Men’s Cardigan Sweater – FREE Knitting Pattern for All Sizes

1 Comment on Men’s Cardigan Sweater – FREE Knitting Pattern for All Sizes
Men's Cardigan Sweater Pattern
Men’s Cardigan Sweater Pattern Ai enhanced image. The original pattern illustration can be found below.

This men’s cardigan sweater knitting pattern is a timeless and versatile design, perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to any wardrobe. Featuring a classic button-front style, ribbed edges, and a comfortable fit, this cardigan is suitable for casual or formal occasions alike. With detailed instructions for both regular and extended sizes, the pattern ensures an inclusive fit, making it an excellent project for creating a custom-made garment.

Designed with practicality and style in mind, this cardigan combines clean lines with thoughtful construction, such as structured shoulders and tailored sleeves. The ribbed cuffs and hem add durability and a polished look, while the buttoned front allows for easy layering. Whether worn over a crisp shirt for a formal look or paired with a t-shirt for a relaxed outfit, this cardigan is a versatile staple for any man’s wardrobe.

This pattern is perfect for intermediate knitters seeking to create a classic piece with a polished finish. The straightforward instructions and timeless design make it a rewarding project for gifting or personal use. With its enduring appeal and practical style, this cardigan sweater will become a cherished addition to any collection, combining both comfort and elegance in a single piece.

This pattern is part of a sweater set. You can find the matching Men’s Sleeveless Sweater pattern here.

Explore the classic Coats and Clark Everyone Wears Sweaters, Book No. 291 (1952). Click to view all the vintage sweater patterns in this timeless collection!

About the Images

To help bring this design to life, we’ve included an AI-generated image of the finished pattern alongside the original vintage illustration. The original image highlights the charm and craftsmanship of the vintage design, while the AI rendering provides a detailed and colorized view of how the completed sweater will look. This combination ensures you have both a historical reference and a modern interpretation to guide you in your crafting journey.

This pattern is transformed, adapted, and expanded from a public domain design originally published in Coats and Clark Everyone Wears Sweaters Book No. 291 (1952). While the original design is in the public domain, the rewritten instructions and supplementary content on this site are © Tiffany Bliss Mullins, 2025. All rights reserved. Have questions about this pattern, public domain, or copyright? Visit the FAQ page for answers and resources.

Pattern Navigation

Back Cover of Coats and Clark 291
Original Back Cover of Coats and Clark 291. This is the only illustration for the Men’s Cardigan Sweater in this book.

Men’s Regular Sizes Pattern: Cardigan Sweater

Sizes (S, M, L, XL):

  • S (Small): Chest 38 inches
  • M (Medium): Chest 40 inches
  • L (Large): Chest 42 inches
  • XL (Extra Large): Chest 44 inches

MATERIALS:

  • Yarn: CHADWICK’S RED HEART SOCK AND SWEATER YARN, 3 Ply, Shrink-and-Stretch Resist Finish, Art. E.255:
  • 10 (11, 12, 13) skeins (1 oz. “Tangle-Proof” Pull-Out Skeins) of No. 405 Oxford.
  • Knitting Pins:
  • No. 1 (2½ mm size)
  • No. 2 (2¾ mm size)
  • Buttons: 7
  • Grosgrain Ribbon: 1 inch wide

GAUGE:

  • Stockinette Stitch: 7½ sts make 1 inch; 10 rows make 1 inch.

BACK

Cast On:

  1. Using No. 1 knitting pins, cast on 126 (134, 142, 150) sts.
  2. Work in ribbing of k2, p2 for 2½ (3, 3½, 3½) inches.
  • Increase evenly across the last row: 14 (16, 16, 18) sts.
  • Total Stitches: 140 (150, 158, 168).

Body Pattern:

  1. Switch to No. 2 knitting pins and work in stockinette stitch until the piece measures 14½ (15, 15½, 16) inches.

Shape Armholes:

  1. Bind off 7 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows.
  2. Decrease 1 st at each end of every other row 5 (6, 7, 7) times.
  • Remaining Stitches: 116 (124, 132, 140).
  1. Work evenly in pattern until the armhole measures 9 (9½, 10, 10½) inches.

Shape Shoulders:

  1. Bind off 12 (13, 14, 15) sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows.
  2. Bind off the remaining 44 (48, 52, 56) sts for the back neck.

LEFT FRONT

Cast On:

  1. Using No. 1 knitting pins, cast on 70 (74, 78, 82) sts.
  2. Work in ribbing (k2, p2) for 2½ (3, 3½, 3½) inches.
  • Increase evenly across the last row: 6 (8, 8, 10) sts.
  • Total Stitches: 76 (82, 86, 92).

Body Pattern:

  1. Switch to No. 2 knitting pins and work in stockinette stitch, maintaining the front band pattern:
  • Front Band: First 10 sts remain in ribbing (k2, p2) throughout.
  • Work in pattern until the piece measures 14½ (15, 15½, 16) inches, ending at the side edge.

Shape Armhole:

  1. Bind off 7 sts at the beginning of the next row.
  2. Decrease 1 st at the armhole edge every other row 5 (6, 7, 7) times.
  • Remaining Stitches: 64 (69, 72, 77).

Shape Neck:

  1. Place the first 10 sts (front band) on a stitch holder.
  2. Bind off 4 (5, 5, 6) sts at the neck edge.
  3. Decrease 1 st at the neck edge every row 5 (6, 6, 7) times.
  • Remaining Stitches: 45 (48, 51, 54).
  1. Work evenly until the armhole measures 9 (9½, 10, 10½) inches.

Shape Shoulder:

  1. Bind off 12 (13, 14, 15) sts at the armhole edge 2 times.
  2. Bind off remaining 21 (22, 23, 24) sts.

RIGHT FRONT

Cast On:

  1. Using No. 1 knitting pins, cast on 54 (58, 62, 66) stitches.
  2. Work in ribbing (k2, p2) for 2½ (3, 3½, 3½) inches, ensuring the front band (last 10 sts) is in ribbing (k2, p2):
    • Ribbing Pattern:
      • Row 1 (Right Side): k2, p2 to the last 10 sts, then work in ribbing (p2, k2), ending with k2.
      • Row 2 (Wrong Side): p2, k2 to the last 10 sts, then work in ribbing (k2, p2), ending with p2.
  3. On the last row of ribbing, increase 6 (8, 8, 10) stitches evenly across the non-band section (do not increase in the front band).
    • Total Stitches: 60 (66, 70, 76).

Body Pattern:

  1. Switch to No. 2 knitting pins and begin body pattern, maintaining the front band (10 sts) in ribbing:
    • Row 1 (Right Side):
      • Work the front band ribbing (p2, k2) across the first 10 sts.
      • Then k3, p6 across to the last 10 sts, maintaining the ribbing pattern for the front band.
    • Row 2 (Wrong Side):
      • Work the front band ribbing (k2, p2) across the first 10 sts.
      • Then p3, k6 across to the last 10 sts, maintaining the ribbing for the front band.
    • These two rows set the body pattern. Repeat them until the piece measures 14½ (15, 15½, 16) inches, ending at the armhole edge.

Shape Armhole:

  1. Bind off 7 sts at the beginning of the next row (armhole edge).
  2. Decrease 1 st at the armhole edge every other row 5 (6, 7, 7) times:
    • Remaining Stitches: 48 (53, 56, 61).
  3. Work in pattern without decreasing until the armhole measures 4¾ (5¼, 5½, 5¾) inches.

Shape Neck:

  1. Place the first 10 sts (front band) on a stitch holder to work later for the neckband.
  2. Bind off 4 (5, 5, 6) sts at the neck edge once.
  3. Continue in pattern, decreasing 1 st at the neck edge every row 5 (6, 6, 7) times:
    • Remaining Stitches: 29 (32, 35, 38).
  4. Work evenly in pattern without decreasing until the armhole measures 7 (7½, 8, 8½) inches, ending at the armhole edge.

Shape Shoulder:

  1. Bind off 12 (13, 14, 15) sts at the armhole edge on the next row and every other row 2 (2, 3, 2) times:
    • Remaining Stitches: 5 (6, 7, 8).
  2. Bind off the remaining stitches.

Buttonholes:

  1. Work 7 buttonholes evenly spaced in the front band section (10 sts):
    • First buttonhole: ½ inch from the lower edge.
    • Subsequent buttonholes: Spaced 2¾ inches apart.
    • Buttonhole Instructions:
      • On one row: Bind off 3 sts.
      • On the next row: Cast on 3 sts to replace the bound-off stitches.

SLEEVES

Cast On:

  1. Using No. 1 knitting pins, cast on 54 (58, 62, 66) sts.
  2. Work in ribbing (k2, p2) for 2½ (3, 3½, 3½) inches.
  • Increase evenly across the last row: 10 (10, 12, 12) sts.
  • Total Stitches: 64 (68, 74, 78).

Sleeve Pattern:

  1. Switch to No. 2 knitting pins and work in stockinette stitch, increasing 1 st at each end of every 6th (6th, 8th, 8th) row until there are 86 (92, 98, 104) sts.
  2. Work evenly until the sleeve measures 17 (17½, 18, 18½) inches.

Shape Cap:

  1. Bind off 7 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows.
  2. Decrease 1 st at each end of every other row 7 (8, 9, 9) times.
  • Remaining Stitches: 60 (62, 64, 66).
  1. Bind off 6 sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows.
  2. Bind off the remaining 36 (38, 40, 42) sts.

FINISHING

  1. Neckband:
  • Sew shoulder seams.
  • With No. 1 knitting pins, pick up 120 (128, 136, 144) sts around the neck edge, including the front bands.
  • Work in ribbing (k2, p2) for 1 inch, making the final buttonhole in line with the others.
  • Bind off loosely in ribbing.
  1. Armbands:
  • Pick up 112 (118, 124, 130) sts around the armhole edge.
  • Work in ribbing (k2, p2) for 1 inch.
  • Bind off loosely.
  1. Assembly:
  • Block pieces to measurements.
  • Sew side and sleeve seams.
  • Sew sleeves into armholes.
  • Line front bands with grosgrain ribbon, cutting corresponding buttonholes.
  • Sew buttons in place.

Men’s Cardigan Sweater – Extended Sizes (2XL – 5XL)

Sizes: 2XL (Chest 44″), 3XL (Chest 46″), 4XL (Chest 48″), 5XL (Chest 50″)

Materials

  • Yarn: CHADWICK’S RED HEART SOCK AND SWEATER YARN, 3 Ply
  • Quantity: 16 (17, 18, 19) skeins of No. 405 Oxford.
  • Knitting Needles:
  • No. 1 (2½ mm) and No. 2 (2¾ mm) knitting pins.
  • Buttons: 7.
  • Ribbon: Grosgrain ribbon, 1 inch wide.

Gauge

  • Stockinette Stitch: 7½ sts and 10 rows = 1 inch.

Blocking Measurements:

  • Chest (Cardigan buttoned): 44 (46, 48, 50) inches.
  • Width across back at underarm: 21 (22, 23, 24) inches.
  • Width across back above armhole shaping: 16 (16¾, 17½, 18¼) inches.
  • Width across each front at underarm: 11½ (12, 12½, 13) inches.
  • Length from shoulder to lower edge: 23 (23½, 24, 24½) inches.
  • Length of side seam: 13 (13½, 13½, 14) inches.
  • Length of sleeve seam: 19 (19½, 20, 20½) inches.
  • Width across sleeve at upper arm: 14 (14½, 15, 15½) inches.

Pattern

Back

  1. Cast On: Using No. 1 knitting pins, cast on 140 (148, 156, 164) stitches.
  2. Work in k2, p2 ribbing for 3½ (3½, 4, 4) inches, increasing 12 (14, 16, 18) sts evenly across the last row:
  • Total Stitches: 152 (162, 172, 182).
  1. Switch to No. 2 knitting pins and begin the pattern:
  • Row 1 (RS): Knit across.
  • Row 2 (WS): Purl across.
  • Row 3: K3, p6 across, ending with k3.
  • Row 4: P3, k6 across, ending with p3.
  • These 4 rows form the Body Pattern. Work until the piece measures 13 (13½, 14, 14½) inches.
  1. Shape Armholes:
  • Bind off 8 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows.
  • Decrease 1 st at both ends every other row 8 (9, 10, 11) times.
  • Remaining Stitches: 128 (136, 144, 152).
  1. Work without decreasing until the armhole measures 9½ (10, 10½, 11) inches.
  2. Shape Shoulders:
  • Bind off 14 (15, 16, 17) sts at the beginning of the next 6 rows.
  • Bind off the remaining 40 (42, 44, 46) sts for the back neck.

Left Front

  1. Cast On: Using No. 1 knitting pins, cast on 74 (78, 82, 86) sts.
  2. Work in ribbing (k2, p2) for 3½ (3½, 4, 4) inches, keeping the last 12 sts as the front band in ribbing.
  • Increase 6 (8, 8, 10) sts evenly across the last row (excluding the front band).
  • Total Stitches: 80 (86, 90, 96).
  1. Switch to No. 2 knitting pins and begin Body Pattern, maintaining the front band in ribbing:
  • Row 1 (RS): Work the front band in ribbing (p2, k2) for the first 12 sts, then k3, p6 across to the last 12 sts.
  • Row 2 (WS): Work the front band in ribbing (k2, p2) for the first 12 sts, then p3, k6 across to the last 12 sts.
  • Repeat these rows until the piece measures 13 (13½, 14, 14½) inches, ending at the armhole edge.
  1. Shape Armhole:
  • Bind off 8 sts at the beginning of the next row.
  • Decrease 1 st at the armhole edge every other row 8 (9, 10, 11) times.
  • Remaining Stitches: 64 (69, 72, 75).
  1. Work in pattern without decreasing until the armhole measures 5¾ (6, 6¼, 6½) inches, ending at the neck edge.
  2. Shape Neck:
  • Place the 12 front band sts on a stitch holder.
  • Bind off 5 (6, 6, 7) sts at the neck edge once.
  • Decrease 1 st at the neck edge every row 6 (7, 8, 9) times:
    • Remaining Stitches: 41 (45, 48, 50).
  1. Work in pattern until the armhole measures 9½ (10, 10½, 11) inches.
  2. Shape Shoulder:
  • Bind off 14 (15, 16, 17) sts at the armhole edge on the next row and every other row 3 times.

Right Front

  1. Cast On:
    Using No. 1 knitting pins, cast on 74 (78, 82, 86) stitches.
  2. Work Ribbing:
  • Row 1 (RS): K2, P2 across to the last 12 stitches; K12 (Front Band).
  • Row 2 (WS): P12 (Front Band), K2, P2 across.
  • Row 3: K2, P2 across to the last 12 stitches; K3, P6, K3.
  • Row 4: P3, K6, P3 (Front Band), K2, P2 across.
  • Repeat Rows 1–4 until the ribbing measures 3 (3, 3½, 3½) inches, ending with Row 4.
  1. Increase Stitches:
    Increase 6 (8, 10, 12) stitches evenly across the last row (do not increase within the Front Band).
  • Total Stitches: 80 (86, 92, 98).
  1. Change to No. 2 Pins and Begin Body Pattern:
  • Row 1 (RS): K across.
  • Row 2 (WS): P across.
  • Row 3 (RS): Work the Front Band in ribbing (P2, K2) for the first 12 stitches, then K3, P6 across to the end.
  • Row 4 (WS): Work the Front Band in ribbing (K2, P2) for the first 12 stitches, then P3, K6 across to the end.
  • Repeat Rows 1–4 as established, maintaining the Front Band, until the piece measures 13 (13½, 14, 14½) inches, ending at the armhole edge.

Shape Armhole:

  1. Bind Off Stitches: Bind off 8 stitches at the beginning of the next row.
  2. Decrease Stitches: Decrease 1 stitch at the armhole edge every other row 8 (9, 10, 11) times.
  • Remaining Stitches: 64 (69, 72, 75).
  1. Continue Pattern: Work in the established pattern without decreasing until the armhole measures 5¾ (6, 6¼, 6½) inches, ending at the neck edge.

Shape Neck:

  1. Place Front Band on Holder: Place the 12 Front Band stitches on a stitch holder to be worked later for the neckband.
  2. Bind Off Stitches:
  • Bind off 5 (6, 6, 7) stitches at the neck edge once.
  • Decrease 1 stitch at the neck edge every row 6 (7, 8, 9) times.
    • Remaining Stitches: 41 (45, 48, 50).
  1. Continue Pattern: Work without decreasing until the armhole measures 9½ (10, 10½, 11) inches, ending at the shoulder edge.

Shape Shoulder:

  1. Bind Off Stitches:
  • Bind off 14 (15, 16, 17) stitches at the shoulder edge on the next row and every other row 3 times.
  1. Finish:
  • All stitches should now be bound off.

Sleeves

  1. Cast On: Using No. 1 knitting pins, cast on 64 (68, 72, 76) sts.
  2. Work in ribbing (k2, p2) for 3 (3, 3½, 3½) inches, increasing 6 (8, 10, 12) sts evenly across the last row:
  • Total Stitches: 70 (76, 82, 88).
  1. Switch to No. 2 knitting pins and work in pattern:
  • Increase 1 st at both ends of every 6th row until there are 96 (102, 108, 114) sts.
  • Work without increasing until the sleeve measures 19 (19½, 20, 20½) inches.
  1. Shape Top:
  • Bind off 8 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows.
  • Decrease 1 st at both ends every other row 10 (11, 12, 13) times.
  • Bind off 2 sts at the beginning of the next 8 (8, 8, 10) rows.
  • Remaining Stitches: 24 (26, 28, 30).
  • Bind off remaining stitches.

Neckband and Assembly

  1. Sew shoulder seams.
  2. Pick up and knit 136 (144, 152, 160) sts around the neckline, including the front band sts.
  3. Work in ribbing (k2, p2) for 1 inch, making the last buttonhole in line with the others.
  4. Bind off loosely.
  5. Sew side seams. Sew in sleeves. Work buttonhole stitch around buttonholes and sew on buttons.

Block to measurements.

You may also like