Rowan Braden Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Braden Cardigan by Lisa Richardson

What is Being Made

The Rowan Braden is a classic cardigan pattern designed by Lisa Richardson, available in five sizes ranging from 81–86 cm to 122–127 cm bust measurements. The finished garment features actual bust measurements of 88, 99, 108, 119, and 128 cm respectively. This is a structured, tailored cardigan suitable for everyday wear, fastened with 5 buttons.

Craft and Construction Method

This is a knitting pattern worked using the bottom-up, seamed, and worked-flat construction method. The cardigan is knitted in separate flat pieces—back, left front, and right front—which are then seamed together. This approach allows for precise shaping and fitting, with increases and decreases worked at strategic points to create a well-proportioned silhouette.

Stitches and Techniques

The primary stitch used throughout the Rowan Braden is moss stitch, a textured, reversible fabric created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a checkerboard pattern. Moss stitch is worked as follows: Row 1 (RS): *K1, P1, rep from * to last 0 [1: 1: 0: 0] st, K0 [1: 1: 0: 0]. Row 2: K0 [1: 1: 0: 0], *P1, K1, rep from * to end. This two-row repeat forms the basis of the entire garment.

Shaping techniques include strategic decreases at the beginning of rows to shape the armholes and neckline, and increases worked at regular intervals (every 10th row) to create gradual shaping at the front edges. The pattern specifies decreasing 1 stitch at the beginning of rows and casting off multiple stitches in sequence for more dramatic shaping at armholes. Neck shaping is accomplished through a combination of casting off centre stitches and decreasing 1 stitch at the neck edge over consecutive rows.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Rowan Braden is designed to be worked in two complementary yarns held together:

• Yarn A: Valley Tweed Littondale — 6, 7, 7, 8, or 9 x 50gm balls depending on size
• Yarn B: Janet's Foss — 6, 7, 7, 8, or 9 x 50gm balls depending on size

The pattern requires 1 pair of 4¼mm (US 7) needles. The recommended tension is 18 stitches and 34 rows to 10 cm, measured over moss stitch using 4½mm (US 7) needles with 2 strands of yarn held together. Working with two strands of yarn held together creates a thicker, more substantial fabric while maintaining the delicate texture of the moss stitch.

Pattern Details

The left front begins with casting on 44 [49: 53: 58: 62] stitches and working in moss stitch throughout. The pattern includes a series of decreases followed by increases to create shaping at the front edge, with specific row counts provided for each size. The back and right front follow similar construction principles with appropriate shaping for armholes and necklines. All pieces are worked flat and subsequently seamed together, with 5 buttons used to close the front opening.