Rowan Trym Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Trym Cardigan by Arne & Carlos

What Is Being Made

The Rowan Trym is a knitted cardigan designed by Arne & Carlos. This garment is constructed as a fitted cardigan with button closure, available in six sizes ranging from bust/chest 81–86 cm to 132–137 cm (32–54 inches). The finished garment measurements span from 99 cm to 150 cm across the bust, offering a comfortable fit across a wide range of body sizes.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Trym cardigan is worked flat from the bottom up, meaning knitting begins at the lower edge and progresses upward toward the shoulders and neckline. This construction approach allows for straightforward shaping and seaming of the finished pieces.

Seaming is used to join the various pieces of the cardigan together, creating a structured, tailored garment. The pattern includes detailed shaping instructions for the shoulders and back neck, with specific stitch decreases worked at the neck edge over multiple rows to create a refined neckline.

The most distinctive technique featured in this design is intarsia, a color-work method that allows for the incorporation of larger design motifs or patterns using different colored yarns. Rather than carrying unused yarn across the back of the work, intarsia involves using separate lengths of yarn for each color section, creating a clean reverse side. The pattern is worked entirely in stockinette stitch and is guided by a chart that shows the intarsia design. The left front is worked using the reverse of the chart to ensure proper placement of the motif.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The Trym cardigan employs fundamental knitting stitches and techniques:

• Ribbing forms the lower edge and cuff details. The pattern begins with a 2×2 rib (alternating 2 knit stitches with 2 purl stitches), which provides elasticity and a finished appearance. The ribbing is worked for 5 cm before transitioning to the main stitch pattern.
• Stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows) comprises the main body of the cardigan and serves as the foundation for the intarsia color work.
• Decreasing is used strategically for shaping, including decreases at the neck edge worked over consecutive rows to create a gradual, flattering neckline curve.
• Casting off (binding off) secures stitches at the shoulder and neck edges, with specific stitch counts provided for each size to ensure proper fit and proportion.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Rowan Trym is designed to be knitted with two complementary yarns held together as a single strand throughout the project:

• Yarn A: Rowan Felted Tweed in Clay – The primary yarn, with yardage requirements ranging from 7 to 11 balls of 50g per size.
• Yarn B: Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Turkish Plum – A secondary yarn for color contrast and intarsia work, requiring 3 to 4 balls of 25g per size.

Knitting needles required include:

• 3¼mm (US 3) needles in a straight pair for working the ribbed cuffs and lower edges
• 4mm (US 6) needles in a straight pair for working the main body in stockinette stitch
• 3¼mm (US 3) circular needle at least 120 cm long, used for the neckband

The pattern also calls for 6 buttons (Rowan RW5030, 1.8 cm) for the cardigan front closure.

Pattern Details and Finishing

The pattern provides row-by-row instructions for the left front, back, and right front pieces, with all shaping clearly marked for each of the six sizes. The neckband is worked separately using stitches held on a holder during the main body construction, ensuring a neat and professional finish. The skill level is listed as intermediate, reflecting the combination of basic techniques with the added complexity of intarsia color work and careful shaping.