Cosmo Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Cosmo Cardigan by Quail Studio

What is Being Made

The Cosmo is an advanced beginner knitted cardigan designed by Quail Studio and published by Rowan as part of the MODE at Rowan Colourmix collection. This garment features a classic cardigan silhouette with a front opening and is available in nine sizes ranging from 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) chest to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches) chest, with actual finished chest measurements ranging from 125.5 cm (49½ inches) to 208 cm (82 inches). The cardigan is photographed in Olive Greens 10103 colorway.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Cosmo employs several intermediate knitting techniques that position it at the advanced beginner level. The garment construction begins with a ribbed cast-on edge worked over multiple rows to establish the foundation. A key design feature involves cable knitting, with decorative cable panels incorporated into the front opening edge. The pattern uses two primary cable techniques: C12B (cable 12 back) and C12F (cable 12 front), where six stitches are slipped onto a cable needle, held at the back or front of the work, and then crossed with six stitches from the main needle to create the characteristic twisted cable texture.

The garment is structured with separate back and front pieces, with the front featuring a distinctive 13-stitch cable panel running vertically along the front opening edge. This cable panel is worked on every 24th row, creating a regularly spaced textural element. The pattern includes strategic increases and decreases worked evenly across rib sections to shape the garment, with the specific shaping varying by size. Stitches are maintained in stockinette stitch (st st) for the main body, with ribbed sections providing elasticity and structure.

Stitches Used

• Ribbing (K and P combination): The foundation and edging technique, alternating knit and purl stitches in a 3x2 pattern (K3, P2 repeat) to create vertical texture and elasticity
• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary stitch for the main body, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, flat fabric
• Cable Stitches (C12B and C12F): Advanced techniques crossing groups of six stitches over six stitches to create twisted rope-like textures on the front opening edge
• Kfb (knit into front and back): An increase technique used to add stitches where shaping is required
• Decreases: Used selectively across rib sections for garment shaping, with specific decrease placements varying by size

Materials and Tools

The Cosmo is worked in Rowan Colourmix yarn, a 50-gram ball weight yarn. The yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 15 balls for the smallest size (71-76 cm chest) to 26 balls for the largest size (152-157 cm chest). The pattern is worked on 5mm (US 8) needles, with a recommended tension of 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using 5mm needles. The cable panel should measure 6 centimeters over 12 stitches. A cable needle is required as an essential accessory for executing the cable crossing techniques throughout the garment.

Pattern Characteristics

The pattern is presented as a downloadable PDF digital format, making it accessible for immediate use. The ribbed foundation is worked for 20 rows before transitioning into the main pattern sections, establishing a stable base. The left front features side edge stitches worked in stockinette stitch with 13 front-opening edge stitches dedicated to the cable pattern. The structured approach to increases and decreases, combined with the cable work, makes this an excellent project for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to incorporate more complex stitch patterns and shaping.