If you are looking for a zip up child cardigan with classic texture and everyday wearability, the Youth Judah Zipped Cardigan is one of my favorite free sweater knitting patterns for kids.

This cozy cardigan features an all-over broken 1×1 rib texture that gives the fabric beautiful depth while still being simple and repetitive to knit. Designed for sizes 3 years through 14 years, this zip up child cardigan is worked flat and seamed with drop sleeves for a timeless, structured fit that layers easily over everyday outfits.

Whether you need a practical handmade sweater for school, church, or cool-weather layering, this cardigan is a great option when you want something polished but still comfortable for active kids. The zip-front closure makes it especially handy for children who prefer an easy on-and-off cardigan instead of buttons.

The broken rib texture keeps the knitting engaging without becoming overly complicated, making this a satisfying project if you want something more interesting than plain stockinette. I also love that the structured seamed construction helps this cardigan hold its shape beautifully over time.

Because the design uses classic lines and simple texture, this is the kind of sweater that never really goes out of style. It works equally well dressed up with nice clothes or thrown on casually with jeans and boots.

What Materials Do You Need for This Zip Up Child Cardigan?

To knit this zip up child cardigan, you will need KnitPicks Upcycle Alpaca yarn which is discontinued but Berroco Ultra Alpaca is a great replacement, which gives the sweater a soft feel with beautiful drape while still providing enough warmth for layering. I used 4.5mm knitting needles for the main body and 4mm knitting needles for the ribbing to create clean, structured edges. You will also need a separating zipper, stitch markers, a tapestry needle, and basic seaming supplies.

KnitPicks Upcycle Alpaca works especially well for this cardigan because the alpaca blend gives the finished fabric a soft halo and elevated look without sacrificing stitch definition. It pairs beautifully with the broken rib texture and makes the cardigan feel extra special while still being practical for everyday wear.

Because this cardigan is worked flat and seamed, I recommend blocking your pieces before assembly for the cleanest finished result. Taking the extra time to seam neatly will give the sweater a polished, professional look.

Once the zipper is installed, the cardigan has such a finished store-bought feel while still being fully handmade.

How Is This Zip Up Child Cardigan Constructed?

This zip up child cardigan is worked flat in pieces and then seamed together, which helps provide structure and stability for the zipper front. The drop sleeve construction creates a comfortable fit with a relaxed shoulder line, while the all-over broken rib adds stretch and texture throughout the garment.

If you have never installed a zipper in knitting before, do not let that intimidate you. A simple hand-sewn zipper installation works beautifully here, and because the front bands are structured with ribbing, they provide a stable edge for sewing the zipper in place.

The seamed construction also makes this cardigan especially durable for active kids who will actually wear their handmade sweaters regularly.

Once assembled, the finished cardigan has a polished silhouette that looks far more advanced than the knitting techniques required. It is one of those projects that feels impressive without being overly complicated.

Looking for More Child Cardigan Knitting Patterns?

If you love knitting sweaters like this, here are a few more child cardigan patterns you may enjoy:

• Youth Damask Cardigan
• Youth Mary Cardigan
• Youth Wheat Cardigan
• Child Anna Cardigan
• Youth Rosemary Cardigan

These patterns all offer different textures and construction styles, so they are a great way to build your cardigan-knitting skills while creating a versatile handmade wardrobe. If you enjoy knitting for kids, having several cardigan options in your library is always helpful since they get so much wear year-round.

The Youth Judah Zipped Cardigan is one of my favorite options when I want something classic, practical, and just a little different from the usual button-up cardigan. The zipper front gives it a modern, functional feel while the textured rib keeps the knitting interesting from start to finish.

Youth Judah Zipped Cardigan Pattern

MATERIALS AND INFO 

Size: 3, 4 (5, 6) 7, 8, (9, 10) 11, 12 (13, 14) 

Materials: Approximately 3, 4 (4, 5) 5, 5 (6, 6) 7, 7 (7, 8) balls of KnitPick  Upcycle Alpaca Blend Worsted in Latte (219y/100g), 15, 15 (16, 17) 18 19  (20, 20) 21, 21 (23, 25) inch separating zipper, yarn needle, stitch markers Needle Size: 7(US) 4.5mm straight needle 6(US) 4mm 24in circular needle Gauge (tension): 20sts & 35 rows to make 10cm square, using size 7(US)  

4.5mm needles 

Chest Measurement: 55, 57 (59, 61) 64, 67 (70, 73) 76, 79 (82, 90) cm 

METHOD 

This pattern is for a drop sleeve style that is worked flat from the bottom  up with 10cm of ease. The main body is knit in a broken rib pattern while  the edges are worked in a 1×1 rib pattern. 

BROKEN RIB PATTERN 

Row 1(right side row) – knit across 

Row 2 – (k1, p1) across 

1X1 RIB PATTERN 

Row 1 (right side row) – (k1, p1) across 

Row 2 – knit all the knit stitches, purl all the purl stitches.

BACK 

Cast on 74, 76 (78, 80) 84, 86 (90, 94) 96, 100 (104, 112) sts using the cast on of  your choice. 

Work 4 cms of 1×1 rib. 

. 

Work in broken rib pattern until your work measures 23, 24 (25.5, 27) 28, 29.5 (30.5, 32) 33, 34 (35.5, 38.5) cm measured from the cast-on edge. Place markers  on each end of the row to mark armhole. 

Continue working in broken rib pattern until work measures 35, 37 (39, 41) 43, 45 (47, 49) 51, 53 (55, 60) cms from cast on edge ending after completing a wrong side  row. 

SHOULDERS 

Bind off 8, 8 (8, 8) 9, 9 (9, 10) 10, 10 (11, 11) sts at the beginning of the next 2  rows. 

Bind off 8, 8 (8, 8) 9, 9 (9, 10) 10, 10 (11, 11) sts then work in broken rib pattern  until you have 11, 12 (12, 13) 12, 12 (14, 13) 13, 15 (14, 16) sts on your right  needle. Put remaining sts on a stitch holder. 

Turn and bind off 3 sts, work to end of row. 

Turn and bind off the remaining 8, 9 (9, 10) 9, 9 (11, 10) 10, 12 (11, 13) sts. With right side facing rejoin yarn to the sts on the st holder. 

Bind off the first 20, 20 (22, 22) 24, 26 (26, 28) 30, 30 (32, 36) sts, then work the  remaining 19, 20 (20, 21) 21, 21 (23, 23) 23, 25 (25, 27) sts in broken rib pattern  already established. 

Turn and bind off the first 8, 8 (8, 8) 9, 9 (9, 10) 10, 10 (11, 11) sts, work in broken  rib pattern across. 

Turn and bind off 3 sts, work to end of row in broken rib pattern. Bind off the remaining 8, 9 (9, 10) 9, 9 (11, 10) 10, 12 (11, 13) sts. 

LEFT FRONT 

Cast on 36, 37 (38, 39) 41, 42 (44, 46) 47, 49 (51, 55) sts using the same cast on as  the back 

Work 4 cms of 1×1 rib. 

. 

Work in broken rib pattern until your work measures 23, 24 (25.5, 27) 28, 29.5 (30.5, 32) 33, 34 (35.5, 38.5) cm measured from the cast-on edge. Place markers  on each end of the row to mark armhole. 

Continue working in broken rib pattern until work measures 32, 34 (36, 39) 39.5,  42.5 (43.5, 45) 47, 48.5 (50, 55) cms from cast on edge ending after completing a  right side row. 

NECK 

Next row – Bind off 8, 8 (9, 9) 10, 10 (10, 11) 12, 12 (10, 12) sts, work to end of row [28, 29 (29, 30) 31, 32 (34, 35) 35, 37 (41, 43) sts]

Decrease 1 sts at the neck edge of the next 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 3 (3, 3) 3, 3 (5, 5) rows. [26, 27 (27, 28) 29, 29 (31, 32) 32, 34 (35, 38) sts] 

Decrease 1 sts at neck edge on right side only 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 (3, 3) times [24, 25 (25, 26) 27, 27 (29, 30) 30, 32 (33, 33) sts] 

Continue in broken rib pattern until work measures 35, 37 (39, 41) 43, 45 (47, 49)  51, 53 (55, 60) cms from cast on edge, ending after completing a wrong side row 

SHOULDERS 

Bind off 8, 8 (8, 8) 9, 9 (9, 10) 10, 10 (11, 11) sts, work to end of row Work the next row without shaping 

Bind off 8, 8 (8, 8) 9, 9 (9, 10) 10, 10 (11, 11) sts, work to end of row Work the next row without shaping 

Bind off remaining 8, 9 (9, 10) 8, 9 (11, 10) 10, 12 (11, 13) sts 

RIGHT FRONT 

Cast on 36, 37 (38, 39) 41, 42 (44, 46) 47, 49 (51, 55) sts using the same cast on as  the back 

Work 4 cms of 1×1 rib. 

. 

Work in broken rib pattern until your work measures 23, 24 (25.5, 27) 28, 29.5  (30.5, 32) 33, 34 (35.5, 38.5) cm measured from the cast-on edge. Place markers  on each end of the row to mark armhole. 

Continue working in broken rib pattern until work measures 32, 34 (36, 39) 39.5, 42 (43.5, 45) 47, 48.5 (50, 55) cms from cast on edge ending after completing a wrong side row. 

NECK 

Next row – Bind off 8, 8 (9, 9) 10, 10 (10, 11) 12, 12 (10, 12) sts, work to end of row  [28, 29 (29, 30) 31, 32 (34, 35) 35, 37 (41, 43) sts] 

Decrease 1 sts at the neck edge of the next 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 3 (3, 3) 3, 3 (5, 5) rows.  [26, 27 (27, 28) 29, 29 (31, 32) 32, 34 (36, 38) sts] 

Decrease 1 sts at neck edge on right side only 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 (2, 2) 2, 2 (3, 3) times  [24, 25 (25, 26) 27, 27 (29, 30) 30, 32 (33, 35) sts] 

Continue in broken rib pattern until work measures 35, 37 (39, 41) 43, 45 (47, 49)  51, 53 (55, 60) cms from cast on edge, ending after completing a right side row 

SHOULDERS 

Bind off 8, 8 (8, 8) 9, 9 (9, 10) 10, 10 (11, 11) sts, work to end of row Work the next row without shaping 

Bind off 8, 8 (8, 8) 9, 9 (9, 10)10, 10 (11, 11) sts, work to end of row Work the next row without shaping 

Bind off remaining 8, 9 (9, 10) 9, 9 (11, 10) 10, 12 (11, 13) sts

SLEEVES (MAKE 2) 

Cast on now 38, 38 (38, 38) 44, 46 (46, 48) 48, 48 (46, 52) sts  

Work 4 cms of 1×1 rib. 

Work 4 rows of broken rib pattern. 

Increase rows – inc 1 st at each end of next and each following 4^th row 6, 9 (10, 10)  6, 7 (11, 8) 11, 15 (17, 23) times, then every 6^th row 4, 3 (3, 4) 7, 7 (5, 8) 7, 5 (4, 1) times to 60, 64 (66, 68) 72, 76 (80, 82) 86, 90 (94, 102) sts. 

Continue working in broken rib pattern until your work measures 24, 26.5 (28, 29)  28, 29.5 (31.5, 33) 34.5, 38 (39, 40.5) cms or length desired (I like to make a  sweater fit longer by adding extra length to the sleeve so the cuff can be folded  over as seen in model images), finishing after completing a wrong side row. Bind off all sts evenly. 

NECK 

Join both shoulder seams, using yarn on a tapestry/yarn needle. With right side facing pick up and knit 8, 8 (9, 9) 10, 10 (10, 11) 12, 12 (10, 12) sts  along right from bind off edge, 9, 11 (11, 11) 11, 12 (12, 12) 14, 14 (16, 16) sts up  right front of neck, 26, 26 (28, 28) 30, 32 (32, 34) 36, 36 (38, 42) sts from back  neck, 9, 11 (11, 11) 11, 12 (12, 12) 14, 14 (16, 16) sts up left front and side of  neck, 8, 8 (9, 9) 10, 10 (10, 11) 12, 12 (10, 12) sts along left from bind off edge.  [60, 64 (68, 68) 72, 76 (76, 80) 88, 88 (90, 98) sts] 

Work 10, 10 (10, 10) 13, 13 (13, 13) 15, 15 (15, 15) cms of 1×1 rib. Bind off all sts in pattern. Fold over (toward the wrong side) the neck and sew it  down. 

FRONT BANDS (REPEAT FOR BOTH BANDS) 

Pick up 1 stitch for each row along front and neck using the size 6 circular needle. 

Cast on 7 sts, turn (wrong side now facing) work 1×1 ribbing for 6sts starting with  purl, purl together the last cast on band stitch with the first picked up stitch. Turn, knit together the next picked up stitch with the first cast on band stitch. Continue  in this pattern until all picked up stitches have been worked. 

I have a short on youtube to show I how I did this BUT I am left handed so it may  appear backwards to you. It will give you a better idea of how to do this if you  haven’t made an applied band though. You can find it here. 

Bind off in established rib pattern. 

FINISHING

Sew the sleeves on, side seams and sleeve seams. I prefer to use the mattress  stitch because it almost appears seamless. Weave in all ends. Sew the separating zipper on. I like to use blocking wires to hold my work flat as I baste my zipper on.  It helps keep the zipper from being wavy. 

ABBREVIATIONS 

K – knit P – purl 

PM – place marker INC – increase 

K2tog -knit 2 stitches together YO – yarn over 

ST – stitch STS – stitches 

SSK – slip, slip, knit the slipped sts together

I hope you enjoy knitting this zip up child cardigan as much as I enjoyed designing it! If you make one, I would love to hear in the comments what color you chose or who you are knitting it for—seeing your finished projects always makes my day.

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