🧶 Knitting a cardigan for beginners: the complete guide (by Knit-sis)

Introduction

Do you dream of knitting your first cardigan but the idea seems intimidating? 😅 Don't panic!
We're Lenny and Louise, two passionate sisters who learned to knit in our grandmother's living room (between slices of chocolate cake 🍫). Today, we create modern and accessible patterns so that even beginners can get started without stress... and with a lot of fun.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll take you by the hand:
👉 choose the right model,
👉 understand the basics,
👉 avoid beginner's mistakes,
👉 and make your first homemade cardigan (we promise, you'll be proud to wear it ✨).

Why is knitting a cardigan a great beginner project?

Knitting a cardigan is a bit of a knitter's rite of passage : rewarding, useful, and perfect for learning the basics while creating a piece you'll actually wear.

▪️ Motivating : you can see your knitting progress row after row.

▪️ Customizable : colors, buttons, thread… it’s your creation.

▪️ Practical format : unlike a sweater, a cardigan is easy to put on and suitable for all seasons.

👉 Our sisterly advice: start with a simple top-down pattern (knit from top to bottom, seamless) or with thick needles (it goes up faster and is super rewarding).

Choosing your first beginner vest model

The secret to not giving up? A model adapted to your level .

Here are 3 Knit-sis patterns that are perfect for getting started:

▪️ 🥬 Cardichou : a soft raglan cardigan, knitted on 7mm needles. Affordable, quick and so soft to wear.

▪️ 🎉 Festi : a modern round cardigan, ideal for getting started without sewing.

▪️ 🌼 Marguerite : If you like little feminine details, this pattern introduces a very accessible openwork stitch.

👉 Louise's tip: choose plain, light-colored yarns for your beginnings (you can see your stitches better).

Materials needed to knit a beginner's cardigan

Before you start, check that you have everything on hand:

▪️ Needles : adapted to your pattern (often 6 or 7 mm for a quick project).

▪️ Yarn : soft wool, easy to knit (avoid black at first!).

▪️ Marker rings : your best allies for identifying raglan increases.

▪️ Wool needle : to weave in the ends (a little magic gesture that finishes any project ✨).

👉 Not sure which yarn to choose? Don't panic: our patterns always include suggestions for affordable yarns that have been tested by us (or our testers).

Steps to Knit a Beginner's Cardigan (Simple Explanations)

1. Cast on stitches

That's the basics. Take your time, no need to go fast: consistency comes with practice.

2. Knit the yoke (raglan)

Knit from top to bottom, increasing on each side of the markers.
📌 Remember: this is where the shape of the vest is drawn.

3. Separate the sleeves and body

Magical moment! We put the sleeve stitches on hold and continue straight down the body.

4. Knit the sleeves

We pick up the stitches on hold and then knit each sleeve in the round.

5. Finishing touches

Ribbed edges, hem, buttons... It's time to personalize.

👉 Quick summary : yoke → separation → body → sleeves → finishes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (and Our Sister Tips)

▪️ ❌ Tighten your knitting too much → ✅ Relax your hands, it should still be a pleasure.

▪️ ❌ Choose a hairy wool like mohair → ✅ Prefer a smooth yarn for your beginnings.

▪️ ❌ Skip the swatch → ✅ Always knit a small test square to avoid unpleasant size surprises.

👉 Lenny's anecdote: “I knitted my first cardigan without a gauge. Result: child's size for me, adult size for my doll 😂.”

Conclusion: What if you started today?

Knitting a beginner's cardigan isn't that complicated when you have the right guide (and an accessible pattern). By following these steps, you'll not only learn the basics but also create a unique piece that you'll wear proudly.

✨ Ready to get started? Discover our collection of modern and affordable vests and choose your first model.

💌 And if you want to receive even more knitting tips and our free patterns in preview, subscribe to our joyful newsletter .