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), needle, stitch markers

Needle Size: 8(US) 5mm needles

Gauge (tension): 22.5sts & 21 rows to make 10cm/4ins square, using size 8(US) 5mm needles working in stitch pattern (make sure when measuring you measure the width on rows 6-8 of the stitch chart)

Chest Measurement of person: 75, 85 (95, 105) 115, 125 (135, 145) cm or 30, 34 (38, 42) 46, 50 (54, 58) ins

METHOD

Joanna Sweater is knit in 1 piece: up the back, cast on for the arms, over the should, bind off the arms and down the front. It is worked flat and sewn together with the neck and wrist ribbing added after. Created for daughter to layer for our frigid Montana winters. It is loose fit and comfy but also so warm.

Abbreviations can be found on the last page.

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

Joanna Stitch Pattern

Note: the black squares mean no stitch exists there.

Row 1 – p2tog across

Row 2 – knit across

Row 3 – purl across

Row 4 – [p1, yo] across

Row 5 – knit across

Row 6 – [k1, p1] across

Row 7 – [p1, k1] across

Row 8 – [k1, p1] across

BACK

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

Work in 1×1 ribbing for 5cms/2ins.

Now work in Joanna Stich Pattern piece measures 21, 21 (21, 21) 21.5, 24 (22.5, 21) cm/8.5, 8.5 (8.5, 8.5) 8.75, 9.5 (9, 8.5) ins measuring from cast on or desired length. (this sweater is meant to be a cropped length at your natural waist. Adjust length to fit your body or make it whatever length you love! Just remember adding length will add more to your yarn yardage requirements.)

End after completing a row 3.

Place stitch marker on both ends of this row.

ADD SLEEVES

Cast on 92, 92 (96, 96) 96, 98 (98, 100) sts over the next 2 rows. [288, 298 (318, 330) 340, 356 (366, 382) sts

Continue working in Joanna stitch pattern as already established until your sleeve measures 19, 20 (22.5, 24) 24.5, 25(25.5, 27) cm/7.5, 8 (9, 9.5) 9.75, 10 (10.25, 10.75) ins ending on a row 4-8.

BACK NECK

Work 124, 127 (136, 141) 145, 151 (155, 161), bind off 40, 44 (46, 48) 50, 54 (56, 60), work 124, 127 (136, 141) 145, 151 (155, 161) sts [248, 254 (272, 282) 290, 302 (310, 322) sts with 124, 127 (136, 141) 145, 151 (155, 161) sts on each front]

You will now start working each side of the front separately.

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

Continue working in Joanna stitch pattern as already established until your sleeve measures 38, 40 (45, 47.5) 49, 50 (51, 54) cm/15, 16 (18, 19) 19.5, 20 (20.5, 21.5) ins. End after completing a row 4-8.

Bind off 92, 92 (96, 96) 96, 98 (98, 100) sts of the sleeve.

Now just work the 32, 35 (40, 45) 49, 53 (57, 61) sts of the front until you have 16, 16 (16, 16) 16.5, 18.5 (17.5, 16) cms/6.5, 6.5 (6.5, 6.5) 6.75, 7.5 (7, 6.5) ins from the underarm ending after completing a row 5.

Work in k1p1 ribbing for 5cms/2ins

Bind off in pattern.

NECKBAND

Pick up and knit 90, 92 (98, 100) 104, 108 (108, 108) sts across up the front, 40, 44 (46, 48) 50, 54 (56, 60) sts across the back neck, and 90, 92 (98, 100) 104, 108 (108, 108)  sts down the other side of the front. [220, 228 (242, 248) 258, 270 (272, 276) sts

Work in k1p1 pattern until the edging measures 2.5cms/1ins.

On the right front of your cardigan measure 2.5cms/1ins from the bottom, add pm then measure 6cms/2.5ins from that last marker and pm 3 times. These are your buttonhole stitch markers.

Buttonhole row 1 – [Work in k1p1 ribbing to marker, sm, bind off 2sts] until all 4 buttonholes have been worked then work in k1p1 ribbing to end of row.

Buttonhole row 2 – [work in k1p1 ribbing to marker, remove marker, cast on 2] until all 4 buttonholes have been worked then work in k1p1 ribbing to end of row.

Work in k1p1 ribbing until ribbing measures 6cms/2.5ins

Bind off in pattern.

WRISTS

Pick up and knit 46, 50 (52, 54) 58, 60 (62, 66) sts.

Work in k1p1 ribbing for 5cms/2ins.

Bind off in pattern.

FINISHING

Sew seams (under arm and sides). Weave in all ends and block as desired.

ABBREVIATIONS

K – knit                                                    

P – purl

PM – place marker                                  

SM – slip marker P2tog -purl 2 stitches together   

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.

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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