Rowan Broadgate Tabard Slipover Knitting Pattern

Rowan Broadgate Tabard by Georgia Farrell

What is Being Made

The Broadgate Tabard is an advanced-level knitted slipover garment designed to fit bust measurements of 81-91 cm (32-36 in), 97-107 cm (38-42 in), or 112-127 cm (44-50 in). This tabard is a sleeveless pullover construction that features sophisticated shaping at the front neck and shoulders, making it a refined layering piece suitable for intermediate to experienced knitters.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several advanced knitting techniques that distinguish it as a challenging project. Cable work is central to the design, requiring knitters to use cable needles to create twisted stitch effects throughout the garment. The pattern incorporates front neck shaping with graduated decreases worked over multiple rows and alternate rows, demanding careful attention to stitch counts and pattern continuity. Shoulder shaping is achieved through strategic cast-offs combined with simultaneous decreasing at the neck edge, requiring coordination of multiple shaping elements. The construction includes seaming techniques such as back stitch and mattress stitch for joining shoulder seams, and features a neckband that is picked up and worked in the round using circular or double-pointed needles.

Stitches Used

The Broadgate Tabard utilizes specialized cable stitches as indicated by the pattern's special abbreviations. C2F (Cable 2 Front) involves slipping one stitch onto a cable needle, holding it at the front of the work, knitting one stitch, then knitting the stitch from the cable needle. C2B (Cable 2 Back) follows the same principle but holds the cable needle at the back of the work. Cr2L (Cross 2 Left) combines a cable technique with a purl stitch, slipping one stitch to a cable needle at the front, purling one stitch, then knitting the cable needle stitch. Cr2R (Cross 2 Right) mirrors this action with the cable needle held at the back. These cable and cross stitches create the textured patterning that defines the garment's visual interest. Standard knitting stitches including knit and purl are worked in combination with these specialty stitches to build the overall fabric.

Materials

The Broadgate Tabard is worked in Rowan Alpaca Soft DK, a delicate yarn requiring 5, 6, or 6 balls of 50-gram weight depending on the size selected. The photographed sample is shown in the colorway Mulberry 207. Needles required include one pair of 4mm (US 6) needles for the main body construction, and a set of 4 double-pointed 4mm (US 6) needles or a 4mm (US 6) circular needle no longer than 40 cm (16 inches) for working the neckband in the round. The pattern specifies a tension of 24 stitches and 33 rows to 10 centimeters measured over the cable pattern using 4mm needles, making accurate gauge essential for proper fit across all three sizes.