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The Easy Street Cardigan is perfect for a beginner knitter, with a full video tutorial and picture aids. It is worked top down with no seaming, so you can try it on as you go to check the fit and length. With its classic fit, the Easy Street Cardigan will become a staple in your wardrobe you’ll reach for each season.
Easy Street Cardigan
Pattern Overview:
- Craft: Knit
- Skill Level: Level 2 - Easy
- Yarn: Weight 4
- Needles: US 8/5.0 mm & US 7/4.5 mm knitting needles
- Gauge: 18 sts + 27 rnds = 4″
- Sizes: 9 sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X)
- Video Tutorial: Yes - watch on YouTube
- Downloadable PDF Available
If you have been looking for a free knit cardigan pattern that is easy enough for beginners but stylish enough to actually wear, the Easy Street Cardigan is it.
This seamless, top-down knitting pattern works up into a warm, cozy cardigan you will reach for all season long.
DESCRIPTION
The Easy Street Cardigan is a great choice if you are newer to knitting and have been wanting to try to make a knit cardigan. With a full video tutorial, you can easily pause, rewind, and slow it down, so you can confidently make this hand knit garment.
It is worked top down with no seaming, so you can try it on as you go and check the fit and length along the way.
It begins by working flat in rows using knit and purl stitches to shape the back neck and yoke of the cardigan.
Raglan increases are made around the piece for the increases.
The sleeve stitches are placed on hold, and the Main Body is worked down to the hem.
The sleeve stitches are put back onto the needles and worked in the round using the Magic Loop Method, but double pointed needles can be used instead if that’s what you prefer.
A 1×1 ribbing is used for the cuff as well as the hem, button band, and collar.
The Left Button Band is worked evenly and the Right Button Band has 4 buttonholes worked into it.
The collar stitches are picked up and worked evenly around.
What makes the Easy Street Cardigan special?
The Easy Street Cardigan is part of the Easy Street Collection, designed with a flattering not-too-wide collar and a silhouette that works for everybody.
Because it is worked top down, you can try it on as you go to ensure the perfect fit before you ever bind off.
No seams, no guesswork. Just a polished, wearable result.
You can check out the other Easy Street free knit patterns HERE.
YARN
The yarn used for the Easy Street Cardigan is Lion Brand Yarn classic- Wool-Ease yarn.
Lion Brand Yarn Wool-Ease is a worsted weight yarn made up of 80% acrylic and 20% wool, making it a great choice for warm, cozy garments.
Each skein contains 197 yards/180 meters and weighs 3 oz/85 grams.
There are 30 colors available in this line, ranging from solids and heathers to multis and metallics.
Best part about Wool-Ease is the durability and ease of caring for it.
Wool-Ease yarn is machine washable and machine dryable.
If you want to stay up to date on yarn sales and when to get a good price, join my newsletter where I’ll clue you in on when there is a good sale. I love a good sale, so I want gate keep. But I also won’t spam you.
DIFFICULTY
The Easy Street Cardigan is considered a Level 2 – Easy pattern.
This pattern uses knit, purl, and stockinette stitch for the pattern, so simple stitches are used.
There are two basic decreases used: knit 2 together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk).
If there are any parts you are unsure of, there is a full video tutorial included. You can view that HERE.
FAQ
Is this pattern good for beginners?
Yes, this beginner knit cardigan pattern is good for beginners.
Can I use a different yarn?
Yes, but the gauge of the tank may be affected, so do a gauge swatch so you can meet gauge.
My favorite website to use to find good yarn substations is https://yarnsub.com/
What if my gauge is off?
Too many stitches in a 4″x4″ swatch?
→ The fabric is too tight, so you need to go up a needle size.
Too few stitches in a 4″ x 4″ swatch?
→ The fabric is too loose, so you need to go down a needle size.
Can I sell items from this knit pattern?
Yes.
MATERIALS
- Lion Brand Yarn Wool-Ease, weight 4, 100% acrylic, 197 yds/180 m, 3 oz/85 g
- 838 (904, 975, 1072, 1158, 1254, 1348, 1441, 1523) yds/766 (827, 892, 980, 1059, 1147, 1233, 1318, 1393) m, 5 (5, 6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8) balls – “Koi” (620-033A)
- US 8/5.0 mm knitting needles, 32”/80 cm circular
- US 7/4.5 mm knitting needles, 32”/80 cm circular
- Stitch Holders or Waste Yarn
- Stitch Markers
- Tape Measure
- Scissors
- Tapestry Needle
- 9” (23 mm) Buttons x 5
- Sewing Needle
- Thread
GAUGE
Stockinette Gauge (when blocked)
18 sts x 27 rows = 4”/10 cm with US 8/5.0 mm needles
Ribbing Gauge (when blocked)
19 sts x 28 rows = 4”/10 cm with US 7/4.5 mm needles
SIZE
9 sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X)
TERMINOLOGY
BO – bind off
CO – cast on
k – knit
kfb – knit front and back
k2tog – knit 2 together
p – purl
pm – place marker
p2tog – purl 2 together
pu – pick up
rep – repeat
rnd(s) – round(s)
RS – right side
ssk – slip, slip, knit
st(s) – stitch(es)
WS – wrong side
yo – yarn over
NOTES
- Pattern is written for 9 sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X). Highlight your size throughout the pattern for ease of reading.
- When reading pattern, if a size is marked by “-”, that means do not do the instruction for your size.
- Model is 5’7”/170 cm & is wearing size Medium with a 38”/96.5 cm bust & 2″ (5 cm) of positive ease.
- Left Button Band and Right Button Band refers to when the cardigan is worn.
- Cardigan is worked top down starting with the back neck, yoke, splitting for sleeves and putting sleeve sts on hold, working the main body, and the hem. Sleeves are picked back up and worked in the round. The button bands and collar are added at the end.
- Place sts on waste yarn or stitch holder to try on cardigan as you go to check fit and length.
- Raglan line is marked and an increase is worked on each side of the stitch marker.
- Sleeves can be worked in your preferred small circumference method. This pattern calls for magic loop, but double pointed needles work as well.
- Sleeves are worked in stockinette. Decreases are evenly spaced in the arm for 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X. Decreases are worked at the cuff for all sizes.
- The neckline is picked up and worked in a 1 x 1 rib. The cuff of the sleeves, hem of the cardigan, and button bands are also worked in 1 x 1 rib.
- 4 buttons are placed in the Button Band and the last button is placed in the collar.
SPECIAL STITCHES
Knit Front and Back (kfb) –
Knit into the front of stitch like normal, but do not slide stitch off needle. Knit the same stitch through the back loop. One stitch increased.
Backwards Loop Method CO –
Holding yarn in left hand, pass the working yarn around your thumb from back to front, slip the needle under the loop around your thumb, and pull thumb out. One stitch increased.
Decrease Sts:
Knit 2 Together (k2tog) –
- Insert right needle into 2 sts knitwise
- Knit them together
Slip, Slip, Knit (ssk) –
- Slip 1 st knitwise, slip the next st knitwise
- Insert left needle into fronts of those two sts
- Knit them together through the back loops
SKILL LEVEL
Level 2 – Easy
AD-FREE PREMIUM PDF
Check out my shops if you want to get the concise, ad-free, printable pattern. I have three different shops you can purchase it from or you can purchase the Lion Brand Yarn kit that includes all the yarn needed + the free pattern.
Best part about Lion Brand Yarn kits is that you do not have to choose the colors I used for the design.
You can customize the yarn colors to what you like best!
FREE KNIT CARDIGAN PATTERN
Using US 8/5.0 mm needles and the Long Tail Cast On, CO 68 (66, 64, 64, 62, 70, 68, 62, 66), do not join.
Row 1 (RS): kfb, pm, kfb, k 16 (13, 10, 8, 6, 9, 7, 4, 4), kfb, pm, kfb, k 28 (32, 36, 40, 42, 44, 46, 46, 50), kfb, pm, kfb, k 16 (13, 10, 8, 6, 9, 7, 4, 4) kfb, pm, kfb [8 increases; 76 (74, 72, 72, 70, 78, 76, 70, 74) sts]
Row 2 (WS): p
Row 3: kfb, *k to 1 st before next marker, kfb, sm, kfb, rep from * 3 more times, k to last st, kfb [10 increases; 86 (84, 82, 82, 80, 88, 86, 80, 84) sts]
Row 4: p
Rep Rows 3 & 4 for 16 (20, 22, 26, 28, 28, 30, 32, 36) more rows [166 (184, 192, 212, 220, 228, 236, 240, 264) sts]
Divided Raglan Sections:
20 (24, 26, 30, 32, 32, 34, 36, 40) sts (left front), 38 (39, 38, 40, 40, 43, 43, 42, 46) sts (left sleeve), 50 (58, 64, 72, 76, 78, 82, 84, 92) sts (back), 38 (39, 38, 40, 40, 43, 43, 42, 46) sts (right sleeve), 20 (24, 26, 30, 32, 32, 34, 36, 40) sts (right front)
Yoke
Using the Backwards Loop Method, CO 2 (2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 3, 3) sts[168 (186, 195, 215, 223, 232, 240, 243, 267) sts].
Row 1 (RS): *k to 1 st before the next marker, kfb, sm, kfb, rep from * 3 more times, k to end, using the Backwards Loop Method, CO 2 (2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 3, 3) sts [178 (196, 206, 226, 234, 244, 252, 254, 278) sts]
Place st markers on the Backwards Loop CO sts on both the right and the left.
Row 2: p
Row 3: *k to 1 st before the next marker, kfb, sm, kfb, rep from * 3 more times, k to end [8 increases; 186 (204, 214, 234, 242, 252, 260, 262, 286) sts]
Row 4: p
Rep Rows 3 & 4 for a total of 10 (10, 11, 11, 12, 12, 14, 15, 15) times [258 (276, 294, 314, 330, 340, 364, 374, 398) sts]
Divided Raglan Sections:
33 (37, 41, 45, 48, 49, 53, 55, 59) sts (left front), 60 (61, 62, 64, 66, 69, 73, 74, 78) sts (left sleeve), 72 (80, 88, 96, 102, 104, 112, 116, 124) sts (back), 60 (61, 62, 64, 66, 69, 73, 74, 78) sts (right sleeve), 33 (37, 41, 45, 48, 49, 53, 55, 59) sts (right fron
Main Body
You will now split the Main Body from the sleeves,
Row 1 (RS): *k to next marker, remove marker, put sleeve sts on hold, remove marker, CO 2 (2, 2, 4, 7, 13, 15, 19, 20) sts using the Backward Loop Method, rep from * once more, k to end [142 (158, 174, 194, 212, 228, 248, 264, 282) sts]
Row 2: p
Row 3: k
Rep Row 2-3 ending on a WS row until your work measures 20.5 inches /51.5 cm from back neck CO.
Hem
Using US 7/4.5 mm needles,
Row 1 (RS): *k1, p1, rep from *
Row 2-6: *k1, p1, rep from *
BO in pattern.
More free easy knit patterns:
Sleeves
Using longer US 8/5.0 mm needles, slip 1 set of sleeve sts onto needles.
Using the magic loop method and starting at underarm, pu 2 (2, 2, 4, 7, 13, 15, 19, 20) sts, pm after 1 (1, 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10, 10) picked up st(s) [62 (63, 64, 68, 73, 82, 88, 93, 98) sts]. You will be doing a decrease on either side of the underarm sts to minimize gapping,
Rnd 1 (RS): k to 2 (2, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 11, 11) sts before marker, k2tog, k to end [61 (62, 63, 67, 72, 81, 87, 92, 97) sts]
Rnd 2: k 0 (0, 0, 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9), ssk, k to end [60 (61, 62, 66, 71, 80, 86, 91, 96) sts]
Rnd 3: k around
For Sizes 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X:
You will be evenly spacing – (-. -, -, -, 8, 8, 12, 12) decreases in the length of the arm or 17 inches/42.5 cm.
Rnd 4: k2tog, k around [- (-, -, -, -, 79, 85, 90, 95) sts]
Rnd 5- – (-. -, -, -, 17, 17, 13, 13): k around
Rep previous 2 instructions – (-, -, -, -, 8, 8, 12, 12) times total ending with [- (-, -, -, -, 72, 78, 79, 84) sts] and 17.5 inches/44 cm from underarm.
For Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL:
Rep Rnd 3 until your work measures 17.5 inches/44 cm from underarm.
Cuff
For Size XS:
Rnd 1: *k2tog, k1, rep from * 20 times total (40 sts)
For Size S:
Rnd 1: k1, *k2tog, k2, rep from * 2 times, **k2tog, k1, rep from ** 14 times total, ***k2tog, k2, rep from *** 2 times, k2tog (42 sts)
For Size M:
Rnd 1: k2tog, k1, *k2tog, k2, k2tog, k1, rep from * 8 times total, k2tog, k1 (44 sts)
For Size L:
Rnd 1: *k2tog, k1, **k2tog, k2, rep from ** 2 times total, rep from * 6 times total (48 sts)
For Size XL:
Rnd 1: k2tog, k2, *k2tog, k2, **k2tog, k1, rep from ** 2 times total, rep from * 6 times total, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k2 (50 sts)
For Size 2X:
Rnd 1: k2tog, k4, *k2tog, k1, rep from * 20 times total, k2tog, k4 (50 sts)
For Size 3X:
Rnd 1: k3, *k2tog, k1, rep from * 24 times, k3 (54 sts)
For Size 4X:
Rnd 1: k2tog, *k2tog, k2, rep from * 18 times total, k2tog, k2tog, k1 (58 sts)
For Size 5X:
Rnd 1: k3, *k2tog, k1, rep from * 26 times total, k3 (58 sts)
All Sizes:
Using US 7/4.5 mm needles,
Rnds 2-7: *k1, p1, rep from * to end
BO in pattern.
Rep Sleeve and Cuff section on second sleeve.
Left Button Band
Using size 7/4.5 mm needles
With RS facing on right front, beginning at top corner, pick up a total of 92 (86, 84, 82, 80, 80, 78, 76, 74) sts along edge. Pick up about 3 sts for every 4 in the hem and front to the beginning of the Yoke section marked by a st marker.
Rows 1-6: *k1, p1, rep from *
BO as st presents.
Right Button Band
Using size 7/4.5 mm needles,
With RS facing on left front, beginning at the bottom hem, pick up a total of 92 (86, 84, 82, 80, 80, 78, 76, 74) sts. Pick up about 3 sts for every 4 in the hem and collar and front to the beginning of the Yoke section. Mark 4 button holes evenly spaced taking note that there will be an additional button at the top of the collar (see schematic), the last button should be centered on the bottom hem.
Rows 1-3: *k1, p1, rep from *
Row 4 (buttonhole): *k1, p1, rep from *, when reaching a marked button st, yo, k2tog, p1, rep to end
Rows 5-6: *k1, p1, rep from *
BO as st presents.
Collar
Using size 7/4.5 mm needles,
Starting at the Front Right, pick up 4 sts along the Right Button Band, 10 (12, 13, 15, 16, 16, 17, 18, 20) sts along the slanting front sts, about 2 out of every 3 along the straight side edges 12 (10, 8, 7, 5, 7, 6, 4, 4) sts, 1 st per st along the Back 30 (34, 38, 42, 44, 46, 48, 48, 52), about 2 out of every 3 along the straight side edges 12 (10, 8, 7, 5, 7, 6, 4, 4) sts, 10 (12, 13, 15, 16, 16, 17, 18, 20) sts along the slanting front sts, and 4 sts along the Left Button Band.
Row 1 (RS): *k1, p1, rep from * [82 (86, 88, 94, 94, 100, 102, 100, 108) sts]
Row 2: k1, p1, yo, p2tog, *k1, p1, rep from *
Rows 3-6: rep Row 1
BO in pattern.
Finishing
Using needle and thread, sew corresponding 5 buttons onto Left Button Band.
Weave in all ends.
Block work.
Key Word: easy cardigan
Key Word: Easy Cardigan
And that’s how you make the Easy Street Cardigan!
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Cozy Nooks Designs
Rachel Alford from Cozy Nooks Designs was on the PBS TV show Knit and Crochet Now! season 13. She also designs for Lion Brand Yarn, has been in several crochet/knit magazines, and freelances by filming videos for Annie’s online episodes. Be sure to check out her YouTube Channel for tips, tricks, & tutorials!
