Cotton Comfort Easy Knit Cardigan Pattern

I want to share with you the cotton comfort easy knit cardigan pattern.

I am moving into designing more cardigans and sweaters and want to offer something for beginners as well as the more advanced knitter.

This cardigan is really soft and comforting, due to the drape and fit.

It’s baggy and cosy, it wraps around you and somehow you feel comforted just wearing it!

This cotton cardigan is wonderful for the spring/summer months when there is a slight breeze in the air or a storm is coming over.

It could also be made in another yarn to wear any time of the year.

Knit on size 8mm (US 11) needles, you could use a different yarn and make a wonderfully cosy blanket cardigan for the winter.

Easy Cardigan Knitting Pattern

This is a great project for anyone who is an advanced beginner and looking to make a garment for the first time.

Knit in only garter stitch, you will use simple increases and decreases to shape.

The cardigan is knit in 5 pieces, back, left front, right front and two sleeves.

The cardigan pattern is fairly quick and easy, so you should be able to work through it without any issues.

As the stitch pattern used throughout is garter stitch, most of the pieces are mindless knits you can do whilst watching a movie.

Concentration is needed for the shaping, but again they are pretty simple and nothing that should make you feel stuck.

How To Knit A Cardigan

Before you knit a cardigan or sweater there are some basic knitting skills you should already know how to do.

The knitting basics like being able to cast on and cast off, knit and purl stitches.

You will also need to know some basic increases and decreases, like being able to sl 1, K2tog for example.

You should also be confident in reading an easy skill level knitting pattern and know simple knitting abbreviations.

Skill level is sometimes not that important, as you read through the pattern and see if it looks like something you could do.

If you read through it and think – ‘yes! ok, I can do this’, then give it a go, there are always tutorials out there to help you with anything unfamiliar.

To make the cardigan you mainly need to know how to knit and purl, creating the fabric of the piece in garter stitch (knitting every row) and selvedge edges where you need to do a purl stitch.

The purl stitches are also used when you create the collar that runs on the left and right fronts.

If you are new to knitting and still finding your feet with all of the knitting terms and abbreviations, you can find some tutorials and information here;

Oversized Knit Sweaters

The stitch pattern looks very soft in this cotton which is from Rico yarns.

Using the 8mm (US 11) needles with this yarn created a comfy, drapey piece that wraps around you like a hug.

The sleeves are purposely loose and baggy, for extra comfort.

Why is this cardigan so easy to knit?

It uses only knit and purl stitches.
It works up quickly as you will use 8mm (US 11) needles and two strands of cotton aran which is a medium weight yarn (04).
Has minimal shaping and a loose baggy fit.
The shaping is clear and simple to understand.
All of the pieces are knit flat (even though I used circular needles to accommodate the number of stitches).

If you follow my blog, Insta or Facebook and know a little about me, you know that I live in Corfu, Greece and love to be at the beach!

I feel so inspired by nature and colours here on the island, with the lush Corfiot landscape rich in greens and the shores with crystal clear waters in many shades of blue.

My summer pieces generally have colour inspiration from the sea and the pebbled shores.

This knit cardigan was made in a teal coloured cotton (colour name Patina) and echoed the wonderful colours in the water.

I wore this cardigan during a trip to the north of the island to visit Avlanki beach and then to visit a family run taverna in Roda.

The loose-knit sweater was worn, as a storm was coming and the wind really picked up, making it much needed.

The cotton I knit it with, Rico Creative Cotton Aran in Patina, is a really soft cotton.

After wearing it for a while, I felt so cosy and sleepy, the baggy fit, as well as the drapey style, made it perfect for throwing over a sundress.

Cardigan Pattern

The cotton comfort cardigan is knit by creating a back panel, a left front, a right front and two sleeves.

The collar is extended on both front pieces so that it can be folded over and stitched at the neck to stay in place.

You could adjust the length of the cardigan if you wish – by adding more rows to the back and front panels.

As you can see from the photographs, the back piece has been knit slightly longer than the two front panels.

I normally like a long cardigan to cover my bum and to feel a little like a blanket.

So this length felt right for me, but you can adjust it to your own preferences.

The design of the loose-knit cardigan is basic – so simple yet also affordable depending on which cotton or type of yarn you want to use.

I used the Rico cotton knit with two strands together and it didn’t break the bank.

This cotton is of good quality and yet affordable.

The Cotton Comfort Cardigan Pattern

When going through the pattern – it is a good idea to print it out and highlight the size and stitch counts for that size all the way through.

This way you will only follow the numbers that you need and not make any errors by reading a different size.

There are 5 sizes available – small, medium, large, XL and XXL.

In the photographs, I am wearing the medium size for a UK size 10/12 / US size 6/8.

Please read the notes section of the pattern before starting to knit.

See the free pattern below, or you may purchase the inexpensive ad-free, PDF printable pattern including all-important photos in my shop HERE.

Skill Level – Advanced Beginner

Materials

Rico Creative Cotton Aran in Patina – 50g
Knit with two strands together this = 85m/100g
For the following sizes you will need;
Small – 14 – 50g (700g)
Medium – 16 – 50 g (800g)
Large – 20 – 50g (1000g)
XL – 24 – 50g (1200g)
XXL – 28 – 50g (1400g)
yarn weight guide

Tools

8mm (US 11) knitting needles – if using circulars – with a 40cm cable
Scissors
Darning Needle
Tape Measure
Stitch Markers

Pattern Instructions

Back

Cast on – S – 57, M – 75, L – 93, XL – 111, XXL – 129 sts

1. Row 1 – Sl 1 (selvedge), K to last st, p1 (selvedge).
2. Rep row one until the back piece measures – from the beginning:

S – 23”/59cm / M – 24”/61cm / L – 25”/64cm / XL – 26”/67cm / XXL – 27”/69cm

End with a WS row as the last row you work.

Shape the shoulders

1. Rows: S – 1- 8 / M – 1-10 / L – 1-12 / XL – 1-14 / XXL 1-16
2. Cast off at beg of each row – S – 1 / M – 2 / L -3 / XL – 4 / XXL – 5
3. Continue to work in the pattern as established to end of row – S – 49 sts in row 8 / M – 55 sts in row 10 / L – 57sts in row 12 / XL – 55sts in row 14 / XXL – 49 sts in row 16
4. Next work in pattern for: S – 12 rows / M – 10 rows / L – 8 rows / XL – 6 rows / XXL – 4 rows
5. Cast off 2 sts (S/M) 3 sts (L/XL/XXL) at the beg of each row, then work in pattern as established to the end of the row. (S – 25 sts / M – 35 sts / L – 33 sts / XL – 37sts / XXL – 37sts)
6. Cast off.

Left Front

Cast on – S – 33 / M – 39 / L – 51 / XL – 57 / XXL – 69

1. Row 1: Sl 1, P6, PM, K to last st, p1
2. Row 2: Sl 1, K to last 7 sts, (slide marker) p6 sts, p1
3. Rep the last two rows, cont to slip marker as you come to it.
4. Continue to work pattern as established until piece measures: S – 20”/51cm / M – 20.5”/52cm / L – 21”/53.5cm / XL – 21.5”/54.5cm / XXL – 22”/56cm
5. From beg, end with a WS row as the last row you work (not the collar end).

Shape Shoulder

1. Row 1: (RS) cast off S -1, M – 2, L – 3, XL – 4, XXL – 5 sts
2. Row 2: Work pattern as established to end of row (S – 32sts / M – 37sts / L – 48sts / XL – 53sts / XXL – 64sts)
3. Work in pattern as established.
4. Rows: S – 3-8 / M – 3-10 / L – 3-12 / XL – 3-14 / XXL – 3-16: Rep rows 1 and 2 (S – 29 sts / M- 29sts / L – 33sts / XL – 29sts / XXL – 29 sts in row: S – 7 / M – 9/ L – 11 / XL – 13 / XXL –15)
5. Next row: Cast off 3 sts, work in pattern as established to the end of the row – S – 26 sts / M – 26sts / L – 30sts / XL – 26sts / XXL – 26sts
6. Work even in pattern as established.
7. Rep last two rows: S – 3 / M – 3 / L – 3 / XL -2 / XXL – 1 more times. (S – 17sts / M – 17sts / L – 21sts / XL -20sts / XXL – 23sts)

Collar Extension

1. Cont in pattern as established, slipping the first st and purling the last st for selvedges for about S –
  3.5”/9cm / M – 4”/10cm / L – 4”/10cm / XL -4¼ / 11 cm / XXL – 4 ¼ / 11 cm, end with a WS row as the last row you work.
2. Next row: Cast off – S – 5sts / M – 6 sts / L – 7sts / XL – 7sts / XXL – 8sts.
3. Work in pattern as established to end of row. (S – 12sts / M – 11sts / L – 14sts / XL -13sts / XXL – 15sts)
4. Next row: Work even in pattern as established.
5. Rep last two rows once more.
6. Cast off rem: S – 7sts / M – 5sts / L – 7 sts / XL – 6sts / XXL – 7sts

Right Front

Cast on – S – 33 / M – 39 / L – 51 / XL – 57 / XXL – 69

1. Row 1: Sl 1, K to last 7st, PM, p6, p1
2. Row 2: Sl 1, p6, slip marker, k to last st, p1
3. Rep the last two rows, cont to slip marker as you come to it.
4. Continue to work pattern as established until piece measures: S – 20”/51cm / M – 20.5”/52cm / L – 21”/53.5cm / XL – 21.5”/54.5cm / XXL – 22”/56cm
5. From beg, end with a WS row as the last row you work (not the collar end).

Shape Shoulder

1. Row 1: (RS) cast off S -1, M – 2, L – 3, XL – 4, XXL – 5 sts
2. Row 2: Work pattern as established to end of row (S – 32sts / M – 37sts / L – 48sts / XL – 53sts / XXL – 64sts).
3. Work in pattern as established
4. Rows: S – 3-8 / M – 3-10 / L – 3-12 / XL – 3-14 / XXL – 3-16: Rep rows 1 and 2 (S – 29 sts / M- 29sts / L – 33sts/ XL – 29sts / XXL – 29 sts in row: S – 7 / M – 9/ L – 11 / XL – 13 / XXL – 15)
5. Next row: Cast off 3 sts, work in pattern as established to the end of the row – (S – 26 / M – 26 sts / L – 30sts / XL – 26sts / XXL – 26sts).
6. Work even in pattern as established.

Rep last two rows: S – 3 / M – 3 / L – 3 / XL -2 / XXL – 1, more times. (S -17sts / M – 17sts / L – 21sts / XL -20sts / XXL –23sts)

Collar Extension

1. Cont in pattern as established, slipping the first st and purling the last st for selvedges for about S –
  3.5”/9cm / M – 4”/10cm / L – 4”/10cm / XL -4 ¼ / 11 cm / XXL – 4 ¼ / 11 cm, end with a WS row as the last row you work.
2. Next row: Cast off – S – 5sts / M – 6sts/L – 7sts /XL – 7sts / XXL – 8sts
3. Work in pattern as established to end of row. (S – 12sts / M – 11sts / L – 14sts / XL -13sts / XXL – 15sts)
4. Rep last two rows once more.
5. Cast off rem: S – 7sts / M – 5sts / L – 7 sts / XL – 6sts / XXL – 7sts

Sleeves – Make 2

Cast on – S – 39 / M – 45 / L – 51 / XL – 57 / XXL – 63

1. Row 1: sl 1 (selvedge), k to last st, p1 (selvedge).
2. Rep row 1 until the piece measures: S – 15.5”/40cm / M – 16”/41cm / L – 16.5”/42cm sts / XL – 16.5”/42cm / XXL – 15.5”/39.5cm from beg.
3. Shape cap – top of sleeve:
4. Rows 1-5: Cast off: S – 4sts / M – 5sts
5. Rows 1-6: L – 6sts / XL – 7sts / XXL – 8sts
6. Work in pattern as established to end of row – S = 19 sts / M = 20 sts in row 5 / L / XL / XXL: 15 sts in row 6.
7. Cast off.

Finishing

Sew shoulder seams

Place markers on side edges of back and fronts, about:

S – 5”/13cm / M – 5.5”/14cm / L – 6”/15cm / XL – 7”/17cm / XXL – 7.5”/19cm, below shoulder seams.

Sew side and sleeve seams, leaving the lower 4 inches of the back piece un-sewn.

Sew ends of collar extensions together and stitch the edge of the collar extension to back of the neck.

Use a simple whip stitch seam for garter stitch sections, or your preferred seaming method.

Weave in loose ends.

Notes

Gauge – 8 sts in 8 rows / 2 inches of garter stitch.

Sizes – S / M / L / XL / XXL

Finished Bust

S – 32-34” – 87cm

M – 36-38” / 97 cm

L – 42 – 44” / 112cm

XL – 50 – 52” / 132cm

XXL – 60 – 62” / 155cm

Finished Back Length

S – 31” / 79cm

M – 32” / 82cm

L – 33” / 85cm

XL – 34”” / 87cm

XXL – 35” / 90cm

Finished Front Length (not including the collar extension)

S – 27”/ 69cm

M – 28” / 72cm

L – 29” / 74cm

XL – 30” / 77cm

XXL – 31” / 79cm

Notes

Pattern is written for all sizes starting with the small size – with changes for different sizes listed in all necessary places.

To follow pattern more easily, circle or highlight all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.

Further Notes

Cardigan is made from 5 pieces – back, 2 fronts and 2 sleeves

Circular needles are used because there are many stitches, work back and forth on those needles and do not join in the round for any piece.

Each row of each piece begins with a slip stitch and ends with a purl stitch for any selvedge.

Selvedge stitches create a neat edge for seaming.

You can slip as if to knit or to purl, whichever you prefer.

The back piece is about 5 inches (13cm) longer than the front pieces.

Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations List

Beg – beginning

K – knit

K2tog – knit two stitches together

P – purl

PM – place marker

Rem – remaining

Rep – repeat

RS – right side

Sl – slip

St(s) – stitch (es)

WS – wrong side

The Sea Glass Shawl Knitting Pattern

If you like this pattern you may also like the sea glass shawl pattern.

Made in blue, green and white cotton, the shawl is an easy knit, with a video tutorial to help you.

Take a look at the pattern here.

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