This crop cardigan knitting pattern is part of my collection of free sweater knitting patterns, designed to give you a flattering, waist-length cardigan with texture, volume, and easy construction.

If you’ve been searching for a sweater that feels stylish but still practical to knit, this post solves that by walking you through a design that looks polished without being complicated. The Joanna Cardigan brings together a cropped silhouette, soft texture, and statement details so you can create something you’ll actually wear. If you’ve ever felt stuck choosing between simple and standout, this crop cardigan knitting pattern gives you both.

If you love projects that feel fun but still wearable, this one checks every box. It keeps your hands moving without constant second-guessing, while still giving you a finished piece that feels intentional.

The shape is flattering, the texture keeps things interesting, and the overall knit is something you can enjoy from start to finish.

What materials work best for a crop cardigan knitting pattern?

For this crop cardigan knitting pattern, I used Hobbii Fluffy Day yarn or KnitPicks Wonderfluff for that soft, airy texture that gives the cardigan its signature look. It creates a lightweight fabric that still feels warm enough for layering, which makes it a great option for multiple seasons. I paired it with size 8 (5mm) needles to balance structure and drape.

You’ll also need stitch markers, a yarn needle for finishing, and your favorite buttons to really make the piece your own. The buttons are where you can add personality, especially with the wide band design.

Choosing the right yarn here really makes a difference. A soft, slightly fluffy yarn helps highlight the texture while keeping the cardigan light and comfortable to wear.

How is this crop cardigan knitting pattern constructed?

This crop cardigan knitting pattern is worked flat in one piece, starting from the back and moving up and over the shoulders before working down the front. Sleeves are added as you go, and the only seaming happens under the arms, which keeps finishing simple.

The stitch pattern is easy to follow and repeats in a way that becomes second nature after a few rows. It gives you texture without requiring constant counting, which makes this a great project for relaxed knitting sessions.

The wide neck and button band are added at the end, giving the cardigan its standout look. Don’t skip blocking here—it helps everything settle beautifully and really elevates the finished piece.

Once you understand the flow of the construction, the whole project feels smooth and satisfying. It’s the kind of knit that builds confidence as you go.

Looking for more free sweater knitting patterns?

If you love this crop cardigan knitting pattern, there are plenty more to explore:

• Lodge Cardigan
• Rosemary Cardigan
• September Cardigan
• Wheat Cardigan
• Saffron Pullover

Each of these patterns offers a slightly different style, from longer silhouettes to simple everyday layers. They’re all designed to be wearable, practical, and enjoyable to knit.

If you’re building out your handmade wardrobe, having a mix of cardigan styles makes it easy to layer and style different outfits throughout the year. A cropped piece like this pairs perfectly with longer options for variety.

Joanna Cardigan Pattern

MATERIALS AND INFO

Size: XS, S (M, L) XL, 2X (3X, 4X)

Materials: Approximately 3, 3 (3, 4) 4, 4 (4, 5) skeins of Hobbii Fluffy Day (312yds/100g), Long circular needle in the size listed below, used for working flat; stitch markers; stitch holders or waste yarn; tapestry needle; and 4 buttons that fit the completed buttonholes.

Needle Size: 8(US) 5mm needles

Gauge (tension): 22.5 sts and 21 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in Joanna Stitch Pattern using US 8 / 5 mm needles, after blocking. Measure stitch gauge across Rows 6–8, when the full stitch count has been restored. Measure row gauge over several complete 8-row repeats.

To fit wearer’s chest: 30, 34 (38, 42) 46, 50 (54, 58) in / 76, 86.5 (96.5, 106.5) 117, 127 (137, 147.5) cm.

METHOD

Joanna Cardigan is worked flat in one piece, beginning at the lower back. Stitches are cast on for the sleeves, then the work continues over the shoulders. The back neck is bound off, and each front is worked separately. Sleeve stitches are bound off at the front underarms, then each front continues to the lower hem. The front-and-neck edging and cuffs are picked up and worked afterward, and the side and underarm seams are sewn.

Abbreviations can be found on the last page.

Note: choose size based on wearer’s bust measurement for best fit

Joanna Stitch Pattern

Worked flat over an even number of stitches.

Row 1 (RS): P2tog across.
Row 2 (WS): Knit across.
Row 3: Purl across.
Row 4: * yo, p1; repeat from * across.
Row 5: Knit across.
Row 6: *K1, p1; repeat from * across.
Row 7: *k1, p1; repeat from * across.
Row 8: *K1, p1; repeat from * across.
Repeat Rows 1–8.

Blank square: Knit on RS rows; purl on WS rows.
Dot: Purl on RS rows; knit on WS rows.
Open circle: Yarnover.
P2tog symbol: Purl 2 stitches together.
Black square: No stitch; skip this square.

Stitch counts: Rows 1–3 have half the full stitch count. Row 4 restores the full count. All garment stitch counts refer to the full count unless otherwise stated.

Odd-stitch fronts: For sizes S, L, XL, 2X, 3X, and 4X, reserve 1 stitch at the front-opening edge as a stockinette selvedge. Knit this stitch on RS rows and purl it on WS rows. Work Joanna Stitch Pattern over the remaining even number of stitches. Do not include the selvedge in the p2tog or p1/yo repeats. Keep this selvedge throughout the front, including after binding off the sleeve stitches.

BACK

Cast on: 104, 114 (126, 138) 148, 160 (170, 182) sts.

Work in 1×1 rib for 2 in / 5 cm, ending after a WS row.

Begin Joanna Stitch Pattern with Row 1 on a RS row. Continue until the back measures approximately 8½, 8½ (8½, 8½) 8¾, 9½ (9, 8½) in / 21.5, 21.5 (21.5, 21.5) 22, 24 (23, 21.5) cm from the cast-on edge, ending after completing Row 5.

This cardigan is intended to be cropped. Adjust the length as desired, remembering that additional length requires additional yarn. Make the corresponding adjustment to both fronts.

Place a removable marker at each end of the last row to mark the back underarms.

Place stitch marker on both ends of this row.

ADD SLEEVES

At the beginning of each of the next 2 rows, cast on 92, 92 (96, 96) 96, 98 (98, 100) sts for a sleeve. Work the new stitches and existing stitches in Rows 6 and 7 of Joanna Stitch Pattern, respectively.

288, 298 (318, 330) 340, 356 (366, 382) sts.

Continue in Joanna Stitch Pattern until the sleeve depth measures approximately 7½, 8 (9, 9½) 9¾, 10 (10¼, 10¾) in / 19, 20.5 (23, 24) 25, 25.5 (26, 27.5) cm, measured perpendicular to the sleeve cast-on edge. End after completing Row 7. Work the back-neck division on the following Row 8.

BACK NECK

Back-neck division: Work 124, 127 (136, 141) 145, 151 (155, 161) sts in pattern for the first front and sleeve, and place these stitches on a holder or waste yarn.

Bind off the next 40, 44 (46, 48) 50, 54 (56, 60) sts in pattern. The stitch remaining on the working needle after binding off is the first stitch of the second front. Work in pattern to the end of the row.

124, 127 (136, 141) 145, 151 (155, 161) sts remain for each front and sleeve.

Work each front separately, continuing with Row 1 of Joanna Stitch Pattern. Rejoin yarn to the held front when ready to work it.

FRONT (FOLLOW THIS FOR BOTH SIDES, 1 AT A TIME)

Continue in Joanna Stitch Pattern until the total sleeve depth measures approximately 15, 16 (18, 19) 19½, 20 (20½, 21½) in / 38, 40.5 (45.5, 48.5) 49.5, 51 (52, 54.5) cm from the original sleeve cast-on edge, measured across the shoulder to the front underarm. Aim to match the front sleeve depth to the back sleeve depth.

Finish a Row 5, then bind off the sleeve stitches at the beginning of the next row that starts at the sleeve edge. If the next row begins at the front-opening edge, work that row first, then bind off at the beginning of the following row. Complete the sleeve bind-off before beginning another Row 1.

Bind off 92, 92 (96, 96) 96, 98 (98, 100) sleeve sts in pattern, then work to the end of the row.

32, 35 (40, 45) 49, 53 (57, 61) front sts remain.

Continue over the remaining 32, 35 (40, 45) 49, 53 (57, 61) sts until the front measures approximately 6½, 6½ (6½, 6½) 6¾, 7½ (7, 6½) in / 16.5, 16.5 (16.5, 16.5) 17, 19 (18, 16.5) cm from the front underarm, ending after completing Row 5. Compare with the back below its underarm marker and adjust the number of pattern repeats as needed so the side seams will match.

Work in 1×1 rib for 2 in / 5 cm. Bind off in pattern.

Complete the other front to match.

NECKBAND

With RS facing, pick up and knit 90, 92 (98, 100) 104, 108 (108, 108) sts evenly along one front-opening edge, 40, 44 (46, 48) 50, 54 (56, 60) sts across the back neck, and 90, 92 (98, 100) 104, 108 (108, 108) sts evenly along the other front-opening edge.

220, 228 (242, 248) 258, 270 (272, 276) sts.

Work in 1×1 rib until the edging measures 1 in / 2.5 cm.

On the wearer’s right front, mark 4 buttonhole positions along the edging, measuring upward from the lower edge: 1, 3½, 6, and 8½ in / 2.5, 9, 15, and 21.5 cm. Measure along the front edge, not across the width of the ribbing.

Buttonhole row 1: Work in established rib, binding off 2 sts at each marked buttonhole position. Work to the end of the row. 8 sts decreased.

Buttonhole row 2: Work in established rib, casting on 2 sts over each buttonhole gap. Work to the end of the row. 8 sts restored.

Continue in established 1×1 rib until the edging measures 2½ in / 6.5 cm in total. Bind off in pattern.

WRISTS

CUFFS — work both alike
With RS facing, pick up and knit 46, 50 (52, 54) 58, 60 (62, 66) sts evenly along the entire sleeve-end edge, from the back underarm-seam edge to the front underarm-seam edge.

Work flat in 1×1 rib for 2 in / 5 cm. Bind off in pattern.

FINISHING

Sew each side and underarm seam, continuing through the cuff. Sew 4 buttons to the wearer’s left front edging, opposite the buttonholes. Weave in ends and block to the intended finished measurements.

ABBREVIATIONS

k: Knit.
p: Purl.
p2tog: Purl 2 stitches together; 1 stitch decreased.
pm: Place marker.
RS: Right side.
st/sts: Stitch/stitches.
WS: Wrong side.
yo: Yarnover; bring the yarn over the working needle to create a new stitch. 1 stitch increased.

If you’ve been wanting a project that feels fun, wearable, and satisfying to finish, this crop cardigan knitting pattern is a great one to cast on next. It’s simple enough to enjoy and detailed enough to feel like something special when you’re done.

If you enjoy cropped knits, my Sorek Sweater gives you another option with a pullover shape and set-in sleeves.

Have you ever knit a cropped cardigan before, or is this your first one? Tell me in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’d style yours!

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