Percy Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Percy Cardigan in Rowan Alpaca Classic

What is Being Made

The Percy Cardigan is a fitted knitted cardigan designed by Lisa Richardson, crafted from Rowan Alpaca Classic yarn. This garment is sized to fit bust measurements ranging from 71–76 cm up to 152–157 cm, with corresponding actual bust measurements of the finished cardigan from 82.5 cm to 164.5 cm. The cardigan features a classic button-front closure with four wooden buttons measuring 1.8 cm in diameter, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions and seasons.

Techniques Used

The Percy Cardigan employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques. The construction includes armhole shaping, achieved through strategic cast-offs and decreases worked at regular intervals to create a tailored fit. Shoulder shaping is incorporated to provide proper garment structure and drape. The pattern also features neckband construction using a circular needle, which allows for seamless finishing around the neck opening. Additionally, the design includes embroidery details—specifically a rosebud motif—worked in a contrasting yarn color (Soft Satin 116) after the main knitting is complete, adding decorative interest to the finished piece.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch used throughout the Percy Cardigan is stockinette stitch (abbreviated as st st in the pattern), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with visible V-shaped columns on the right side. This stitch is worked over the main body pieces—back, fronts, and sleeves—to establish the cardigan's foundational structure. The stockinette stitch base provides an ideal canvas for the embroidered rosebud embellishment, allowing the decorative stitching to stand out against the flat knit surface.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Percy Cardigan is knitted using Rowan Alpaca Classic, a luxurious yarn available in multiple colorways (photographed here in Willow 112). Yarn quantities vary by size, ranging from 11 balls for the smallest size to 22 balls for the largest size, with each ball weighing 25 grams. A small amount of Rowan Soft Satin 116 is required separately for the embroidered rosebud detail.

The pattern is worked on 4½mm (US size 7) needles. Two types of needles are required: a pair of straight 4½mm needles for working flat pieces (back, fronts, and sleeves), and a 4½mm circular needle measuring at least 100 cm in length for the neckband. The yarn is worked doubled throughout the project, meaning two strands are held together simultaneously, which creates a thicker, more substantial fabric and affects the overall gauge and finished dimensions of the garment.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a tension of 17 stitches and 25 rows to 10 cm, measured over stockinette stitch using 4½mm needles with yarn held doubled. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit, as the cardigan is sized across nine different bust measurements. Garment length varies by size as well, with back length measurements ranging from 32.5 cm to 60.25 cm depending on the chosen size.

Construction Details

The cardigan is constructed using the set-in armhole method, which involves casting off stitches at the beginning of rows to establish the armhole depth, followed by decreasing one stitch at each armhole edge over multiple rows. This creates a fitted sleeve cap that sits properly at the shoulder. The back neck and shoulder shaping are worked simultaneously, with stitches cast off in stages to create the shoulder seams and define the neckline opening. The front neckband is worked on a circular needle, allowing for even tension and a professional finish around the button band and neck opening. Four wooden buttons provide both functional closure and decorative detail along the front edge.