This chunky cardigan knitting pattern is relatively easy, but I marked it intermediate because if you are a beginner who has never picked up the needles before, this might be a daunting first project.

However, if you are a beginner who has many easy projects under their belt and is looking to get into something a little more complicated, then this would be a great first garment project for you.

*Please scroll down to see the printable pattern + don’t forget to pin and share!*

Knit Cardigan

Oversized cardigans are back year after year – and why not?!

They are comfy, cozy and perfect for wearing around the house or when you are out and about.

Better than wearing an actual blanket in the cold weather, oversized cardigans can be worn with anything from sweats to jeans.

Oversized Cardigan

The chunky oversized cardigan was knit with a dark grey super bulky knit yarn, using both 8mm (US 11) and 9mm (US 13) knitting needles.

It has four available sizes – small, medium, large and XL.

If you want it to be SUPER slouchy and even more like a blanket, you could always make it in a size up.

Long Cardigan Sweater

The long cardigan sweater pattern uses garter stitch, in a really simple way to create the body of the fabric.

Through increases and decreases, you will shape the back, left front, right front and collar.

The separate pieces are knit flat and then seamed together to create the garment.

Chunky Knit Cardigan

As well as being super comfy to wear, this chunky cardigan is a great project for any of you advanced knitters looking for something to make for yourself in a weekend.

The cardigan is really warm and can be worn around the house in the cold weather, for collecting the firewood or wherever else you want to go.

I wore this on a recent trip to Agios Athanasios, a beautiful place in the mountains in mainland Greece, staying at a lovely traditional style guesthouse – Guesthouse Papastoikou.

Long Cardigan

I wanted to make this cardigan in a dark colour, choosing to make the length long, so that it was really cozy and comfy to lounge around in.

Lying on the sofa, drinking coffee, knitting and watching Netflix with the fire on is made even better when you are wearing something that wraps you up like a blanket!

You could adjust the length, as you may want the cardigan to be shorter or longer depending on your height.

This would mean working more or fewer rows for the back piece, left front and right front.

Free Knitting Patterns

If you are new to knitting and want to learn how to knit there are many easy and free patterns on my website, just take a look at my women’s knitting pattern library, with patterns for women, there are also sections for men, baby, kids, pets and the home.

Chunky Knit Cardigan Pattern

Make a cozy oversized cardigan perfect for those cold days.

Active Time 10 hours

Total Time 10 hours

Difficulty Intermediate

Estimated Cost $40+

Materials

8, (9/10/10) balls of 170g Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick Yarn
Super bulky yarn 06

Tools

8mm (US 11) Knitting needles
9mm (US 13) Knitting needles
Tape measure
Stitch markers
Scissors
Darning needle

Instructions

Back Piece

With the 8mm (US 11) knitting needles cast on 50 (54/58/60) sts and beg with a wrong side row, work 5 rows in garter stitch.
Change to the 9mm (US 13) knitting needles and beg with a right side row, cont to work in garter stitch for 64 rows.
Mark each end of the last row with a stitch marker, for the side seams.
Work in garter stitch for a further 44 (46/48/50) rows.

For the shoulders

Cast off 4 (4/3/3) sts at the beg of each of the next 2 rows
3, (4/3/3) sts at the beg of the following 2 rows,
Then 3, (3/4/4) sts at the beg of each of the next 8 rows.
Cast off the rem 12 (14/14/16) sts.

Left Front

With the 8mm (US 11) knitting needles cast on 27 (29/31/32) sts and beg with a wrong side row, work 5 rows in garter stitch.

Change to the 9mm (US 13) knitting needles and work a further 54 rows in garter stitch.

To shape the collar

K to last 3 sts, KFB, K2 (28, (30/32/33) sts
Work a further 7 rows in garter stitch
Rep row 1
K 1 row
Mark the end of the last row - to show the end of the side seam.
Work a further 6 rows in garter stitch
K to last 3 sts, KFB, K2,
Work a further 7 rows in garter st

Rep the last 8 rows twice more, then row 1 again - 37, (39/41/42) sts (this is an overall increase of 10sts)

Work a further 2, (4/6/8) rows in garter stitch, ending with a right side row.

Shape the extra length on the collar

1st and 2nd turning rows: K10, for 1st row, turn, slip 1, then K to end for 2nd row.
Work 2 rows in garter stitch across all sts.
Rep the last 4 rows, 3 times more.
Work 3 rows in garter st.

Shape the shoulder

Cast off 4, (4/3/3) sts at the beg of the next row,
3, (4/3/3) sts on the following alternate row
Then 3, (3/4/4) sts on the next 4 alternate rows - 18, (19/23/24) sts.
Work a further 7 (9/9/10) rows in garter st for the back of the neck extension.
Cast off.

Right Front

With the 8mm (US 11) knitting needles cast on 27 (29/31/32) sts and beg with a wrong side row, work 5 rows in garter stitch.

Change to the 9mm (US 13) knitting needles and work a further 54 rows in garter stitch.

To shape the collar

K2, KFB, K to end of row,
Work 7 rows in garter st
Rep row 1
K 1 row
Mark the beg of the last row - to show the end of the side seam.
Work 6 rows in garter st.
K2, KFB, K to end of row
Work 7 rows in garter st

Rep the last 8 rows twice more and then row 1 again - 37 (39/41/42) sts (this is an overall increase of 10sts)

Work a further 3, (5/7/9) rows ending with a wrong side row.

Shape the extra length on the collar

1st and 2nd turning rows: K10, for 1st row, turn, slip 1, then K to end for 2nd row.
Work 2 rows in garter stitch across all sts.
Rep the last 4 rows, 3 times more.
Work 3 rows in garter st.

Shape the shoulder

Cast off 4, (4/3/3) sts at the beg of the next row,
3, (4/3/3) sts on the following alternate row
Then 3, (3/4/4) sts on the next 4 alternate rows - 18, (19/23/24) sts.
Work a further 7 (9/9/10) rows in garter st for the back of the neck extension.
Cast off.

Sleeves (Make 2)

With 9mm (US 13) knitting needles cast on 24, (26/28/30) sts and beg with a right side row, work 32 rows in garter st.
Cont in garter st and inc extra sts as follows -
KFB at each end of the next row and the 8 following 6th rows - 42, (44/46/48) sts.
Work 3 rows in garter st.
Cast off

Making Up

Join the shoulder seams.
Stitch back neck extensions across the back of the neck, joining cast on and cast off edges together with an invisible seam.
Stitch cast off edge of sleeves between markers on back and fronts.
Join sleeve seams, reversing seam for approx 14 rows at lower edge for fold back.
Join side seams.
Fold collar and cuffs over to the right side.

Notes

This chunky oversized cardigan knits up quickly in super bulky yarn, and the simple design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.

You are welcome to sell items knit from this pattern, I just ask that you give pattern credit to Handy Little Me and link to www.handylittleme.com in any listings. Thank you!

Sizes

The sizes are for the following sizes - S (Small), M (Medium) L (Large) XL - (Extra Large).

The first number of stitches is for the small size, the following numbers in brackets are for the medium and large sizes.

For example - cast on 27 -S (29 -M / 31 -L / 32 - XL) sts

To fit sizes -

Small - 34-36 inches
Medium - 38-40 inches
Large - 42-44 inches
XL - 46 inches

Side seam - All sizes = 16 inches

Length

Small - 39 inches
Medium - 39 inches
Large - 40 inches
XL - 41 inches

Sleeve Seam with the cuff turned back = 16.25 inches

Gauge - 8 sts and 17 rows, to 10 x 10 cm in garter stitch using size 9mm (US 13) knitting needles

Abbreviations

Beg - Beginning

CO - Cast on

Cont - Continue

Garter st - knit every row

K - Knit

KFB - Knit into the front and back of the stitch to increase

K2tog - Knit two stitches together

Slip 1 - slip one stitch

Sts - Stitches

Rep - Repeat

I love seeing your finished projects!

If you enjoyed making the cardigan, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.

If you are on Facebook, stop over to the handylittleme Facebook page and share a photo! I’d love to see your work!

Happy Knitting! xoxo