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The Cannady Cardigan Knitting Pattern

The Cannady Cardigan Knitting Pattern
3.9★Rating
5-8 HoursTime Needed
3.4KMade This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crocheting experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

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Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

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Layered Comfort

Perfect for cozy, stylish layering through changing seasons with versatile, mix-and-match potential.

About This The Cannady Cardigan Knitting Pattern

The Cannady Cardigan Knitting Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view

This gorgeous cardigan makes the ultimate cozy gift for a loved one, or a luxurious treat for yourself to wear all season long.

Why You'll Love This The Cannady Cardigan Knitting Pattern

I absolutely adore how fast this cardigan works up on large needles! There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a stylish, wearable garment come together in just a weekend, and the slipped-stitch edges look so beautifully professional.

The Cannady Cardigan Knitting Pattern step 1 The Cannady Cardigan Knitting Pattern step 2 The Cannady Cardigan Knitting Pattern step 3 The Cannady Cardigan Knitting Pattern step 4

Switch Things Up

There is something incredibly magical about working with super bulky yarn and massive needles. Every single stitch feels like instant progress, and watching this gorgeous, squishy fabric grow in your lap is the ultimate cozy experience. When I first designed this cardigan, I wanted to create the ultimate 'throw-on-and-go' piece—something that feels like a giant, soft hug but still looks effortlessly stylish when you run out the door.

To make it truly your own, don't be afraid to play with colors! A soft, oatmeal cream gives it that classic, minimalist aesthetic, but a bold mustard or a deep forest green would make it a stunning statement piece. If you want to customize the fit, you can easily add a few rows to the body before starting the neckline shaping if you prefer a longer, duster-style look. Just remember to keep track of your row counts so both front panels match perfectly. Take your time with the mattress stitch seaming—it’s the secret to getting those professional, clean lines!

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Dropping a stitch in super bulky yarn can cause a massive run very quickly, so keep a crochet hook handy to catch and repair any dropped stitches immediately.✗ Seaming too tightly with mattress stitch can make the shoulders feel stiff and puckered, so ensure your seaming tension perfectly matches the natural stretch of your knit fabric.✗ Getting confused between the Left Front and Right Front shaping rows is common, so use locking stitch markers to track your decrease rows on each side panel.✗ Skipping the gauge swatch can result in a cardigan that is either swimming on you or way too snug, as super bulky yarn is highly sensitive to minor tension variations.

The Cannady Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Wrap yourself in the ultimate handmade hug with this delightfully chunky cardigan! Crafted with ultra-cozy, super bulky yarn, this design is all about modern simplicity and maximum comfort. You will love watching the plush stockinette stitches fly off your needles, creating a gorgeous, drape-heavy silhouette that looks effortlessly chic. It is the perfect lazy-Sunday project that you can wear out to brunch the very next day.

Intermediate 5-8 Hours

Materials Needed for The Cannady Cardigan Knitting Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Approximately 636 yards of weight 6 super bulky yarn (such as Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick) for size Small/Medium
  • 02
    Approximately 848 yards of weight 6 super bulky yarn (such as Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick) for size Large/X-Large

— Tools Required

  • 01
    12.0 mm (US 17) knitting needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
  • 02
    Darning needle for weaving in ends and seaming panels together
  • 03
    Scissors
  • 04
    Locking stitch markers
  • 05
    Measuring tape

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— 1. Back — Size S/M :

Cast On :

Cast on 46 stitches.

Row 1-6 :

Work in rib stitch by alternating k1 and p1 across the entire row.

Row 7-62 :

Starting with a k row, work back and forth in stockinette stitch (k on right side rows, p on wrong side rows).

Row 63 :

k17, cast off 12 stitches for the neck opening, then k to the end of the row.

Row 64 :

p17, then turn your work, leaving the remaining stitches on the needle to be worked later.

Cast Off :

Cast off all 17 active stitches.

Row 64 (Opposite Side) :

Rejoin your yarn to the other side of the neck opening and p17 across.

Cast Off :

Cast off the remaining 17 stitches.

— 2. Back — Size L/XL :

Cast On :

Cast on 56 stitches.

Row 1-6 :

Work in rib stitch by alternating k1 and p1 across the entire row.

Row 7-72 :

Starting with a k row, work back and forth in stockinette stitch (k on right side rows, p on wrong side rows).

Row 73 :

k22, cast off 12 stitches for the neck opening, then k to the end of the row.

Row 74 :

p22, then turn your work, leaving the remaining stitches on the needle to be worked later.

Cast Off :

Cast off all 22 active stitches.

Row 74 (Opposite Side) :

Rejoin your yarn to the other side of the neck opening and p22 across.

Cast Off :

Cast off the remaining 22 stitches.

— 3. Front (Left Side) — Size S/M :

Cast On :

Cast on 24 stitches.

Row 1-6 :

Work in rib stitch by alternating k1 and p1 across the entire row.

Row 7 :

sl1, then k to the end of the row.

Row 8 :

p across the entire row.

Row 9-36 :

Repeat the pattern established in Row 7 and Row 8.

Row 37 :

sl1, k1, k2tog, then k to the end of the row (23).

Row 38 :

p across the entire row (23).

Row 39 :

sl1, then k to the end of the row (23).

Row 40 :

p across the entire row (23).

Row 41 :

sl1, k1, k2tog, then k to the end of the row (22).

Row 42 :

p across the entire row (22).

Row 43 :

sl1, then k to the end of the row (22).

Row 44 :

p across the entire row (22).

Row 45 :

sl1, k1, k2tog, then k to the end of the row (21).

Row 46 :

p across the entire row (21).

Row 47 :

sl1, then k to the end of the row (21).

Row 48 :

p across the entire row (21).

Row 49 :

sl1, k1, k2tog, then k to the end of the row (20).

Row 50 :

p across the entire row (20).

Row 51 :

sl1, then k to the end of the row (20).

Row 52 :

p across the entire row (20).

Row 53 :

sl1, k1, k2tog, then k to the end of the row (19).

Row 54 :

p across the entire row (19).

Row 55 :

sl1, then k to the end of the row (19).

Row 56 :

p across the entire row (19).

Row 57 :

sl1, k1, k2tog, then k to the end of the row (18).

Row 58 :

p across the entire row (18).

Row 59 :

sl1, then k to the end of the row (18).

Row 60 :

p across the entire row (18).

Row 61 :

sl1, k1, k2tog, then k to the end of the row (17).

Row 62 :

p across the entire row (17).

Row 63 :

sl1, then k to the end of the row (17).

Row 64 :

p across the entire row (17).

Cast Off :

Cast off all 17 stitches.

— 4. Front (Left Side) — Size L/XL :

Cast On :

Cast on 28 stitches.

Row 1-6 :

Work in rib stitch by alternating k1 and p1 across the entire row.

Row 7 :

sl1, then k to the end of the row.

Row 8 :

p across the entire row.

Row 9-46 :

Repeat the pattern established in Row 7 and Row 8.

Row 47 :

sl1, k1, k2tog, then k to the end of the row (27).

Row 48 :

p across the entire row (27).

Row 49 :

sl1, then k to the end of the row (27).

Row 50 :

p across the entire row (27).

Row 51 :

sl1, k1, k2tog, then k to the end of the row (26).

Row 52 :

p across the entire row (26).

Row 53 :

sl1, then k to the end of the row (26).

Row 54 :

p across the entire row (26).

Row 55 :

sl1, k1, k2tog, then k to the end of the row (25).

Row 56 :

p across the entire row (25).

Row 57 :

sl1, then k to the end of the row (25).

Row 58 :

p across the entire row (25).

Row 59 :

sl1, k1, k2tog, then k to the end of the row (24).

Row 60 :

p across the entire row (24).

Row 61 :

sl1, then k to the end of the row (24).

Row 62 :

p across the entire row (24).

Row 63 :

sl1, k1, k2tog, then k to the end of the row (23).

Row 64 :

p across the entire row (23).

Row 65 :

sl1, then k to the end of the row (23).

Row 66 :

p across the entire row (23).

Row 67 :

sl1, k1, k2tog, then k to the end of the row (22).

Row 68 :

p across the entire row (22).

Row 69 :

sl1, then k to the end of the row (22).

Row 70 :

p across the entire row (22).

Row 71 :

sl1, then k to the end of the row (22).

Row 72 :

p across the entire row (22).

Row 73 :

sl1, then k to the end of the row (22).

Row 74 :

p across the entire row (22).

Cast Off :

Cast off all 22 stitches.

— 5. Front (Right Side) — Size S/M :

Cast On :

Cast on 24 stitches.

Row 1-6 :

Work in rib stitch by alternating k1 and p1 across the entire row.

Row 7 :

k across the entire row.

Row 8 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row.

Row 9-36 :

Repeat the pattern established in Row 7 and Row 8.

Row 37 :

k20, k2tog, k2 (23).

Row 38 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (23).

Row 39 :

k across the entire row (23).

Row 40 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (23).

Row 41 :

k19, k2tog, k2 (22).

Row 42 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (22).

Row 43 :

k across the entire row (22).

Row 44 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (22).

Row 45 :

k18, k2tog, k2 (21).

Row 46 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (21).

Row 47 :

k across the entire row (21).

Row 48 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (21).

Row 49 :

k17, k2tog, k2 (20).

Row 50 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (20).

Row 51 :

k across the entire row (20).

Row 52 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (20).

Row 53 :

k16, k2tog, k2 (19).

Row 54 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (19).

Row 55 :

k across the entire row (19).

Row 56 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (19).

Row 57 :

k15, k2tog, k2 (18).

Row 58 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (18).

Row 59 :

k across the entire row (18).

Row 60 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (18).

Row 61 :

k14, k2tog, k2 (17).

Row 62 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (17).

Row 63 :

k across the entire row (17).

Row 64 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (17).

Cast Off :

Cast off all 17 stitches.

— 6. Front (Right Side) — Size L/XL :

Cast On :

Cast on 28 stitches.

Row 1-6 :

Work in rib stitch by alternating k1 and p1 across the entire row.

Row 7 :

k across the entire row.

Row 8 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row.

Row 9-46 :

Repeat the pattern established in Row 7 and Row 8.

Row 47 :

k24, k2tog, k2 (27).

Row 48 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (27).

Row 49 :

k across the entire row (27).

Row 50 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (27).

Row 51 :

k23, k2tog, k2 (26).

Row 52 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (26).

Row 53 :

k across the entire row (26).

Row 54 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (26).

Row 55 :

k22, k2tog, k2 (25).

Row 56 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (25).

Row 57 :

k across the entire row (25).

Row 58 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (25).

Row 59 :

k21, k2tog, k2 (24).

Row 60 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (24).

Row 61 :

k across the entire row (24).

Row 62 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (24).

Row 63 :

k20, k2tog, k2 (23).

Row 64 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (23).

Row 65 :

k across the entire row (23).

Row 66 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (23).

Row 67 :

k19, k2tog, k2 (22).

Row 68 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (22).

Row 69 :

k across the entire row (22).

Row 70 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (22).

Row 71 :

k22 across the entire row (22).

Row 72 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (22).

Row 73 :

k across the entire row (22).

Row 74 :

sl1, then p to the end of the row (22).

Cast Off :

Cast off all 22 stitches.

— 7. Sleeves — Size S/M :

Info :

Follow these instructions twice to make two identical sleeves.

Cast On :

Cast on 34 stitches.

Row 1-12 :

Starting with a k row, work in stockinette stitch (k on right side rows, p on wrong side rows).

Row 13 :

k2tog, k30, k2tog (32).

Row 14-24 :

Starting with a p row, work in stockinette stitch.

Row 25 :

k2tog, k28, k2tog (30).

Row 26-36 :

Starting with a p row, work in stockinette stitch.

Row 37 :

k2tog, k26, k2tog (28).

Row 38-44 :

Starting with a p row, work in stockinette stitch.

Row 45 :

Repeat the sequence [k2tog, k1] 8 times, then work [k2tog, k2tog] to finish the row (18).

Row 46-48 :

Work in rib stitch by alternating k1 and p1 across each row.

Cast Off :

Cast off all 18 stitches.

— 8. Sleeves — Size L/XL :

Info :

Follow these instructions twice to make two identical sleeves.

Cast On :

Cast on 34 stitches.

Row 1-12 :

Starting with a k row, work in stockinette stitch (k on right side rows, p on wrong side rows).

Row 13 :

k2tog, k30, k2tog (32).

Row 14-24 :

Starting with a p row, work in stockinette stitch.

Row 25 :

k2tog, k28, k2tog (30).

Row 26-36 :

Starting with a p row, work in stockinette stitch.

Row 37 :

k2tog, k26, k2tog (28).

Row 38-40 :

Starting with a p row, work in stockinette stitch.

Row 41 :

Repeat the sequence [k2tog, k1] 8 times, then work [k2tog, k2tog] to finish the row (18).

Row 42-44 :

Work in rib stitch by alternating k1 and p1 across each row.

Cast Off :

Cast off all 18 stitches.

Assembly Instructions

  • Lay your back panel flat and position the left and right front panels on top with the right sides of the knitting facing upwards.
  • Thread a long length of matching yarn onto a darning needle and use the mattress stitch to seam the shoulders neatly together.
  • Line up the center of each sleeve with the shoulder seam you just created, ensuring the right side of the sleeve fabric is facing up.
  • Using the mattress stitch once more, attach the sleeves to the armhole edges of the front and back panels.
  • Fold the sleeves and cardigan sides together, matching up the edges precisely.
  • Seam the underarm sleeve edges and continue down the sides of the body panels in one continuous go using the mattress stitch.
  • Weave in all remaining loose yarn tails securely on the wrong side of the fabric.

Important Notes

  • 💡Check your gauge before starting! With super bulky yarn, even a slight difference in stitch size can dramatically change the final fit of your cardigan.
  • 💡Slipping the first stitch of the front panel rows creates a beautiful, clean chain edge that looks incredibly professional without extra border work.
  • 💡When seaming with super bulky yarn, pull your mattress stitches taut but not so tight that they gather or pucker the fabric.
  • 💡Blocking your finished cardigan is highly recommended to even out the stockinette stitches and relax the thick fibers into a gorgeous drape.
  • 💡Keep an eye on the row counts for your specific size, especially when working the sleeves where the S/M and L/XL lengths differ.

I hope you absolutely love making and wearing your Cannady Cardigan! There is nothing quite like wrapping yourself up in a giant, hand-knit hug that you created with your own two hands. Don't forget to take plenty of cozy photos of your finished masterpiece and share them with the maker community. Happy knitting, and may your days be warm and filled with cozy stitches! 🧶✨

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

Can I use a different yarn weight for this pattern?

This cardigan relies on the dramatic chunkiness of weight 6 super bulky yarn. If you substitute a lighter weight yarn, your cardigan will turn out much smaller and won't have that signature oversized silhouette.

What is the best way to seam super bulky yarn?

The mattress stitch is definitely the way to go! It creates an invisible, strong seam that handles the weight of the super bulky yarn beautifully without adding unnecessary bulk.

Why does the S/M sleeve have more rows than the L/XL sleeve?

Because of the drop-shoulder design, the wider body of the L/XL size naturally drops lower down the arm, requiring a slightly shorter sleeve length to achieve the perfect fit!

Do I really need to slip the first stitch of every row on the front panels?

Yes, definitely! Slipping that first stitch creates a lovely, neat chain edge along the open front of your cardigan, making it look clean and polished without needing an extra ribbed border.