This loose-fitting ladies chunky cardigan with its fitted cuffs creates a great shape that suits all. It’s modern and so easy to dress up or dress down, and the Serenity Chunky yarn means you can wash it with without worrying! Knit this ladies chunky cardigan knitting pattern, free from any worries about what to wear it with, as it goes with everything! Brighten up any day by slipping on this oversized cardigan worked in a gorgeous turquoise blue.
Designed by Naomi Lobley, this ladies chunky cardigan knitting pattern was originally published in Knit Today magazine issue 109. But we are now delighted to featured the pattern as a free download on Gathered. If you are looking to brush up on your knitting skills or need a reminder of the basics, take a look at our knitting for beginners article. You'll find the cable in this pattern easier to understand with the help of our how to cable knit guide, too.
For more knitted garments, check out our knit crop top pattern and our free poncho knitting pattern, too. If you are looking for an easy garment kit, see our best knitting kits article for more ideas.
Ladies chunky cardigan knitting pattern materials
Yarn: 8 (9:10:11:11) 100g balls of Wendy Serenity Chunky in Tourmaline (3208). This yarn is now discontinued, so swap on an alternative Chunky yarn - we like Stylecraft Special Chunky as an alternative. Find it on Lovecrafts
Needles: 6mm (UK 4, US 10) and 7.5mm (UK 1) knitting needles
Ladies chunky cardigan knitting pattern tension
12 sts and 15 rows to 10cm or 4in square over st st using 7.5mm (UK 1) needles.
11 sts and 19 rows to 10cm or 4in square over the main pattern using 7.5mm (UK 1) needles.
18 sts and 18 rows to 10cm or 4in square over sleeve pattern using 6mm(UK 4, US 10) needles.
To find out more about knitting tension and why it is important, check out our article on knitting tension squares.
Ladies chunky cardigan knitting pattern charts
Knitting abbreviations
C12B Slip next 6 stitches onto cable needle and leave at back of work, work 6 in patt from left needle then 6 from cable needle
C12F Slip next 6 stitches onto cable needle and leave at front of work, work 6 in patt from left needle then 6 from cable needle
C16B Slip next 8 stitches onto cable needle and leave at front of work, work 8 in patt from left needle then 8 from cable needle
C16F Slip next 8 stitches onto cable needle and leave at back of work, work 8 in patt from left needle then 8 from cable needle
C2B
Slip next stitch onto cable needle and leave at back of work, work 1 in patt from left needle then 1 from cable needle
inc1 Increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back of next stitch
M1 Make 1 stitch by pickingup horizontal loop before next stitch and knitting into back of it
See our knitting abbreviations article for a full list and advice on reading knitting patterns
Ladies chunky cardigan knitting pattern body
Using 6mm needles, cast on 83 (89:95:101:107) sts using thumb method.
Row 1 (WS): P1 (k1, p1) rep to end.
Row 2 (RS): K1, (p1, k1) rep to end.
Row 3: P1 (k1, p1) rep to end.
Rows 4 to 9: Rep rows 2 and 3 three times.
Change to 7.5mm needles.
Row 10 (RS): P3, k3, m1, k4, m1, k3, yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn, (k3, yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, k0 (3:0:3:0) k1, p1, k1, p1, m1, p1, k1, p1, m1, k3, m1, k3, inc1, k3, m1, k3, m1, k1, p1, k1, m1, k1, p1, k1, p1, k0 (3:0:3:0), yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn, (k3, yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, k3, m1, k4, m1, k3, p3. 94 (100:106:112:118) sts.
Row 11: K3, p12, k3, (p3, k3) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, p0 (3:0:3:0), work 8 sts in moss st, k18, work 8 sts in moss st, p0 (3:0:3:0), k3, (p3, k3) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, p12, k3.
Row 12: P3, k12, p3, (k3, p3) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, k0 (3:0:3:0), work 8 sts in moss st, p18, work 8 sts in moss st, k0 (3:0:3:0), p3, (k3, p3) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, k12, p3.
Row 13: Rep row 11.
Row 14: P3, k12, yrn, k3, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn, k3) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 0 (3:0:3:0) times, work 8 sts in moss st, k18, work 8 sts in moss st, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 0 (3:0:3:0) times, k3, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn, k3) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, yrn, k12, p3. 96 (102:108:114:120) sts.
Row 15: K3, p12, k1, p3, (k3, p3) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, k0 (3:0:3:0), work 8 sts in moss st, k18, work 8 sts in moss st, k0 (3:0:3:0), p3, (k3, p3) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, k1, p12, k3.
Row 16: P3, k12, p1, k3, (p3, k3) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, p0 (3:0:3:0), work 8 sts in moss st, p18, work 8 sts in moss st, p0 (3:0:3:0), k3, (p3, k3) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, p1, k12, p3.
Row 17: Rep row 15.
Row 18: P3, c12f, inc1, yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn, (k3, yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, k0 (3:0:3:0), c18b, work 2 sts in moss st, c16f, k0 (3:0:3:0), yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn, (k3, yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, inc1, c12b, p3. 98 (104:110:116:122) sts. Row 19: K3, p12, k2, p3, (k3, p3) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, k0 (3:0:3:0), p8, work 18 sts in moss st, k8, k0 (3:0:3:0), p3, (k3, p3) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, p2, p12, p3.
Row 20: P3, k12, k2, k3, (p3, k3) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, p0 (3:0:3:0), k8, work 18 sts in moss st, p8, p0 (3:0:3:0), k3 (p3, k3) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, k2, k12, p3.
Row 21: Rep row 19.
Row 22: P3, k12, yrn, ssk, yrn, k3, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn, k3) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 0 (3:0:3:0) times, k8, work 18 sts in moss st, k8, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 0 (3:0:3:0) times, k3, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn, k3) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, yrn, ssk, yrn, k12, p3. 100 (106:112:118:124) sts.
Row 23: K3, p12, (k3, p3) 3 (3:4:4:5) times, k0 (3:0:3:0), p8, work 18 sts in moss st, p8, k0 (3:0:3:0), (p3, k3) 3 (3:4:4:5) times, p12, k3.
Row 24: P3, k12, (p3, k3) 3 (3:4:4:5) times, p0 (3:0:3:0), k8, work 18 sts in moss st, k8, p0 (3:0:3:0), (k3, p3) 3 (3:4:4:5) times, k12, p3.
Row 25: Rep row 23.
Row 26: P3, k12, yrn, (k3, yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 3 (3:4:4:5) times, k0 (3:0:3:0), k8, work 18 sts in moss st, k8, k0 (3:0:3:0), (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn, k3) 3 (3:4:4:5) times, yrn, k12, p3. 102 (108:114:120:126) sts.
Row 27: K3, p12, k1, (p3, k3) 3 (3:4:4:5) times, p0 (3:0:3:0), p8, work 18 sts in moss st, p8, work 18 sts in moss st, p0 (3:0:3:0), (k3, p3) 3 (3:4:4:5) times, k1, p12, k3.
Row 28: P3, k12, p1, (k3, p3) 3 (3:4:4:5) times, k0 (3:0:3:0), k8, work 18 sts in moss st, k8, k0 (3:0:3:0), (p3, k3) 3 (3:4:4:5) times, p1, k12, p3.
Row 29: Rep row 27.
Row 30: P3, C12F, inc1, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn, k3) 3 (3:4:4:5) times, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 0 (3:0:3:0) times, C16B, k2, C16F (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 0 (3:0:3:0) times, (k3, yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 3 (3:4:4:5) times, inc1, C12B, p3. 104 (110:116:122:128) sts.
Rows 31 to 82: Following the increase instructions given for rows 13 to 19, cont in patt until you have 130 (136:142:148:154) sts.
Row 83 (WS): K3, p12, k3, (p3, k3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, p0 (3:0:3:0), work 8 sts in moss st, k18, work 8 sts in moss st, p0 (3:0:3:0), k3, (p3, k3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, p12, k3.
Row 84: P3, k12, p3, (k3, p3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, k0 (3:0:3:0), work 8 sts in moss st, p18, work 8 sts in moss st, k0 (3:0:3:0), p3, (k3, p3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, k12, p3.
Row 85: Rep row 83.
Row 86: P3, k12, k3, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn, k3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 0 (3:0:3:0) times, work 8 sts in moss st, k18, work 8 sts in moss st, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 0 (3:0:3:0) times, k3, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn, k3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, k12, p3.
Row 87: K3, p12, p3, (k3, p3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, k0 (3:0:3:0), work 8 sts in moss st, k18, work 8 sts in moss st, k0 (3:0:3:0), p3, (k3, p3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, p12, k3.
Row 88: P3, k12, k3, (p3, k3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, p0 (3:0:3:0), work 8 sts in moss st, p18, work 8 sts in moss st, p0 (3:0:3:0), k3, (p3, k3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, k12, p3.
Row 89: Rep row 87.
Row 90: P3, C12F, yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn, (k3, yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, k0 (3:0:3:0), C16B, work 2 sts in moss st, C16F, k0 (3:0:3:0), yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn, (k3, yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, C12B, p3.
Rows 91 to 113: Cont in patt for 23 rows without increases.
Row 114: P3, C12F, k3, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn, k3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 0 (3:0:3:0) times, C16B, k1, turn. Leave the rest of your sts on a spare needle.
Row 115: Sl1, work 8 sts in moss st, p8, k0 (3:0:3:0), p3, (k3, p3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, p12, k3.
Row 116: P3, k12, p3 (k5, p3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, k0 (3:0:3:0), k8, work 7 sts in moss st, k2tog. 64 (67:70:73:76) sts.
Row 117: Sl1, work 7 sts in moss st, p8, k0 (3:0:3:0), p3, (k3, p3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, p12, k3.
Row 118: P3, k12, yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn, (k3, yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, k0 (3:0:3:0), k8, work 8 sts in moss st.
Row 119: Sl1, work 7 sts in moss st, p8, p0 (3:0:3:0), k3, (p3, k3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, p12, k3.
Row 120: P3, k12, p3, (k3, p3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, k0 (3:0:3:0), k8, work 8 sts in moss st.
Row 121: Rep row 119.
Row 122: P3, k12, k3, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn, k3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 0 (3:0:3:0) times, k8, work 8 sts in moss st.
Row 123: Sl1, work 7 sts in moss st, p8, k0 (3:0:3:0), p3 (k3, p3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, p12, k3.
Row 124: P3, k12, k3, (p3, k3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, p0 (3:0:3:0), k8, work 8 sts in moss st.
Row 125: Rep row 123.
Row 126: P3, C12F, yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn, (k3, yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, k0 (3:0:3:0), C16B.
Rows 127 to 170: Cont in patt.
Row 171: Sl1, work 7 sts in moss st, p8, p0 (3:0:3:0), (k3, p3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, k2tog, k1, p12, k3. 63 (66:69:72:75) sts.
Row 172: P3, k12, p2, (k3, p3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, k0 (3:0:3:0), k8, work 8 sts in moss st.
Row 173: Sl1, work 7 sts in moss st, p8, p0 (3:0:3:0), (k3, p3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, k2, p12, k3.
Row 174: P3, C12F, ssk, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn, k3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 0 (3:0:3:0) times, C16B. 62 (65:68:71:74) sts.
Row 175: Sl1, p7, work 8 sts in moss st, k0 (3:0:3:0), (p3, k3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, p1, p12, k3.
Row 176: P3, k12, (p3, k3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, p0 (3:0:3:0), work 8 sts in moss st, k8.
Row 177: Rep row 175.
Row 178: P3, k11, ssk, (k3, yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, k0 (3:0:3:0), work 8 sts in moss st, k8. 61 (64:67:70:73) sts.
Row 179: Sl1 p7, work 8 sts in moss st, p0 (3:0:3:0), (k3, p3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, p12, k3.
Row 180: P3, k12, (k3, p3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, k0 (3:0:3:0), work 8 sts in moss st, k8.
Row 181: Rep row 179.
Row 182: P3, k12, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, yrn, k3) 5 (5:6:6:7) times, (yrn, sl1, k2tog, yrn) 0 (3:0:3:0) times, work 8 sts in moss st, k8.
Row 183: Sl1, p7, work 8 sts in moss st, k0 (3:0:3:0), p3, (k3, p3) 4 (4:5:5:6) times, k2tog, k1, p12, k3. 60 (63:66:69:72) sts.
Row 184: P3, k12, p2, k3, (p3, k3) 4 (4:5:5:6) times, p0 (3:0:3:0), work 8 sts in moss st, k8.
Row 185: Sl1, p7, work 8 sts in moss st, k0 (3:0:3:0), p3, (k3, p3) 4 (4:5:5:6) times, k2, p12, k3.
Row 186: P3, C12F, ssk, yrn, sl1, k2tog, yrn, (k3, yrn, sl1, k2tog, yrn) 4 (4:5:5:6) times, k0 (3:0:3:0), C16B. 59 (62:65:68:71) sts.
Rows 187 to 238: Following the decrease instructions given for rows 175 to186, cont in patt until you have 46 (49:52:55:58) sts left.
Row 239: Sl1, work 7 sts in moss st, p8, k0 (3:0:3:0), p3, (k3, p3) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, p12, k3.
Row 240: P3, k12, k3, (p3, k3) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, p0 (3:0:3:0), k8, work 8 sts in moss st.
Row 241: Rep row 239.
Row 242: P3, k5, k2tog, k5, yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn, (k3, yrn, sl1, k2tog, psso, yrn) 2 (2:3:3:4) times, k0 (3:0:3:0), k2, ssk, k2tog, k2, work 2 sts in moss st, ssk, k2tog, work 2 sts in moss st. 41 (44:47:50:53) sts.
Row 243: Sl1, (k1, p1) rep to end.
Row 244: P1, (k1, p1) rep to end.
Row 245: Sl1, (k1, p1) rep to end.
Rows 246 to 252: Rep rows 244 and 245 3 (3:4:4:5) times.
Cast off in ribbing.
Ladies chunky cardigan knitting pattern sleeves
Make two sleeves alike.
Cast on 37 (40:43:46:49) sts using thethumb method.
Row 1 (WS): K1, (p2, k1) rep to end.
Row 2 (RS): P1, (c2b, p1) rep to end.
Rows 3 to 13: Cont in patt.
Row 14 (RS): P1, c2b, inc1, (c2b, p1) rep to last 6 sts, c2b, inc1, c2b, p1. 39 (42:45:48:51) sts.
Row 15: K1, p2, k2, (p2, k1) rep to last 4 sts, k1, p2, k1.
Row 16: P1, c2b, p2, (c2b, p1) rep to last 4 sts, p1, c2b, p1.
Row 17: K1, p2, k2, (p2, k1) rep to last 4 sts, k1, p2, k1.
Rows 18 to 27: Rep rows 16 and 17 five times.
Row 28 (RS): P1, c2b, p2, c2b, inc1, (c2b, p1) rep to last 10 sts c2b, inc1, c2b, p2, c2b, p1. 41 (44:47:50:53) sts.
Row 29: K1, p2, k2, p2, k2, (p2, k1) rep to last 8 sts, k1, p2, k2, p2, k1.
Row 30: P1, c2b, p2, c2b, p2, (c2b, p1) rep to last 8 sts, p1, c2b, p2, c2b, p1.
Row 31: K1, p2, k2, p2, k2, (p2, k1) rep to last 8 sts, k1, p2, k2, p2, k1.
Rows 32 to 41: Rep rows 30 and 31 five times.
Row 42 (RS): P1, c2b, p2, c2b, p2, c2b, inc1, (c2b, p1) rep to last 14 sts, c2b, inc1, c2b, p2, c2b, p2, c2b, p1. 43 (46:49:52:55) sts.
Row 43: K1, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, (p2, k1) rep to last 12 sts, k1, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k1.
Row 44: P1, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, (k2, p1) rep to last 12 sts, P1, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p1.
Row 45: K1, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, (p2, k1) rep to last 12 sts, k1, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k1.
Rows 46 to 49: Rep rows 44 and 45 twice.
Cast off.
Making up the ladies chunky cardigan knitting pattern
Fold the front onto the back, sew the sleeve to the middle of the shoulder edge.
Join the side and sleeve seams.
Download the ladies chunky cardigan knitting pattern
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