16 Insanely Gorgeous, Cozy, and Free Crochet Cardigan Patterns!
If you’re looking for the magical comfort and versatility of a beautiful crochet cardigan, you’ve come to the right place. Cardigans come in all shapes, sizes, and thicknesses, making them perfect for layering in any season! Crochet is a great way to create these versatile wardrobe staples.

In this post, you’ll find a fantastic collection of crochet cardigan patterns from oversized designs to light, airy pieces perfect for warmer days. There’s something for everyone in this crochet pattern roundup, no matter your style or skill level. Keep scrolling for some inspiration for your next crochet project. Happy wishes and cozy stitches!
This post features a roundup of free crochet cardigan patterns.
16 Insanely Gorgeous, Cozy, and Free Crochet Cardigan Patterns!
Why a Crochet Cardigan is Your Next Must-Make Project
The Versatility of a Crochet Cardigan
- Cardigans range in all shapes and sizes, from short “shrugs” over the shoulders, to long knee-length wraps. You can make them with a more open weave and a lighter weight yarn for spring and summer wear, or you can make them thick and warm with a tight, dense weave for extra warmth in the winter months.
- In addition to being able to be worn year-round, the styling and layering possibilities are endless. You can wear them over dresses, pair them with a t-shirt and jeans, bundle up in your PJs with a cozy, fluffy cardigan, and so much more! Whatever your taste, style, or need, there’s an option out there for everyone, making a crochet cardigan a true staple in any wardrobe.
Elevate Your Wardrobe With Handmade Crochet Cardigans
- There is something so satisfying about creating something functional with your hands that you will get a lot of use out of. It also helps that they are beautiful as well as functional! Whenever I wear something I crocheted, or I gift something wearable to a person I know will use it, it just brings a lot of pride for the hard work that goes into each and every piece!
- Many people have an appreciation for beautiful crocheted items. If somebody compliments you on your crochet cardigan, it’s fun to be able to smile and say, “Thanks! I made it!”
Use Up Your Stash With a Free Crochet Cardigan Pattern
- I love any pattern that will help me burn through my ever accumulating stash of yarn. If you’re the same as me, and you have more yarn than you know what to do with, these patterns are a great way to use up some of that surplus!
- Granny squares, color-blocking patterns, and stripes are great ways to incorporate color changes often throughout your pattern, enabling you to switch colors often to burn through your scraps and stash.
Tips to Crochet Your Perfect Fit
- Gauge, gauge, gauge, gauge! I know, I know. I roll my eyes when I see recommendations for a “test swatch” in patterns too. I’m usually chomping at the bit to just get started already! You might think, how important can that really be? Well, I’m here to tell you from experience that checking your gauge in crochet patterns (particularly clothing patterns) is extremely important.
- Trust me, there is nothing worse than having to frog a project after hours of your hard work because your garment is ending up way bigger (or smaller) than your intended size. Save yourself the heartache down the road and always do a test swatch for gauge when the pattern calls for it!
- Most cardigan patterns offer a variety of sizes and measurements to follow throughout, so make sure you’re always double checking before you start (and as you go as well!) that the size you’ve chosen to crochet is correct.
Beginner-Friendly Crochet Cardigan Patterns
First up, let’s take a look at some beginner-friendly crochet patterns. For those of you just learning to crochet, or for those of you new to making wearables, this section is a great place to begin! In a cardigan pattern for beginners, look for things like simple shapes, basic stitches, and clear instructions. Of course, finding the words “Beginner-Friendly” or “Easy” in the title is great too!
1. Paisley Slouchy Cardigan for Beginners
First up, we have this deliciously comfortable looking Paisley Slouchy Cardigan by Ashley over at Cactus & Lace Designs! The colors she chose and the texture and color changes throughout the pattern make this such a stunning piece. Deep pockets and an oversized fit make this cardigan a must-have for snuggling up in! The best part is this cardigan is crocheted in one piece, making it a perfect project for beginners.
2. Autumn Wheat Beginner Crochet Cardigan
This Autumn Wheat Beginner Crochet Cardigan by Briana K. Designs is beautiful! She says the pattern has a flat design, so there is no complicated seaming or shaping involved. She also offers a free YouTube video tutorial for this pattern as well, making it extra helpful for the beginner crocheter. Sometimes, we just need to be able to watch someone else and follow along to bring it to life!
3. Banbury Oversized Drape Crochet Cardigan Free Pattern
This Banbury Oversized Drape Crochet Cardigan by Kiks + Jack Crochet is a timeless, classic beauty that will never go out of style, making it a perfect crochet project! The only stitch you need to know how to do to create this cardigan is the half double crochet. Easy, peasy! Plus, the soft acrylic yarn by Lion Brand Yarns they recommend has some plush to it, but they say it is easy to frog if needed. If you’ve ever had to frog a project with chenille yarn, you understand the pain and frustration! Elevate your style as well as your crochet skills, and give this one a try!
4. Kima Cardi
I love seeing a pattern that looks intricately complicated but is actually a beginner-friendly pattern! Imagine being able to create this gorgeous Kima Cardi by TL Yarn Crafts as one of your very first crochet projects! Or, for more experienced crocheters, an easy but beautiful project is always much appreciated. She says the cardigan is crocheted in five separate, simple pieces, and then it is seamed together to finish it up. Then, to polish it off, you will add a couple of pockets for a cozy finish!
Light and Airy Crochet Cardigans for Warmer Days
For this section, we want to focus on any cardigans that are meant for warmer weather. Anything with a lighter yarn, short sleeves, and an open weave would be a stunning pairing for your summer t-shirts, jeans, skirts, or sundresses.
5. Zahora Cardigan
I love this Zahora Cardigan by Rachel at Evelyn and Peter so much that I think I need to make one for myself! I adore crocheted items with a lacy, open weave, and the color she designed this in is gorgeous! I want the yarn she used too, so I went and hunted it down. The yarn she used is the Lion Brand Yarn Comfy Cotton Blend in Chai Latte. However, while digging, I discovered this line of yarn has been discontinued. Cue the sad violin music!
But, after some more digging, I found a yarn very similar in color and style. It is the Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes Yarn in Oyster. With this yarn, you can still achieve a very similar look and style!
6. The Lake House Cardigan
Next up, we have another gorgeous summer crochet cardigan by Evelyn and Peter — The Lake House Cardigan! I adore the intricate, lacy detail of these stitches. The entire design is made with a row repeat, creating that stunning, airy design perfect for spring and summer!
7. Summer Vibes Cardigan
This Summer Vibes Cardigan pattern by Lenka at Heartsy Designs is the perfect addition to your summer wardrobe. Whether you wear it as a swim coverup or pair it with your favorite shorts and t-shirt, this beautiful piece is bound to make a statement. I love the boho vibes of the fringe, the sleeveless design, and the open weave!
Cozy & Chunky Crochet Cardigan Patterns for Winter
Along with a light and airy cardigan for summer, no wardrobe is complete without a thick, fuzzy, warm and cuddable crochet cardigan for the winter months! For these patterns, we want to focus on bulky yarn, oversized fits, and dense, warm stitches.
8. The Wanderers Relaxed Fit Crochet Cardigan
Nothing says “cozy” to me like an oversized sweater. All that extra fabric means you can wrap up and hunker down. It’s like wearing a blanket! So, to add comfort and beauty to your winter wardrobe, consider crocheting The Wanderers Relaxed Fit Crochet Cardigan by Kiks and Jack Crochet! I absolutely love the textured sleeves, which bring some more warmth and coziness, as well as style, to the design.
9. Cozy Boyfriend Cardigan
This Cozy Boyfriend Cardigan by Evelyn and Peter is classically stunning. The textured yarn gives this cardigan such a soft, huggable, cuddable feel to it. It is crocheted using a boucle yarn. Sadly, the Lion Brand Yarns Baby Soft Boucle yarn this pattern was crocheted in has been discontinued. However, Lion Brand Yarns Homespun Yarn is very similar and will provide that similar, unique fluffy texture.
10. Cozy Oversized Cardigan
Grace, the designer of this lovely Cozy Oversized Crochet Cardigan over at Stitchberry, describes this cardigan as being a “cloud to wear” and, honestly? I want nothing more out of life! This cardigan is crocheted using Wonderfluff Bulky Yarn in Hare Heather, and the description of the yarn says it’s a bulky but lightweight yarn, meaning you will get a dense, warm, and cozy cardigan without the heaviness. The big wooden buttons down the front just add such a rustic, cozy charm as well!
For more cozy, fall related patterns, check out this blog post: Cozy Up With These 13 Stunning Fall Crochet Patterns
Stylish Long Crochet Cardigan Patterns
I came across the term “duster cardigan” a lot in researching this post. I had no idea what it meant. According to Notes From a Stylist, a duster cardigan is any cardigan with a length that falls between the knee and ankle. These cardigans are a classic! For this section of cardigan patterns, we are going to focus on long lengths that extend our silhouettes.
11. Arkose Duster Cardigan Free Crochet Pattern
The Arkose Duster Cardigan by Off the Beaten Hook looks so wonderfully cozy! The length and style makes for such a dreamy addition to your wardrobe. She used Lion Brand Yarns Pima Cotton in Rose Taupe to create this pattern and, because it is 100% cotton, it is lightweight and breathable. The pattern is available in a variety of sizes from XS to 5XL, making it a very size-inclusive pattern.
12. Autumn Duster Long Crochet Cardigan Pattern
Now, this Autumn Duster by Jessica at Mama In A Stitch has that classic cozy, timeless, beautiful look that makes it an absolute staple for any wardrobe. What I love about this one is the simplicity of the stitch and construction! If you can make a half double crochet, you can absolutely crochet this gorgeous piece. Those generously deep pockets along with the long length just scream, “Wrap me around you and snuggle up!”
13. Kimono Cardigan
Let’s bring that length all the way to the ankles with this Kimono Cardigan by Durable Yarn! This cardigan looks so warm, soft, and perfect for snowy winter mornings with a piping hot cup of coffee. Wrap up in style with this beautiful crochet cardigan! The pattern is available as a free PDF download in both US and UK crochet terminologies.
Unique & Textured Crochet Cardigan Ideas
In this section, we’re looking for any cardigan that features unique and interesting styles and stitches! Consider color-blocking cardigans, cable stitches, and other, more complicated stitches that truly make each pattern unique.
14. Heart Patchwork Crochet Cardigan
When I was a kid, I had a favorite and much loved blanket I (creatively) named Hearts and Hearts and Squares and Squares. Talk about a mouthful. 😅 But, this beautiful Heart Patchwork Crochet Cardigan by My Favorite Patterns is giving me such nostalgic vibes and reminding me of that blanket I still miss to this day! I can’t get enough of the unique look of this cardigan. It is sure to turn heads wherever you go!
15. Magical Garden Cardigan
Omg, if anything has the words “magical” and “garden” in the title, you know I’m going to include it! This Magical Garden Cardigan by Sam over at Sam Bartley Designs is to die for. I’m such a sucker for anything with stripes, and granny squares are always a classic choice! The combination of them both, as well as the colors they chose, make this crochet cardigan a dream come true!
16. Festival Coat Cardigan
Last, but certainly not least, we have this absolutely gorgeous Festival Coat Pattern by Coco Crochet Lee! Seriously, this pattern is jaw-droppingly stunning, and I definitely think I need one for my own wardrobe! The array of colors forming a patchwork design alone is adorable, but paired with the intricate doily-esque top to each square? Pure perfection. I cannot get enough!
And that’s it for today’s roundup of free crochet cardigan patterns! No matter your style, taste, or skill level, there’s a beautiful cardigan out there for everybody just waiting to be crocheted! I absolutely love each and every one of these patterns, and I wish I could crochet fast enough to make them all right now!
What about you? Which of these crochet cardigan patterns are you most excited to make? Share your plans in the comments below!
And stay cozy,

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Cozy Up With These 13 Stunning Fall Crochet Patterns
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