Rose Petals Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rose Petals in Rowan Cotton Glace Cardigan

What Is Being Made

This is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan pattern featuring a beautiful rose petal motif design. The cardigan is available in nine different sizes, ranging from bust measurements of 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) up to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches), making it suitable for a wide range of body types. The finished garment showcases a sophisticated color-work design worked from a chart pattern, creating an elegant and wearable piece for various occasions.

Techniques Used

This cardigan is constructed using fundamental knitting techniques combined with chart-based colorwork. The body is worked entirely in stockinette stitch from a charted pattern, beginning with a knit row. The pattern requires shaping at multiple points throughout construction, including armhole shaping achieved through strategic cast-offs and decreases. Shoulder shaping and back neck shaping are incorporated to create proper garment fit and structure. The design demonstrates intermediate-level skill through its combination of chart reading, stitch manipulation, and multi-directional shaping requirements.

Stitches Used

Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary stitch throughout the entire cardigan, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. This classic stitch creates a smooth, flat fabric ideal for displaying the rose petal colorwork pattern.

Chart Pattern Work: The rose petal design is worked entirely from a provided chart, requiring knitters to follow color changes row by row while maintaining stockinette stitch structure. This technique allows the beautiful floral motif to emerge as the garment is constructed.

Materials and Yarn

This pattern calls for Rowan Cotton Glace, a premium yarn choice that provides excellent stitch definition and drape. Cotton Glace is worked in 50-gram balls, and the pattern specifies seven distinct colors to create the rose petal design:

• Color A: Porcelain (shade 870) – Used in quantities ranging from 4-7 balls depending on size
• Color B: Azure (shade 874) – 1-3 balls required
• Color C: Midnight (shade 868) – 2-3 balls required
• Color D: Winsor (shade 849) – 1-3 balls required
• Color E: Cobalt (shade 850) – 1-3 balls required
• Color F: Twilight (shade 829) – 1-3 balls required
• Color G: Nightshade (shade 746) – 1-3 balls required

The specific yardage requirements vary by size, with larger sizes requiring additional yardage across multiple colors. Cotton Glace is a lightweight, smooth yarn that works beautifully for colorwork projects, offering excellent stitch clarity for chart-based patterns.

Pattern Construction Details

The cardigan body is constructed by working 86 to 100 rows from the provided chart, depending on the chosen size. The work measures approximately 29-33 cm from the cast-on edge before armhole shaping begins. Armhole shaping is achieved by casting off 4-7 stitches at the beginning of two rows, followed by decreasing one stitch at each end of subsequent rows over a span of 3-19 rows depending on size. The main body continues without additional shaping until the chart is complete, reaching approximately 48-62.5 cm from the cast-on edge. Shoulder shaping involves casting off 10-16 stitches at the beginning of rows, with back neck shaping creating a finished neckline. Each side of the neck is worked separately to allow for proper shaping and finishing.