Checker In Rowan Kaffe Fassett Felted Tweed Knitting Pattern

Checker In Rowan Kaffe Fassett Felted Tweed Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Checker cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted garment designed to fit chest measurements ranging from 71–86 cm (28–34 inches) up to 142–157 cm (56–62 inches). This is a classic cardigan pattern featuring a striking geometric checker design created through color blocking in two contrasting yarn colors.

Techniques Used

Intarsia Technique: The primary construction method for this cardigan employs the intarsia technique, a color-work method that allows large blocks of contrasting colors to be knitted into the fabric. Rather than carrying unused yarn across the back of the work, intarsia uses separate lengths of yarn for each color block, creating a smooth, single-layer fabric ideal for bold geometric patterns like the checker design featured in this project.

Garment Construction: The cardigan is worked in separate pieces—back, left front, and right front—which are subsequently seamed together. The pattern includes shaping at the armholes and neckline to create a fitted silhouette. A neckband is worked from held stitches to finish the neck edge.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch (g st): Used for the ribbed edging at the lower hem, worked over 4 rows with smaller needles to create a neat, textured border.
• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary stitch for the main body of the cardigan, creating a smooth, classic fabric. Tension is measured over stockinette stitch at 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm on 4mm needles.
• Block Pattern: A 24-row repeat pattern that alternates between 10-stitch blocks of yarn A (Regal) and yarn B (Daffodil), creating the distinctive checker effect across the front and back pieces.

Materials

Yarn: This pattern uses Rowan Kaffe Fassett Felted Tweed, a 50-gram ball weight yarn. Two colors are required:

• Yarn A: Regal (K0015) – 4 to 7 balls depending on size
• Yarn B: Daffodil (K0012) – 4 to 6 balls depending on size

Needles: The pattern calls for two needle sizes to create proper fabric density. Size 3¼mm (US 3) needles are used for the garter stitch edging, and size 4mm (US 6) needles are used for the main stockinette stitch body and intarsia color work.

Notions: The cardigan is fastened with 3 chunky hook and eye fasteners, providing a substantial, decorative closure suitable for the bold aesthetic of the checker design.

Difficulty and Skill Requirements

Rated as intermediate difficulty, this project requires knitters to be comfortable with basic shaping techniques including increases and decreases at armholes and necklines. Proficiency with the intarsia technique is essential, as managing multiple yarn colors and joining and breaking off colors correctly throughout the 24-row pattern repeat is fundamental to achieving the clean checker effect. Familiarity with reading stitch patterns and adjusting for multiple sizes is also expected.