Looking for a cozy, versatile layering piece for your kids this winter? Try my free child cardigan pattern, the Youth September Cardigan! If you love it, be sure to check out all of our other free sweater patterns here.
Winter is all about layers, and in my house, the Youth September Cardigan has become the queen of layering. This free child cardigan pattern is my older daughters’ absolute favorite piece. They wear the same size and—get this—actually enjoy sharing clothes! I love seeing them swap outfits and double their wardrobe options.
This cardigan, first knit last September, has been on weekly rotation ever since. It’s warm, comfortable, and stylish—a trifecta every mom dreams of. Whether they’re wearing it over a dress for church or pairing it with jeans for a casual playdate, it fits the bill every time.
The Yarn: Durable and Gorgeous
The Youth September Cardigan is knit using Premier Yarns Anti-Pilling DK (affiliate link), and I can’t recommend it enough. This yarn is perfect for a busy mom’s life—it’s soft, sturdy, and holds up beautifully to the wear and tear kids inevitably bring. Even better, it’s machine washable. Yes, you heard me right. Toss it in the washer, and it comes out looking like new every time.
Oh, and the colors! The earthy tones in this line make my heart sing. If earthy isn’t your vibe, don’t worry—there are plenty of bright options, too. Either way, this yarn (affiliate link) will make your free child cardigan pattern a wardrobe staple.
No Sewing, No Problem
Are you one of those knitters who loathe sewing seams? Same here. That’s why the Youth September Cardigan is knit as a top-down raglan with the sleeves and edging completed in the round. No seams, no hassle, just a beautifully seamless sweater.
The best part? The edging is knit in the round too, so there’s no need to pick up stitches later. It’s as close to a “knit it and forget it” project as you’ll find.
Don’t Skip the Blocking
I know, I know—blocking sounds like the kind of thing you can skip. But trust me, for this free child cardigan pattern, blocking is essential. It transforms the ribbed edges from “meh” to “wow” and gives the whole cardigan a polished, professional look. So grab your blocking tools, and don’t skip this step! Want more info on blocking check out my tutorial here.
Styling the Youth September Cardigan
One thing I love about this free child cardigan pattern is how versatile it is. My girls have styled it every way imaginable:
- Over dresses for church.
- Paired with leggings for lounging.
- Layered under a coat for extra warmth.
- Even tied around their waists for that trendy, casual vibe.
I’ve even seen them accessorize it with scarves, hats, and brooches. It’s the ultimate layering piece that works for every occasion.
Yarn Substitutions
While I adore Premier Yarns Anti-Pilling DK (affiliate link) for this pattern, you can substitute any soft, durable DK-weight yarn. Just make sure it’s machine washable if you’re knitting for kids—it’ll save you so much time in the long run.
If you’re a fan of matching family outfits, check out the Adult September Cardigan free knitting pattern (free pattern here) on my blog. It’s the perfect complement to this free child cardigan pattern, so moms and kids can twin in style.
Tips for Knitting the Youth September Cardigan
Here are a few tips to ensure success with this free child cardigan pattern:
- Gauge Matters: Knit a swatch first. It’s worth the extra time to get the fit just right.
- Use Stitch Markers: They’re a lifesaver for keeping track of raglan increases.
- Block the Sweater: Yes, I’ve mentioned this before, but it’s that important.
- Choose the Right Yarn: Opt for something durable, like Premier Yarns Anti-Pilling DK (affiliate link).
Why I Love This Pattern
Knitting for kids can be tricky—they grow so fast! But this free child cardigan pattern is surprisingly forgiving. The ribbed edges and top-down construction give it a little extra stretch, so it grows with them. My daughters have been wearing theirs for nearly a year now, and it still fits beautifully.
As a mom (and knitter), there’s nothing more satisfying than seeing something you made get so much love and use. Every time one of my daughters wears the Youth September Cardigan, I get that warm, fuzzy feeling of accomplishment.
Ready to Knit Your Own?
If you’re ready to dive into this free child cardigan pattern, keep scrolling for the full pattern and a pdf download. This sweater is a joy to knit and even more fun to watch your kids wear. Whether you’re knitting for your own children, a niece, or a friend’s little one, the Youth September Cardigan is sure to be a hit.
Happy knitting! Let me know in the comments how your project turns out, and don’t forget to share photos—I’d love to see your creations!
Materials and Info
Materials • sport weight (size 3) yarn (530, 645), 760, 795, (825, 940) I used Premier Yarns Anti-Pilling Everyday DK (affiliate link), size 6 (4mm) circular needles (16-24ins), size 6 double pointed needles, size 5 (3.75mm) circular needles (24-36in), size 5 double pointed needles, stitch markers, yarn needle
Gauge -6sts/in
Sizes – (1-2yr, 3-4yr), 5-6yr, 7-8yr, (9-10yr, 11-13yr)
Appx Finished Bust Measurements – (23, 24.75), 25.5, 27 (28.25, 29.75) inches
Youth September Cardigan Pattern
YOKE
Cast on with U.S. 6 circular needle: (58, 60), 60, 68, (70, 72) sts
Set up row (wrong side): 1. purl (1, 1), 1, 1, (1, 1)(right front), PM, purl (12, 12), 12, 14, (14, 14) (right sleeve), PM, purl (32, 34), 34, 38, (40, 42) (back), PM, purl (12, 12), 12, 14, (14, 14) (left sleeve), PM, purl (1, 1), 1, 1, (1, 1) (left front).
Row 1 (right side): *knit to 1 stitch before marker, kfb, sm, kfb, repeat from * 3 more times, knit to last stitch (8 stitches increased)
Row 2 (wrong side): purl
Repeat rows 1-2 for a total of (17, 17), 18, 19, (20, 21) decreases. (194, 196), 204, 220, (230, 240) sts
Work in Stockinette until yoke depth measures approx (5.5, 6), 6.5, 7, (7, 7.5) inches from cast on row (making sure to end with a wrong side row worked last.
DIVIDE FOR SLEEVES
Remove markers as you get to them.
Knit to marker (left front), place the next (46, 46), 48, 52, (54, 56) sts on a scrap piece of yarn (left sleeve), cast on using the backwards loop method (3, 2), 3, 2, (2, 3) (left underarm), knit (66, 68), 70, 76, (80, 84) sts (back), place the next (46, 46), 48, 52, (54, 56) sts on a scrap piece of yarn (right sleeve), cast on using the backwards loop method (3, 2), 3, 2, (2, 3) (right underarm), knit to end (right front). (108, 108), 114, 120, (126, 134) body sts
SWEATER BODY
Work in stockinette until piece measures (8, 9), 9.5, 10, (10.5, 11) inches or until desired length measuring from underarm. Make sure to end with a right side worked last.
RIBBED EDGE
Switch to the U.S. 5 circular needle. You will now start working in the round.
Place beginning of round marker, pick up and knit (76, 79) 81, 85, (88, 91) sts from the front edge, knit the (58, 60), 60, 68, (70, 72) sts of the neck cast on, pick up and knit (76, 79) 81, 85, (88, 91) sts from the front edge, pm, knit across the (108, 108), 114, 120, (126, 134) body sts (318, 326), 336, 358, (372, 388) sts
Round 1 – (k2, p2) to 2sts before marker, k2, sm, (k2, p2) to 2sts before marker, k2
Round 2 – k1, m1l, work in established (k2,p2) pattern to 1st before next marker, m1r, k1, sm, k1, m1l, work in established (k2,p2) pattern to 1st before next marker, m1r, k1 (you have increased 4 sts)
Repeat rounds 1 and 2, working increased sts into the (k2,p2) pattern until rib measures approx.: (2.5, 2.5), 2.5, 3, (3, 3) inches. Making sure to end with a round 2. Bind off all stitches in pattern loosely, break yarn and weave in ends.
SLEEVES
Work each sleeve one at a time as follows:
Pick up (2, 2), 2, 2, (2, 2) sts from underarm, knit (46, 46), 48, 52, (54, 56) sts of the sleeve on the scrap yarn, pick up (2, 2), 2, 2, (2, 2) sts from underarm on to U.S. 6 double pointed needles, place marker at center underarm to keep track of the beginning of round. (50, 50), 52, 56, (58, 60) sleeve sts
Decreases
Round 1: k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.
Knit 7 rounds
Repeat the last 8 rounds: (7, 7), 6, 8, (7, 8) total times). (36, 36), 40, 40 (44, 44) sts
Knit each round under sleeve measure from under arm to working round approx. (4.5, 5.5), 7.5, 9, (11, 13) inches
RIBBED CUFF
Switch to U.S. 5 double pointed needles.
Work in (k2, p2) ribbing until cuff measures approx.: (2, 2), 2, ,2, (2, 2) inches or until desired length.
Bind of in pattern LOOSELY. Weave in all ends.
You will need to block the sweater to get the edging to lay flat instead of gathering. I prefer to use steam for this but a good wash in some wool wash and laying it out flat with some pins works wonders as well.
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
kfb – knit into the front and the back of the same stitch to increase by 1 stitch
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 Youth September Cardigan PDF
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