Free knitting patterns for women sweaters and cardigans, in American fashion sizes
and measurements in inches and ounces ( there are 700 patterns on this page ! )
Each pattern in 5 different gauges and each gauge is in 5 sizes;
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If you prefer measurements in cms and grams go to women's knitting patterns in cms  ll kinds of free patterns for women sweaters and cardigans, in many different gauges.
If you aren't an experienced knitter, you can still make a handknitsweater with these free patterns.
With beautiful knittingyarn or a combination of yarns, you can create a great effect.
A skilled knitter can create the most intricate and beautiful patterns using loop and color combinations.
Beautiful knittingyarn calls for knitting a simple stocking stitch, that is all you need.
Try also my knitting stitches or cables to knit pages and
lace women patterns, or cable women patterns for real knitting challenges.
You can knit anything you want, with my basic patterns.
How ? First you knit your knitting swatch, if you want to knit in a fantasy pattern, knit your swatch in this stitch, then determine your gauge, now you can choose a knitting pattern with the right gauge, this way it will always fit, no need for special yarns or needles, so simple.
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The (bare)necessarity of knitting a swatch and obtaining the right gauge;
 r how to get your knitting project comes out perfect.
Most knitters, whether new or experienced, find knitting a swatch and checking gauge to be a nuisance.
After all, they just want to get started - and don't want to waste precious time, resources and (most importantly) yarn. 90% of my visitors never swatch !
Knitting patterns have this information for a reason and most new knitters don't understand its importance.
If you ask, "Does it really matter?" Then you have to read further here.
If you are following a pattern it was sized according to a specific yarn and the designers own knitting style.
You might be a tight knitter - maybe you knit more loosely and this can create a big difference over the thousands of stitches that make up a single sweater.
Gauge is the actual number of stitches and rows in order to achieve a desired width and length of a sweater.
If a pattern says 16 stitches and 22 rows will give you a 4" by 4" square, then that is the gauge.
The only way to figure out this gauge for yourself, according to your knitting habits and the yarn your using, is to knit a tension swatch.
So if you yarn label says 16 st x 22 rows, cast on about 25 stitches and knit about 30 rows, for your swatch.
This can be time consuming, but making the swatch will give you practice with the yarn and if you use a stitch pattern, you get a feeling for the stitches you make. And you learn from your mistakes !
Different brand needles can give you different gauge, because the molds they use to make their needles might be different from another needle makers molds.
Then; Look at your swatch, does it look right ? Does it feel right ?
Are the stitches too big or too small ? Are there big gaps in your work ?
Use larger or smaller needles, change as many times as you need.
Only when you think, this looks and feels nice, then your swatch is ready.
Lay it down for a few days, you can even wash it, check if the yarn is shrinking or not.
Some yarns will shrink more then as indicated on the ball band.
If you knit a stray purl stitches in the swatch you can indicate what size needle was used..
6 purl stitches for the size 6 needle and 5 for the size 5 and so on. (For post-laundry identification).
Or make knots in the yarn thread, hanging from the cast on row, to remember the needle size.
Look at swatching as a necessary step, one that will assure you the right fit and proportion.
So as you slip on that sweater or cardigan for the first time, it feels like it's been made for you.
Happy knitting |
These women knitting patterns are based on standard woman sizes in America.
Take a look at the size data files, on the left side, in the navigation bar.
Then; keep in mind; You don't have a standard size. ! Nobody does ! Adapt your pattern.
The amount of stitches are more important than rows,
because the required length of the garment, are in inches too.
Tip; combine knitting with crochet or embroidery.Check the gauge as you are knitting your garment, you don't always knit with the same tension.
Also check every couple of inches for mistakes.
It is easier to fix them after only a few rows knitted.
Check when you are knitting the length from wrist to armhole and from hem to armhole too.
If the sleeve stitches meet at the underarm, it fits.
If it seems too small, do a few more increase rounds, or keep knitting until desired length.
Too big, then you have to decrease and increase, more rapidly, then usual.
And stop knitting at the desired length. Check a couple of times while you are knitting. |
Patterns for women sweaters and cardigans, in American fashion sizes 40, 42, 44, 46, 48.KNIT YOUR TENSION SWATCH FIRST, IF YOU USE A STITCH PATTERN, KNIT SWATCH IN THIS
PATTERN, THEN CHOOSE YOUR PATTERN WITH THE RIGHT GAUGE |
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SET-IN SHOULDERS:
The default instructions for sweaters are to cast off set-in shoulders in sections over a number of rows (e.g. cast off 9 sts at the beginning of the next 6 rows). However, many knitters find that short-rowing provides a smoother slope on the shoulders. When the short-rowing is completed, the stitches can be either cast off or placed on holders or waste yarn.
Cast off stitches would be sewn together following the standard instructions. Live stitches are more likely to be grafted together for a flatter shoulder seam. |
Tips for regular inch increments
17.7 = 17.75 = 17 3/4 inches. 18,8 = 18.75 = 18 3/4 inches. 9.9 = 10 inches and so on.
Knowing this will make it easy to just round up or down as they are such small increments. |
picture of knitting pattern
click and see what your
pattern will look like |
the numbers;
for instance 8 x 12 =
your gauge |
so you have to knit a
tension swatch first
then choose your pattern
with the right gauge |
 free knitting pattern
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 free knitting pattern
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 free knitting pattern
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sweater set-in shoulders,
round neck crewnecksweater 16 x 22
crewnecksweater 18 x 24
crewnecksweater 20 x 26
crewnecksweater 22 x 29
crewnecksweater 24 x 32 |
sweater set-in shoulders,
round neck, no ribcrewnecksweater 16 x 22
crewnecksweater 18 x 24
crewnecksweater 20 x 26
crewnecksweater 22 x 29
crewnecksweater 24 x 32 |
women's set-in shoulder,
sleeveless sweaterknitting pattern 16 x 22
knitting pattern 18 x 24
knitting pattern 20 x 26
knitting pattern 22 x 29
knitting pattern 24 x 32 |
 free knitting pattern
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 free knitting pattern
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 free knitting pattern
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V neck sweater,
set-in shoulders, no ribvnecksweater 16 x 22
vnecksweater 18 x 24
vnecksweater 20 x 26
vnecksweater 22 x 29
vnecksweater 24 x 32 |
V neck sweater,
set-in shouldersvnecksweater 16 x 22
vnecksweater 18 x 24
vnecksweater 20 x 26
vnecksweater 22 x 29
vnecksweater 24 x 32 |
V neck sweater,
set-in shoulders,
fitted waistvnecksweater 16 x 22
vnecksweater 18 x 24
vnecksweater 20 x 26
vnecksweater 22 x 29
vnecksweater 24 x 32 |
Do you want to knit with a large needle size ?
This will speed up your knitting time, but you have to knit with bulky or worsted yarns.
I find these sweaters always make me look like the Michelin Man, not very flattering. Tip; use two strands of thin yarn held together (= double thread).
For instance; use yarn for needle size 4 mm, and knit on needle size 7 mm, with 2 threads.
This will give your garment light weight and a very delicate look.
One of my latest project is knitted this way, it is the cardigan with the crocheted flowers.
You can’t cast off more than 1 stitch, at the end of the row,
so if the pattern says;
Dec 2 st at each end of every alternate row, it means;
Cast off 2 stitches, knit to end of row ( or round ), turn and cast off 2 stitches, knit to end of row. |
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Learn to do all decreasing and increasing, not in the first or last stitch of a row, but, in the second or third stitches in from the edge. This will give you a smoother edge for finishing. (fashion cast-off) |
 free knitting pattern
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 free knitting pattern
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 free knitting pattern
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sweater drop shoulder,
round scoop neck womensweater 16 x 22
womensweater 18 x 24
womensweater 20 x 26
womensweater 22 x 29
womensweater 24 x 32 |
sweater drop shoulder,
square neck, no ribbingwomensweater 16 x 22
womensweater 18 x 24
womensweater 20 x 26
womensweater 22 x 29
womensweater 24 x 32 |
sweater, drop shoulder, round
neck and simple hoodhooded sweater 16 x 22
hooded sweater 18 x 24
hooded sweater 20 x 26
hooded sweater 22 x 29
hooded sweater 24 x 32 |
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Patterns with no ribbing are great to knit fair-isle or Norwegian patterns with a border.
Ribbing has a strong tendency to contract laterally, forming small pleats in which the purl stitches recede and the knit stitches come forward. Thus, ribbing is often used for cuffs, sweater hems and, more generally, any edge that should be form-fitting. The elasticity depends on the number of knit/purl transitions; 1x1 ribbing is more elastic than 2x2 ribbing,
etc. However, some cable patterns may "pull in" more than ribbing (have a smaller gauge); in such cases, a ribbed border may flare out instead of contracting. |
 free knitting pattern
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 free knitting pattern
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 free knitting pattern
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sweater drop shoulder,
round neck crewnecksweater 16 x 22
crewnecksweater 18 x 24
crewnecksweater 20 x 26
crewnecksweater 22 x 29
crewnecksweater 24 x 32 |
sweater drop shoulder,
round neck + colcrewnecksweater 16 x 22
crewnecksweater 18 x 24
crewnecksweater 20 x 26
crewnecksweater 22 x 29
crewnecksweater 24 x 32 |
sweater drop shoulder,
polo neckwomen sweaters 16 x 22
women sweaters 18 x 24
women sweaters 20 x 26
women sweaters 22 x 29
women sweaters 24 x 32 |
For a V-neck:
Slant the decreases as follows: right side, right slant (k2 tog); left side, left slant (ssk). |
 free knitting pattern
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 free knitting pattern
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 free knitting pattern
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sweater drop shoulder,
V- neck vnecksweater 16 x 22
vnecksweater 18 x 24
vnecksweater 20 x 26
vnecksweater 22 x 29
vnecksweater 24 x 32 |
sweater drop shoulder,
V- neck, shirt collarvnecksweater 16 x 22
vnecksweater 18 x 24
vnecksweater 20 x 26
vnecksweater 22 x 29
vnecksweater 24 x 32 |
sweater drop shoulder,
V- neck, shawl collarvnecksweater 16 x 22
vnecksweater 18 x 24
vnecksweater 20 x 26
vnecksweater 22 x 29
vnecksweater 24 x 32 |
 free knitting pattern
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 free knitting pattern
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 free knitting pattern
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sweater drop shoulder ,
V-neck, hip long,
wide lantern sleevesvnecksweater 16 x 22
vnecksweater 18 x 24
vnecksweater 20 x 26
vnecksweater 22 x 29
vnecksweater 24 x 32 |
overlapped boat-neck,
grafted sleeveswomensweater 16 x 22
womensweater 18 x 24
womensweater 20 x 26
womensweater 22 x 29
womensweater 24 x 32 |
sweater drop (grafted)
shoulder, boatneckwomen sweaters 16 x 22
women sweaters 18 x 24
women sweaters 20 x 26
women sweaters 22 x 29
women sweaters 24 x 32 |
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You can use any
knitting stitch and knit with any knitting yarn you like, if it has a similar gauge.
Needle size is not so important, every knitter knits differently. When you are looking at a pattern,
it is the gauge or tension swatch that really matters. This is the base for all my basic knitting patterns.
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 free knitting pattern
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 free knitting pattern
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sweater raglan sleeve,
round neckwomensweater 16 x 22
womensweater 18 x 24
womensweater 20 x 26
womensweater 22 x 29
womensweater 24 x 32
womensweater 26 x 34 |
sweater, saddle shoulder knitpattern 16 x 22
knitpattern 17 x 24
knitpattern 20 x 26
knitpattern 22 x 29
knitpattern 24 x 32 |
knitted by Claudia |
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Cable patterns tend to "pull in," giving more stitches per width than stockinette, garter or seed stitch.
Cables are usually made on a background of reverse stockinette stitch. You will need a cable needle.
You can use stitch markers to set off the stitches to be cabled. Go to my cable stitches page for patterns.
I have created knitting patterns with gauges for cable sweaters and cable cardigans in 6 sizes.
I think drop shoulders are the best to knit a cable sweater or cardigan.
If you send me your tension swatch, gauge with digital photo, I will create a pattern for you. |
sweater patterns
designed for cables
drop shoulders, round neck |
knitting pattern 19 x 26
knitting pattern 21 x 26
knitting pattern 21 x 30
knitting pattern 23 x 31
knitting pattern 24 x 30
knitting pattern 25 x 35
knitting pattern 26 x 30 |
knitting pattern 27 x 28
knitting pattern 28 x 32
knitting pattern 28 x 34
knitting pattern 30 x 28
knitting pattern 30 x 30
knitting pattern 31 x 32
knitting pattern 32 x 29 |
cardigan patterns
designed for cables
drop shoulders, V neck |
vneck cardigan 19 x 26
vneck cardigan 21 x 26
vneck cardigan 21 x 30
vneck cardigan 23 x 31
vneck cardigan 24 x 30
vneck cardigan 25 x 35
vneck cardigan 26 x 30 |
vneck cardigan 27 x 28
vneck cardigan 28 x 32
vneck cardigan 28 x 34
vneck cardigan 30 x 28
vneck cardigan 30 x 30
vneck cardigan 31 x 32
vneck cardigan 32 x 29 |
Women's cardigan patterns in American sizes 40, 42, 44, 46, 48.KNIT YOUR TENSION SWATCH FIRST, IF YOU USE A STITCH PATTERN, KNIT SWATCH IN THIS
PATTERN, THEN CHOOSE YOUR PATTERN WITH THE RIGHT GAUGE |
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cardigan knitted with luxury yarns |
 free knitting pattern
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 free knitting pattern
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 free knitting pattern
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cardigan set-in shoulders,
V neckwomen's cardigan 16 x 22
women's cardigan 18 x 24
women's cardigan 20 x 26
women's cardigan 22 x 29
women's cardigan 24 x 32 |
cardigan set-in shoulders,
V neck, no ribbingwomen's cardigan 16 x 22
women's cardigan 18 x 24
women's cardigan 20 x 26
women's cardigan 22 x 29
women's cardigan 24 x 32 |
cardigan set-in shoulders,
V neckwomen's cardigan 16 x 22
women's cardigan 18 x 24
women's cardigan 20 x 26
women's cardigan 22 x 29
women's cardigan 24 x 32 |
 free knitting pattern
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 free knitting pattern
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 free knitting pattern
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cardigan set-in shoulders ,
round neck, no ribbing women's cardigan 16 x 22
women's cardigan 18 x 24
women's cardigan 20 x 26
women's cardigan 22 x 29
women's cardigan 24 x 32 |
cardigan set-in shoulders ,
round neckwomen's cardigan 16 x 22
women's cardigan 18 x 24
women's cardigan 20 x 26
women's cardigan 22 x 29
women's cardigan 24 x 32 |
cardigan set-in shoulders ,
round neck, shawl collarwomen's cardigan 16 x 22
women's cardigan 18 x 24
women's cardigan 20 x 26
women's cardigan 22 x 29
women's cardigan 24 x 32 |
 free knitting pattern
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 free knitting pattern
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free knitting pattern
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cardigan drop shoulders,
round neck, no ribbingwomen's cardigan 16 x 22
women's cardigan 18 x 24
women's cardigan 20 x 26
women's cardigan 22 x 29
women's cardigan 24 x 32 |
cardigan drop shoulders,
V neck, no ribbingwomen's cardigan 16 x 22
women's cardigan 18 x 24
women's cardigan 20 x 26
women's cardigan 22 x 29
women's cardigan 24 x 32 |
this is the same pattern,
now for knitting machine;
just to show you, there is
no difference, from all
the other basic patterns.machine knitting 16 x 22
machine knitting 18 x 24 |
 free knitting pattern
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 free knitting pattern
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cardigan drop shoulders,
fitted waist, knee highLong V neck cardigan 16 x 22
Long V neck cardigan 18 x 24
Long V neck cardigan 20 x 26
Long V neck cardigan 22 x 29
Long V neck cardigan 24 x 32 |
cardigan drop shoulders,
double band, thigh lengthwomen's cardigan 16 x 22
women's cardigan 18 x 24
women's cardigan 20 x 26
women's cardigan 22 x 29
women's cardigan 24 x 32 |
I have created a few basic
machine knitting patterns |
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As English is not my native language, please tell me about my mistakes (I'm sure there are some to find ;o) |
circular patterns with round yoke raglan seams  |
