Rhea Ribbed Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rhea Ribbed Cardigan in Fable Brushed Aran

What is Being Made

The Rhea Ribbed Cardigan is an advanced-level knitted cardigan designed by Sarah Hatton for West Yorkshire Spinners. This garment showcases a ribbed construction technique and is crafted from the premium Fable Brushed Aran yarn, a specialty blend that creates a distinctive halo effect in the finished fabric. The cardigan is available in multiple colorways including Phoenix, Rubus, Fjord, Shadow, Feather, Elder, Siren, Willow, Faun, Oak, Titan, and Moss, offering a range of natural, earthy, and rich tones suitable for various style preferences.

Techniques and Construction

This advanced knitting project employs ribbed knitting techniques to create texture and structure throughout the cardigan. The ribbed pattern is fundamental to the garment's design, providing both visual interest and functional stretch. Knitters working on this project should be prepared to execute precise stitch work and maintain consistent tension throughout the construction process, as this is an advanced-difficulty pattern requiring experience with complex shaping and finishing methods.

Stitches Used

The Rhea Ribbed Cardigan utilizes ribbed stitches as its primary stitch pattern. The pattern requires knitters to work to a specific tension of 18 stitches over 10 centimeters (4 inches) in stockinette stitch using the specified yarn and needles to ensure the garment achieves the correct finished dimensions and fabric characteristics.

Materials and Specifications

Yarn Composition: Fable Brushed Aran is a carefully engineered blend consisting of 50% Falkland Wool, 35% British Alpaca, and 15% British Mohair. This combination creates a yarn with a gentle brushed finish that enhances a beautiful halo effect, resulting in a magical appearance with a timeless aesthetic.

Yarn Weight and Yardage: The pattern uses Aran weight yarn supplied in 100-gram balls. Each ball provides 166 metres or 182 yards of yarn. Quantities specified in the pattern are based on average usage and are approximate; West Yorkshire Spinners recommends using only the specified yarn to ensure successful results.

Needles: This project requires 5mm (US8) needles for working the main fabric to achieve the correct tension.

Care Instructions

The Rhea Ribbed Cardigan requires hand washing only and should never be tumble dried. The garment should be reshaped while damp to maintain its proper fit and appearance after washing, ensuring the beautiful brushed finish and halo effect remain vibrant throughout the life of the cardigan.

Pattern Information

This is a downloadable PDF pattern provided by West Yorkshire Spinners. The pattern is copyrighted and intended for non-commercial, personal use only. Reproduction or knitting for resale is strictly prohibited. For any pattern queries or errata, knitters should visit wyspinners.com/errata or contact knitting@wyspinners.com. Technical editing was completed by Helen Birch and Jill Gray to ensure accuracy and clarity throughout the instructions.