Rainbow Cardigan Knitting Pattern (5 Sizes)

In this pattern post, I want to share with you a very colorful rainbow cardigan knitting pattern.

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

It’s designed to make you smile and feel happy while wearing it!

Scroll down for the free pattern or you can purchase a printer-friendly ad-free PDF here.

An Easy-Level Knitting Pattern

This is an easy pattern for those of you who are advanced beginner level, and the techniques you will need to know are knit, purl, k2tog, and ssk.

Using mainly knit and purl stitches you will also complete increases and decreases to shape.

The cardigan features raglan sleeves, which means the sleeve extends in one piece fully to the collar, leaving a diagonal seam from the underarm to the collarbone.

Why Is This Rainbow Cardigan So Easy To Knit?

1. It uses only knit and purl stitches.
2. It works quickly as you use 6.5mm (US 10.5) needles and bulky/chunky yarn.
3. Has minimal shaping and a loose baggy fit.
4. The shaping is clear and straightforward to understand.
5. All of the pieces are knit flat (even though I used circular needles to accommodate the number of stitches).

The Yarn I Used

I made the rainbow-striped sweater using a bulky weight (05) yarn – Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky from Love Crafts.

This meant the sweater was knit up quite quickly on size 6.5mm (US 10.5) needles.

I selected an assortment of rainbow colors but used their Raspberry Pink which I had left over in my stash as opposed to buying the more suitable Pansy Purple color they have.

Any bulky weight yarn 05 (chunky) will be okay for this pattern.

Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:

This pattern is great for any advanced beginner knitters.

• Knitting cast-on methods
• Cast off knitting methods
• Knitting Lessons
• How to cast off knitting for total beginners (step by step)
• How to knit garter stitch
• How to knit the purl stitch (for beginners + a video tutorial)
• How to knit stockinette stitch (for beginners)
• How to read knitting patterns for beginners
• Knitting abbreviations and terms (US And UK)
• How to knit rib stitch
• The mattress stitch – how to seam knitting
• How to knit two stitches together – K2tog

Make A Matching Dog Sweater

This rainbow cardigan is wonderful for wearing while walking your dog or when you are working from home to keep your spirits up.

There is a matching rainbow dog sweater knitting pattern available to make in three sizes: small, medium, and large.

The dog sweater is knit in the same yarn and on the same size needles as this cardigan.

Shop the inexpensive printable PDF here.

You may also enjoy this oversized cotton comfort easy knit cardigan pattern and this chunky cardigan knitting pattern.

Rainbow Cardigan Knitting Pattern

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

You may also be interested in making this cardigan in one color only, you can find the pattern for that here – Cardigan Knitting Pattern (Stay Home + Be Cozy)

The raglan cardigan knits up quickly in chunky/bulky yarn, and the simple design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.

Copyright Info

• 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 copyrighted photos for your product listing.
• For the copyright T&C please read my Terms of Use.

Pattern Notes

Skill Level – Easy

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 about your size before beginning.

• The cardigan is worked in 5 pieces: Back, 2 Fronts, and 2 Sleeves.
• Each piece is worked in St st (k on RS, p on WS) from the lower edge upwards, beginning with a ribbed lower band.
• The yarn color is changed to make stripes.
• A circular needle is used to accommodate the number of stitches.
• Work back and forth on the circular needle as if working on straight needles.
• When you see ‘work as established’ in the instructions, you must continue in the current pattern stitch.
• Work each color in your given row count for your size.
• You must count how many rows you knit in each color, so you know when to change yarn color – especially throughout the shaping.

Measurements + Size

*I am wearing the medium size in the photographs

The sizes – S / M / L / 1X + 2X

Finished Bust About – 36 (40, 42, 46) in.

Finished Length About 27 (28, 29, 30) in.

Row counts for each color is as follows for each size:

• S (27”) 15 rows in 3.5”
• M (28”) 16 rows in 4”
• L (29”) 17 rows in 4.2”
• 1X/2X (30”) 18 rows in 4.5”

Gauge – 4 inches/10 cm = 12 stitches in 18 rows of stocking stitch.

The Supplies You Need…

Yarn

Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky / 100% Acrylic, 100g (3.5oz), Chunky/Bulky/12 Ply.

1. Rose Red – 313
2. Blood Orange – 319
3. Daffodil Yellow – 321
4. Slate Green – 326
5. Light Blue – 304
6. Dolphin Blue – 336
7. Raspberry Pink – 343

For the following sizes you will need approx:

• Small – 1 x each color 100g – (700g)
• Medium – 1 x red/1 x orange 1.5 x each rem colour – (950g)
• Large – 1 x red / 1 orange/ 2 x each rem colour – (1200g)
• 1X – 2 x red / 2 x orange / 2.5 x each rem colour – (1650g)
• 2X – 2 x red / 2 x orange / 3 x each rem colour – 100g (1900g)

Chunky/bulky/12 ply – Yarn Weight Guide (+ Conversion Chart)

Needles

• 6.5mm (US 10.5) knitting needles – circular with a 40″/100cm cable.

Notions

• Tape measure
• Darning needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers

Stitch Explanations

• M1 (make 1) An increase worked by lifting the horizontal strand lying between needles and placing it onto the left needle. Knit this new stitch through the back loop – 1st increased.
• ssk (slip, slip, knit) Slip the next 2 sts as if to knit, one at a time, to the right needle; insert the left needle into the fronts of these 2 sts and knit them together – 1 st decreased.

Raglan Cardigan Pattern

• Yarn A – Purple
• Yarn B – Blue
• Yarn C – Light Blue
• Yarn D – Green
• Yarn E – Yellow
• Yarn F – Orange
• Yarn G – Red

Back Piece

In Yarn A – cast on 63, (69, 75, 81), sts.

• Row 1 (RS): P1, *K1, P1: rep from * to end of row.
• Row 2 (WS): K the knit sts and P the purl sts to the end of the row.
• Rep row 2 until the piece measures 2.5 inches from the CO edge, ending with a WS row as the last row you work.
• Beg with a (RS) K row and work in st st until the piece measures S (3.5”) M (4”) L (4.2”) 1X/2X (4.5”) from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row as the last row you work.
• Change to Yarn B – cont to work in st st for S (3.5”) M (4”) L (4.2”) 1X/2X (4.5”) ending with a WS row as the last row you work.
• Change to Yarn C – cont to work in st st for S (3.5”) M (4”) L (4.2”) 1X/2X (4.5”) ending with a WS row as the last row you work.
• Change to Yarn D – cont to work in st st for S (3.5”) M (4”) L (4.2”) 1X/2X (4.5”) ending with a WS row as the last row you work.
• Change to Yarn E – cont in st st for (the small size will need to change to Yarn F after 3.5” of working in Yarn E – keep track of your color row count) S (5”) M (3.5”) L (3.2”) 1X/2X (2.5”) ending with a WS row as the last row you work. (Piece should measure S (19) M (19.5) L (20) 1X/2X (20.5) inches from the cast-on edge).
• Continue to change Yarn colors as you shape the armholes. (Change to Yarn F – keeping your color row count/ then to Yarn G)

Shape the armholes

• Row 1 (RS): Cast off 3, (5, 6, 8) sts, K to end of row. 60, (64, 69, 73) sts.
• Row 2 (WS): Cast off 3, (5, 6, 8) sts, P to end of row. 57, (59, 63, 65) sts
• Row 3 (RS): Decrease Row: K2, K2tog, K to last 4 sts, SSK, K2. 55, (57, 61, 63) sts.
• Row 4 (WS): Purl
• Rep rows 3 and 4 for 2, 4, 5, 6 more times – 51 (49, 51, 51) sts.
• Changing Yarn colors and keeping color row count – work rows 3 and 4 – for 14 (13, 13, 13) more times. 23, (23, 25, 25) sts
• *You may work more rows in Yarn G if you reach your total row color count and have more rows to work.
• Cast off.

Left Front

With Yarn A – Cast on 41 (45, 47, 51) sts

• Row 1 (RS): *K1, P1: rep from * to last st K1 (edge).
  Row 2 (WS): K1 edge, K the knit sts, and P the purl sts to the end of the row. Keeping the front edge st in garter st and rem sts in rib as established, work until the rib measures the same length as the back rib, and end with a WS row as the last row you work.
• Row 1 (RS): K to last 11 sts, pm work in rib as established to last st, K1.
• Row 2 (WS): K1, work in rib as established to marker, sm, P to end of row.
• Rep the last 2 rows, slipping the marker as you work until the piece measures the same length as back to the first row of B stripe, and end with a WS row as the last row you work.
• Change to Yarn B and cont as established until the piece measures the same length as back to the first row of C stripe, end with a WS row as the last row you work.
• Change to Yarn C and cont as established, until the piece measures the same length as back to the first row of D stripe, end with a WS row as the last row you work.
• Change to Yarn D and cont as established, until the piece measures the same length as back to the first row of E stripe, end with a WS row as the last row you work.
• Change to Yarn E and work in pattern as established until the piece measures the same length as back to armhole shaping, end with a WS row as the last row you work.

Shape Raglan Armhole and Front Edge

*Please note – that as you continue to shape the raglan armhole and front edge, you will continue to change yarn color.

• Row 1 (RS): Cast off 3 (5, 6, 8) st, K to marker, sm, work in rib as established to last st, K1 – 38, (40, 41, 43) sts.
• Row 2 (WS): K1, work in rib to marker, sm, P to end of row.
• Row 3 (RS) Decrease Row: K2, K2tog, K to 2 sts before marker, SSK, sm, work in rib to last st, K1 – 36, (38, 39, 41) sts.
• Row 4 (WS): Rep row 2.
• Row 5 (RS): K2, K2tog, K to marker, sm, work in rib to last st, K1 – 35, (37, 38, 40) sts.
• Rep rows 2-5 for 6 (7, 7, 8) more times and at the same time when the piece measures the same length as the back first row of the orange stripe (Yarn F) – end with a WS row and change to Yarn F.
• Change yarn colors (keeping your color row count for Yarns F and G) – and work rows 4 and 5 for 3, (2, 3, 2) more times, then work row 4 one more time – 14sts.

Neck Extension (to be completed in Yarn G)

• Row 1 (RS): cast off 3 sts, remove marker, and work in rib to last st, K1. (11 sts)
• Row 2 (WS): K1, work in rib to end of row.
• Row 3 (RS): Work in rib to last st, K1.
• Rep rows 2 and 3 until neck extension measures about 7 (7, 8, 8) inches.
• Cast off.

Right Front

With Yarn A – cast on 41, (45, 47, 51) sts

• Row 1 (RS): K1 (edge) *P1, K1; rep from * to end of row.
• Row 2 (WS): Work in rib as established to last st, K1 (edge).
• Keeping the front edge st in garter st and rem sts in rib as established, work until rib measures the same length as the back-piece rib (2.5 inches), and end with a WS row as the last row you work.
• Row 1 (RS): K1, work in rib as established over the next 10 sts, pm, K to end of row.
• Row 2 (WS): P to marker, sm, work in rib as established to last st, K1.
• Rep the last 2 rows, slipping the marker as you come to it until the piece measures the same length as back to the first row of the stripe in Yarn B – end with a WS row as the last row you work.
• Change to Yarn B and cont to work in the pattern as established until the piece measures the same length as back to the first row of C stripe, end with a WS row as the last row you work.
• Change to Yarn C and cont to work in pattern as established until the piece measures the same length as back to the first row of D stripe, end with a WS row as the last row you work.
• Change to Yarn D and cont to work in pattern as established until the piece measures the same length as back to the first row of E stripe, end with a WS row as the last row you work.
• Change to Yarn E and work in a pattern as established until the piece measures the same length as back to armhole shaping, end with a RS row as the last row you work.

Shape Raglan Armhole and Front Edge

*Please note – that as you continue to shape the raglan armhole and front edge, you will continue to change the yarn color

• Row 1 (WS): Cast off 3, (5, 6, 8) sts, P to marker, sm, work in rib to last st, K1 – 38, (40, 41, 43) sts.
• Row 2 (RS) Decrease Row: K1, work in rib to marker, sm, K2tog, K to last 4 sts, SSK, K2 – 36 (38, 39, 41) sts.
• Row 3 (WS): P to marker, sm, work in rib to last st.
• Row 4 (RS): K1, work in rib to marker, sm, K to last 4 sts, SSK, K2 – 35, (37, 38, 40) sts.
• Row 5 (WS): Rep row 3.
• Rep rows 2-5 for 6, (7,7,7,8) more times – at the same time when the piece measures the same length as back to the first row of F stripe – end with a WS row and change to Yarn F.
• Change yarn colors (keeping your color row count for Yarns F and G) – and work rows 4 and 5 for 2, (1, 2, 1) more times, then rep row 4 once more. – 14 sts.

Neck Extension (to be completed in Yarn G)

• Row 1 (WS): Cast off 3 sts, remove marker, and work in rib to last st, K1. (11 sts)
• Row 2 (RS): K1, work in rib to end of row.
• Row 3 (WS): Work in rib to last st, K1.
• Rep rows 2 and 3 until neck extension measures about 7, (7, 8, 8) inches.
• Cast off.

Sleeves

With Yarn A – Cast on 33, (35, 37, 41) sts

• Row 1 (RS): P1, *K1, P1; rep from * to end of row.
• Row 2 (WS) K the knit sts and P the purl sts to the end of the row.
• Rep row 2 until the piece measures about 2.5 inches from beg, and end with a WS row as the last row you work.

Shape Sleeve

*Please note – as you shape the sleeves the yarn colors are changed at the same time. You need to work the same number of rows in each color as you have for the back piece.

• Row 1 (RS): Increase Row: K1, M1, K to last st, M1, K1 – 35 (37, 39, 43) sts
• Beg with a WS (purl) row, work even in st-st for 5 (5, 3, 3) rows then rep row 1.
• Rep last 6 (6, 4, 4) rows for 6, (8, 10, 11) more times. 49, (55, 61, 67) sts.
• At the same time, change yarn colors when the color measures the same length as the stripe on the back piece, ending with a WS row and changing yarn color.
• Work even in st st until the piece measures about 17, (17.5, 17.5, 18) inches from the cast-on edge at the same time changing yarn colors and keeping your color row count for your size.

Shape Raglans

• Row 1 (RS): Cast off 3, (5, 6, 8) sts, K to end of row. – 46, (50, 55, 59) sts
• Row 2 (WS): Cast off 3, (5, 6, 8) sts, P to end of row. – 43, (45, 49, 51) sts
• Row 3 (RS) Decrease Row: K2, K2tog, K to last 4 sts, SSK, K2. – 41, (43, 47, 49) sts
• Row 4: Purl.
• Rep rows 3 and 4 for 16, (17, 18, 19) more times.
• At the same time, change yarn colors when the color measures the same length as the stripe on the back piece, ending with a WS row and changing yarn color.
• Cast off rem 9, (9, 11, 11) sts.

Finishing

• Sew sleeves to back and fronts along raglans.
• Sew ends of neck extensions together, then sew long edge of extension to tops of sleeves and back neck.
• Sew sleeve and side seams.
• Weave in ends.

Share your work with us…

I love seeing your finished projects on social media.

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

If you are on Facebook, stop over to the handylittleme Facebook group and share a photo.

I’d love to see your work.

Happy Knitting!