Crochet sweaters don’t have to be intimidating! Beginners and experienced makers alike will find something to love in this collection of free sweater and cardigan patterns.
Each of these modern cardigans, pullovers, hoodies and shrugs requires very little shaping so you can confidently tackle your first (or 50th!) crochet garment.

This guide to crochet sweaters and cardigans contains affiliate links.
Can I Crochet a Sweater as a Beginner?
Absolutely! Learning how to make a sweater is really no different from another crochet project. The first step is choosing an easy pattern that uses straightforward construction and techniques.
You’re in luck because many of the pullover and cardigan patterns below are made using basic stitches and very simple shapes, like rectangles!
Important Skills and Techniques
When making wearables, skills like knowing how to check your gauge and take body measurements are critical.
If you’re new to making garments, you’ll definitely want to check out our comprehensive sweater guide for beginners. Learn how to crochet a sweater, including my favorite tips and tricks that will guarantee sweater success.
Crochet Sweater and Cardigan Patterns
Many of the free patterns below require minimal shaping and include video tutorials, making them perfect beginner projects.
If you already know the style of sweater you’re looking for, click the link below to jump to that section.
The Easiest Cardigans for Beginners
If you can make a washcloth or scarf, you already have most of the skills you need to complete these patterns. They have quick-to-memorize stitch patterns, minimal increasing and decreasing, little to no seaming, and simple shapes like rectangles.
Habitat Sweater Made From Rectangles
Dwell Chunky Cocoon Cardigan
Advanced-Beginner Sweaters
Ready to level up? Are you willing to take on a bit more seaming or shaping for the perfect sweater? You may be looking for an advanced-beginner pattern.
This kind of pattern may include some increasing or decreasing in the sleeves, as well as basic seaming. However, it’ll still be based on simple shapes like rectangles and hexagons and feature easy-to-memorize stitch patterns.
Up North Classic Cardigan
C2C Cardigan Made from Rectangles
Crochet Hexagon Cardigans
It’s hard to believe two humble hexagons can serve as the foundation for a gorgeous cardigan pattern. Using some creative geometry, these patterns come together with minimal seaming and loads of fun.
One thing I love about hexagon cardigans is that they allow you to try on the sweater as you go. This can be really helpful in adjusting the fit if you’re crocheting a cardigan for the first time.
The Original Campfire Cardigan
Day Date Cardigan
Comfy Oversized Cardigan
My Favorite Cardigan Patterns
Cardigans can be the perfect layering garment for many seasons. If you’re looking for a sweater you can wear most of the year, a cardigan is the way to go. Cardigans also happen to be my favorite type of garment to design because the styles can vary so much.
From dolman sleeves and bobble stitches to granny squares, you’ll find a little of everything here.
Drapey Puff Stitch Cardigan
Patchwork Cardigan Pattern
Long Jacket with Belt
Seamless Sweaters
For anyone who despises weaving in ends, I always recommend these seamless patterns. They are perfect examples of cardigans that are no more difficult than any other type of project.
RELATED: Don’t leave out your furry friends – make them their very own dog sweater (available in nine sizes!)
Easy Hooded Sweater with Fringe
Simple Beginner Sweater Jacket
Long Seamless Cardigan
Colorful Cardigan with Hood
RELATED: 40+ Free Crochet Patterns to Make With Lion Brand Mandala Yarn
Nexus Cardigan for Beginners
Customizable Cropped Cardigan
Intermediate Sweater Patterns
You’ve finished a few sweaters and you’re ready for your next challenge.
Intermediate-level patterns can include individual pieces or motifs like granny squares. They also might require some joining, either using crochet stitches or sewing. Ready to learn some new crochet skills?!
Summer Sweater with Pockets
Chunky Bobble Cardi With Pockets
Easy Tunisian Crochet Cardigan
Oversized Cardigan With Fur Collar
Staycation Cardigan
Sherpa Fleece Jacket with Hood
Modern Granny Square Cardigan
Versatile Everyday Cardigan
Summer Crochet Cardigan
Elevation Duster
Flowy Color Block Cardigan
Easy V-Stitch Cardigan
Pullovers, Jumpers, and Sweatshirts
Crochet pullovers are fun because they can be designed as hoodies, ponchos, or tunics. I’ve tried them all and learned that for the simplest version, all you really need is two big rectangles and two smaller ones.
The jumper patterns below include a variety of necklines like v-necks, cowl necks, and boat necklines. You’ll also find different methods used to create the design, including top-down raglan and seamless yoke patterns.
Furry Crochet Hoodie
“Inside Out” Pullover with Exposed Seams
Fisherman’s Sweater
Colorful Top Down Raglan
Unique Raglan Crochet Top
Related: 30+ Modern Crochet Tops + Tanks
Bell Sleeve Sweater
V-Neck Cropped Sweater
Top Down Yoke Sweater
Harvest Pullover with Removable Turtleneck
Striped V-Neck Jumper
Ballet Wrap Sweater
Easy + Quick Beginner Raglan
Trans-Seasonal Mesh Top
Wanna save this pattern?
The Weekender Color Block Sweater
Traditional V-neck Pullover
Crew Neck Sweater
Poncho Patterns
Ponchos can be a great sweater choice for beginners because they are often made from very simple shapes. Some patterns even include sleeves, making them a hybrid pullover sweater mixed with poncho, or “swancho” for short!
Poncho Sweater with Sleeves
Minimalist Poncho with Kangaroo Pocket
Knit-Look Poncho with Tassels
Easiest Rectangle Poncho
Seamless Waffle Stitch Poncho
Asymmetrical Poncho Made From Rectangles
Related: 30+ Free Crochet Poncho Patterns – for all seasons
More Garments to Crochet:
Here are our favorite handpicked crochet clothing patterns.
Shrug Patterns
Crochet shrugs are typically easy, even for beginners, because they’re made from a simple rectangle or square. You’ll also love shrugs for their versatility throughout different seasons.
See all our crochet shrug patterns →
Colorwork Shrug Pattern
Easy Cocoon Cardigan
Soft Shrug with Full-Length Sleeves
Vests
Alright, while vests are not technically sweater patterns, they are essentially cardigans without sleeves. Layer a boho vest on top of your outfit for instant style points.
See all our crochet vest patterns →
Bohemian Granny Square Vest
Serenity Beginner Vest Pattern
Long Tree-Lined Vest
Patterns for Kids
A kid’s sweater can often be a perfect first garment for beginners. Why? Because kids are smaller of course! Whether you’re new to crocheting garments or you’re an old pro, these sweaters for children will come together quickly using simple techniques.
See all our wearable patterns for babies, toddlers + kids →
Mini Mezzo Cardigan
XO Little Girls Sweater Pattern
Baby Sweater with Bobble Tree Motif
Supplies for Crochet Cardigans + Sweaters
Choosing the right supplies is critical to sweater success. Does this mean you need to break the bank on really expensive yarns and notions? Thankfully, no. Here are some things to keep in mind when gathering your supplies.
Crochet Hook(s)
When you see the hook size in a pattern, remember this: The pattern designer is telling you how they achieved the right gauge, not how you must.
We all crochet a little more tightly or loosely than the next person. It’s very personal. Changing your hook size to achieve the pattern gauge is ALWAYS okay. (See more on how to check your gauge below.)
Notions
Other than a hook and yarn, what do you need for crocheting a sweater? Just determination, an adventurous spirit, and a few notions.
Measuring tape
Use this to ensure you’ve achieved the right gauge. You might also want to measure the length of a sleeve, a hem, or something similar. You’ll use this to take your own measurements to choose the right sweater size as well.
Stitch markers
Stitch markers usually look like little plastic safety pins. They are important for helping you keep your place in the stitches and knowing when to repeat decreases.
PRO TIP: In a particularly long row, you can mark every 10-20 stitches, for example. This way, you can more easily count your stitches if you get lost.
Tapestry needle
Yarn needles are essential for weaving the yarn tails into the sweater and sometimes, for joining pieces together.
Scissors
For fastening off yarn at the end of a pattern section.
Highlighter or pen
This is the easiest way to keep track of your one size within a crochet pattern with many size options. I always like to highlight all numbers and stitch counts for my size in the pattern before I get started.
Essential Tips for Sweater Success
Here are some tips to keep in mind as you get started on your next sweater.
1. Choose a pattern at the right skill level (that’ll keep you interested).
Most of the trendy sweaters above are quite easy. So, choosing the right pattern comes down to what you value in a project.
- In a hurry? Make a sweater with chunky yarn. Category 4, 5, and sometimes 6 can work well.
- Hate seaming? Try a hexagon-based pattern.
- Love to crochet on the go? Granny square sweaters and patchwork cardigans can be made in pieces, which makes them more portable projects.
2. Pick the right yarn.
Review the tips above for choosing the best yarn for your specific project. While crochet blanket patterns can sometimes be made with a different yarn weight, when making a sweater or cardigan, you must choose a yarn that’s the same weight as the pattern recommends.
Otherwise, your project could be way too big or way too small.
3. If nothing else, make a gauge swatch.
Meeting the pattern gauge is what ensures your cardigan has the measurements listed in the pattern. It’s always okay to use a different size hook from what the pattern recommends to achieve the gauge listed.
4. Take your body measurements.
Use these numbers to guide what pattern size you choose to make.
5. Check the fit along the way.
Most sweaters can be adjusted to fit your particular body better. If you want to be able to actually try on the garment as you crochet, try a hexagon cardigan or cocoon-style sweater.
6. Block your project.
Blocking is the act of adding water or steam to crochet fabric to help the stitches relax and lie more evenly. It’s a game changer! Don’t skip this step. Check out this guide to learn all about blocking crochet projects.
Blocking Tools
If you’ve never made a sweater, you may not know what blocking is. (No judgement here – I avoided it for 27 years before finally adding this step to my garment-making process!) It just means steaming out your garment or its final pieces at the end to even out stitches and ensure the final size is correct.
Ideally you will use a blocking board or large piece of stiff foam, and t-pins to secure the pieces. You can use an actual steamer to create the moisture for blocking, or an iron with steam function can work too. NEVER touch the steamer or iron to the actual yarn. When using acrylic yarn, direct contact with the heat source can burn or melt the yarn.
If you can’t steam, you can just pin the sweater pieces down and wet them well with a simple spray bottle.
Pro Tip: Always consider the fiber type when choosing a sweater blocking method. Some yarn fibers respond better to wet blocking, steam blocking or other techniques. If in doubt, do a simple Google search to determine the best blocking method for your fiber type.
Now that you’ve learned everything you need to know about crocheting your first sweater, grab your hook and go make something beautiful!
That was so fun! Now what?
Invitation to our Facebook group
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Naomi says
Hi, I am wondering when your Halcyon hat and bag patter will be available to purchase. I know you can get the kit, but I live in Canada and the shipping is more than the kit and yarn.
Thank you
Naomi
Needham says
how do I get the free pattern for sweater #9?
BAC says
I am interested in sweater #9, free range c2c but the pattern is not free…yet you are promoting it as free….
“Readers’ Favorite Free Crochet Sweater Patterns”. How do you find the free pattern? Thank you
Jess Coppom says
Hey there,
It’s definitely free. Just scroll down a bit to download the free graph patterns (available for multiple sizes.)
Jess 🙂
Mary Bennett says
So many lovely crocheted garments. I’ve knitted a couple for granddaughters and crocheted a couple shawls. I look forward to giving a crocheted cardigan a go.
Thanks so much for the great, easy to comprehend patterns. Much appreciated Mary B
ANNE NEILL says
Where do I get the patterns for these garments?
wendy mason says
Please help me i made the almost seamless cardigam please help me with the frindge.
Jess Coppom says
How can I help? Is there a certain part you’re struggling with?
Mary Banks says
Hi there, I’m looking for a crochet jumper patter to use up some Go Handmade Teddy yarn. Can you help please?
Thank you, Mary