Rosso Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rosso Cardigan in Rowan Kidsilk Haze

What is Being Made

The Rosso Cardigan is a knitted cardigan designed by Sarah Hatton, available in five size options to fit bust measurements from 81-86 cm through 122-127 cm (32-34 inches through 48-50 inches). The finished garment features actual bust measurements ranging from 91 cm to 130 cm depending on size selection. This is an intermediate-level knitting project suitable for crafters with foundational knitting skills who are ready to tackle patterned yoke construction and shaping techniques.

Techniques Used

The Rosso Cardigan employs several intermediate knitting techniques to create its distinctive structure and fit:

• Marker Placement and Pattern Tracking: The pattern uses four stitch markers positioned strategically—one pair 12-36 stitches in from both ends of the row, with 25 stitches at the centre between the centre pair of markers. This systematic marker placement guides complex shaping throughout the garment.
• Increases and Decreases for Shaping: The cardigan incorporates M1R (make one right) and M1L (make one left) increases, as well as K2tog and slip-slip-knit (sl 1, K1, psso) decreases to create fitted shaping while maintaining pattern continuity.
• Yoke Pattern Construction: After the initial body shaping, the garment transitions into a yoke pattern that repeats over four rows, creating visual interest across the upper body and shoulders.
• Bind-off Stitch Detail: The pattern includes a special bind 3 abbreviation (slip 1, K1, yarn forward, K1, lift slipped stitch over) that creates decorative eyelet or textured details within the yoke patterning.
• Armhole Shaping: The pattern includes structured armhole shaping worked while maintaining the established yoke pattern.

Stitches Used

The Rosso Cardigan combines fundamental and intermediate stitches to build its structure and visual appeal:

• Stockinette Stitch (St St): Forms the primary fabric base, worked as knit on right-side rows and purl on wrong-side rows.
• Reverse Stockinette Stitch: Created by purling on right-side rows and knitting on wrong-side rows, used as part of the yoke pattern sequence.
• Yoke Pattern: A four-row repeat combining knit and purl stitches in a structured sequence (K3, P1 repeats) to create textured bands across the upper body.
• Eyelet or Bind-off Details: The special bind 3 stitch creates small openings or textured elements within the patterned sections.
• Increases: M1R and M1L stitches add new stitches while maintaining pattern flow during shaping.
• Decreases: K2tog and slip-slip-knit decreases reduce stitch count while shaping the garment.

Materials

Yarn: The Rosso Cardigan is knitted using Rowan Kidsilk Haze, a luxury yarn requiring 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14 balls of 25-gram weight depending on the size being made. The sample shown was photographed in the colourway Liqueur 595. The pattern specifies working with yarn doubled, meaning two strands are held together throughout most of the knitting to achieve the correct tension and fabric density.

Needles: Two needle sizes are required. A pair of 3¼mm (UK size 10 / US size 3) needles is used for ribbed edgings and cuffs, while a pair of 3¾mm (UK size 9 / US size 5) needles is used for the main body and patterned sections. The larger needles accommodate the doubled yarn and create the appropriate fabric gauge.

Notions: The cardigan requires four buttons for fastening, with button placement varying by size (some sizes use three buttons instead of four).

Tension and Gauge

Achieving correct tension is essential for this project's success. Over stockinette stitch worked with doubled yarn on 3¾mm needles, the pattern specifies 23 stitches and 32 rows to 10 centimetres. Over the yoke pattern, also worked on 3¾mm needles with doubled yarn