21 Free Knit Cardigan Patterns for Women You Will Reach For All Year

If you have been searching for knit cardigan patterns for women that you can actually finish and wear on repeat, this collection is for you. I have pulled together 21 free designs from my own catalog and from a handful of designers I love, all in styles that work hard in real life.

Inside you will find chunky open-front cozies, classic top-down cardigans, long dusters and hoodies, beginner-friendly easy knits, and lightweight lace pieces for warmer days. Sizes range from XS through 6XL across the collection, and the construction styles cover everything from seamless top-down to simple flat panels you sew together at the end.

No time right now? Pin this free knit cardigan patterns for women collection for later!

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Chunky and oversized knit cardigan patterns for women

These are the cardigans you reach for when you want maximum cozy with minimal fuss. Big yarn, big needles, and a forgiving fit make them ideal first sweater projects too.

Daybreak Cardigan by Knitting with Chopsticks

Daybreak is a chunky open-front cardigan with a slouchy silhouette and dropped shoulders. It is the kind of piece you grab on cold mornings and never want to take off.

The pattern is graded XS to 5XL, knit in chunky weight yarn on US 11 needles, and worked top-down in one piece. Beginner friendly thanks to simple stockinette throughout.

Find the chunky Daybreak Cardigan free knit pattern here >>

Biased Cardigan by Knitting with Chopsticks

The Biased Cardigan plays with diagonal stockinette lines for a piece that looks more complicated than it is. The relaxed open front makes it easy to layer over jeans or a long dress.

Sized XS through 5XL and worked in chunky weight yarn, this one knits up fast on US 11 needles. The bias construction looks elevated while staying beginner level.

Find the biased chunky knit cardigan free pattern here >>

Duality Cardigan by Knitting with Chopsticks

Duality pairs two contrasting yarn colors in a clean colorblock for a chunky cardigan with real personality. It is the perfect way to use up two single skeins of bulky yarn.

Graded XS to 5XL, this top-down knit uses chunky weight yarn and US 11 needles. Construction is seamless raglan with a relaxed open front.

Find the Duality two tone cardigan free knitting pattern here >>

Moonbow Slouchy Cardigan by Mama In A Stitch

Jessica designed Moonbow as a slouchy chunky cardigan made from simple flat rectangles. It is breezy, oversized and just a little bit dramatic in the best way.

The pattern uses bulky yarn on US 13 needles, sized one-size-fits-most with a generous oversized fit. Construction is flat panels seamed together with no shaping.

Find the Moonbow slouchy chunky cardigan free pattern here >>

Chunky Cardigan by Handy Little Me

Louise’s Chunky Cardigan is a great first garment if you have only ever knit scarves before. The shape is built entirely from flat garter stitch panels with the simplest possible shaping.

Sized XS through XXL and worked in super bulky yarn on 10 mm needles, this is one you can finish in a weekend. Construction is flat panels with seams at the end.

Find the super bulky chunky cardigan free pattern here >>

Classic top-down cardigan knitting patterns

Top-down cardigans are seamless, flexible to fit, and easy to try on as you go. These four are the classics I keep recommending when someone wants a wardrobe staple.

Stillwater Cardigan by Knitting with Chopsticks

Stillwater is a soft top-down open-front cardigan with an i-cord cast on edge that finishes the front beautifully without any picking up of stitches. It drapes like a cardigan that costs three times what you spent on the yarn.

Sized XS through 5XL in worsted weight yarn on US 7 needles, worked top-down with raglan shaping. Beginner friendly with stockinette throughout.

Find the Stillwater top down cardigan free pattern here >>

Trio Stockinette Sweater by Knitting with Chopsticks

Trio Stockinette is the cleanest, most wearable knit cardigan I have ever designed. It looks like something a Scandinavian brand would charge a small fortune for, but you make it yourself.

Sized XS to 5XL in DK weight yarn, worked seamlessly top-down on US 6 needles. Construction is raglan with a clean ribbed front band picked up at the end.

Find the Trio stockinette stitch cardigan free pattern here >>

Color Divide Cardigan by Knitting with Chopsticks

Color Divide is a chunky top-down piece with a clean colorblock at the chest, a play on the look of an old striped jumper without all the stripes. It pairs beautifully with denim.

Sized XS through 5XL in chunky weight yarn on US 11 needles. Worked top-down seamlessly with circular yoke construction.

Find the Color Divide top down chunky cardigan free pattern here >>

Harvest Cardigan by Tin Can Knits

Harvest is the cardigan most knitters point to when someone asks where to start with garment knitting. It is a true classic with a deep v-neck and a soft garter collar that flows seamlessly into the front edge.

Sizes go from baby through women’s 6XL with finished chests up to 70.5 inches, knit in worsted weight yarn. Construction is top-down seamless with raglan shaping and an in-depth tutorial alongside.

Find the Harvest top down cardigan free pattern here >>

Long cardigans, dusters and cardigan hoodies

When you want extra coverage and that wrap-yourself-in-a-blanket feel, longer length is the answer. These four pieces all hit at hip length or below.

Eleanor Long Cardigan by Knitting with Chopsticks

Eleanor is a long open-front cardigan with beautiful drape and a forgiving silhouette. It works as outerwear in the shoulder seasons and looks intentional over a cami in the cooler months.

Sized XS through 5XL in DK weight yarn on US 6 needles. Top-down seamless construction with hip-length body and full-length sleeves.

Find the Eleanor long cardigan free knitting pattern here >>

Anastasia Hoodie by Knitting with Chopsticks

Anastasia is the cardigan hoodie I designed for the days when you want to be warm and slightly hidden. The deep hood and front pocket make it the comfiest thing in the wardrobe.

Sized XS to 5XL in worsted weight yarn on US 8 needles. Top-down seamless construction with raglan yoke, hood, and a roomy kangaroo pocket.

Find the Anastasia knit hoodie cardigan free pattern here >>

Apricity Cardigan by Knitting with Chopsticks

Apricity is a long, relaxed cardigan with subtle textural detail along the front. It is the layering piece that quietly does the work in your fall and winter outfits.

Sized XS to 5XL in worsted weight yarn on US 7 needles, knit top-down with set-in sleeves. The simple texture makes it more interesting than a basic stockinette piece without raising the difficulty level.

Find the Apricity long knit cardigan free pattern here >>

365 Knit Cardigan by Make and Do Crew

Jess at Make and Do Crew designed the 365 to be the cardigan you wear every single day. Real pockets, button-up front, and a clean shape make it as practical as it is pretty.

Available in plus sizes from XS through 5X, knit in worsted weight yarn. Construction is bottom-up with seamed pieces and a buttonhole front band knit at the end.

Find the 365 button up knit cardigan free pattern here >>

Easy beginner cardigan knitting patterns

Every knitter deserves a finished cardigan in their drawer. These four are deliberately simple, with clean stitch work, gentle shaping, and friendly construction.

Elise Cardigan by Knitting with Chopsticks

Elise is a cropped, easy cardigan with a clean modern shape and just enough structure to feel polished. It is the piece that finishes a high-waisted outfit perfectly.

Sized XS to 5XL in DK weight yarn on US 6 needles. Top-down seamless construction with cropped body length and stockinette throughout.

Find the Elise easy cardigan free knit pattern here >>

Hygge Mood Cardigan by Knitting with Chopsticks

Hygge Mood adds gentle stripes for a piece that feels intentionally designed without being complicated to knit. It is one of those projects where the colour changes do all the work for you.

Sized XS to 5XL in DK weight yarn on US 6 needles. Top-down seamless construction with simple stockinette stripes throughout.

Find the Hygge Mood striped cardigan free pattern here >>

Cotton Comfort Cardigan by Handy Little Me

Cotton Comfort is a beginner-friendly knit cardigan worked in cotton blend yarn for an easygoing transitional layer. It feels thoughtful but it is genuinely simple to make.

Sized S through XXL with a relaxed oversized fit, knit in worsted weight cotton blend yarn. Construction is flat panels with simple knit and purl stitches.

Find the Cotton Comfort easy beginner cardigan free pattern here >>

My Comfiest Knit Cardigan by Mama In A Stitch

Jessica’s Comfiest Cardigan is one of those patterns that has racked up thousands of finished projects, and for good reason. It is a true beginner first sweater and looks as good in the photos as it does on real bodies.

Sized small through 3XL in bulky weight yarn on US 11 needles. Construction is flat panels using only basic knit and purl stitches.

Find the Comfiest beginner knit cardigan free pattern here >>

Lightweight and lace knit cardigan patterns

Cardigans are not just for winter. These four patterns lean lighter, with airy stitch work and softer yarns for spring layering and cool summer evenings.

Salt and Pepper Cardigan by Knitting with Chopsticks

Salt and Pepper is a simple knit cardigan with a clean, classic silhouette and just enough structure to feel finished. The marled yarn does the heavy lifting on visual interest.

Sized XS through 5XL in DK weight yarn on US 6 needles. Top-down seamless construction with stockinette body and ribbed front bands.

Find the Salt and Pepper simple knit cardigan free pattern here >>

Bonbon Cardigan by Knitting with Chopsticks

Bonbon is the dainty button-up cardigan you reach for over a tee or a summer dress. It has soft texture along the body and a vintage feel without being twee.

Sized XS through 5XL in DK weight yarn on US 6 needles. Bottom-up construction with set-in sleeves and a tidy buttonhole band.

Find the Bonbon button up cardigan free knit pattern here >>

Lace Back Cardigan by love. life. yarn.

Amanda’s Lace Back Cardigan adds a quiet detail you only see when the wearer turns around. The body stays simple, then the back panel surprises with a soft lace motif.

Sized XS to 4X in DK weight yarn (Lion Brand Jeans) on US 7 needles. Construction is bottom-up with seamed shoulders and picked-up front bands.

Find the Lace Back lightweight cardigan free knit pattern here >>

Textured Drop Shoulder Cardigan by love. life. yarn.

This drop shoulder cardigan from Amanda is a perfectly textured everyday piece. The simple stitch pattern works for any colour you choose and reads as elevated against bare arms or a tee.

Sized XS to 4X in worsted weight yarn on US 8 needles. Construction is flat panels with drop-shoulder shaping and seamed sleeves.

Find the textured drop shoulder cardigan free knit pattern here >>

That is 21 free knit cardigan patterns for women, all in one place, with options across every season, body shape and skill level. Pick the one that matches the gap in your wardrobe right now, and start with that. Cardigans are the most worn knitted pieces in my drawer, and I think they will be in yours too.

Always guessing your size when knitting or crocheting garments? Learn how to pick the right size every time you start a new garment.