Are you looking for free knitting patterns for beginners that uses The Petite Wool from We Are Knitters?! Then, this chunky, size-inclusive cardigan is the project for you! What more could you ask for?
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Before we begin, here are some quick links for you:
- If you want an ad-free PDF of this pattern, then you can find it on Ravelry and Etsy – keep reading for more information about the design process!
- Add your finished project and view other completed projects on Ravelry here.
- Use the pattern hashtag #SpringBloomsCardigan on Instagram to show off your makes!
- Shop We Are Knitters The Petite Wool here! (Use my code MGMK4PC2P for $12 off your purchase of We Are Knitters yarn!)
- Shop KnitPicks Interchangeable Needle Set here!
- If you have any pattern questions, then please email herrstitches@gmail.com.
- Do you want another easy knit sweater pattern for beginners? Check out my other knit patterns here.
- Good news! This is the beginning of my series of free knitting patterns for beginners! Therefore, more will be added to the blog throughout the year.
Design Inspiration
I am walking through a verdant forest teeming with life. Everything around me – from the slick grass to the canopy of leaves overhead – is deeply, thoroughly green. It is the first week of spring, and the plants and the trees are in their full majesty. From high branches, birds cheep merrily, heralding the change of the seasons. I am at Longwood Gardens, a thousand-acre botanical garden open since 1921.
Beyond being my favorite place to go see nature emerge from its winter slumber, Longwood Gardens and its fabulous plants have inspired this Spring Blooms cardigan. It is an easy pattern with a finished product that looks expert-made. The best part is that it’s one of the many amazing free knitting patterns for beginners available online too! The colors I used in this garment – dark green yarn and tortoiseshell buttons – are deep earth tones, meant to convey the beauty of nature as it blooms anew in the springtime.
Early spring is often still chilly, and the Spring Blooms cardigan is plush and thick to keep you cozy on a dewy March morning. It pairs effortlessly with jeans and some seasonal boots. Make it your own by choosing a yarn color based on your favorite spring flower!
We Are Knitters Yarn
It was my first time using this particular yarn, a bulky yarn called The Petite Wool by We Are Knitters, and I was surprised by how quickly it works up. Intriguingly, the yarn creates a fuzzy halo and becomes silky smooth after blocking.
Needles
The needles I selected for this project were KnitPicks 8mm Needles. They are interchangeable needles that allow for switching out cables of different lengths. The yarn glides across them and does not snag.
Materials
- 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) (6, 7, 8, 8) balls of We Are Knitters 100% Petite Wool in Forest Green for sizes XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) or 485 (550, 620, 710, 790) (885, 985, 1080, 1160) yards of a similar Super Bulky (5-6wpi) yarn that matches gauge (Note – on the We Are Knitters website, The Petite Wool is categorized as Worsted/Aran, but in reality it is closer to being Super Bulky)
- Scissors
- Stitch Markers
- Tapestry Needle
- Tape Measure
- Circular knitting needle size 11 (8 mm), at least 40 in. [101.5 cm] long
Sizes
SIZES: XS (S, M, L, 1XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL) to fit bust measurement of: 28-30 (32-34, 36-38, 40-42, 44-46) (48-50, 52-54, 56-58, 60-62) in.
Actual measurement of finished garment at bust: 32 (36, 40, 44, 48) (52, 56, 60, 64) in. [81.5 (91.5, 101.5, 112, 122) (132, 142, 152.5, 162.5) cm]
Pattern is written for 9 sizes. It is recommended you go through the pattern and highlight all numbers pertaining to your size before starting. Where no size is indicated, instructions pertain to all sizes.
Fit: Classic with some positive ease of about 2-4”
Abbreviations (US Terminology)
- beg = begin(ning)(s)
- k = knit
- k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
- p = purl
- rem = remain(ing)
- rep = repeat
- rnd(s) = round(s)
- RS = right side
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- WS = wrong side
Pattern Notes
- Cardigan is worked from lower edge upwards
- Piece is divided at underarms, then front and back panels are worked separately up to shoulders
- Sleeves are worked from stitches picked up along armhole, then sleeves are worked in the round.
- A circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches. Thus, you’ll work back and forth in rows on the circular needle as if working with straight needles.
- This is the beginning of my series of free knitting patterns for beginners
Gauge
11 sts + 20 rows = about 4 in. [10 cm] in pattern sequence on size US Size 11 (8mm) needles
BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.
- Pattern Sequence
- Row 1: k
- Row 2: p
- Row 3: k
- Row 4 (Ridge Row): k
- Rep Rows 1-4 until you reach desired length.
Free Knitting Patterns for Beginners? See pattern below!
Body
Cast on 88 (99, 110, 121, 132) (143, 154, 165, 176) sts. Then you’ll work back and forth in rows.
- Rows 1-10: k
- Row 11 (RS): k
- Row 12 (WS): k5, p78 (89, 100, 111, 122) (133, 144, 155, 175), k5
- Row 13: k
- Row 14 (Ridge Row): k
Rep Rows 11-14 until piece measures 15 (15, 15, 15.5, 15.5) (15.5, 16, 16, 16) inches [38 (38, 38, 39.5, 39.5) (39.5, 40.5, 40.5, 40.5) cm] or the length desired before division for armholes, ending on a Ridge Row.
Divide for Armholes
Dividing Row (RS): k 22 (25, 27, 30, 33) (36, 38, 41, 44) and place these sts on a holder for right front, k until there are 44 (49, 56, 61, 66) (71, 78, 83, 88) sts on right needle for back and place these sts on a holder, k across row – 22 (25, 27, 30, 33) (36, 38, 41, 44) rem on needle for left front.
First Front
Note – make note of your row count so that you can complete the same number of rows for the other panels.
- Row 1 (WS): k5, p 17 (20, 22, 25, 28) (31, 33, 36, 39)
- Row 2 (RS): k
- Row 3 (Ridge Row): k
- Row 4: k
- Row 5: k5, p 17 (20, 22, 25, 28) (31, 33, 36, 39)
- Row 6: k
- Row 7 (Ridge Row): k
Rep Rows 4 to 7, ending on a Ridge Row, until left panel after dividing row measures 2 (2.5, 3, 3.5, 4) (4.5, 5, 5.5, 6) inches. [5 (6.5, 7.5, 9, 10) (11.5, 12.5, 14, 15) cm.]
- Next Row (Decrease Row 1): k across the row until 7 stitches remain, k2tog, k5 – 21 (24, 26, 29, 32) (35, 37, 40, 43) sts
- Next Row: k5, p
- Next Row (Decrease Row 2): k across the row until 7 stitches remain, k2tog, k5 – 20 (23, 25, 28, 31) (34, 36, 39, 42) sts
- Next Row (Ridge Row): k
Repeat previous 4 rows 3 more times – 14 (17, 19, 22, 25) (28, 30, 33, 36) sts.
- Next Row (Decrease Row 1): k across the row until 7 stitches remain, k2tog, k5 – 13 (16, 18, 21, 24) (27, 29, 32, 35) sts
- Next Row: k5, p
- Next Row (Decrease Row 2): k across the row until 7 stitches remain, k2tog, k5 – 12 (15, 17, 20, 23) (26, 28, 31, 34) sts.
Place rem sts on a holder.
Back
- Row 1 (WS): p
- Row 2 (RS): k
- Row 3 (Ridge Row): k
- Row 4: k
- Row 5: p
- Row 6: k
- Row 7 (Ridge Row): k
Rep Rows 4-7 until the back panel after dividing for the armholes measures 6 (6.5, 7, 7.5, 8) (8.5, 9, 9.5, 10) inches [15 (16.5, 18, 19, 20.5) (21.5, 23, 24, 25.5) cm]
Note – you will complete the same number of rows as you completed for the first front section above.
Place rem sts on a holder.
Second Front
Note – you will complete the same number of rows as you completed for the first front section above.
- Row 1 (WS): p17 (20, 22, 25, 28) (31, 33, 36, 39), k5
- Row 2 (RS): k
- Row 3 (Ridge Row): k
- Row 4: k
- Row 5: p17 (20, 22, 25, 28) (31, 33, 36, 39), k5
- Row 6: k
- Row 7 (Ridge Row): k
Rep Rows 4 to 7, ending on a Ridge Row, until left panel after dividing row measures 2 (2.5, 3, 3.5, 4) (4.5, 5, 5.5, 6) inches. [5 (6.5, 7.5, 9, 10) (11.5, 12.5, 14, 15) cm.]
- Next Row (Decrease Row 1): k5, k2tog, k across the row – 21 (24, 26, 29, 32) (35, 37, 40, 43) sts
- Next Row: p until 5 stitches rem, k5
- Next Row (Decrease Row 2): k5, k2tog, k across the row – 20 (23, 25, 28, 31) (34, 36, 39, 42) sts
- Next Row (Ridge Row): k
Repeat previous 4 rows 3 more times – 14 (17, 19, 22, 25) (28, 30, 33, 36) sts.
- Next Row (Decrease Row 1): k5, k2tog, k across the row – 13 (16, 18, 21, 24) (27, 29, 32, 35) sts
- Next Row: p until 5 stitches rem, k5
- Next Row (Decrease Row 2): k5, k2tog, k across the row – 12 (15, 17, 20, 23) (26, 28, 31, 34) sts.
Place rem sts on a holder.
Then proceed to Joining Shoulders.
Joining Shoulders
Join Shoulders with 3-Needle Bind-off.
Return back second shoulder sts to one end of longer needle and front left shoulder sts to other end of needle. With RS of shoulders together, hold both ends of needle in one hand. With 3rd needle, knit tog 1 st from each needle, *knit tog 1 st from each needle, pass first st worked over 2nd to bind off; rep from * across. Cut the yarn and pull through last st to secure.
Rep to join other shoulder.
Then, for the stitches leftover on the needles (the stitches at the top of the back panel), bind off.
Sleeve
With circular needle, beg at underarm and pick up 33 (36, 39, 41, 44) (47, 50, 53, 55) sts evenly spaced around armhole. Then, place marker for beg of rnd. Join by working the first st on left hand needle with the working yarn from the right-hand needle.
- Rnd 1: k – 33 (36, 39, 41, 44) (47, 50, 53, 55) sts
- Rnd 2 (Decrease Rnd): *k 9 (7, 5, 8, 9) (21, 23, 29, 25), k2tog, rep from * 2 (3, 4, 3, 3) (1, 1, 0, 1) more times, k 0 (0, 4, 1, 0) (1, 0, 22, 1) remaining sts – 30 (32, 34, 37, 40) (45, 48, 52, 53) sts
- Rnd 3: k
- Rnd 4 (Ridge Rnd): p
- Rnd 5: k
- Rnd 6 (Decrease Rnd): *k 8 (6, 6, 7, 11) (20, 23, 24, 24), k2tog, rep from * 2 (3, 3, 3, 2) (1, 0, 0, 1) more times, k 0 (0, 2, 1, 1) (1, 23, 26, 27) remaining sts – 27 (28, 30, 33, 37) (43, 47, 51, 51) sts
- Rnd 7: k
- Rnd 8 (Ridge Rnd): p
- Rnd 9: k
- Rnd 10: k
- Rnd 11: k
- Rnd 12 (Ridge Rnd): p
- Next Rnds: Rep Rnds 9 to 12 until sleeve measures about 6 (6.5, 6.5, 7, 7) (7.5, 7.5, 8, 8) in. [15 (16.5, 16.5, 18, 18) (19, 19, 20.5, 20.5) cm.] ending on a Ridge Rnd.
- Next Rnd: k
- Next Rnd (Decrease Rnd): *k 4 (5, 5, 6, 7) (6, 9, 10, 10), k2tog, rep from * 3 (3, 3, 3, 3) (4, 3, 3, 3) more times, k 3 (0, 2, 1, 1) (3, 3, 3, 3) remaining sts – 23 (24, 26, 29, 33) (38, 43, 47, 47) sts
- Next Rnd: k
- Next Rnd (Ridge Rnd): p
- Next Rnd: k
- Next Rnd (Decrease Rnd): *k 3 (6, 4, 5, 6) (7, 8, 9, 9), k2tog, rep from * 3 (2, 3, 3, 3) (3, 3, 3, 3) more times, k 3 (0, 2, 1, 1) (2, 3, 3, 3) remaining sts – 19 (21, 22, 25, 29) (34, 39, 43, 43) sts
- Next Rnd: k
- Next Rnd (Ridge Rnd): p
- Next Rnds: Rep Rnds 9 to 12 until total sleeve measures about 15.5 (16, 16, 16.5, 16.5) (17, 17, 17.5, 17.5) in. [39.5 (40.5, 40.5, 42, 42) (43, 43, 44.5, 44.5) cm.] or until you reach desired sleeve length.
Bind off.
Rep Sleeve section around other armhole for second sleeve.
Weave in ends.
Decorative Buttons (Optional)
Sew buttons evenly spaced along left front edging.
Weave in ends.
xo,
Jessica
P.S. I absolutely LOVE seeing your makes! If you make any Herr Stitches patterns, then tag me and then I’ll share them!
P.P.S. If you love this and want more free knitting patterns for beginners, then don’t forget to Pin this to save for later!
