Ambience Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Ambience Cardigan in Rowan Cotton Revive

What is Being Made

The Ambience Cardigan is a knitted cardigan designed by Lisa Richardson and published as pattern ZB361-00001-EN. This intermediate-level garment is crafted using Rowan Cotton Revive yarn and is available in nine sizes ranging from chest measurements of 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) up to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches), with actual finished chest measurements spanning from 83 cm to 165 cm. The cardigan features a classic construction with shaped shoulders, a back neck opening, and front panels that create a structured, wearable piece suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

This knitting pattern employs several essential garment construction techniques. The cardigan begins with a hem border worked in ribbed stitch at the lower edge, providing elasticity and a finished appearance. The pattern incorporates armhole shaping, with specific stitch decreases worked over multiple rows to create a fitted sleeve opening. Shoulder shaping is achieved through strategic cast-offs at the beginning of rows, allowing the garment to sit properly on the body. The pattern also includes back neck shaping, where stitches are divided and worked separately to create the neckline opening. Neck edge decreasing is used to refine the front neckline, with decreases worked simultaneously with shoulder cast-offs on the front panels to maintain proper proportions.

Stitches Used

The Ambience Cardigan relies on fundamental knitting stitches. Stockinette stitch (abbreviated as st st) forms the primary fabric throughout the garment, creating a smooth, classic surface. The hem border is worked in 2x2 ribbing (alternating knit 2, purl 2), which provides stretch and recovery at the lower edge. The ribbed sections are worked with careful stitch alignment, as indicated by the varied starting sequences across different sizes to maintain pattern consistency. These core stitches combine to create a professional, tailored appearance suitable for an intermediate knitter.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The cardigan is designed to be worked in Rowan Cotton Revive, a 100-gram yarn ball, with the pattern photographed in the colorway Sienna 004. The yarn is worked on 3¾mm (US size 5) needles, which are specified as a single pair for the main fabric. The pattern establishes a tension of 25 stitches and 34 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over stockinette stitch using the 3¾mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential for obtaining the proper finished measurements across all nine sizes, ensuring that the cardigan drapes and fits as intended.