Reed Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Reed Cardigan in Rowan Fine Tweed Haze

What is Being Made

The Reed is a classic knitted cardigan designed by Martin Storey for Rowan. This garment is available in nine size options, with actual chest measurements ranging from 81 cm to 163 cm (32 to 64¼ inches), making it suitable for a wide range of body types. The cardigan features a traditional button-front closure and is offered in both a striped version and a plain version, providing versatility in color styling.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several essential shaping techniques throughout construction. The pattern requires careful management of stripes when working the striped version, maintaining color consistency across multiple pieces. Armhole shaping is achieved through strategic cast-offs and decreases worked at each end of rows over multiple rows and alternating rows, creating a fitted sleeve cap. Shoulder shaping uses a stepped cast-off method, binding off stitches in groups across successive rows to create a sloped shoulder line. Back neck shaping involves casting off center stitches and working each side of the neckline separately with additional decreases to create a curved neckline. The pattern requires working pieces separately and then joining them together, with a neckband component that uses stitches held on a holder during body construction.

Stitches Used

The Reed cardigan is primarily constructed using stockinette stitch (abbreviated as st st in the pattern), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a flat appearance on the right side and bumpy texture on the wrong side. This fundamental stitch is worked by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. The pattern also incorporates knit stitches for seaming and finishing details. Cast-on and cast-off techniques are essential throughout, with multiple cast-offs required for armhole shaping, shoulder shaping, and neckline shaping.

Materials

The Reed cardigan is knitted using Rowan Fine Tweed Haze, a yarn that comes in 50-gram balls. For the striped version, three colorways are specified: Nero 009, Lawn 005, and Mist 007, with varying yardage requirements depending on size selection. A plain version is also available, photographed in Blush 010. The project is worked on 3¼mm (US 3) needles and 4mm (US 6) needles, with the smaller needles typically used for ribbed edgings and the larger needles for the main body fabric. The cardigan is finished with eight wooden 15mm buttons (TGB4083 from Textile Garden), providing a classic, natural aesthetic to the garment closure.