Rowan Serendipity Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Serendipity Cardigan by Erika Knight

What Is Being Made

The Rowan Serendipity is a fitted cardigan designed to be worked from the bottom up. This garment is tailored to fit bust measurements ranging from 81–127 cm (32–50 inches), with actual finished bust measurements between 97.5–139 cm (38½–54½ inches). The cardigan features a structured silhouette with shaped armholes and shoulders, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

This cardigan is constructed using bottom-up knitting, meaning the piece is worked from the cast-on edge upward toward the shoulders and neckline. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional seaming to join the various sections together. The pattern employs seaming to join the back, fronts, and sleeves, creating clean, professional finishing. Shaping is achieved through strategic decreases at the armholes and shoulders, including slip-stitch decreases (sl 1, K1, psso) and knit-two-together decreases (K2tog) worked at regular intervals. The pattern also incorporates wrap-and-turn shaping for the shoulder and back neck, a technique that creates smooth, curved shaping without visible steps.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern combines stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows) with rib patterning. The rib pattern, worked as a combination of knit and purl stitches, provides elasticity and structure, particularly at the edges and throughout the body of the cardigan. Decreases are worked using classic shaping methods: slip-stitch decreases (sl 1, K1, psso) and knit-two-together decreases (K2tog) are used to shape the armholes and create fitted edges. The wrap-and-turn technique is employed for shoulder shaping, where stitches are wrapped and worked together with their wrapping loops to create seamless curved shaping.

Materials

The Rowan Serendipity is designed to be knitted with Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino yarn. Depending on size, the pattern requires 11–17 balls of 50-gram yarn (the photographed sample shown in the colorway Puddle 126 uses this yarn). The project is worked on 3½mm (US 4) straight needles, with one additional 3½mm needle required for casting off shoulders. The recommended tension is 23 stitches and 30 rows to 10 centimeters, measured over stockinette stitch and rib pattern when stretched, using 3½mm needles. This tension specification ensures the cardigan achieves the correct finished measurements and drape.

Pattern Overview

The cardigan begins with a cast-on of 112–160 stitches depending on size, worked in rib patterning to establish the foundation. The body is worked straight until armhole shaping begins, where decreases are introduced to create fitted armholes. The back piece measures approximately 19.5–25.5 centimeters from the beginning of armhole shaping before shoulder shaping commences. Shoulder and back neck shaping uses the wrap-and-turn method to create smooth, professional curves without visible steps. The construction method allows for precise fit and professional finishing, making this an ideal project for knitters seeking a polished, wearable garment.