Ren Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Ren Cardigan by Quail Studio in Rowan Alpaca Haze

What Is Being Made

The Ren is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Quail Studio and published as a digital downloadable pattern. This garment is crafted from Rowan Alpaca Haze yarn and features a lace pattern throughout. The cardigan is available in nine sizes, ranging from 71–76 cm (28–30 inches) to 152–157 cm (60–62 inches) chest circumference, with actual finished chest measurements spanning from 136.5 cm (53¾ inches) to 216.5 cm (85¼ inches).

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This cardigan employs several key knitting techniques characteristic of intermediate-level garment construction. The pattern uses a two-row lace chart that is repeated throughout the body of the garment, creating a decorative openwork fabric. Shaping is achieved through strategic increases and decreases: M1R (make 1 right) and M1L (make 1 left) increases are used to add stitches while maintaining pattern integrity, while SSK (slip, slip, knit) and K2tog (knit two together) decreases are employed for shaping the front neck and shoulders. The pattern requires careful attention to maintaining the lace pattern while working these shaping decreases simultaneously.

Stitches Used

The Ren cardigan incorporates the following stitches and techniques:

• Lace pattern – a two-row repeating chart worked throughout the main body
• Yarn forward (yfrn) – creates the openwork characteristic of lace knitting
• Knit stitches (K) – fundamental stitch used in the base fabric
• Purl stitches (P) – used in ribbing and pattern sections
• SSK (slip, slip, knit) – a left-leaning decrease
• K2tog (knit two together) – a right-leaning decrease
• M1R and M1L (make 1 increases) – decorative increases that maintain pattern flow

Materials and Gauge

The Ren cardigan is worked using Rowan Alpaca Haze yarn in 25-gram balls. The yardage requirement varies by size, ranging from 6 balls for the smallest size to 11 balls for the largest size. The pattern photographed is shown in Merlot 20, a rich colorway. Knitting is worked on a single pair of 3.25mm (US 3) needles. The required tension is 24 stitches and 35 rows to 10 centimeters measured over the lace pattern using the specified needles. Additional notions include stitch markers and stitch holders, which are essential for managing the multiple pattern sections and shaping throughout construction.