The Gigante Patterns

Chunky knit cardigan patterns

Oversized cardigan patterns for super chunky wool. Instant PDF, sizes XS to L.

What customers say about us

Absolutely in love with this beautiful hand-knitted bag! 💕 The colours are even prettier in person and the craftsmanship is amazing — you can really see how much love and care has gone into making it. The little extra gifts were such a sweet touch too. Thank you so much for creating something so special! 🧶✨ Emily
The pattern arrived straightaway, i look forward to making this gorgeous cardigan Dawn
Lovely quality wool, beautiful rich colour, exactly as described. Arrived earlier than anticipated, 10/10 ! Carol
Great! Looking forward to making it x Lynne

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Before you cast on

Yarn, needles, gauge and skill level — everything you'd want to know first.

What yarn do I need — jumbo, super bulky, or roving?

All of those names fit. Gigante patterns are written for super chunky yarn — called super bulky or jumbo (weight 7) in the US, and often sold as roving or unspun wool. We use 100% Corriedale roving for our solid shades, and 100% merino for the Merino Blends — several tones spun through one roving, so the colour shifts as you knit. Any yarn that matches the gauge will knit up beautifully.

Is this arm knitting?

No — every Gigante cardigan is knitted on 25mm needles (or your fingers, if you prefer finger knitting). You get the same giant stitches people love in arm knitting, but with far more control: you can put the project down mid-row, keep an even tension, and follow a colour chart stitch by stitch.

How difficult are the patterns?

Every design is tagged with its level, right on the card. Beginner designs use simple colour blocks placed by row — if you can knit, purl and switch yarns at a row break, you can knit them. Intermediate designs add intarsia colour work and chart reading, and advanced designs push the intarsia further with mirrored diagonals. The construction is the same for all of them: one flat piece folded at the shoulders.

Can a complete beginner knit an oversized cardigan?

Yes. Start with a design tagged Beginner — The Colour Block, The Mosaic, The Patchwork or The Horizon. The bold oversized look comes from colour placement and the giant stitches, not complicated technique, and every PDF includes a glossary plus a link to our 43-minute construction masterclass video.

What gauge does giant knitting like this use?

The Gigante Default is 3.2cm per stitch in width and 2cm per row in height — a non-square gauge, which is normal at this scale. Knit a swatch first: every pattern adapts its stitch counts to the gauge you actually knit, so your cardigan comes out the size the chart promises.

What size needles for a chunky knit cardigan?

Our patterns are designed for 25mm needles, straight or circular — big-needle knitting is what makes the stitches giant. We sell beech and birchwood pairs in the shop, and the pattern works with any 25mm needles you already own.

What sizes do the patterns come in?

Two fits, each in four sizes: Cropped (boxy and shorter) and Regular (longer over the body and sleeves), both in XS, S, M and L — all generously oversized by design. One pattern purchase covers every size of that design, as an instant PDF download.

Can I buy a pattern as a kit instead?

Yes. Signature designs are available as a chunky knit cardigan kit — the pre-prepped wool for your size and colourway with the matching pattern PDF included, and free UK shipping. Pick the design and your size, then choose "See the kit" on its pattern page. Kits and patterns both come in every fit and size, XS–L.

Can I get a refund on a pattern?

Patterns are delivered instantly as digital downloads, so they're non-refundable once accessed or downloaded, in line with UK consumer law for digital content. If something is genuinely wrong — a corrupt file, a pattern error, a billing mistake — contact us within 14 days and we'll make it right.

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