The Woven Autumn Cardigan: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Textured, Oversized Button-Up

Wrap Yourself in Autumn: The Woven Autumn Cardigan

There’s something magical about the first crisp day of fall—the kind that calls for a cozy sweater and a warm drink. The Woven Autumn Cardigan is designed to be that perfect layering piece. With its oversized, relaxed fit and a stunning woven-like cable pattern, this cardigan adds texture and warmth to any outfit. The chunky wooden buttons and rich butterscotch color evoke the golden hues of autumn leaves. Best of all, this pattern is beginner-friendly, guiding you through each step to create a garment you’ll treasure for seasons to come.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. All measurements and quantities are based on the pattern specifications.

• Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick (Super Bulky weight, 80% acrylic, 20% wool, 106 yds/97 m per 170g skein) – 6 (7, 8, 9) skeins in ‘Butterscotch’ (or a similar warm golden-brown).
• Needles: US 13 (9 mm) circular knitting needles, 32-inch or longer (for working flat or magic loop); US 13 (9 mm) double-pointed needles for sleeves (optional, but recommended).
• Notions: Cable needle; stitch markers; tapestry needle; 5 (6, 6, 7) large wooden buttons (1.5-inch diameter).
• Gauge: 10 stitches x 14 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (after blocking).

Step-by-Step Instructions

This cardigan is worked flat in one piece from the bottom up to the armholes, then divided for the back and fronts. Sleeves are worked separately and sewn in. Follow the instructions carefully for your chosen size: S (M, L, XL) – Finished chest circumference: 40 (44, 48, 52) inches, length: 26 (27, 28, 29) inches.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on
• K: knit
• P: purl
• C4F: slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in front, knit next 2 stitches, then knit 2 from cable needle
• C4B: slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in back, knit next 2 stitches, then knit 2 from cable needle
• M1L: make one left (increase)
• M1R: make one right (increase)
• K2tog: knit two together
• SSK: slip slip knit (decrease)
• BO: bind off
• St(s): stitch(es)
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side

Pattern Notes

• The cardigan is worked flat in one piece from the bottom up to the armholes, then divided for the back and fronts.
• Sleeves are worked separately and sewn in.
• The woven cable pattern is a 12-stitch repeat that creates a beautiful, textured diamond effect.

Woven Cable Pattern (12 sts, 16-row repeat)

• Row 1 (RS): P2, C4F, P2, C4B, P2
• Row 2 and all WS rows: K2, P4, K2, P4, K2
• Row 3: P2, K4, P2, K4, P2
• Row 5: P2, C4B, P2, C4F, P2
• Row 7: P2, K4, P2, K4, P2
• Row 8: K2, P4, K2, P4, K2
• Rows 9-16: Repeat rows 1-8.

Body (worked bottom-up)

1. Cast On: CO 100 (110, 120, 130) sts.
2. Ribbing: Work in K1, P1 rib for 2 inches, ending with a WS row.
3. Set up pattern:
   • Row 1 (RS): K5 (10, 15, 20) (stockinette for left front), place marker (pm), work Row 1 of Woven Cable over next 12 sts, pm, K8 (8, 8, 8) (stockinette for left sleeve), pm, work Row 1 of Woven Cable over next 12 sts, pm, K20 (20, 20, 20) (back), pm, work Row 1 of Woven Cable over next 12 sts, pm, K8 (8, 8, 8) (right sleeve), pm, work Row 1 of Woven Cable over next 12 sts, pm, K5 (10, 15, 20) (right front).
4. Continue in pattern: Work stockinette on plain sections and repeat the 16-row cable pattern on cable sections until piece measures 17 (18, 19, 20) inches from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

Divide for Armholes

1. Next row (RS): Work across left front sts (including cable) to first marker, remove marker, place next 8 (8, 8, 8) sts on holder for left underarm, remove marker, work across back sts (including cable) to next marker, remove marker, place next 8 (8, 8, 8) sts on holder for right underarm, remove marker, work across right front sts. You now have three sections: left front, back, right front.

Left Front

1. Work on left front sts only (approx 25 (30, 35, 40) sts). Continue in pattern, decreasing 1 st at armhole edge every RS row 3 times (K2tog at armhole edge).
2. Then work even until armhole measures 8 (8.5, 9, 9.5) inches from division, ending with a WS row.
3. Shape neck: At neck edge (center front), BO 5 (6, 7, 8) sts once, then BO 2 sts once, then BO 1 st twice. Work even on remaining sts until armhole measures 9 (9.5, 10, 10.5) inches. BO all sts.

Right Front

1. Work same as left front, reversing shaping (use SSK at armhole edge).

Back

1. Work on back sts (approx 40 (40, 40, 40) sts). Decrease 1 st at each armhole edge every RS row 3 times (K2tog at beginning, SSK at end).
2. Work even until armhole measures 9 (9.5, 10, 10.5) inches. BO all sts.

Sleeves (make 2)

1. Cast On: CO 24 (26, 28, 30) sts.
2. Ribbing: Work in K1, P1 rib for 2 inches, ending with a WS row.
3. Increase row (RS): K1, M1L, knit to last st, M1R, K1. (26, 28, 30, 32 sts)
4. Work in stockinette stitch, repeating increase row every 6 rows until you have 40 (44, 48, 52) sts. Work even until sleeve measures 18 (19, 20, 21) inches from cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.
5. Shape cap: BO 4 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. Then decrease 1 st at each end every RS row 6 times. BO remaining sts.

Finishing

1. Sew shoulder seams. Sew sleeve caps into armholes. Sew sleeve and side seams.
2. Button Band: With RS facing, pick up and knit sts along left front edge (approx 3 sts for every 4 rows). Work in K1, P1 rib for 1 inch. BO in pattern.
3. Buttonhole Band: With RS facing, pick up and knit sts along right front edge. Work in K1, P1 rib for 1/2 inch. Next row (RS): Work rib to first buttonhole position, *BO 2 sts, work rib to next position* repeat from * to * for 5 (6, 6, 7) buttonholes, ending with rib. Next row: CO 2 sts over each BO gap. Continue rib for another 1/2 inch. BO in pattern.
4. Sew buttons opposite buttonholes. Weave in all ends. Block to measurements.

Your Woven Autumn Cardigan is now complete! Enjoy the cozy, textured warmth and the satisfaction of creating a beautiful handmade garment. Happy knitting!