This short sleeve cardigan knitting pattern is a great addition to my free sweater knitting patterns because it is light, layerable, and perfect for warmer-weather outfits.
If you love the idea of wearing handknits in the spring and summer but do not want a heavy sweater situation, the Ladies Simone Cardigan is such a fun project to cast on. It has an open front, short sleeves, and an easy-to-wear hip-length fit that makes it simple to throw over dresses, skirts, or lightweight tops. This short sleeve cardigan knitting pattern also has tiny lace diamond lines worked throughout, so it has a pretty all-over texture without feeling too fussy or overwhelming.
The Ladies Simone Cardigan is one of those pieces that feels useful for the months when you want layers, but not bulk.
It gives you the look of a handmade sweater with the lighter feel of a spring and summer layering piece.
The open front makes it easy to wear, and the dolman sleeve shape keeps the fit relaxed and comfortable.
What Materials Do You Need for This Short Sleeve Cardigan Knitting Pattern?
For this short sleeve cardigan knitting pattern, I used KnitPicks Capretta, which works beautifully for a lightweight cardigan with soft drape.
Capretta is a fingering weight yarn with merino, cashmere, and nylon, so it gives the cardigan a soft feel while still keeping the fabric light enough for layering. It works especially well for the tiny lace diamond details because the stitches stay clear without making the finished sweater feel stiff.
This yarn is a great fit for a spring cardigan because it gives you warmth without turning the sweater into a heavy cold-weather piece.
That is exactly what I wanted for the Ladies Simone Cardigan: something soft, pretty, and wearable when the weather cannot make up its mind.
If you have been wanting a handmade layer that does not feel too bulky, this cardigan is a great option.
The yarn, lace texture, and open-front shape all work together to make it easy to wear over and over again.
How Is This Short Sleeve Cardigan Knitting Pattern Made?
This short sleeve cardigan knitting pattern uses a dolman sleeve shape, which means the sleeve and body have a relaxed, easy fit.
The open front makes the cardigan simple to layer, while the hip-length shape gives it a little extra coverage without making it feel long or heavy. The all-over lines of tiny lace diamonds add just enough detail to keep the knitting interesting without turning the project into something you have to babysit every single row.
The short sleeves make this a great cardigan knitting pattern for spring and summer because it gives you a layer without fully committing to long sleeves.
It is a fun project for knitters who want something wearable, pretty, and a little different from a basic cardigan.
I love that this cardigan feels special, but still practical.
It is the kind of handknit that can easily become part of your regular wardrobe instead of sitting in the closet waiting for the perfect occasion.
What Other Spring and Summer Knitting Patterns Should You Try?
If you love lightweight knits, here are a few more patterns to check out:
• Deborah tee
• Sarah tee
• Chain tee
• puff sleeve tee
• lodge cardigan
These patterns are all great options if you want more handmade pieces that work well for spring and summer outfits.
They give you a nice mix of tees and cardigans, so you can find something for warm days, cool mornings, and those in-between days when one layer makes all the difference.
The Ladies Simone Cardigan fits right into that same kind of wardrobe-friendly knitting.
It is pretty enough to feel fun, but practical enough to actually wear again and again.
Ladies Simone Cardigan Free Pattern
MATERIALS AND INFO
Size: XS, S (M, L) XL, 2X (3X, 4X)
Materials: Approximately 1414, 1553 (1806, 1939) 2109, 2318 (2528, 2661) yds of KnitPicks Capretta yarn needle, stitch markers
Needle Size: 2.5(US) 3mm circular needles and dpn, 2(US) 2.25mm circular needles
Gauge (tension): 30sts & 40 rows to make 10cm square, using size 2.5(US) 3mm needles working in stockinette stitch
Chest Measurement of person: 75, 85 (95, 105) 115, 125 (135, 145) cm or 30, 34 (38, 42) 46, 50 (54, 58) ins
METHOD
Simone Cardigan is bottom-up drop sleeve open front cardigan. It is worked in the flat with a v neck.
Abbreviations can be found on the last page.
Note: choose size based on chest measurement for best fit. Measurements above are measurement of the person not sweater measurements.
1X1 RIB PATTERN
Row 1 (right side row) – (k1, p1) across
Row 2 – knit all the knit stitches, purl all the purl stitches.
STITCH CHART
Row 1 – knit across
Row 2 – purl across
Row 3 – knit across
Row 4 – purl across
Row 5 – k4, yo, k2tog, k4
Row 6 – purl across
Row 7 – k3, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k3
Row 8 – purl across
Row 9 – k4, yo, k2tog, k4
Row 10 – purl across
BODY
Cast on using smaller circular needle: 280, 300 (330, 370) 390, 420 (450, 480) sts. Join in the round.
K10, pm, [k1,p1] for 260, 280 (310, 350) 370, 400 (430, 460), pm, k10 for 2.5, 2.5 (2.5, 2.5) 2.5, 2.5 (2.5, 2.5) cms or 1, 1 (1, 1) 1, 1 (1, 1) ins.
Switch to larger needles.
Now begin working in charted stitch pattern as follow:
k 10, 10 (10, 10) 10, 10 (10, 10) sm, work in charted stitch pattern a total of 27, 28 (31, 35) 37, 41 (43, 46) times, sm, k10, 10 (10, 10) 10, 10 (10, 10) until piece measures 46, 45 (45, 45) 45, 45 (45, 45) cms or 18.5, 18 (18, 18) 18, 18 (18, 18) ins measuring from cast on.
SEPARATE FOR ARMHOLE
Work 71, 78 (85, 93) 100, 108 (115, 123) sts place remaining 209, 222 (245, 277) 290, 312 (335, 357) sts on holder.
Cast on 12, 12 (12, 12) 12, 12 (12, 12) sts at the beginning of the next row (this should be a wrong side).
[83, 90 (97, 105) 112, 120 (127, 135) sts]
Work in established pattern until piece measures 53.5, 51 (52.5, 52.5) 51, 53.5 (53.5, 53.5) cms or 21, 20.5 (21, 21) 20.5, 21 (21, 21) ins from bottom cast on (not sleeve cast on).
RIGHT FRONT NECK SHAPING
Decrease 1 st at neck edge not on the garter section of stitches but on the charted stitch pattern section of stitches of the next 16, 16 (18, 16) 16, 20 (18, 18) rows
[67, 74 (79, 89) 96, 100 (109, 117) sts]
Then decreases every other row at neck edge 13, 15 (15, 18) 20, 19 (22, 23) times
[54, 59 (64, 71) 76, 81 (87, 94) sts]
Work in stitch chart pattern until piece measures 64, 64 (65, 66) 66, 67.5 (69, 69) cms or 25.5, 25.5 (26, 26.5) 26.5, 27 (27.5, 27.5) ins from bottom cast on (not sleeve cast on)
RIGHT FRONT SHOULDER SHAPING
Starting on a wrong-side row, bind off 35, 33 (34, 37) 38, 40 (41, 44) sts, work across remains sts, turn.
Work 1 row in established pattern with no decreases, turn.
Bind off 9, 13 (15, 17) 19, 20 (22, 24) sts, work across remains in established pattern sts, turn.
Work 1 row in established pattern with no decreases, turn.
Bind off 0, 3 (5, 7) 9, 11 (14, 16) sts, work to the end of the row in established pattern
Place remaining 10, 10 (10, 10) 10, 10 (10, 10) sts on stitch holder
SHAPE BACK SHOULDERS
Rejoin yarn to stitches on hold for the back.
Cast on 12, work in established pattern on the next 138, 144 (160, 174) 190, 204 (220, 234) sts, cast on 12, 12 (12, 12) 12, 12 (12, 12) sts
[162, 168 (184, 198) 214, 228 (244, 258) sts]
Work in established stitch chart pattern until piece measures 64, 64 (65, 66) 66, 67.5 (69, 69) cms or 25.5, 25.5 (26, 26.5) 26.5, 27 (27.5, 27.5) ins from bottom cast on (not sleeve cast on)
Bind off 35, 33 (34, 37) 38, 40 (41, 44) sts at beginning of the next 2 rows.
Bind off 9, 13 (15, 17) 19, 20 (22, 24) sts at beginning of row, work in pattern for 11, 8 (11, 12) 15, 16 (20, 21) [10, 9 (12, 13) 16, 17 (21, 22) sts on right needle].
Put remaining sts on stitch holder.
Turn, bind off 10, 6 (7, 6) 7, 6 (7, 6) sts, work to end of row.
Turn, bind off remaining 0, 3 (5, 7) 9, 11 (14, 16) sts
With right side facing, rejoin yarn to stitches on hold, bind off 54, 58 (62, 64) 68, 74 (76, 78) knit remaining 19, 22 (27, 30) 35, 37 (43, 46) sts.
Turn, bind off 9, 13 (15, 17) 19, 20 (22, 24) sts work to end of row
Turn, bind off 10, 6 (7, 6) 7, 6 (7, 6) sts
Turn, bind off 0, 3 (5, 7) 9, 11 (14, 16) sts
LEFT FRONT
Rejoin yarn to stitches on hold for the back.
Work in established pattern on the next 71, 78 (85, 93) 100, 108 (115, 123) sts
Work 1 row in pattern.
Cast on 12, 12 (12, 12) 12, 12 (12, 12) sts at the beginning of the next row.
[83, 90 (97, 105) 112, 120 (127, 135) sts]
Work in established pattern until piece measures 53.5, 51 (52.5, 52.5) 51, 53.5 (53.5, 53.5) cms or 21, 20.5 (21, 21) 20.5, 21 (21, 21) ins from bottom cast on (not sleeve cast on).
LEFT FRONT NECK SHAPING
Decrease 1 st at neck edge not on the garter section of stitches but on the charted stitch pattern section of stitches of the next 16, 16 (18, 16) 16, 20 (18, 18) rows
[67, 74 (79, 89) 96, 100 (109, 117) sts]
Then decreases every other row at neck edge 13, 15 (15, 18) 20, 19 (22, 23) times
[54, 59 (64, 71) 76, 81 (87, 94) sts]
Work in stitch chart pattern until piece measures 64, 64 (65, 66) 66, 67.5 (69, 69) cms or 25.5, 25.5 (26, 26.5) 26.5, 27 (27.5, 27.5) ins from bottom cast on (not sleeve cast on)
LEFT FRONT SHOULDER SHAPING
Starting on a right-side bind off 35, 33 (34, 37) 38, 40 (41, 44) sts, work across remains sts, turn.
Work 1 row in established pattern with no decreases, turn.
Bind off 9, 13 (15, 17) 19, 20 (22, 24) sts, work across remains sts, turn.
Work 1 row in established pattern with no decreases, turn.
Bind off 0, 3 (5, 7) 9, 11 (14, 16) sts, work to the end of the row.
Place remaining 10, 10 (10, 10) 10, 10 (10, 10) sts on stitch holder
Sew shoulder seams.
SLEEVES (MAKE 2)
With smaller needles, pick up and knit 76, 86 (92, 100) 110, 122 (128, 138) sts.
Work for 2.5, 2.5 (2.5, 2.5) 2.5, 2.5 (2.5, 2.5cms or 1, 1 (1, 1) 1, 1 (1, 1) ins in k1p1 ribbing. Bind off in pattern.
Sew underarm seam.
NECKBAND
Place a marker on the middle of the back neck.
Pick up and knit the 10, 10 (10, 10) 10, 10 (10, 10) sts on hold for the left front. Work those 10, 10 (10, 10) 10, 10 (10, 10sts in the established garter pattern until it is long enough to reach the center neck without stretching.
Repeat for the right neck band sts on hold.
You can work the 2 sides of the neck band together with 3 needle bind off or kitchener stitch them together, whichever you prefer.
Now sew the neckband to the back neck.
FINISHING
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, slip, knit the slipped sts together
I would love to know what you think of the Ladies Simone Cardigan! Are you more likely to wear a short sleeve cardigan in spring, summer, or both?
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