Irish Moss Stitch Cardigan Knitting Pattern

In this post, I want to share with you the Irish moss stitch cardigan pattern.

This cardigan has an oversized fit, which makes it perfect to wear with your fall outfits.

Scroll down to view the free pattern or you can grab the printer-friendly ad-free PDF here.

An Intermediate Cardigan Knitting Pattern

This cardigan knitting pattern is an intermediate level for anyone who is an experienced knitter.

Knit in the Irish moss stitch pattern the cardigan has shaping through increases, decreases, and short rows.

Each piece is worked from the lower band up, the front bands and collar are picked up and knit later.

The Yarn I Used

I made the cardigan using a bulky/chunky/12 ply yarn – The Petite Wool from We Are Knitters.

This meant the sweater was knit up on size 5.5mm (US 9 ) and 6.5mm (US 10.5 ) knitting needles.

I selected the color olive, but this cardigan could be made in any color you like.

You could substitute this yarn with any yarn that is bulky/chunky/12 ply yarn like Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky from Love Crafts.

Irish Moss Stitch Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Grab the inexpensive ad-free, PDF printable pattern in my shop here.

You may also like this stay home oversized cardigan knitting pattern.

More Irish Moss Stitch Patterns…

• Irish Moss Stitch Hat Pattern.
• Irish Moss Stitch Dishcloth Pattern

Copyright Notes

• 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.

Pattern Notes

• The pattern is written for all sizes starting with the small size – with changes for different sizes listed in all necessary places.
• To follow the pattern more easily, circle or highlight all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.
• The cardigan is worked in 5 pieces: Back, 2 Fronts, and 2 Sleeves.
• The collar and front bands are added when the main pieces are completed, the stitches are picked up and knit, then shaped through short row shaping.
• Each piece is worked in 1×1 ribbing for 3 inches/7.5cm, then Irish moss stitch from the lower edge upwards.
• A circular needle can be used to accommodate the number of stitches.
• If you use circular needles work back and forth as if working on straight needles.

Measurements + Size Information

This is an oversized knit cardigan, if you want to have a more fitted cardigan, please size down.

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

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

To fit bust size –

• 30 (34, 38, 42, 46, 50, 54) inches.
• 76 (86.5, 96.5, 106.5, 117, 127, 137) cm.

Finished Measurements – Approx (bust buttoned)

• 39 (42.75, 46.75, 51.5, 55, 58.75, 62.75) inches.
• 99 (108.5, 118.5, 131, 139.5, 149, 159.5) cm.

Gauge

14 sts and 18 rows, to 10×10 cm/4×4 inches in Irish moss stitch using size 6.5mm (US 10.5) knitting needles.

The Supplies You Need…

Yarn

• 8, (8, 9, 9, 10, 10, 11) balls of The Petite Wool (100g/153yds/140m) in Olive.
• Total yardage – 1,224 (1224, 1,377, 1,377, 1,530, 1,530, 1,683)
• Total meters – 1,120 (1,120, 1,260, 1,260, 1,400, 1,400, 1,540)
• Total grams – 800 (800, 900, 900, 1000, 1000, 1,100)
• Yarn weight – Bulky/Chunky/12 Ply yarn.

Yarn Substitutes

• Paintbox Yarns Simpy Chunky 10 Ball Value Pack
• Cascade 128 Superwash
• King Cole Big Value Chunky

Needles

• 5.5mm (US 9) Knitting needles.
• 6.5mm (US 10.5) Knitting needles.
• 32 inch (80cm) 5.5mm (US 9) circular needle for front bands/the collar.

This is the needle set I use for most projects – Interchangeable Circular Needle Set

Notions

• Scissors
• Darning needle
• Tape measure
• Stitch markers
• Stitch holder or spare cable with caps.

Buttons

Five wooden buttons – 1.3 inches/4cm

Abbreviations

• Alt – Alternate
• Beg – Beginning
• CO – Cast on
• Cont – Continue
• Dec – Decrease
• Foll – Following
• K – Knit
• K2tog – Knit the next two stitches together (decrease)
• P – Purl
• Patt – Pattern
• P2tog – Purl the next two stitches together (decrease)
• PM – Place marker
• Sts – Stitches
• Rem – Remain(ing)
• Rep – Repeat
• RS – Right side
• WS – Wrong side
• W+T – Wrap and turn – Short row shaping

Stitch Pattern Explanations

1×1 ribbing

• Row 1 – K1, P1 to end of row.
• Row 2 – Knit the knit sts and purl the Purl stitches as they face you.

Irish Moss Stitch

• You will work in the Irish Moss stitch pattern for the main body of the panel pieces.
• This will change slightly in the row order depending on if you are working on an even or odd number of cast-on stitches.

On an even number of cast-on stitches:

• Row 1: *P1, K1* rep to the end of the row.
• Row 2: *P1, K1* rep to the end of the row.
• Row 3: *K1, P1* rep to the end of the row.
• Row 4: *K1, P1* rep to the end of the row.

On an odd number of cast-on stitches:

• Row 1: *P1, K1* rep to the end of the row.
• Row 2: *K1, P1* rep to the end of the row.
• Row 3: *K1, P1* rep to the end of the row.
• Row 4: *P1, K1* rep to the end of the row.

Oversized Cardigan Pattern

Back

• Using 5.5mm (US 9) knitting needles cast on 78 (84, 90, 98, 104, 110, 116) sts.
• Work in 1×1 ribbing for 3 inches/8cm ending with a WS row.
• Change to 6.5mm (US 10.5) knitting needles and work in the Irish moss stitch pattern.
• Work in the Irish moss stitch pattern until the piece measures 7.5inches/19cm from the cast on edge ending with a WS row.

Shape the sides

Please note – you may have to change the K2tog decrease to a P2tog decrease depending on which sts your row starts or ends with.

• Decrease row (RS): P2tog, work to last 2 sts, K2tog. (2 sts decreased)
• Rep decrease row on RS every 4 (4, 4, 4.5, 4.5, 4.5, 4.5) inches/10 (10, 10, 10, 12, 12, 12, 12) cm twice. 72 (78, 84, 92, 98, 104, 110) sts rem.
• Work even in patt until the piece measures 18 (18, 18, 18.5, 18.5, 18.5, 19)inches/46 (46, 46, 47, 47, 47, 49)cm from the cast on edge, ending with a WS row.

Shape the armholes

• Cont in patterns as established – cast off 2 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) sts at beg of next 2 rows, then 2 sts at beg of next 2 (2, 2, 4, 4, 6, 6) rows. 64 (68, 72, 74, 78, 78, 82) sts.
• Decrease row (RS): K2tog, work in patt to last 2 sts, P2tog. (2 sts decreased)
• Rep decrease row every RS row 3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 3, 4) times. 56 (60, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72) sts.
• Work in patt until armholes measure – 8 (8, 8.5, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) inches/20.5, (20.5, 21.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5) cm ending with a WS row.

Shape the shoulders

• Cast off 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7) sts at beg of next 4 rows, then 6 (6, 7, 6, 6, 7, 7) sts at beg of next 2 rows.
• Place rem 24 (24, 26, 26, 28, 28, 30) sts on a stitch holder or spare cable with caps for the neck.

Left Front

Using 5.5mm (US 9) knitting needles cast on 37 (40, 43, 47, 50, 53, 56) sts.

Work in 1×1 ribbing for 3 inches/8cm ending with a WS row.

Change to 6.5mm (US 10.5) knitting needles and work in the Irish moss stitch pattern

Work in the Irish moss stitch pattern until the piece measures 7.5inches/19cm from the cast on edge ending with a WS row.

Shape side, neck, and armhole

Please note – the side, neck, and armhole shaping are worked at the same time, please read the entire section through before you start. The neck shaping will not be completed until after the armhole shaping is finished.

Also, you may have to change the K2tog decrease to a P2tog decrease depending on which sts your row starts or ends with.

• Side decrease row (RS): K2tog – work in patt to end. (1 st decreased)
• Rep side decrease row on RS every 4 (4, 4, 4.5, 4.5, 4.5, 4.5)inches / 10, 10, 10, 11.5, 11.5, 11.5, 11.5) cm twice. AT THE SAME TIME, when piece measures 16 (16, 16, 16.5, 16, 16, 16.5) inches/40.5 (40.5, 42, 40.5, 40.5, 42) cm, from the beg ending with a WS row, shape neck as follows:
• Neck decrease row (RS): Cont to work side shaping if necessary, work to last 2 sts, P2tog. (1 st decreased)
• Rep neck decrease row (every 6 rows once, then every 4 rows once) 3 (3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 3) times, then every 4 rows 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 3, 6) times.
• AT THE SAME TIME, when the piece measures 18 (18, 18, 18.5, 18.5, 18.5, 19) inches/45.5 (45.5, 45.5, 47, 47, 47, 48.5) cm from the beg, ending with a WS row, shape armhole as follows:
• Cont to work neck shaping, cast off 2 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) sts at armhole edge once, then 2 sts – 1 (1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3) times.
• Armhole decrease row (RS): Cont to work neck shaping, P2tog – work till the end. (1 st decreased)
• Rep armhole dec row every RS row – 3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 3, 4) times. 16 (18, 19, 20, 20, 21, 21) sts rem when all of the shaping is complete.
• Work even until armhole measures 8 (8, 8.5, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) inches/20.5 (20.5, 21.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5)cm, ending with a WS row.

Shape the shoulders

• Cast off 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7) sts at armhole edge twice, then 6 (6, 7, 6, 6, 7, 7) sts once.

Right Front

Using 5.5mm (US 9) knitting needles cast on 37 (40, 43, 47, 50, 53, 56) sts.

Work in 1×1 ribbing for 3 inches/8cm ending with a WS row.

Change to 6.5mm (US 10.5) knitting needles and work in the Irish moss stitch pattern.

Work in the Irish moss stitch pattern until the piece measures 7.5inches/19cm from the cast on edge ending with a WS row.

Shape side, neck, and armhole

Please note – the side, neck, and armhole shaping are worked at the same time, please read the entire section through before you start. The neck shaping will not be completed until after the armhole shaping is finished.

Also, you may have to change the K2tog decrease to a P2tog decrease depending on which sts your row starts or ends with.

• Side decrease row (RS): Cont in patt as established, work to last 2 sts, P2tog. (1 st decreased)
• Rep side decrease row on RS every 4 (4, 4, 4.5, 4.5, 4.5, 4.5)inches / 10, 10, 10, 11.5, 11.5, 11.5, 11.5) cm twice. AT THE SAME TIME, when piece measures 16 (16, 16, 16.5, 16, 16, 16.5) inches/40.5 (40.5, 42, 40.5, 40.5, 42) cm, from the beg ending with a WS row, shape neck as follows:
• Neck decrease row (RS): Cont to work side shaping if necessary, K2tog – work in patt to the end of the row. (1 st decreased)
• Rep neck decrease row (every 6 rows once, then every 4 rows once) 3 (3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 3) times, then every 4 rows 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 3, 6) times.
• AT THE SAME TIME, when the piece measures 18 (18, 18, 18.5, 18.5, 18.5, 19) inches/45.5 (45.5, 45.5, 47, 47, 47, 48.5) cm from the beg, ending with a RS row, shape armhole as follows:
• Cont to work neck shaping, cast off 2 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) sts at armhole edge once, then 2 sts – 1 (1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3) times.
• Armhole decrease row (RS): Cont to work neck shaping, work till the last 2 sts, P2tog. (1 st decreased)
• Rep armhole dec row every RS row – 3 (3, 3, 3, 4, 3, 4) times. 16 (18, 19, 20, 20, 21, 21) sts rem when all of the shaping is complete.
• Work even until armhole measures 8 (8, 8.5, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) inches/20.5 (20.5, 21.5, 21.5, 23, 24, 25.5)cm, ending with a RS row.

Shape the shoulders

• Cast off 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7) sts at armhole edge twice, then 6 (6, 7, 6, 6, 7, 7) sts once.

Sleeves

• Using 5.5mm (US 9) knitting needles cast on 38 (38, 38, 40, 40, 42, 42) sts.
• Work in 1×1 ribbing for 3 inches/8cm ending with a WS row.
• Change to 6.5mm (US 10.5) knitting needles and work in the Irish moss stitch pattern:
• Work in the Irish moss stitch pattern until the piece measures 5 inches/12.5 cm from the cast on edge ending with a WS row.

Shape sleeve

• Increase row (RS): Cast on 1 st, work to last st, cast on 1 st. (2 sts increased)
• Rep inc row every 10 (8, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4) rows 4 (4, 5, 9, 2, 5, 10) times, then every 12 (10, 8, 0, 6, 6, 6) rows 1 (2, 3, 0, 8, 6, 3) times incorporating the new sts into the pattern and forming new patterns as you work. 50 (52, 56, 60, 62, 66, 70) sts.
• Work even until piece measures 18 (18, 18.5, 18.5, 19, 19, 19.5) inches/45.5 (45.5, 47, 47, 48.5, 48.5, 49.5) cm from the beg ending with a WS row.

Shape cap

• Cont in patterns as established, cast off 2 sts at the beg of the next 2 (2, 4, 6, 6, 8, 10) rows. 46 (48, 48, 48, 50, 50, 50) sts rem.

For the decrease row – you may have to change the K2tog decrease to a P2tog decrease depending on which sts your row starts or ends with.

• Decrease row (RS): K2tog, work to last 2 sts, K2tog. (2 sts decreased)
• Rep decrease row every RS row 2 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3) times, every 4 rows 3 (3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 2) times, then every RS row, 3 (4, 4, 2, 3, 3, 4) times. 28 (28, 28, 30, 30, 30, 30) sts rem.
• Cast off 2 sts at the beg of the next 2 rows, then 3 sts at the beg of the next 2 rows.
• Cast off the rem 18 (18, 18, 20, 20, 20, 20) sts.

Finishing + The Collar

• Block the pieces if necessary (depending on the yarn you have chosen to use).
• Sew the shoulder seams.

Front bands and collar

• With the RS facing, using the 5.5mm (US 9) knitting needles and a 32 inch (80cm) circular needle, begin at the lower right front edge, pick up and knit 58 (58, 58, 60, 58, 58, 60) sts to the base of the neck shaping, PM, 43 (43, 45, 45, 49, 49, 51) sts to shoulder seam, knit across 24 (24, 26, 26, 28, 28, 30) back of neck sts from holder/spare cable, picking up and knitting 1 st at center back neck, pick up and knit 43 (43, 45, 45, 49, 49, 51) sts to the base of neck shaping, PM, then 58 (58, 58, 60, 58, 58, 60) sts to lower left front edge. 227 (227, 233, 237, 243, 243, 253) sts.
• Next row: P1, *K1, P1 – rep from * to end of row.

Shape Collar

• Short row 1 (RS): Cont in rib patt as established, work to 1 st before second marker, W+T.
• Short row 2 (WS): Work to 1 st before marker, W+T.
• Short row 3: Work to 1 st before previous W+T from the previous row, W+T.
• Short row 4: Work to 1 st before the previous W+T from the previous WS row, W+T.
• Short rows 5-22: Rep short rows 3 and 4 nine times.
• Short row 23: W+T, work to end, picking up wraps.
• Row 24: Work to end, picking up the rem wraps.
• Work even for 2 rows.
• Buttonhole row (RS): Work 3 sts, YO, K2tog, work 11 sts, work 2 sts tog (work K2tog if second st if a k stitch and P2tog if second st is a P stitch) 4 times, work to end.
• Work even in rib until band measures 1.75 inches/4.5cm from pick up row, measured at lower edge.
• Cast off all sts in patt using larger needle (6.5mm/US 10)

Finishing

• Set in the sleeves.
• Sew side and sleeve seams, working seam half a stitch in from the edge to minimize the bulk of the seams.
• Sew on the buttons.

I love seeing your finished projects!

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Happy Knitting!