Ugly Sweater Cardigan SVG

About this design

Think of the cardigan your grandfather saves for the holidays, the one with the buttons that never quite line up. This file draws that look as a brown V-neck cardigan. A narrow opening runs from the point of the V down to the ribbed hem, and four round buttons sit beside it on the left panel.

The chest carries four bands of cream knitting. From the top: six little stars, a thin stripe, four snowflakes and a second thin stripe near the hem. The motifs in each row are spaced in pairs, so the middle of the chest stays clear for the button band and nothing gets sliced by the front opening.

How it cuts

The solid file has 21 pieces and 34 cut-outs, which is a lot of holes for a small drawing, so plan for some weeding time. The pieces are the body, both sleeves, two cuffs, the hem, the two strips of the V collar, and the knit motifs; the sleeves, cuffs, hem and collar meet the body along thin cut lines. The cut-outs are the V-neck opening, the slit down the front, the four button holes and the rib slots in the cuffs and hem. Pick out the four buttons and the front slit first, while the vinyl around them is still firmly stuck down. It passes our cut checks from about 4 inches wide.

Color layers

• Base and lines in a very dark green that reads almost black: the whole cardigan cut as the base layer, which shows as the fine outlines and through the button holes
• Sweater in a warm medium brown: the body and both sleeves
• Ribbing and trim in deep pine green: the cuffs, hem and V collar
• Knit pattern in cream: the stars, stripes and snowflakes

Because the button holes are open in every upper layer, the dark base fills them in. That gives you dark buttons without a fifth color to cut.

Who it suits

• Grandparents at a family photo, especially on a fleece vest or flannel shirt
• A “dress like grandpa” party theme
• Teachers and librarians who want something cozy rather than loud
• Anyone who finds the full red-and-green sweater a bit much

Making it look knitted on a mug

Small cardigans lose detail fast, so on a mug or tumbler keep the width at 4 inches or more and use permanent vinyl. Lay the base first, then press the brown on top with a squeegee, working out from the front slit so the two halves stay in register. Add the green trim, then the cream rows last.

Shirt sizes

For iron-on, mirror every layer, stack them base first, and follow the heat guide that came with your vinyl.

Swap the colors

Gray with burgundy trim looks like a real department-store cardigan. Oatmeal with navy trim is softer. Our color guide shows how to recolor each layer before you download.

Pairs well with

Put it next to the Turtleneck Ugly Sweater for a his-and-hers retro pair, or with the Classic Gnome on a grandparents’ gift bag.