How to Knit a Crop Cardigan: Joanna Cardigan Free Knitting Pattern Included
Looking for a crop cardigan knitting pattern? Check out the featured sweater pattern page—plus the Joanna Cardigan below!
My daughter is obsessed with a good crop cardigan knitting pattern. There’s just something about that cute little hit-at-the-waist silhouette that makes her feel instantly stylish (and like she definitely made a Pinterest-worthy outfit choice that morning). She loves the drama of a full sleeve with a little length. It’s bold, it’s cozy, and best of all, it’s knitworthy (as is she!).
Today, I’m showing you my own crop cardigan knitting pattern—the Joanna Cardigan—and it’s packed with everything I love in a sweater: texture, statement buttons, balloon sleeves, and an easy construction that feels fun all the way through. The Joanna Cardigan pattern is at the bottom of this post, but if you’re looking for more cozy sweaters to cast on, I’ve rounded up all my free sweater knitting patterns on this page so you can browse away and find your perfect next knit.
Let’s chat about why you’re going to want to cast on this crop cardigan knitting pattern today (like, literally today).
Why I Love a Crop Cardigan Knitting Pattern
First of all, they’re fast. Okay, maybe not instant gratification fast, but compared to a full-length coatigan or a fingering-weight anything, a crop cardigan knitting pattern is a sweet little shortcut to handmade wardrobe glory.
Second, they layer so well. I wear mine over dresses, with high-waisted jeans, or even as a top buttoned all the way up. The shape is super flattering and lets you show off waist details or those skirts you never know how to style.
And third? They’re just fun. A crop cardigan knitting pattern is playful without being impractical.
Meet the Joanna Cardigan
So, let’s talk about the Joanna Cardigan—my go-to crop cardigan knitting pattern and one that has officially earned a permanent place in my daughter’s closet.
I knit mine using Hobbii Fluffy Day yarn (affiliate link) and my trusty size 8 KnitPicks needles (5mm) (affiliate link). The yarn gives it this lovely softness and fluff factor without being too warm or bulky. It’s light enough to wear in spring or fall but still feels cozy when layered up in winter.
The construction is flat and seamed only under the arms. You start by knitting the back panel from the bottom up, cast on the sleeves, work around the shoulders (binding off for the neck), and then work down the front, binding off the sleeves along the way. Simple, logical, and totally satisfying. Once you’re done, you pick up for the neck and button band—which is nice and wide for a touch of drama—and sew on some statement buttons. Boom. Finished sweater.
The stitch pattern? It’s delightfully easy. It has enough texture to keep you interested but isn’t one of those “count every row and pray you didn’t mess it up” kind of knits. This is the kind of crop cardigan knitting pattern you can knit during your kid’s soccer practice or while watching The Great British Bake Off.
That Button Band Though…
Let’s talk about the button band for a second. The Joanna Cardigan’s wide neck and button band combo is what makes it stand out. I made mine extra thick and added some large statement buttons that are pure cardigan candy. If you’ve got a stash of bold buttons you’ve been dying to use—this is the moment.
And if you want to wear it open, the band lays beautifully against your top. If you want to button it up, it becomes a whole outfit.
Pro tip: don’t skip blocking. That wide band really benefits from a good steam to help it settle into place.
Customizing the Fit
While I designed the Joanna Cardigan as a crop cardigan knitting pattern, you can totally make it longer if you’re more into hip-length styles. Just keep knitting the back for extra repeats before you move to the top shaping, and match that on the fronts. Done.
Let’s Talk Sleeves
Can we take a moment to appreciate a balloon sleeve?
The Joanna Cardigan has dramatic balloon-style sleeves with a sweet taper at the wrist. They’re roomy but not ridiculous, and they give the whole sweater a very on-trend look without being over-the-top. I love how they balance out the cropped body—it’s the kind of shape that feels intentional and put-together.
More Cardigan Knitting Patterns You’ll Want to Try
Once you fall in love with the Joanna Cardigan (and you will), you might find yourself itching to cast on another crop cardigan knitting pattern. Lucky for you, I’ve got a few more tried-and-true favorites:
- Rosemary Cardigan: A comfy and stylish option with knee length and POCKETS!.
- Lodge Cardigan: This one is cabin-core perfection with a relaxed fit and balloon sleeves.
- September Cardigan: A transitional wardrobe staple you’ll want in every color.
All of these are free patterns you can grab on my blog, and they each scratch a slightly different cardigan-loving itch.
If you’ve been on the hunt for the perfect crop cardigan knitting pattern, the Joanna Cardigan is calling your name. It’s beginner-friendly with just enough flair to feel like a wardrobe highlight. Whether you keep it cropped or lengthen it, lean into balloon sleeves or not, or go wild with your buttons, this is one of those knits that makes you feel like you’ve made something special.
Want to see the full free pattern? The Joanna Cardigan is waiting for you at the bottom of this post—scroll down, grab your yarn and needles, and happy knitting!
Before You Go…
If you’re ready to explore even more cozy makes, check out my full sweater knitting pattern page for over a dozen free options to keep your needles happy.
And if you’re curious about my favorite tools or yarns, I sometimes use affiliate links (like for Hobbii and KnitPicks). That just means if you buy something through my link, I may get a small commission—at no extra cost to you.
Thanks for supporting my little corner of the knitting internet 
. Now go cast on that crop cardigan knitting pattern already!
Joanna Cardigan Pattern
MATERIALS AND INFO
Size: XS, S (M, L) XL, 2X (3X, 4X)
Materials: Approximately 3, 3 (3, 4) 4, 4 (4, 5) skeins of Hobbii Fluffy Day (312yds/100g), needle, stitch markers
Needle Size: 8(US) 5mm needles
Gauge (tension): 22.5sts & 21 rows to make 10cm/4ins square, using size 8(US) 5mm needles working in stitch pattern (make sure when measuring you measure the width on rows 6-8 of the stitch chart)
Chest Measurement of person: 75, 85 (95, 105) 115, 125 (135, 145) cm or 30, 34 (38, 42) 46, 50 (54, 58) ins
METHOD
Joanna Sweater is knit in 1 piece: up the back, cast on for the arms, over the should, bind off the arms and down the front. It is worked flat and sewn together with the neck and wrist ribbing added after. Created for daughter to layer for our frigid Montana winters. It is loose fit and comfy but also so warm.
Abbreviations can be found on the last page.
Note: choose size based on wearer’s bust measurement for best fit
Joanna Stitch Pattern
Note: the black squares mean no stitch exists there.
Row 1 – p2tog across
Row 2 – knit across
Row 3 – purl across
Row 4 – [p1, yo] across
Row 5 – knit across
Row 6 – [k1, p1] across
Row 7 – [p1, k1] across
Row 8 – [k1, p1] across
BACK
Cast on: 104, 114 (126, 138) 148, 160 (170, 182) sts.
Work in 1×1 ribbing for 5cms/2ins.
Now work in Joanna Stich Pattern piece measures 21, 21 (21, 21) 21.5, 24 (22.5, 21) cm/8.5, 8.5 (8.5, 8.5) 8.75, 9.5 (9, 8.5) ins measuring from cast on or desired length. (this sweater is meant to be a cropped length at your natural waist. Adjust length to fit your body or make it whatever length you love! Just remember adding length will add more to your yarn yardage requirements.)
End after completing a row 3.
Place stitch marker on both ends of this row.
ADD SLEEVES
Cast on 92, 92 (96, 96) 96, 98 (98, 100) sts over the next 2 rows. [288, 298 (318, 330) 340, 356 (366, 382) sts
Continue working in Joanna stitch pattern as already established until your sleeve measures 19, 20 (22.5, 24) 24.5, 25(25.5, 27) cm/7.5, 8 (9, 9.5) 9.75, 10 (10.25, 10.75) ins ending on a row 4-8.
BACK NECK
Work 124, 127 (136, 141) 145, 151 (155, 161), bind off 40, 44 (46, 48) 50, 54 (56, 60), work 124, 127 (136, 141) 145, 151 (155, 161) sts [248, 254 (272, 282) 290, 302 (310, 322) sts with 124, 127 (136, 141) 145, 151 (155, 161) sts on each front]
You will now start working each side of the front separately.
FRONT (FOLLOW THIS FOR BOTH SIDES 1 AT A TIME)
Continue working in Joanna stitch pattern as already established until your sleeve measures 38, 40 (45, 47.5) 49, 50 (51, 54) cm/15, 16 (18, 19) 19.5, 20 (20.5, 21.5) ins. End after completing a row 4-8.
Bind off 92, 92 (96, 96) 96, 98 (98, 100) sts of the sleeve.
Now just work the 32, 35 (40, 45) 49, 53 (57, 61) sts of the front until you have 16, 16 (16, 16) 16.5, 18.5 (17.5, 16) cms/6.5, 6.5 (6.5, 6.5) 6.75, 7.5 (7, 6.5) ins from the underarm ending after completing a row 5.
Work in k1p1 ribbing for 5cms/2ins
Bind off in pattern.
NECKBAND
Pick up and knit 90, 92 (98, 100) 104, 108 (108, 108) sts across up the front, 40, 44 (46, 48) 50, 54 (56, 60) sts across the back neck, and 90, 92 (98, 100) 104, 108 (108, 108) sts down the other side of the front. [220, 228 (242, 248) 258, 270 (272, 276) sts
Work in k1p1 pattern until the edging measures 2.5cms/1ins.
On the right front of your cardigan measure 2.5cms/1ins from the bottom, add pm then measure 6cms/2.5ins from that last marker and pm 3 times. These are your buttonhole stitch markers.
Buttonhole row 1 – [Work in k1p1 ribbing to marker, sm, bind off 2sts] until all 4 buttonholes have been worked then work in k1p1 ribbing to end of row.
Buttonhole row 2 – [work in k1p1 ribbing to marker, remove marker, cast on 2] until all 4 buttonholes have been worked then work in k1p1 ribbing to end of row.
Work in k1p1 ribbing until ribbing measures 6cms/2.5ins
Bind off in pattern.
WRISTS
Pick up and knit 46, 50 (52, 54) 58, 60 (62, 66) sts.
Work in k1p1 ribbing for 5cms/2ins.
Bind off in pattern.
FINISHING
Sew seams (under arm and sides). Weave in all ends and block as desired.
ABBREVIATIONS
K – knit
P – purl
PM – place marker
SM – slip marker P2tog -purl 2 stitches together
Joanna Cardigan PDF
The post How to Knit a Crop Cardigan: Joanna Cardigan Free Knitting Pattern Included appeared first on The Knit in the Womb Blog.
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