There's nothing quite like a hand knitted cardigan, is there? Chunky wool cardis are perfect for snuggling up in front of the TV, or you can knit a light and airy lace wrap to wear with pretty dresses. We're taking a look today at some of the best patterns to knit your perfect cardigan. Every one of these is available to download instantly here on CraftWorld, and they've all been professionally checked and edited.

Free V-neck Cardigan Pattern

Keep it simple with this staple cardigan knitting pattern, perfect for any occasion. The straight shape makes these easy to adjust to suit your height.

Yarn: King Cole Drifter 4-ply
Sizes: To fit bust 32"-42"

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Knit a Chunky Oversized Cropped Cardigan

Pumpkin Spice is the perfect cardigan for Autumn. Stylish and warm, this slip stitch check cardigan is the perfect quick knit!

This pieced cardigan is worked from the bottom up. It uses three colours with a slip stitch check pattern running up the sleeves and part of the bodice pieces. The fronts are decreased at the neck edge to create a light shaping. The border is picked up around and then finished in rib with a buttonhole row.

Yarn: West Yorkshire Spinners RE:TREAT Chunky
Sizes: Finished bust 94cm-173cm (UK sizes 6-36)

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Smart Chanel-inspired Cardigan Download

This cardigan pattern is knitted as one piece from hem to armholes, and then back and fronts are worked separately. Slash pockets are worked “as you go.” The armholes are worked by holding sts instead of casting them off, which are then worked when beginning the sleeves. Sleeves are worked from armholes down in the round, beginning with short row shaping. Front bands are worked sideways from picked up sts; then narrow neckline band is worked from live stitches up

Yarn used
Cascade Yarns Heritage

About the yarn
4-ply; 400m per 100g skein; 75% superwash Merino wool, 25% nylon

Tension
24 sts x 34 rows = 10cm measured over patt

Sizing
XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X), designed with 0-7cm ease
Shown in size S on Kendal who is a UK size 8/10

Find this pattern in Knit Now Issue 150.

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Modern Cable Aran Cardigan Pattern

This is one of our all-time favourite designs – a cardigan pattern that you can knit again and again and wear all year round!

Designed by
Kristen Joel

Yarn used
Rico Essentials Merino Aran

About the yarn
Aran; 100m per 50g ball; 100% Merino wool

Tension
17 sts x 28 rows = 10cm measured over St st on larger needles

Sizing
S (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X)
Shown in size S

This cardigan is worked in pieces from the bottom up, with set-in sleeves. It is worked flat, but we recommend a circular needle to work the button band. It features waist shaping for a flattering fit.

Find the pattern in Knit Now Issue 121.

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Relaxed Chunky Cardigan Pattern with Pockets

We love Cygnet’s chunky textured cardigan in muted shades! Download this pattern and knit a new garment this week.

Yarn used
Cygnet Chunky

About the yarn
Chunky; 156m per 100g ball; 100% acrylic

Tension
14 sts x 19 rows = 10cm measured over St st

Sizing
XS (S, M, L, XL), designed to fit with 16-24cm ease
Shown in size S on Nicole, who is a UK size 8-10.

This cardigan is worked flat in pieces from bottom up, with pockets. It uses only simple stitches, making it perfect for beginners.

Find this pattern in Knit Now Issue 156.

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Knit a Round-neck DK Cable Cardigan

This pretty cardigan knitting pattern features cables on the sleeves and front panels, with a button front and round neck.

Designed by
Helen Metcalfe

Yarn used
Stylecraft Special Aran with Wool

About the yarn
Aran; 816m per 400g ball; 80% acrylic, 20% wool

Tension
16 sts x 22 rows = 10cm measured over Background st patt
Cable panel of 30 sts = 15cm wide

Sizing
XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X), designed to fit with 15-20cm ease
Shown in size S on Debora who is a UK size 10

Find the pattern in Knit Now Issue 152.

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Relaxed Modern Colourwork Cardigan

This comfortable cardigan has a lovely pop of colour - and even better, it has pockets!

Designed by
Evelyn Siatra

Yarn used
King Cole Luxury Merino DK

About the yarn
DK; 140m per 50g ball; 100% superwash Merino wool

Tension
22 sts x 26 rows = 10cm measured over St st

Sizing
XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X), designed to fit with 15-25 cm ease
Shown in size S on Kendal who is a UK size 10.

This cardigan has bold colourwork at the yoke, hem and cuffs. The back, fronts and sleeves are worked flat from the bottom up and then sewn together. The front band is worked all in one to finish. The cardigan is open-fronted so you could use a shawl pin or brooch to fasten it.

Find the pattern in Knit Now Issue 152.

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Free Wrap Cardigan Pattern With Pockets

Turn heads in this stylish coatigan that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

Designed by
Evelyn Siatra

Yarn used
Scheepjes Terrazzo

About the yarn
DK; 175m per 50g ball; 70% recycled mulesing-free wool, 30% recycled viscose

Tension
19.5 sts x 36.5 rows = 10cm measured over patt on larger needles

Sizing
XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X), designed to fit with 13-19cm ease

The fronts, back and sleeves are worked flat from the bottom up and sewn together. The front openings, hems and lapel are worked in modified single ribbing. The lapel is shaped by replacing sts from patt as ribbing. The collar is picked up to finish. Slip all sts p-wise unless otherwise instructed.

Find this pattern in Knit Now issue 148.

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Knitting a V-neck Lace Cardigan with Puff Sleeves

This beautiful cardigan features a delicate yet effective stitch pattern in an eye-catching yarn

Designed by
Isabel Vidaurre

Yarn used
West Yorkshire Spinners Elements DK

About the yarn
DK; 112m per 50g ball; 60% lyocell, 40% wool

Tension
16.5 sts x 27 rows = 10cm measured over St st on larger needles

Sizing
XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X), designed to fit with 6cm ease

This cardigan is worked in a single piece from the hem as far as the armholes, shaping the armhole and the V-neck when you come to them. Shoulder straps are integrated with the upper edges of each Front and Back and then connected to the puffed sleeves which are worked from the top down in the rnd. A pretty lace pattern adds detail, and you can work from a chart or written instructions, whichever you prefer.

Find this pattern in Knit Now Issue 147

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Classic Women's Round-neck Cardigan Pattern

This beautifully textured fabric paired with a 4-ply yarn results in a lightweight cardigan, perfect for cooler summer evenings.

Designed by
Helen Metcalfe

Yarn used
West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4-ply

About the yarn
4-ply; 400m per 100g ball; 75% wool, 25% nylon

Tension
28 sts x 36 rows = 10cm measured over St st on larger needles

Sizing
XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X), designed to fit with 8-15cm ease

The body is worked in one piece to the armholes where the fronts and back are then worked separately. Sleeves are worked flat from the bottom up. Neckband and button-bands are picked up to finish.

Find this pattern in Knit Now Issue 142.

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Stitch Chart: Free Download

Free One-skein Lace Cardigan with Beads

We’re delighted to be able to bring you this exclusive luxury cardigan pattern from Ruth Garcia-Alcantud, knitted in 100% silk yarn and finished with beads.

Designed by
Ruth Garcia-Alcantud

Yarn used
Babylonglegs Perfection Lace 1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3) skeins in Squeal

About the yarn
Laceweight; 800m per 100g skein; 100% handdyed mulberry silk

Tension
22 sts x 32 rows = 10cm measured over St st

Sizing
To fit 76 (86, 96, 106, 116, 126, 136) cm bust

When we’ve shown this pretty little garment to knitters, it has certainly turned heads. The simple shape is flattering and easy to wear – we think it’ll look fabulous with a little black dress this party season.

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