Boxy Cardigan Sewing Pattern – Free PDF + Video

Some handmade clothes are fun to sew once.

And then there are the pieces you finish, put on immediately, and start wondering whether you need another one in cream, black, olive and probably stripes too.

This boxy cardigan sewing pattern definitely belongs in the second category.

I wanted a cardigan that felt relaxed and cozy without becoming oversized everywhere. This version has a simple boxy shape, slightly dropped shoulders, long sleeves with cuffs, a deep V neckline and a clean snap front.

My chocolate-brown version is made from a soft medium-weight knit, and I love how the fabric gives the cardigan enough structure to hold its shape while still feeling comfortable.

I also created a free PDF boxy cardigan sewing pattern in 8 sizes, plus a complete video tutorial so you can watch the whole order of construction before you start sewing.

I would call this an advanced beginner project. If you have already sewn a few basic garments and feel reasonably comfortable sewing stretch fabric, this is a really satisfying next step,

but if knit fabric still makes you slightly suspicious, start with my beginner guide to sewing stretch and knit fabrics before cutting your cardigan.

If you like the bag I styled with this cardigan, I have a free sewing pattern for it too, with both a video tutorial and step-by-step photo tutorial.

Watch the Boxy Cardigan Video Tutorial

If you prefer to see the fabric moving under the sewing machine rather than figuring everything out from photos, I made a complete boxy cardigan video tutorial to go with this pattern.

The video shows the entire process from cutting and sewing the shoulder seams to attaching the sleeves, facing, cuffs and closures.

You can watch it once before starting, then come back and pause at each step while you sew.

I especially recommend using the video when attaching the front-and-neck facing and finishing the bottom corners. Those steps are not difficult, but they make much more sense once you actually see how the folded edges fit together.

Free Boxy Cardigan Sewing Pattern in 8 Sizes

The free boxy cardigan sewing pattern comes in 8 sizes and includes the main pieces you need to make the button-front version shown in this tutorial.

The pattern is designed for stretch fabric and already includes a 1 cm | 3/8 in seam allowance.

If this is your first time using one of my printable patterns, I have a separate guide showing how to print and assemble PDF sewing patterns correctly at 100% scale.

Print the test page first and measure the test square before printing the remaining pages. A tiny scaling difference on the print page can turn into a surprisingly large fit difference once all the pieces are joined.

If you would rather sew a simpler open-front cardigan without buttons or snaps, I also have a separate free open-front cardigan sewing pattern with a more relaxed construction.

That pattern and this boxy cardigan are deliberately different projects, so you can choose the style and construction you prefer.

The Boxy Cardigan at a Glance

Before we start the full cardigan sewing tutorial, here is a quick overview of the project.

It is a fairly straightforward cardigan pattern, but the fabric matters.

A stable knit makes the shoulder seam, facing, cuffs, side seams and center front much easier to control.

Best Fabric for a Boxy Cardigan

For this boxy cardigan sewing pattern, I recommend a medium-weight knit fabric that stretches comfortably and returns close to its original shape.

You want enough stretch for comfort, but not so much that the front pieces become wavy around the buttons.

If you are not sure what type of knit you have, my guide to different types of knit fabrics explains stretch, recovery, thickness and which fabrics are easiest for beginners.

Fabric	Look and feel	Beginner-friendly?
Ponte knit	Smooth, stable and slightly structured	Yes — my easiest recommendation
Sweater knit	Soft, cozy and classic	Yes, if it is not very loose
French terry	Casual, warm and comfortable	Yes
Knit jacquard	Structured with interesting texture	Yes
Rib knit	Soft and stretchy	Better with some knit experience
Medium-weight jersey	Softer and more drapey	Yes, if it has good recovery
Bamboo jersey	Very soft and fluid	Better for experienced knit sewists

For your first boxy cardigan, ponte, French terry or a stable sweater knit will probably give you the easiest sewing experience.

Thin bamboo jersey and very loose sweater knits can look beautiful, but they are more likely to shift, stretch or become wavy while you sew.

Rib knits can also work, especially for the cuffs, but remember that rib tends to stretch more than the main body fabric.

If you keep getting stretched seams or skipped stitches when sewing knits, my guide to common knit-sewing mistakes and how to fix them covers wavy seams, skipped stitches, needles, stretch stitches and hemming.

How Much Fabric Do I Need?

The table below gives an estimated amount for the long-sleeve version of this boxy cardigan.

The exact amount can change depending on your size, finished length, fabric width and whether your fabric has a directional print or nap.

Pattern size	Fabric 140–150 cm | 55–59 in wide	Fabric 110–120 cm | 43–47 in wide
Sizes 1–2	170 cm | 67 in	220 cm | 87 in
Sizes 3–4	190 cm | 75 in	240 cm | 94 in
Sizes 5–6	210 cm | 83 in	270 cm | 106 in
Sizes 7–8	230 cm | 91 in	300 cm | 118 in

For stripes, large prints or sweater knit with a clear direction, add approximately 20–30 cm | 8–12 in.

I also like to place the paper pattern pieces across the fabric width before cutting to make sure I have enough fabric. Knit fabrics can vary surprisingly much in usable width.

Supplies

You will need:

• Printed free boxy cardigan sewing pattern in your chosen size
• Medium-weight knit fabric
• Around 30 cm | 12 in of lightweight fusible knit interfacing
• Matching polyester thread
• Ballpoint, jersey or stretch sewing machine needle
• Fabric scissors or rotary cutter
• Pins or sewing clips
• Buttons or snaps
• Iron and pressing cloth
• Serger, optional
• Twin needle, optional for topstitching or hems

You absolutely do not need a serger for this project.

A regular sewing machine with a narrow zigzag or stretch stitch works perfectly well.

If you are building your sewing kit or want to see the exact equipment I use for cutting, measuring, pressing and garment sewing, I keep everything together in my guide to the sewing, pattern-drafting and upcycling tools I use.

Prepare the Pattern and Fabric

Prewash and dry your knit fabric the same way you plan to care for the finished cardigan.

There is nothing quite like spending an afternoon making a new cardigan only to discover after the first wash that it has quietly transformed into a smaller size.

Print the pattern at 100% or Actual Size and check the test square before assembling the pages.

Choose your size using the body measurements supplied with the pattern.

If you are between sizes, look at the bust measurement first and blend gently between size lines when necessary rather than automatically choosing a smaller size.

Check the direction of stretch before cutting.

For this cardigan, the greatest stretch should usually run horizontally around the body rather than from shoulder to hem.

Cut the Cardigan Pieces

Cut:

• Front pattern piece: cut 2 mirrored front pieces
• Back: cut 1 on the fold
• Sleeve: cut 2 mirrored pieces
• Front-and-neck facing: cut 1 on the fold
• Sleeve cuff: cut 2

Transfer all notches, fold lines and closure placement marks.

Also mark the wrong side of the fabric if the two sides look similar.

Future-you will be very grateful when you are no longer holding two almost identical brown pieces under a lamp wondering which side is which.

How to Sew a Boxy Cardigan Step by Step

The order of construction is quite simple. We will sew the shoulders first, attach the sleeves while the cardigan is still flat, close the side and underarm seams, add the facing, finish the bottom edge, attach the cuffs and finally add the buttons or snaps. This cardigan uses set-in sleeves that are attached flat rather than raglan sleeves, which makes the construction easier to control.

1. Sew the Shoulder Seams

Place the two front pieces over the back with right sides together.

Match the shoulder seams carefully and pin or clip them in place.

Sew each shoulder seam with a 1 cm | 3/8 in seam allowance using a serger, narrow zigzag or your sewing machine’s stretch stitch.

Press the seam allowances toward the back.

Try not to stretch the shoulder seam while sewing. Keeping this seam stable helps the finished cardigan hold its boxy shape.

2. Attach the Sleeves Flat

Keep the cardigan open.

Place one sleeve against the armhole with right sides together.

Match the center of the sleeve cap to the shoulder seam, then match the remaining notches and both ends.

Pin or clip the sleeve in place without pulling the fabric.

Sew around the sleeve cap and repeat with the second sleeve.

Press the seam allowance toward the sleeve.

Attaching sleeves flat is one of my favorite methods for knit garments because you do not have to wrestle a tiny armhole into a perfect circle.

3. Sew the Sleeve and Side Seams

Fold the cardigan at the shoulder seams with right sides together.

Match the front and back side seams and then match the sleeve underarm edges.

Starting at the edge of the sleeve, sew one continuous seam along the sleeve underarm and down the side of the cardigan.

Repeat on the other side.

Take a little extra time where the sleeve seam meets the side seam so the underarm intersection stays neat.

4. Reinforce the Facing

The facing supports the center front where the buttons or snaps will be placed.

Fuse lightweight knit interfacing to the wrong side of the facing in the closure area.

Use low heat and a pressing cloth, especially with sweater knit or synthetic French terry.

Do not skip the scrap test.

Some fusible interfacing behaves beautifully.

Some decides it would rather become permanently attached to your iron.

5. Sew and Attach the Front-and-Neck Facing

Fold each short end of the facing with right sides together and sew as shown .

Trim any bulky corners if necessary.

Turn the ends right side out and press gently.

With right sides together, pin the facing around the cardigan opening.

Match the center-back point of the facing to the back neckline, then continue around both front neckline edges and down the center front.

Sew the facing to the cardigan using the marked seam allowance.

Clip curved areas only where necessary.

Press the seam allowance away from the facing, then understitch where possible.

You can also topstitch close to the seam in a straight line if you want the front edge to stay especially flat.

6. Finish the Bottom of the Cardigan

At each lower front corner, fold the facing toward the cardigan with right sides together so it overlaps the hem area.

Turn the raw bottom edge 1 cm | 3/8 in to the wrong side, then fold the hem up along the marked fold line.

The lower end of the facing should now be hidden inside the hem.

Stitch across both facing ends.

Turn the corners right side out and gently push them into shape.

Continue folding the hem around the entire bottom of the cardigan, keeping the first fold tucked inside so the raw edges are hidden.

Pin or clip carefully and topstitch the hem in place.

A twin needle is another nice option here if your fabric handles it well.

7. Sew the Sleeve Cuffs

Fold each cuff crosswise with right sides together and sew the short ends to form a loop.

Turn the cuff right side out.

Fold it in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and match the raw edges.

Divide both the cuff and sleeve opening into four equal sections.

Slide the cuff over the sleeve with right sides together and match the quarter points.

Sew around the sleeve opening, gently stretching the cuff rather than the sleeve.

Repeat on the other side.

Turn the cuffs down and press lightly.

8. Add Buttons or Snaps

Try the cardigan on before adding the closures.

Check that both front edges are the same length and overlap evenly.

Mark the button or snap positions along the reinforced center front.

If using buttons, make a test buttonhole on a scrap containing the same fabric and interfacing layers before touching the finished cardigan.

If using snaps, test those too.

This five-minute test has saved me from many sewing situations that would otherwise require staring silently at the sewing machine.

Easy Ways to Customize This Cardigan Pattern

Once you have sewn the basic version, the same boxy cardigan pattern is really easy to change.

For a longer length, extend the front and back pieces evenly before cutting. Add more length and you can turn it into a relaxed long cardigan.

You can also:

• shorten the sleeve lengths for spring
• add simple patch pockets
• use contrasting cuffs
• use rib knit for the cuffs
• replace buttons with snaps
• make an open-front version by leaving off the closures
• use statement buttons
• make the facing in a contrast fabric
• crop the body slightly
• lengthen it for a cozier winter version

Just remember that changing the body length also changes how much fabric you need.

How to Style a Boxy Cardigan in Every Season

One reason I wanted this cardigan to have a simple boxy shape is that it works with so many of the clothes already in my handmade wardrobe.

My brown version feels especially easy to style because chocolate works almost like a neutral.

Spring

For spring, I would wear the cardigan open over a simple handmade T-shirt with high-waisted trousers.

My free T-shirt sewing pattern makes a really useful fitted layer under a boxy cardigan because there is not too much bulk around the neckline.

Pair it with my high-waisted wide-leg pants sewing pattern and you get that slightly relaxed, slightly polished outfit that somehow looks much more planned than it really was.

Think:

cream T-shirt + brown cardigan + wide-leg trousers + loafers.

Very simple. Very wearable.

Summer

I know cardigan and summer sound like they should not be in the same sentence, but this is exactly the kind of layer I like for cooler evenings.

Wear it over a sleeveless or strappy dress and leave the bottom buttons open.

My free slip dress sewing pattern works especially well underneath because the clean neckline does not compete with the V shape of the cardigan.

You could also wear it with my side-tie tank top sewing pattern and shorts or a skort for an easy casual outfit.

For summer, I would sew the cardigan in a lighter French terry or medium jersey rather than a heavy sweater knit.

Fall

This is probably where the cardigan really earns its keep.

I love the combination of a boxy cardigan with a fuller skirt because the short, straight shape balances all that movement underneath.

Try it with a tiered midi or maxi skirt, ankle boots and a fitted base layer.

My tiered skirt pattern-drafting tutorial is an easy place to start if you want to make the entire outfit yourself.

Chocolate brown also works beautifully with cream, olive, rust, burgundy, denim and dark floral prints.

Basically all the colors that make me start pretending September is a personality trait.

Winter

For winter weather, I would layer the cardigan over a fitted turtleneck.

My free turtleneck sewing pattern in 8 sizes is made specifically for stretch fabrics, so it works really nicely as the close-fitting layer underneath this roomier cardigan.

Add wide-leg trousers or a simple knit dress, tights and boots.

My beginner knit dress sewing pattern is another easy option because its simple silhouette layers well under cardigans without adding lots of extra volume.

For very cold days, the cardigan can become the middle layer between the turtleneck and your coat.

A Few Small Tips That Make a Big Difference

• Do not pull the fabric while sewing. Let the feed dogs move the stretch fabric naturally so the seams do not become wavy.
• Press instead of dragging the iron. Lift and lower it rather than sliding across sweater knit.
• Test everything on scraps. Test the stitch, interfacing, twin needle, buttonhole and snaps before using them on your finished cardigan.
• Use a walking foot if needed. It can help keep soft knit layers feeding evenly through a regular sewing machine.
• Stabilize the closure area. The extra support around the center front keeps buttons and snaps from stretching the fabric.
• Check your stretch direction twice before cutting. Fixing a fabric layout takes two minutes. Recutting all the front pieces requires considerably more emotional resilience.

Boxy Cardigan Sewing Pattern FAQ

Is the boxy cardigan sewing pattern free?

Yes. The PDF pattern is free for my subscribers and comes in 8 sizes.

The complete written tutorial and video tutorial are included in this post.

Is this cardigan suitable for beginners?

I would recommend it for an advanced beginner or confident beginner.

The shoulder seams, side seams and sleeves are simple, but the facing, knit fabric and front closures make it a useful step up from a basic T-shirt.

If you have never sewn stretch fabric before, start with one of my 14 beginner-friendly knit sewing projects and tips before moving on to this cardigan.

Can I sew this cardigan on a regular sewing machine?

Yes.

Use a ballpoint or stretch needle with a narrow zigzag or stretch stitch.

A serger is helpful but absolutely not required.

What is the best fabric for a boxy cardigan?

For beginners, I would choose ponte, stable French terry or a medium-weight sweater knit.

They have enough structure to keep the boxy shape while remaining soft and comfortable.

Can I make the cardigan longer?

Yes.

Extend the front and back pieces by the same amount before cutting.

You can make a slightly longer everyday cardigan or continue adding length for a long cardigan version.

Remember to buy enough fabric for the additional length.

Can I add patch pockets?

Absolutely.

Simple rectangular patch pockets would work especially well with this style.

Position them after sewing the main cardigan body but before attaching them permanently so you can try the cardigan on and check the placement.

Can I make it without buttons?

Yes.

You can use snaps or leave the cardigan open.

If you want an even simpler construction, my free open-front cardigan sewing pattern was designed specifically for that style.

Your New Boxy Cardigan Is Ready

And that is it, your new handmade cardigan is ready to wear. This is exactly the kind of sewing pattern I love keeping in my wardrobe because it does not feel limited to one outfit or one season. Make it from French terry and it becomes casual. Use sweater knit and suddenly it is a cozy cardigan for cold weather. Choose ponte and it looks cleaner and slightly more structured. Make it in chocolate brown, black or cream and it works with practically everything. And once you have made the first one, you can start playing with different sleeve lengths, longer lengths, patch pockets, contrasting cuffs or completely different buttons. The free boxy cardigan sewing pattern includes 8 sizes, and you can follow the written instructions above or sew along with the complete video tutorial. If you make your own version, I would love to see which fabric and buttons you choose.

Happy sewing!

Free Boxy Cardigan Sewing Pattern for My Subscribers