My free and easy One Love Cropped Cardigan Knitting Pattern will show you how to knit a short, boxy cardigan for women sized XS to XL using simple instructions and DK weight yarn.
Table of Contents
The One Love Cardigan Knitting Pattern
About The Cropped Cardigan Knitting Pattern
Sweet and simple, that’s how I like to roll, and this classic little cropped cardigan knitting pattern will not disappoint.
Designed to be easy and modern, this comfy short cardi features a gentle striped texture with eyelets and a subtle ribbed effect throughout for just a touch of interest.
Rendered in a stunning shade of pink using DK weight yarn, its flattering boxy-style body and shaped sleeves offer an effortless fit for everyday wear.
The knitting pattern is completely free and available in 5 sizes, including XS, S, M, L, and XL (designed to fit women’s chest sizes 32″, 34″, 36″, 38″, and 40″ with 1/2″ of positive ease and a 3″ drop shoulder).
You can find even more of my cardigan patterns here.
How To Knit a Modern Cropped Cardigan For Ladies
Learning how to knit a stylish cardigan for ladies is straight to the point with this user-friendly pattern.
Perfect to pair with skirts, dresses, and high-waisted pants or trousers, this cropped cardigan knitting pattern uses 924 to 1386 yards of DK weight yarn depending on your chosen size.
Whether you are crafting a size XS or an XL, the simple construction makes it an ideal project for anyone wanting a quick, modern cardigan to add to their wardrobe.
Free Knitting Pattern: One Love Cardigan
Pattern Information:
Notes:
Sweet and simple, that’s how I like to roll! This classic little cropped cardigan will not disappoint. Easy to throw on with your skirts, dresses and high-waisted pants + trousers and so easy to knit. Gentle texture and eyelets have been added throughout this design for just a touch of interest. The boxy-style body and shaped sleeves look flattering on everyone!!
Sized to fit women: 32 (34, 36, 38, 40)” chest. 1/2” positive ease.
Shoulder drop: 3”
Finished Measurements: (blocked)
Chest at underarm: 32.5 (34.5, 36.5, 38.5, 40.5)”
Sizes: XS (S, M, L, XL)
Length (measured from base of neck to natural waistline): 19.25 (19.5, 19.5, 20, 20.5)”
Upper arm: 12.5 (13, 13.5, 14, 14.5)”
Sleeve length: 19.5 (19.5, 19.5, 20, 20)”
Materials Needed:
Yarn:
4 (4, 5, 5, 6) skeins of “The Autumn Acorn” DK wt yarn in color, “Strawberry Wine.” Each skein has 100 g/200 m/231 yds and is 85% SW Merino wool + 15% Donegal nep.
*You can substitute this yarn for approximately 924 (924, 1,155, 1,155, 1,386) yds of any DK wt yarn.
Needles:
US size 4/3.5 mm dpns (You can use circular needles in place of the dpns to knit the magic loop method).
US size 5/3.75 mm dpns (You can use circular needles in place of the dpns to knit the magic loop method).
US size 5/3.75 mm (24”/60 cm) circular needles
Notions:
1 st marker
Yarn needle
Gauge:
20 sts + 30 rows = 4”/10 cm, BLOCKED, with larger needle in stockinette st.
Abbreviations:
beg: beginning
BO: bind off
cm: centimeter
CO: cast on
dec: decrease
dpns: double pointed needles
g: grams
inc: increase
k: knit
K1P1: knit 1, purl 1
k2tog: knit 2 sts together as one
m: meter(s)
kfb: knit in front + back of st
oz: ounce(s)
p: purl
pm: place marker
rem: remaining
rep: repeat
rnd: round
RS: right side
ssk: (slip, slip, knit) slip 2 sts knitwise individually, knit these 2
slipped sts together
st(s): stitch(es)
WS: wrong side
wt: weight
yds: yards
YO: yarn over
Copyright Notice:
Feel free to sell your finished shawls made from this pattern, however, please do not copy, alter, or sell the pattern itself. For each of your listings, you must include the following: “Pattern provided by Judy Jewell of The Autumn Acorn at http://www.theautumnacorn.etsy.com“.
Want to Upgrade?
You can also purchase a PDF version of the One Love Cardigan Knitting Pattern.
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You can also purchase this pattern from The Autumn Acorn, Etsy or Ravelry stores.
Let’s Begin The Free Cardigan Knitting Pattern
Back Panel:
Beginning at bottom with smaller needles, CO 82 (92, 102, 112, 122) sts.
Work 6 rows in garter st. (k every row)
Rows 1-15: Using larger needles, work 15 rows of stockinette st. (k the RS rows + p the WS rows) End by working a RS row.
Row 16: (WS) K 1 row. (by knitting a row on the WS, you’ll create a decorative ridge every 16th row).
Repeat Rows 1-16 until back panel measures 19.25 (19.5, 19.5, 20, 20.5)”. See note below.
Note: On your last pattern repeat, k 12 (12, 12, 14, 14) rows of stockinette st, then BO loosely using your favorite method.
Right Front Panel:
Beginning at bottom with smaller needles, CO 38 (42, 48, 52, 58) sts.
Work 6 rows in garter st.
Rows 1-15: Using larger needles, work 15 rows of stockinette st. End by working a RS row.
Row 16: Next Row: (WS) *K2tog, YO, rep from * 5 times, (or until there are 4 eyelets) k to end.
Repeat Rows 1-16 until rt front panel measures 19.25 (19.5, 19.5, 20, 20.5)” (or measures same length as back panel).
NOTE: On your last pattern repeat, k 12 rows of stockinette st, then BO loosely using your favorite BO method.
Left Front Panel:
Beginning at bottom with smaller needles, CO 38 (42, 48, 52, 58) sts.
Work 6 rows in garter st.
Rows 1-15: Using larger needles, work 15 rows of stockinette st. End by working a RS row.
Row 16: Next Row: (WS) K until 10 sts rem, K2tog, YO; rep from * to end of row.
Repeat Rows 1-16 until lt front panel measures 19.25 (19.5, 19.5, 20, 20.5)” (or measures same length as back panel).
NOTE: On your last pattern repeat, k 12 rows of stock st, then BO loosely using your favorite method.
Seaming:
After soaking + blocking your back + side panel pieces, use a yarn needle with a length of matching yarn.
Use the mattress st to seam up the sides while leaving a 2.5” opening/slit at each side (of bottom hem) AND leave a 7 (7.5, 7.5, 8, 8.5)” opening for sleeve armholes.
Seam up both shoulders.
Weave in loose ends.
Sleeves: (make 2)
Using larger needles, attach yarn at underarm area, place marker, join to k in the round and pick up and k 38 (40, 41, 43, 45) sts on each side of sleeve for a total of 76 (80, 82, 86, 90) sts.
K 5 rnds even.
Dec rnd: k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. (2 sts dec’d)
Rep last 6 rnds 15 (16, 16, 17, 17) times more. 46 (48, 50, 52, 56) sts rem.
K 10 rnds even.
Cuff:
Using smaller needle, k1, p1; rep in the rnd until sleeve + cuff measure 19.5 (19.5, 19.5, 20, 20)” (or your preferred length).
BO using Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy BO or your favorite stretchy BO method.
Blocking:
Soak entire cardigan, reshape and lay flat to dry.
Weave in all ends.
Need Some Help?
If you have any questions at all about this pattern please reach out, I’ll be happy to help.
