Looking for the perfect free long cardigan knitting pattern? The Rosemary Cardigan has you covered—literally! Wrap yourself in warmth and style with this cozy oversized design, and don’t forget to check out all my free sweater patterns here for more inspiration.
I did it. I finally designed something just for me. The Rosemary Cardigan is essentially my dream sweater. It’s so rare that moms do anything for themselves, but I took the time to create everything I’ve ever wanted in a cardigan, and I have to admit, I love it!
Oversized and Cozy: A Dream Come True
The Rosemary Cardigan is oversized because I wanted something I could wrap up in on chilly days. It’s the ultimate free long cardigan knitting pattern for anyone who craves comfort.
Open-Front Design for a Flattering Fit
She’s open-front because, after having 8 kids, I need all the slimming I can get—can I get an amen? The open design also adds versatility to this free long cardigan knitting pattern, making it a go-to for layering over leggings or skinny jeans.
Long Enough to Keep You Covered
I designed the Rosemary Cardigan to be long enough to wear confidently with leggings. It’s the kind of cardigan that gives you coverage where it counts—perfect for busy moms or anyone looking for a stylish yet functional free long cardigan knitting pattern.
The Best Feature? Pockets!
Yes, Rosemary Cardigan has pockets! As a mom of 8, I understand the value of functional pockets, and I made sure these are both wide and deep enough for your everyday essentials. Designing the pockets was a challenge—there was lots of trial and error, but the result is worth it. You’ll love this thoughtful touch in this free long cardigan knitting pattern.
Yarn and Materials
This cardigan uses KnitPicks Upcycle Alpaca Blend (affiliate link), making it a quick knit without sacrificing warmth. You’ll appreciate how this yarn (affiliate link) pairs perfectly with the design’s oversized and cozy vibe.
I’m so glad I persevered to make the Rosemary Cardigan everything I dreamed it could be. Now, I never want to take it off, and I pray you’ll love her as much as I do.
Looking for more inspiration? Make sure to check out the Youth Version of this pattern here! And don’t forget to browse all my other free long cardigan knitting patterns here.
Materials and Info
Size: XS, S (M, L) XL, 2X (3X, 4X)
Materials: Approximately 8, 8 (9, 10) 11, 12 (13, 14) balls of KnitPick Upcycle Alpaca Blend Worsted (219y/100g), needle, stitch markers
Needle Size: 7(US) 4.5mm circular needles and dpn, 6(US) 4mm dpn and a long (36in or more) circular needle
Gauge (tension): 22sts & 32 rows to make 10cm square, using size 7(US) 4.5mm needles working in stockinette stitch
Chest Measurement: 74, 78 (82, 90) 98, 107, (119, 131) cm
METHOD
This pattern a v-neck raglan worked flat from the top down with 15cm of ease. The sleeves are held and then picked up and worked in the round. The main body is knit in stockinette stitch while the edges are worked in a 1×1 rib pattern.
1X1 RIB PATTERN
Row 1 (right side row) – (k1, p1) across Row 2 – knit all the knit stitches, purl all the purl stitches.
RAGLAN INCREASES Inc row – [knit to 1 st before next marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l] repeat [to] 3 more times, then knit to the end of the row. 8sts increased.
Rosemary Cardigan Pattern
YOKE
Cast on with U.S. 7 circular needle: 58, 58 (60, 62) 64, 66 (70, 72) sts
Do not join.
Set up row (wrong side) – p2, pm, 6, pm, p42, 42 (44, 46) 48, 50 (54, 56), pm, p6, pm, p2
Raglan shaping and neckline shaping are worked AT THE SAME TIME so make sure to read both sections before moving forward.
NECKLINE SHAPING
Sts are increased at the beginning and end of each row to shape the front neck as follows: k1, m1l, work across to last st, m1r, k1 Start front neck shaping after working 2 rows (after the set-up row). Increase 1 st as above every following right-side row for a total of 19, 19 (20, 21) 22, 23 (25, 26) times.
RAGLAN SHAPING
Work raglan increases as described in METHOD section each following row 0, 0 (0, 0) 0, 0 (14, 20) then each following right-side row only 19, 21, (20, 27) 33, 37 (31, 29) times, then every other right-side row 6, 5 (6, 3) 0, 0 (0, 0) times
STITCH COUNT CHECK
Once all the raglan and neck increases have been completed you will have 288, 304 (308, 344) 372, 408 (480, 516) sts on your needles divided as follows: 45, 47 (48, 53) 57, 62 (72, 77) sts (front), 54, 58 (58, 66) 72, 80 (96, 104) sts (sleeve), 90, 94 (96, 106) 114, 124 (144, 154) sts (back), 54, 58 (58, 66) 72, 80 (96, 104) sts (sleeve), 45, 47 (48, 53) 57, 62 (72, 77) sts (front)
DIVIDE FOR SLEEVES
Remove markers as you get to them. Knit across the 45, 47 (48, 53) 57, 62 (72, 77) left front sts, place the next 54, 58 (58, 66) 72, 80 (96, 104) sts on a holder or waste yarn (left sleeve), cast on using the backwards loop method 8, 8 (10, 10) 10, 10 (10, 10) sts (left underarm), knit 90, 94 (96, 106) 114, 124 (144, 154) sts (back), place the next 54, 58 (58, 66) 72, 80 (96, 104) sts on a holder or waste yarn (right sleeve), cast on using the backwards loop method 8, 8 (10, 10) 10, 10 (10, 10) sts (right underarm), knit 45, 47 (48, 53) 57, 62 (72, 77) sts (right front). 196, 204 (212, 232) 248, 268 (308, 328) sts
SWEATER BODY
Work in stockinette until piece measures 30, 30 (31, 31) 31, 31 (32, 32) cm measuring from underarm.
POCKETS
Knit 20, pm, place the next 35 stitches on a holder, cast on 35 using knit cast on, pm knit 86, 94 (102, 122) 138, 158 (198, 218), pm, place the next 35 stitches on a holder, cast on 35 using knit cast on, pm, knit the remaining 20 stitches.
Work in stockinette st to marker, sm, work in k1p1 ribbing to marker, sm, work in stockinette stitch to marker, sm, work in k1p1 ribbing to marker, sm, work in stockinette stitch across.
Continue as above until you have 2cms of ribbing on the pockets.
Work to 53, 53, (54, 54) 54, 54 (55, 55) cm or until desired length measuring from underarm removing pocket markers.
Work in 1×1 rib for 5 cm. Bind off all sts in pattern.
SLEEVES
Work each sleeve one at a time as follows: Pick up 4, 4 (5, 5) 5, 5 (5,5) sts from underarm, knit 54, 58 (58, 66) 72, 80 (96, 104) sts of the sleeve on the holder, pick up 4, 4 (5, 5) 5, 5 (5, 5) sts from underarm on to U.S. 7 double pointed needles, place marker at center underarm to keep track of the beginning of round. 62, 66 (68, 76) 82, 90 (106, 114) sts
DECREASES
Decrease 1 st at each side of marker every 10th round 8, 10 (10, 3) 0, 0 (0, 0) times, then every 8th round 0, 0, (0, 10) 10, 2 (0, 0) then every 6th round 0, 0 (0, 0) 5, 16, (8, 2) then every 4th round 0, 0 (0, 0) 0, 0 (16, 25) [46, 46 (48, 50) 52, 54 (58, 60) sts].
Continue without increasing in stockinette st until sleeve measures 37, 37.5 (38, 39) 40, (41 cm or desired length measuring from underarm.
CUFF
Work in 1×1 rib for 5 cm. Bind off in pattern.
APPLIED RIBBED EDGING
Pick up 1 stitch for each row along front and neck using the size 6 circular needle.
Cast on 9 sts, turn (wrong side now facing) work 1×1 ribbing for 8sts 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.
POCKETS (MAKE 2)
Pick up the 35 stitches on hold.
Work in stockinette stitch for 16cms.
Bind off.
FINISHING Sew pockets down. Weave in all ends and block as desired.
Abbreviations
k – knit
P – purl
pm – place marker
sm – slip marker
k2tog -knit 2 stitches together
ssk – slip next st knitwise, slip next st knitwise, place stitches back onto left needle, knit both slipped sts together
m1l – pick up from front to back the strand between the 2sts on your needles, knit through back loop
m1r – pick up from back to front the strand between the 2sts on your needles, knit through the front loop
Download Rosemary Cardigan PDF
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