Rowan Moonflower Coat Knitting Pattern

Rowan Moonflower Coat by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Moonflower Coat is a sophisticated knitted coat designed by Martin Storey, available in five sizes to fit bust measurements from 81-86 cm (32-34 inches) through to 122-127 cm (48-50 inches). This garment features a structured silhouette with shaped shoulders and sleeves, making it a substantial layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Moonflower Coat is constructed using a bottom-up seamed approach, meaning the back, fronts, and sleeves are knitted separately from the lower edge upward, then joined together with seaming. The pattern employs stranded colorwork throughout, a technique in which multiple yarn colors are carried across the back of the work to create intricate patterned designs. All pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, requiring careful attention to shaping instructions that differ between right-side and wrong-side rows.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The coat begins with garter stitch edging, a fundamental knit stitch that creates a textured, reversible fabric perfect for cuffs and hems. The main body of the garment is worked from a detailed chart pattern that incorporates the stranded colorwork technique. Shoulder shaping is achieved through strategic cast-off sequences worked at the beginning of rows, creating graduated decreases that form the armhole and shoulder line. The pattern requires precise stitch counts and careful attention to maintaining pattern continuity while shaping.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Moonflower Coat is designed to be worked in Rowan Alpaca Soft DK, a delicate yarn weight suitable for creating detailed colorwork. The pattern calls for seven coordinating yarn colors:

• Yarn A - Rainy Day (210): The primary color, requiring 13-18 balls of 50gm depending on size
• Yarn B - Classic Brown (204): 2 balls of 50gm for all sizes
• Yarn C - Tea (205): 2 balls of 50gm for all sizes
• Yarn D - Brick (218): 2-3 balls of 50gm depending on size
• Yarn E - Hunter Green (214): 2 balls of 50gm for all sizes
• Yarn F - Clover (215): 2 balls of 50gm for all sizes
• Yarn G - Autumn Gold (220): 2 balls of 50gm for all sizes

Two needle sizes are required: 3¼mm (US 3) needles for the garter stitch edging and 4mm (US 6) needles for the main pattern sections. The pattern is formatted as a downloadable PDF, allowing knitters to access detailed charts and comprehensive shaping instructions for their chosen size.