Campus Legacy Varsity Cardigan Free Pattern – Knit a Preppy Letterman Sweater

Channel timeless school spirit with this modern varsity cardigan, featuring classic ribbed trims and a cozy, relaxed fit. Knit in rich collegiate hues—deep navy, cream, and crimson—this is the perfect layering piece for crisp autumn days and spirited game nights. Whether you're heading to a football game, a cozy coffee shop, or just want to add a touch of preppy charm to your wardrobe, this handmade cardigan delivers both style and warmth. The classic button-up front, bold chest stripe, and matching sleeve details make it a standout piece you'll reach for season after season.

This pattern is designed with the beginner-to-intermediate knitter in mind. The construction is straightforward—worked in flat panels and seamed—with simple stockinette stitch and ribbing throughout. The varsity stripe detail is added using duplicate stitch embroidery, which is much easier than it sounds and gives you complete control over placement. By the end of this project, you'll have a beautiful, custom-fit cardigan that looks like it came straight from a boutique.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather all your materials. Having everything ready will make the process smooth and enjoyable.

Yarn

Worsted weight yarn in 3 colors:

• Main Color (MC) – Navy Blue: Approximately 1200 (1350, 1500, 1650) yards. This is your primary color for the body, sleeves, and trims.
• Contrast Color A (CA) – Cream: Approximately 200 (225, 250, 275) yards. Used for the main varsity stripes.
• Contrast Color B (CB) – Crimson Red: Approximately 150 (170, 190, 210) yards. Used for the thin accent stripes.

Tip: Choose a soft, durable worsted weight yarn like a wool-acrylic blend for easy care and all-day comfort.

Needles & Notions

• US Size 7 (4.5 mm) circular knitting needles, 32-inch length (for the main body panels).
• US Size 6 (4.0 mm) needles (for ribbing – you can use straight or circular, whichever you prefer).
• Stitch markers (at least 4).
• Tapestry needle (for weaving in ends and duplicate stitch).
• 5-6 buttons (dark brown or black, about ¾ inch in diameter).

Gauge

20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on larger needles (US 7). Always knit a gauge swatch before starting to ensure your cardigan fits perfectly. If your gauge is off, adjust your needle size accordingly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is written for sizes XS (S, M, L) with a finished chest measurement of 36 (40, 44, 48) inches. Instructions are for the smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses. Follow the numbers that correspond to your chosen size throughout.

Abbreviations

• K – knit
• P – purl
• K2tog – knit two stitches together (decrease)
• SSK – slip, slip, knit (decrease)
• CO – cast on
• BO – bind off
• St(s) – stitch(es)
• MC – main color (Navy)
• CA – contrast color A (Cream)
• CB – contrast color B (Crimson)
• RS – right side (the outside of the garment)
• WS – wrong side (the inside of the garment)

Back Panel

Ribbing: With smaller needles (US 6) and MC, CO 90 (100, 110, 120) sts. Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 2.5 inches. This creates a nice, stretchy hem that won't lose its shape.

Body: Switch to larger needles (US 7). Work in stockinette stitch (K on RS, P on WS) until the piece measures 15 (15.5, 16, 16.5) inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row. This is the length from the bottom hem to the underarm.

Shape Armholes: BO 5 (6, 7, 8) sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows. This creates the underarm curve. Continue in stockinette stitch until the armhole depth measures 8 (8.5, 9, 9.5) inches from the bind-off. BO all remaining sts. Set this panel aside.

Left Front Panel

Ribbing: With smaller needles and MC, CO 45 (50, 55, 60) sts. Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 2.5 inches.

Body: Switch to larger needles. Work in stockinette stitch until the piece measures the same length as the back panel to the armhole (15/15.5/16/16.5 inches), ending with a WS row.

Shape Armhole: BO 5 (6, 7, 8) sts at the beginning of the next RS row. Continue in stockinette stitch until the armhole depth measures 6 (6.5, 7, 7.5) inches, ending with a WS row. Note: The front armhole is shorter than the back because the front neck shaping begins sooner.

Shape Neck: At the beginning of the next RS row, BO 8 (9, 10, 11) sts. Then, decrease 1 st at the neck edge (the edge closest to the center front) every RS row 5 times. To decrease, work to the last 2 sts before the neck edge, then K2tog. Continue without any further shaping until the armhole depth matches the back panel. BO all remaining sts.

Right Front Panel

Work exactly as for the left front panel, but reverse all shaping. This means:

• Shape the armhole at the beginning of WS rows (instead of RS rows).
• Shape the neck at the beginning of WS rows (instead of RS rows).
• When decreasing at the neck edge, use SSK instead of K2tog to maintain symmetry (work to the neck edge, then SSK).

Sleeves (Make 2)

Ribbing: With smaller needles and MC, CO 40 (44, 48, 52) sts. Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 3 inches. The sleeves have a slightly longer cuff for a polished look.

Body: Switch to larger needles and stockinette stitch. Increase 1 st each side every 6th row until you have 70 (76, 82, 88) sts on your needle. To increase, work as follows: K1, M1 (make one), knit to last st, M1, K1. This creates a gradual, even flare for the sleeve.

Continue in stockinette (without increasing) until the sleeve measures 18 (18.5, 19, 19.5) inches from the cast-on edge. BO all sts. Repeat for the second sleeve.

Varsity Stripe Detail (Duplicate Stitch)

This is where the cardigan gets its signature collegiate look. Instead of knitting the stripes in, we'll embroider them on using duplicate stitch. This is much easier to place perfectly and doesn't disrupt the knitting flow.

On the Back Panel: Lay the back panel flat with the RS facing you. Using a tapestry needle and CA (Cream), locate the area about 4 inches below the shoulder bind-off. Create a 2-inch wide horizontal stripe across the entire width of the panel. To do this, follow the "V" shape of the knit stitches, running your yarn through the top of each stitch to create a smooth, continuous line. Work row by row until the stripe is 2 inches tall.

Accent Stripes: Using CB (Crimson), create a thin accent stripe (about 2 rows tall) directly above and below the cream stripe. This creates a beautiful, bold frame.

On the Sleeves: Repeat the same process on each sleeve, placing the stripe about 2 inches above the ribbed cuff. Use CA for the main stripe and CB for the thin accents. This ties the whole design together.

Finishing & Seaming

Sew Shoulder Seams: With RS together, use a tapestry needle and MC yarn to mattress stitch the shoulder seams of the front and back panels together.

Set in Sleeves: Pin the sleeves to the armholes, matching the center of the sleeve cap to the shoulder seam. Sew the sleeves in place using mattress stitch. Then, sew the side seams of the body and the underarm seams of the sleeves in one continuous line.

Front Bands

Left Front Band: With smaller needles and MC, pick up stitches along the entire left front edge, from the bottom hem to the neck. Pick up approximately 3 sts for every 4 rows. Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 1 inch. BO in pattern.

Right Front Band (with Buttonholes): Pick up stitches along the right front edge the same way. Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 0.5 inch. Now, create buttonholes: K2tog, YO (yarn over) at evenly spaced intervals for 5-6 buttons. Space them evenly, with the top buttonhole about 0.5 inch from the neck edge and the bottom one about 0.5 inch from the hem. Continue ribbing until the band measures 1 inch total. BO in pattern.

Collar

With smaller needles and MC, pick up stitches around the entire neckline, including the top edges of the front bands. Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 1.5 inches. BO loosely (use a larger needle to bind off if needed to prevent a tight edge).

Final Assembly

• Weave in all loose ends with your tapestry needle, being careful to hide them on the WS of the work.
• Sew the buttons onto the left front band, opposite the buttonholes on the right band. Make sure they align perfectly.
• Block to measurements: This is crucial for a professional finish. Lay the cardigan flat on a blocking mat, pin it to the correct dimensions, and lightly steam or mist with water. Allow it to dry completely. This will even out the stitches and give your cardigan that polished, store-bought look.

Congratulations! You've just completed a beautiful, handmade varsity cardigan that's full of personality and school spirit. This piece is destined to become a wardrobe favorite—perfect for layering over a simple tee or button-down shirt. Wear it proudly, and enjoy the compliments that are sure to come your way. Happy knitting!