Cardigan Sewing Patterns

Cardigan sewing patterns for the layer you actually reach for: longline, raglan sleeved and shawl collar styles designed to be sewn rather than knitted. They're drafted for jersey, ponte and sweater knits, so they come together quickly on a machine or an overlocker, and most of them have no buttonholes or zips to fit at all. Several include a matching top or tank in the same envelope, so one pattern gives you two pieces.

Jalie - Karine Raglan Cardigan Sewing Pattern

Jalie - Karine Raglan Cardigan Sewing Pattern

Sleeveless button-down shirt with a relaxed fit, collar, and stylish details like bust darts, back yoke, and box pleat.

Regular price £17.00 p/u
Tessuti - Megan Longline Cardigan Pattern (UK XXS-XL)

Tessuti - Megan Longline Cardigan Pattern (UK XXS-XL)

The Megan Longline Cardigan features full-length sleeves, centre front and neckline binding, and flared side seams with an asymmetrical hemline.

(1)

Regular price £17.40 p/u
The Sewing Workshop - Anns Cardigan & Tank Pattern
16% off

The Sewing Workshop - Anns Cardigan & Tank Pattern

Introducing Ann's Cardigan, an open cardigan with flowing cascading panels and a fold-back front band.

Sale price £19.35 p/u Regular price £23.00 p/u
Jalie - Helene Shawl Collar Cardigan Pattern

Jalie - Helene Shawl Collar Cardigan Pattern

This open-front cardigan features a high back neck that adds gentle draping, an effortless pocket design, and a waist seam perfect for colour blocking.

Regular price £17.00 p/u

A sewn cardigan is one of the quickest routes to a garment you'll wear constantly. There's no close fitting to worry about, the seams are usually straight, and because the fabric stretches, small errors in fit disappear. It's also the fastest way to get the exact colour and weight you want, which is more than can be said for the high street.

The patterns here cover the main shapes. Longline cardigans give you a draped, open front that works over almost anything. Raglan sleeved versions are the simplest to sew, with no set-in sleeve head to ease. Shawl collar styles are the dressier option and teach you a proper collar without the fiddle of a tailored one. Several of the patterns include a matching tank or top, so one envelope gives you two pieces.

Choosing a fabric

Cardigan patterns are drafted with a specific amount of stretch in mind, and the pattern page will tell you what it wants. As a general guide:

Ponte and double knit for structure and a cardigan that holds its shape.
Sweater knits and cable knits for something with real winter weight and a hand-knitted look.
French terry and sweatshirting for a casual, everyday layer.
Viscose and modal jersey for a soft, draped longline cardigan.

Our knitted and sweater knit fabric collection covers the heavier options, and jersey fabric covers the lighter ones. Order Sample if you're not sure how much a fabric stretches, because that's the thing that decides whether a pattern works.

Sewing with knits

Use a ballpoint or jersey needle so the point pushes between the fibres rather than cutting them, and either a narrow zigzag or an overlocker for the seams so they can stretch with the fabric. A walking foot helps stop the layers shifting. Stabilise the shoulder seams with clear elastic or a strip of fusible tape, since that's the seam that stretches out over time. Press with steam rather than pressure, and let the piece cool flat before moving it.

Sizing

Each brand drafts to its own chart, so measure your bust and read the chart on the pattern page rather than assuming your usual size. Cardigans are worn with ease, so most patterns are designed to be loose, and the finished garment measurements on the pattern page are the more useful figure to check. The grid above is the definitive list of what's in stock today. For the wider selection, see our sewing patterns.

Is a cardigan sewing pattern suitable for a beginner?

A raglan or drop shoulder cardigan is a good early project, because there's no set-in sleeve, no buttonhole and no zip, and the stretch in the fabric hides small fitting errors. The main new skill is sewing with knits, which needs a ballpoint needle and a stretch stitch rather than anything complicated.

What fabric should I use for a sewn cardigan?

Ponte, double knit, French terry, sweatshirting and sweater knits all work well, with the choice depending on how structured or how draped you want it. Check the stretch percentage the pattern asks for on its own page, as a pattern drafted for a stable knit won't work in a very stretchy jersey.

How much fabric do I need to make a cardigan?

Most cardigan patterns need around 1.5 to 2.5 metres, with longline styles at the upper end. Fabric width makes a real difference, so work from the requirements on the pattern rather than a general figure.

Do you need an overlocker to sew a cardigan?

No. An overlocker is quicker and gives a neater finish, but a narrow zigzag or a stretch stitch on an ordinary sewing machine does the same job. What matters more is using a ballpoint or jersey needle so the fabric doesn't ladder.

What's the difference between a knitted cardigan pattern and a sewing pattern?

A knitting pattern gives you stitch instructions to knit the fabric and the garment at once. A sewing pattern gives you paper pieces to cut from ready-made knit fabric and sew together on a machine. Everything in this collection is a sewing pattern.