Rowan Beets Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Beets Cardigan by Lisa Richardson

What is Being Made

The Rowan Beets is a knitted cardigan designed by Lisa Richardson, available in five sizes to fit bust measurements from 81-86 cm (32-34 inches) up to 122-127 cm (48-50 inches). This intermediate-level knitting project features a classic cardigan silhouette with shaping at the shoulders and functional patch pockets, fastened with a single shell button measuring 2.8 cm.

Knitting Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for intermediate crafters. The construction involves shaping through increases worked into the pattern on the left front piece, with increases placed at regular intervals to create a fitted garment. Pocket placement is a key feature, requiring the knitter to cast off stitches for pocket openings and then pick up a pre-made pocket lining to integrate seamlessly into the garment. The pattern also includes shoulder shaping achieved through casting off in pattern, which maintains the textural integrity of the design at the neckline. Ribbed edging forms the foundation of the garment pieces, providing structure and elasticity.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Rowan Beets cardigan is constructed using a two-by-two rib pattern that forms the basis of the design. This pattern is created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a regular sequence: knit two stitches, purl two stitches, repeated across the row. The pattern shifts between rows to create the characteristic textured appearance of ribbing. Specifically, the back piece begins with Row 1 (RS): K2, *P2, K2, rep from * to end, followed by Row 2: P2, *K2, P2, rep from * to end. This four-row pattern repeat is maintained throughout most of the garment pieces, including the back, left front, and pocket linings. The ribbed texture provides both visual interest and functional stretch, making the cardigan comfortable and wearable.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Rowan Beets cardigan is designed to be knitted using Rowan Denim Revive yarn, with the sample photographed in the Cream 210 colorway. The pattern requires 16 to 23 balls of 50-gram yarn, depending on the size being knitted, providing approximately 800-1150 meters of yarn across all sizes. Knitting is worked on 3¾mm (US 5) needles, one pair of which is required for the entire project. The tension is established at 22 stitches and 32 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over the pattern using the specified needle size. Achieving correct tension is essential for obtaining the proper finished bust measurements, which range from 96.5 cm (38 inches) in the smallest size to 136.5 cm (53¾ inches) in the largest size.

Construction Overview

The cardigan is constructed in separate pieces: a back panel, a left front panel, and two pocket linings. The back piece is cast on with between 114 and 158 stitches depending on size, and worked in the two-by-two rib pattern for 42 rows before shoulder shaping begins. The left front is cast on with 66 to 88 stitches and includes increases worked at the beginning of alternate rows to create shaping, with these increases incorporated into the established rib pattern. Pocket linings are made separately by casting on 30 to 34 stitches and working 68 rows in pattern before being held on a stitch holder for later integration. The pocket openings are created by casting off a section of stitches on the left front, with the pre-made pocket lining then grafted in place using a purl-facing technique that maintains pattern continuity.