Cropped cardigans are everywhere now. Some of them are cropped to the waist, some to the ribcage, and some are so small they almost belong in our Sweater Scarf roundup. Because they are small, they are a good way to add some warmth while also showing off whatever you have underneath. If you are of a certain age, you might call some of these a bolero or a shrug — but no matter the name, they’re very cute and fun to make!
Cropped Cardigan Knitting Kit
Urth Yarns | Ruuno Cardigan Kit
Ruuno is a relaxed cropped cardigan that uses Urth Yarns Lanalpaca for a cozy bouclé texture, so you can be on trend and warm at the same time! It features decorative faux seam details and a wide ribbed collar, and in this chunky yarn on large needles it works up quite quickly.
Ruuno comes in 10 sizes: 1(2, 3, 4)[5, 6, 7](8, 9, 10), for finished chest circumference 105(115, 125, 136.5)[146.5, 156.5, 166.5](176.5, 186.5, 198) cm / 41.25(45.25, 49.25, 53.75) [57.75, 61.5, 65.5](69.5, 73.5, 78) inches, to be worn with about 20-35 cm/8-14 inches of positive ease.
You will need Urth Lanalpaca, 5(6, 7, 7)[8, 8, 9](9, 10, 10) skeins.
Cropped Cardigan Free Knitting Pattern
Blushing Cloud
Blushing Cloud by Katrin Kolnes is a soft shrug with stitching that lends a slight scalloped edge…like a cloud! It gracefully curves from the collar to the back. The sleeves are loose and roomy, with enough length to create a fold-over. The part that forms the sleeves and back is knitted as a large rectangle. Then you’ll pick up the cuffs and body opening edge and work them in the round. Wool and the Gang’s Feeling Good yarn would be a great choice for this project.
Cropped Cardigan Free Crochet Pattern
The Tilda Shrug
Rachel Misner’s The Tilda Shrug is a very clearly written pattern with a full video tutorial, which makes it great for someone who has a couple of projects under their belt and wants to stretch their skills. You’ll learn shaping techniques and how to seam with yarn. And if you are familiar with those skills, this could be an easy and relaxing project for you! It was originally designed for an acrylic yarn, but we think it would be even better in Urth Yarns Harvest Worsted.
Cropped Cardigan Paid Knitting Patterns
Confidette
If you are looking for a vintage-style cropped cardigan, look no further than the Confidette by Tasha Moss. This design, with close-fitting three-quarter length sleeves, gives off both 1950s and Y2K vibes. It has a garter stitch border with mitered corners. The pattern comes with many customization tips, including ways to customize the length. Reviewers say the pattern is exceptionally clear and of low-intermediate difficulty. If you make this, you’ll practice techniques like Icelandic bind off, short rows, picking up stitches, and changing colours, as well as both knitting in the round and flat, and many others. We’d recommend Broadway Purely Wool DK, which has plenty of colours to choose from.
Eve Shrug
The Eve Shrug by SweaterBabe buttons at the throat like a cardigan, but scoops to the back like a shrug or bolero. The increases at the shoulder are made to look like raglan seams. The gathered cuff and ribbed border add to its casual stylishness. It’s knitted in one piece. Reviewers say the pattern is very clear and low-intermediate difficulty. We would recommend Malabrigo Rios for extra coziness.
Lila Shrug
Another SweaterBabe creation, the Lila Shrug knitting pattern couldn’t be more different. It has an intricate lace layer at the back and sleeves, which makes it feel dressy and elegant. It also leaves it open and airy enough for warmer days. It uses stockinette stitch at the back and fronts, The sleeves are finished in ribbing, as is the bottom hem. This sweater would show off the finest qualities of Anzula Haiku.
Vortex
Belinda Harris-Reid’s Vortex might be described as a shrug, a shrunken sweater, or a cropped cardigan. It stands out among the rest because of the cables throughout, which gives it a dressy feel. It is knitted seamlessly in the round and can be adapted to fit many sizes. The design calls for something luminous with silk content, and we would recommend the silk/alpaca/wool blend Juniper Moon Farm Moonshine.
Hiddensee
Christiane Burkhard’s Hiddensee is a snug raglan sleeve bolero-style cropped cardigan that is a throwback to Y2K trends. It’s elegant in its simplicity. Because it essentially starts at the sleeves and does not have a front collar to speak of, it is perfect if you want to wear it over something that you’d like to show off the front of. It is an intermediate piece that is knitted from the top down. We would recommend Hedgehog Fibres Sock Yarn for this.
Pappus Shrug
The Pappus Shrug knitting pattern by Midori Hirose is knit with laceweight yarn and big needles, which results in a semitransparent confection that looks ethereal. The puff sleeves on this wispy cropped cardigan can be elbow-length or three-quarter length. It is one size but easily adjustable, and the Etsy page features many video tutorials. We would recommend Malabrigo Mohair for this sweater.
Hazy Skies
If you are looking for the exact opposite of the Pappus Shrug, could we recommend the Hazy Skies cropped cardigan knitting pattern by A Honey Knits? This sturdy, sharp sweater gets visual interest from its textured sleeves and strong border. If you are just starting on your knitting journey, don’t fear — the texture on the sleeves is made from knit and purl stitches. And for more experienced knitters, while the technique may be easy, the design of them is complex enough to keep you interested. Each panel is knitted separately and then seamed together. We would recommend Wool and the Gang Alpachino Merino for this sweater.
Florence
Are you a beginner looking for something easy and wearable? Florence is the cropped cardigan you’ve been looking for! It gets high marks for clarity and is very easy; it is knitted as a large rectangle and then sewn together. You can make it with or without sleeves. And if you are a more confident knitter, you can modify it yourself. It is cool and casual, just right for nights around the fire or tossing on before a trip to the farmer’s market. We think it would be great in Urth Yarns 16.
Cropped Cardigan Paid Crochet Pattern
The Camellia Shrug
The Camellia Shrug by Michelle Ferguson is a 2020s take on the Y2K shrug. It is loose, with voluminous sleeves that come to a wide, ribbed cuff. You can stitch a seam if you want sleeves, or leave them open for more of a shawl feel. This pattern comes with a printable PDF, and a link to a video stitch tutorial, among other goodies. Reviewers rate the pattern as exceptionally clear. Broadway NZ Merino would be a cozy, soft, and budget-friendly option for this shrug.
Note: We have not made all of these patterns ourselves. If we had, we’d be the trendiest people on the North Island! But alas, we have a yarn store to run. We’ve chosen these patterns based on reviews and recommendations. If you have any issues with any of these, please let us know so we can update it!
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