Mimosa Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Mimosa Cardigan in Rowan Cotton Wool

What is Being Made

The Mimosa Cardigan is a knitted cardigan designed by Erika Knight and produced by Rowan. This garment is available in five sizes to fit bust measurements ranging from 81-86 cm (32-34 inches) through to 122-127 cm (48-50 inches), with actual finished bust measurements of 102, 112, 122, 132, and 142 cm respectively. The cardigan features a structured construction with shaped shoulders, a tailored neckline, and button front closure, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for intermediate knitters.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques to achieve its finished construction. Wrap and turn shaping is used extensively throughout the garment to create smooth, contoured shoulders and back shaping without visible step lines. This technique involves wrapping yarn around stitches at strategic points and turning the work to create gradual increases or decreases in width. The pattern also incorporates decreasing techniques, specifically working two stitches together to shape the neckline and shoulders. Additionally, the pattern uses stitch holders to manage multiple sections of the garment during construction, allowing the knitter to work different pieces separately before joining them together at the shoulders and neckline.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern used throughout the Mimosa Cardigan is rib patterning, which provides elasticity and structure to the finished garment. The rib pattern alternates knit and purl stitches in a repeating sequence, specifically working knit 2, purl 2 ribbing as indicated in the pattern instructions. This classic ribbed construction helps the cardigan maintain its shape and provides a neat, professional finish. The tension for the garment is established at 20 stitches and 19 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over the rib pattern, ensuring consistent sizing across all five size options.

Materials

The Mimosa Cardigan is designed to be knitted using Rowan Cotton Wool yarn, a blend that combines the breathability of cotton with the elasticity and warmth of wool. The pattern requires 15 to 22 balls of 50-gram yarn depending on the size being made, with the photographed sample shown in the colorway Piglet 207. The garment is worked using 5mm (US 8) needles for the ribbed cuff sections and 5½mm (US 9) needles for the main body, with yarn worked double throughout the pattern to achieve the correct gauge and fabric weight. An additional 5½mm (US 9) double-pointed needle is required for casting off at the shoulders. The cardigan is finished with five grey buttons measuring 2.5 centimeters with two holes, providing both functional and decorative closure.

Pattern Overview

The Mimosa Cardigan is constructed in separate pieces: a back panel, left front, and right front, which are then assembled. The back features extensive wrap and turn shaping to create tailored shoulders and a shaped neckline. Both front pieces are worked to match the back shaping while accommodating the button band and front opening. The neckband is worked separately using the picked-up stitches from the shaped neckline, and the five buttons are positioned along the left front for a classic cardigan closure.