8.25, 8.75, 9.25, 9.75, 10.25) ” unsewn for the sleeves.

Sew the top of the front and back panels together leaving 14 cm / 5.5” unsewn at the neckline.

Leave 14 cm unsewn at the top of the front panels

Attach the sleeves.

On the inside of the front panels, attach the bottom corners of each pocket to the panel so the pockets stay nice and flat.

Weave in all the ends.

free knitting and crochet cheatsheets

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