Harlow Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Harlow Cardigan in Rowan Cotton Cashmere

What is Being Made

The Harlow Cardigan is a knitted cardigan design available in five size options to fit bust measurements ranging from 71–86 cm up to 152–157 cm. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a structured cardigan with a sophisticated construction featuring separate front and back panels, set-in sleeves, and a charted stitch pattern that repeats throughout the garment.

Knitting Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several intermediate knitting techniques to achieve its finished design. The garment is worked using chart-based colorwork or textured stitching, with a repeating 50-row pattern that continues throughout the body. Cable techniques are incorporated, including C2B (cable 2 back), which involves slipping stitches onto a cable needle and manipulating them to create twisted or braided effects. The construction uses circular needles for working flat pieces, and the pattern requires managing multiple stitch counts across different sections as the fronts and back are separated at the armhole. The sleeves are worked separately with increases to shape the cap, and all pieces are finished with ribbed edging for a polished appearance.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Harlow Cardigan utilizes several key stitches:

• Stockinette stitch (st st) – the primary base fabric, measured at a tension of 13.5 stitches and 18 rows over 10 cm
• Ribbing (K1, P1) – used for the sleeve cuffs and likely for front bands and hem edging, providing elasticity and structure
• Cable stitches – specifically C2B (cable 2 back) for textured detail
• Charted pattern repeats – a 28-stitch repeat that is worked across the garment, creating a consistent design element throughout the body and sleeves

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Harlow Cardigan is designed to be worked in Rowan Cotton Cashmere, a luxury blend yarn sold in 50-gram balls. The pattern is photographed in the colorway Linen 211. Yarn is held double throughout, meaning two strands are worked together simultaneously, which creates a thicker fabric and influences the final drape and weight of the finished garment.

Needles required include:

• One pair of 6.5mm (US 10.5) circular needles at least 100–140 cm in length, depending on size, for working the body pieces flat
• One pair of 6.5mm (US 10.5) straight needles for sleeve construction
• Cable needle for managing cable stitches
• Stitch holders for securing stitches during construction

Construction Details

The cardigan is constructed in pieces. The back is worked to a length of 63–67 cm (depending on size) before the armholes are separated. The fronts and back are then worked separately with armhole shaping, continuing the charted pattern until the armholes measure 20–30 cm. Sleeves are cast on with 58–86 stitches and begin with 10 rows of K1, P1 ribbing before the charted pattern is introduced. All pieces are cast off knitwise for a neat finish.