Rowan Basilica Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Basilica Cardigan by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Basilica is a knitted cardigan designed by Martin Storey, available in five sizes to fit bust measurements ranging from 81–86 cm (32–34 in) up to 122–127 cm (48–50 in). The finished garment features actual bust measurements from 109 cm (43 in) to 149 cm (58½ in), offering a comfortable fit across multiple size ranges.

Construction Method

This cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up, seamed approach, meaning the pieces are knitted individually from the lower edge upward and then joined together. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional shaping and seaming techniques.

Knitting Techniques

The Basilica incorporates several key techniques to create visual interest and structure:

• Ribbed edging: The pattern begins with a ribbed cuff at the lower edge, worked over 2 rows to create the characteristic elastic texture that helps the garment sit neatly against the body.
• Stockinette stitch: The main body is worked in stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows), creating a smooth, classic fabric.
• Striped colorwork: The cardigan features horizontal stripes created by changing yarn colors at designated points during construction.
• Fairisle technique: A 42-row pattern repeat is worked using the fairisle method, a traditional colorwork technique where multiple colors are carried across the back of the work to create intricate patterned sections while maintaining consistent fabric density.
• Raglan shaping: The armholes are shaped using raglan decreases, where stitches are decreased at each end of rows to create diagonal seam lines from the underarm to the neckline. This shaping is maintained throughout the colorwork pattern.
• Strategic increases: Make-one increases are incorporated to adjust stitch counts between sections, allowing the fabric to transition smoothly from the ribbed lower edge to the patterned body.

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches including:

• K (knit): The basic knit stitch forming the right-side rows of stockinette.
• P (purl): The basic purl stitch forming the wrong-side rows of stockinette.
• M1 (make one): An increase method that creates a new stitch from the horizontal strand between stitches, used for subtle shaping.
• K2tog (knit two together): A right-leaning decrease combining two stitches into one.
• Sl 1, K1, psso (slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over): A left-leaning decrease used for balanced raglan shaping.
• P2tog and P2tog tbl (purl two together and purl two together through back loop): Purl-side decreases maintaining the raglan shaping pattern.

Materials and Needle Specifications

The Basilica is designed to be knitted with Rowan Felted Tweed yarn, a premium wool blend available in six carefully coordinated colorways:

• Yarn A – Seafarer (color 170): The primary color, requiring 3–4 x 50gm balls depending on size.
• Yarn B – Cinnamon (color 175): A secondary stripe color, requiring 2–3 x 50gm balls.
• Yarn C – Mineral (color 181): A fairisle accent color, requiring 1–2 x 50gm balls.
• Yarn D – Ginger (color 154): A fairisle detail color, requiring 1 x 50gm ball across all sizes.
• Yarn E – Celadon (color 184): A fairisle accent color, requiring 1 x 50gm ball across all sizes.
• Yarn F – Tawny (color 186): A fairisle detail color, requiring 1–2 x 50gm balls depending on size.