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.
The Oversized Knit Cardigan Trend
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.
*Please scroll down to see the free pattern + don’t forget to pin and share!*
Make Your Own 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.
I knit the cardigan with Alize Lana Gold Yarn with two strands held together, this is because it was a medium weight yarn.
A great substitute for this yarn would be to use Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick – but knitting with just one strand as this is a super bulky yarn.
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.
A Cozy 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.
A Chunky Knit Cardigan For Advanced Knitters
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.
A Long Cardigan That Can Easily Be Adjusted
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.
More 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.
You may also enjoy these posts –
Chunky Cardigan Pattern
Purchase the printable, ad-free pattern here.
Skill Level – Intermediate
Notes
This chunky oversized cardigan knits up quickly in super bulky yarn, and the simple design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.
- Please do not copy, sell, redistribute or republish this pattern.
- If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
- You may sell items produced using this pattern.
- Do NOT use the copyrighted photos for your product listing.
- For the copyright T&C’s please read my Terms of Use.
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
Yarn
- 9, (10/11/12) balls of 170g Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick
- Super Bulky 06/super chunky/14 ply
- Yarn weight guide
- See Yarn Substitutes Here.
Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations List
- 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
Pattern 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 104 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 77 (78/80/81) 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 steps 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, wrap, 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, (19/19/20) 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 77 (78/80/81) rows in garter stitch.
To shape the collar
- K2, KFB, K to end of the 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 the row
- Work 7 rows in garter st
Rep the last 8 steps 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, wrap, 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, (19/19/20) 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 the 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.
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
