12 Fall Crochet Cardigan Free Patterns
When the air turns crisp, nothing beats a cozy cardigan you made yourself. Fall is the perfect season for crochet layers: warm enough for chilly mornings, easy to take off when the afternoon warms up.
Here are 12 free fall crochet cardigan patterns we opened and checked. There are chunky open-front cardigans, a hooded one, textured long styles, a colorwork sweater coat, and several easy patterns made from simple rectangles. Most come in sizes up to 3XL or beyond.
Fall Crochet Cardigan Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Worsted or bulky yarn in fall colors like rust, mustard, olive and oatmeal
- Crochet hook set (4 mm to 10 mm)
- Locking stitch markers
- Yarn needle for seaming
- Soft measuring tape
- Blocking mats and T-pins
- Large wooden buttons (for button-up styles)
1. Habitat Cardigan by Make & Do Crew
A soft, oversized cardigan the designer describes as a wearable blanket. It is written for beginners, split into two parts, with lots of photo help and video tutorials. The sizing is roomy, from S/M to 2XL/3XL. It is a great first garment if you want a cozy layer for fall.
- Designer: Make & Do Crew
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: worsted (#4), Lion Brand Heartland
- Hook: 6.6 mm (K) and 6 mm (J)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Kima Cardi by TL Yarn Crafts
Photo: Toni Lipsey / TL Yarn Crafts
A chunky, oversized open-front cardigan with a ribbed collar and deep pockets. It is made from simple rectangle panels in an easy single crochet and half double crochet pattern. With bulky yarn and a 10 mm hook, it works up fast, so you can wear it this season, not next.
- Designer: Toni Lipsey / TL Yarn Crafts
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: bulky (#5), Lion Brand Hue + Me
- Hook: 10 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Briar Oversized Pocket Cardigan by For The Frills
Photo: Grace / For The Frills
A slouchy, oversized cardigan with loose sleeves, ribbing at the hem, and optional pockets. The body is worked in one piece with very little shaping, mostly in half double crochet. There is a full video tutorial, so it is a great pick if you learn better by watching.
- Designer: Grace / For The Frills
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: worsted (#4), Lion Brand Heartland
- Hook: 6.5 mm (K)
- Price: Free written pattern + video, paid PDF available
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Everyday Crochet Cardigan by Sewrella
Photo: Ashleigh / Sewrella
A simple, boxy and drapey cardigan made from rectangles sewn together, with chunky ribbing at the hem and neckline. The sample uses Lion Brand Touch of Alpaca in Oxford Grey, and the pattern comes in sizes XS to 3XL. Made in a warm fall color, it goes with everything.
- Designer: Ashleigh / Sewrella
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: worsted (#4), Lion Brand Touch of Alpaca
- Hook: 6.5 mm (K)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Sweater Weather Cardi by TL Yarn Crafts
Photo: Toni Lipsey / TL Yarn Crafts
A long, solid-color cardigan with a textured lemon peel stitch body, a wide collar, long cuffed sleeves and pockets. It is built from two panels joined at the center back, with ribbing added at the collar and hem. This is the cardigan you will wear with boots all fall.
- Designer: Toni Lipsey / TL Yarn Crafts
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: worsted (#4), Lion Brand Wool-Ease
- Hook: 6.5 mm and 7 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. V-Neck Button Cardigan by For The Frills
Photo: Grace / For The Frills
A slouchy button-up cardigan with a wide V-neck and a knit-look linen stitch. It is worked in three pieces with built-in buttonholes. Made in soft baby alpaca, it is light but warm, perfect for layering over a collared shirt on a cool fall day.
- Designer: Grace / For The Frills
- Skill level: Easy (rated Easy+)
- Yarn: DK (#3), WeCrochet Alpaca Cloud DK
- Hook: 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free written pattern + video, paid PDF available
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Mountaintop Cardigan by Two of Wands
Photo: Two of Wands
A chunky sweater coat with bold mountain colorwork across the back and matching stripes on the collar. It is worked in back loop half double crochet, which gives a ribbed texture. With bulky yarn and pockets, it is warm enough to wear instead of a jacket on mild fall days.
- Designer: Two of Wands
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: bulky (#5), Lion Brand Hue + Me
- Hook: 10 mm (N/P)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Aurora Cardigan by A Crocheted Simplicity
Photo: Jennifer Renaud / A Crocheted Simplicity
A simple, classic cardigan with a relaxed fit and patch pockets. The sample is a bright mustard gold, one of the best colors for fall. It is worked in rows of single and double crochet, and it comes in sizes S through 5X.
- Designer: Jennifer Renaud / A Crocheted Simplicity
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: worsted (#4), Lion Brand Touch of Alpaca
- Hook: 6.5 mm (K), 6 mm (J) and 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Watson Waffle Cardigan by Lakeside Loops
Photo: Kimberley / Lakeside Loops
A long cardigan with a deep, cozy waffle texture and big pockets. It is made from two rectangle panels plus pockets. The size range is huge: 16 sizes from baby to adult 5XL, so you can make matching cardigans for the whole family.
- Designer: Kimberley / Lakeside Loops
- Skill level: Beginner (if you are comfortable with front post stitches)
- Yarn: fine / sport (#2)
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free written pattern + $3 PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Magnus Cardigan by Meghan Makes Do
Photo: Meghan Ballmer / Meghan Makes Do
A bright, colorful open-front cardigan in a two-color block stitch, with pockets. The designer made it for the change from fall to winter. Try it in rust and cream, or go bold with pink, blue and mustard like the sample. Sizes run XS to 5X.
- Designer: Meghan Ballmer / Meghan Makes Do
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Lion Brand Scarfie Lite and Lion Brand Wool-Ease (see pattern)
- Hook: 6 mm (J) and 5.5 mm (I)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Rosewood Cardigan by All About Ami
Photo: Stephanie Lau / All About Ami
A relaxed, long, slouchy cardigan with drop sleeves, pockets and a wide collar. It is mostly single crochet worked in the front loops, which gives a soft, ridged texture. The cotton and bamboo yarn makes it a good early fall layer when days are still mild.
- Designer: Stephanie Lau / All About Ami
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: DK (#3), Coboo
- Hook: 4 mm, 3.5 mm and 6 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Crochet Oversized Hood Cardigan by Crochet with Carrie
Photo: Carrie / Crochet with Carrie
A chunky, oversized cardigan with a big hood, perfect for pumpkin patches and bonfires. It is made from seven panels worked sideways in yarn over slip stitch through the back loops, which creates a ribbed look. The designer says it feels more like a jacket.
- Designer: Carrie / Crochet with Carrie
- Skill level: see pattern (designer calls it very easy)
- Yarn: bulky (#5), Stylecraft Special Chunky
- Hook: 6.5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First cardigan ever? Start with #1, the Habitat Cardigan, or #3, the Briar, which both have video help.
- Want it done fast? The bulky patterns in #2 and #7 use a 10 mm hook and fly off the hook.
- Love texture? Try the lemon peel stitch in #5 or the waffle stitch in #9.
- Want a fall jacket? #7 and #12 are thick enough to wear on their own on mild days.
- Like a polished look? #6 is a button-up V-neck that works for the office.
FAQ
What is the best yarn for a fall crochet cardigan?
Worsted (#4) and bulky (#5) yarns are the most popular. Acrylic and wool blends are warm and easy to wash. Alpaca blends add softness. For early fall, a DK cotton blend like the one in #11 keeps you from overheating on warmer afternoons.
How long does it take to crochet a cardigan?
It depends on the yarn weight, size and your speed. Bulky cardigans with big hooks can be finished in a few weekends. Fine yarn cardigans like the Watson take much longer. Start in late summer if you want to wear yours for the first cool days.
Are crochet cardigans warm enough for fall?
Yes. Crochet fabric is naturally thick, so most cardigans in worsted or bulky yarn are very warm. A chunky cardigan with a scarf can replace a light jacket on mild days. For colder weather, layer it over a turtleneck or long-sleeve tee.
Pick your favorite, grab a mug of something warm, and start your fall cardigan today.