Ten cozy, oversized cardigans, each from a different designer, each linking to that designer’s own free pattern. Two are literally cloud-named with cloud motifs; the rest share the same soft, wrap-yourself-in-a-blanket feel.
1. MJ’s off the Hook Designs – Cuddly as a Cloud Crochet Cardigan
Cuddly as a Cloud is a beginner-friendly cardigan built from chunky ribbed stitches, worked from the side across the back and fronts. The free version gives adult sizes XS to 5X, with a video tutorial, and the child sizes and the schematic come with the ad-free PDF. Michelle Moore also has a club that removes ads across her patterns.
Free pattern: Cuddly as a Cloud Crochet Cardigan at MJ’s off the Hook Designs
2. Paintbox Yarns – Cloud Nine Cocoon Cardigan
Cloud Nine is a cocoon cardigan in Paintbox Yarns wool blend DK, a generously draped open front with color blocked stripes. It is offered in seven sizes for a 76 to 142 cm chest, and the download is free but you have to log in on LoveCrafts to get it.
Free pattern: Cloud Nine Cocoon Cardigan at LoveCrafts
3. Mama In A Stitch – Light Snow Oversized Cardigan
Light Snow is rated Easy+ and worked in Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Fisherman on an 11.5 mm hook, with a 10 mm hook for the cuffs and collar. It takes 5 to 8 skeins, about 784 to 1,175 g, in sizes S to XL for a 40 to 52 inch bust. Jessica says the stitch reminds her of falling snow, and that it is cozy without being too hot or bulky. There is an ad-free PDF on Etsy and a Lion Brand kit.
Free pattern: Light Snow Oversized Cardigan at Mama In A Stitch
4. Blue Star Crochet – Gap Year Cardigan
Veronika Cromwell’s Gap Year is a relaxed, open front cardigan in nine sizes, XS to 5XL (chest 86 cm up). The sample uses Cascade Ultra Pima cotton DK on a 4.5 mm hook, and the amounts run from about 940 to 2,090 m of yarn depending on the size. She says to buy extra yarn if you are unsure, because the exact amount depends on your tension and any changes you make.
Free pattern: Gap Year Cardigan at Blue Star Crochet
5. Life + Yarn – Easy Chunky Crochet Cocoon Cardigan
Brianna Iaropoli says this is an easy, first-garment pattern made from one big rectangle and a few simple folds, so the hardest part is the alpine stitch, not the construction. She has a video for the alpine stitch, and you need single, double and treble crochet. The fit has about 10 inches of positive ease. A Lion Brand kit and an ad-free PDF (Etsy and Ravelry) are sold too.
Free pattern: Easy Chunky Crochet Cocoon Cardigan at Life + Yarn
6. Cactus and Lace Designs – Oversized Crochet Cardigan
This is the Haven Cardi, made in one piece with minimal seaming, in nine sizes from XS to 5X. The sample is in Lion Brand Basic Stitch, an anti-pilling yarn, and the designer says she has washed it at least three times and it still looks good. The page gives yardage for every size, and a printable color coded PDF is sold separately.
Free pattern: Oversized Crochet Cardigan at Cactus and Lace Designs
7. For The Frills – Cuddly Cardigan
The Cuddly Cardigan is an easy sweater in Lion Brand Feels Like Butta, a very soft, drapey yarn that relaxes over time. It is written in XS to 3XL with the chain counts given for each size, and the model has a 32 inch bust. It comes with a video tutorial.
Free pattern: Cuddly Cardigan at For The Frills
8. Delia Creates – Oversized Crocheted Cardigan
Delia says this was her first sweater. She used DK yarn instead of worsted, which makes a less bulky sweater with more movement, and the mesh-like pattern of half double and treble crochet works up quickly and makes it easy to keep track of rows. The pieces are made separately, then seamed, and then you add the bottom band, collar and cuffs, all with a tutorial.
Free pattern: Oversized Crocheted Cardigan at Delia Creates
9. CJ Design Blog – Riverbed Cardigan
The Riverbed Cardigan uses the same stitch combination as Daniela’s Riverbed Blanket, and it is a very oversized cardigan. She uses a magic knot to switch colors, so there are no ends to weave in, and a ribbing round the collar hides the knots. She recommends washing or steam blocking it so the stitches relax, and she used acrylic yarn.
Free pattern: Riverbed Cardigan at CJ Design Blog
10. Yarnspirations – Bernat Cozy Oversized Crochet Cardigan
This is a free Bernat pattern for a beginner, oversized in Bernat Blanket, a thick chunky yarn, and available in 3 sizes. It practices double crochet, working in rows and rounds, and flat seaming. The download is free with no sign-up, but the pattern has a 2.5 star rating from 8 reviews, so read the reviews before you buy yarn.
Free pattern: Bernat Cozy Oversized Crochet Cardigan at Yarnspirations
[…] of them repeats a pattern from my other cardigan roundups. If you want something plainer, try my cozy crochet cardigans or my striped crochet […]
[…] Every pattern here is free, and every link goes to the designer’s own page. Hoodies take a lot of yarn, so check the yardage for your size before you buy, and swatch before you cast on. If you also crochet, see my roundup of cozy crochet cardigans. […]