Rowan Beano Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Beano Cardigan by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Beano is a children's knitted cardigan designed by Martin Storey, available in five size options to fit ages 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12 years. This is a classic button-front cardigan construction featuring a striped colorway pattern throughout the body and sleeves.

Knitting Techniques Used

This cardigan is constructed using several fundamental knitting techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is knitted from the bottom edge upward, beginning with the back piece and front pieces worked separately before assembly
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, creating seamed garment sections
• Seamed assembly: Individual pieces (back, fronts, and sleeves) are knitted separately and then sewn together using mattress stitch or similar seaming techniques
• Striped colorwork: Two distinct stripe sequences are worked throughout the pattern using color changes between rows, creating horizontal stripes across the body
• Shaping techniques: The pattern includes armhole shaping through cast-offs and decreases, shoulder shaping, and back neck shaping to create proper garment fit

Stitches Used

The Beano cardigan employs essential knitting stitches suitable for children's garments:

• Stockinette stitch (st st): The primary stitch used for the main body and sleeves, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric with a flat appearance
• Ribbing: Knit 2, Purl 2 (K2, P2) ribbing is used for the cuff and hem sections, providing elasticity and a finished edge that helps the garment retain its shape
• Garter stitch elements: Used selectively for button bands and finishing edges

Materials and Specifications

Yarn: The pattern uses Rowan Handknit Cotton, a natural fiber yarn suitable for children's wear. Three colors are required:

• Yarn A (Ecru 251): 3-6 x 50g balls depending on size
• Yarn B (Black 252): 3-5 x 50g balls depending on size
• Yarn C (Rosso 215): 2 x 50g balls for all sizes

Needles: Two needle sizes are used for this project:

• 3¼mm (US 3) needles for ribbed edges and cuffs
• 4mm (US 6) needles for the main body and sleeves worked in stockinette stitch

Notions: Five buttons (A04TI from Groves & Banks) are required for the front button band closure.

Pattern Specifications

Tension: The pattern is designed to achieve 20 stitches and 28 rows over 10 centimeters when measured over stockinette stitch using 4mm (US 6) needles. Achieving correct tension is essential for proper garment sizing.

Skill Level: This pattern is appropriate for knitters with foundational skills, as it involves basic shaping, color changes, and seaming techniques.

Stripe Sequences: The pattern employs two different stripe sequences worked at different stages of the cardigan construction. Stripe Sequence 1 is worked for the initial body rows, while Stripe Sequence 2 is introduced for subsequent sections, creating visual interest through the strategic placement of color changes.