Rowan Buster Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Buster Cardigan by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Buster is a children's cardigan designed by Martin Storey, available in five sizes to fit ages 3–4, 5–6, 7–8, 9–10, and 11–12 years. This classic knitted cardigan features decorative cable patterning and is fastened with five buttons, making it a versatile layering piece for young children.

Knitting Techniques

The Buster cardigan is constructed using several key knitting techniques:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The garment is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing for straightforward shaping and fitting adjustments as you progress.
• Worked Flat: All pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, with seaming used to join the finished pieces together.
• Cable Patterning: The design incorporates cable stitches throughout, created using a cable needle to cross stitches and form the characteristic twisted rope-like texture.
• Seamed Construction: Individual pieces (back, fronts, and sleeves) are knitted separately and then seamed together to create the finished garment.
• Ribbed Edgings: The cardigan features ribbed bands at the cuffs, hem, and button bands for a neat, finished appearance and improved elasticity.

Stitches Used

The Buster cardigan employs a combination of fundamental and decorative stitches:

• Rib Stitch (K2, P2): Used for the initial ribbed edgings and button bands, providing stretch and a classic finish.
• Cable Stitches: The primary decorative element, created by slipping stitches onto a cable needle and crossing them over working stitches. The pattern includes abbreviations such as C4B (cable 4 back), which involves slipping 2 stitches onto a cable needle, leaving them at the back of the work, then knitting the next 2 stitches before knitting the held stitches.
• Double Moss Stitch: Used as a secondary stitch pattern, providing textural contrast to the cable sections.
• Stockinette Stitch: Forms the base structure in areas without patterning.
• Decreases: Single decreases at armholes and neck shaping, plus double decreases (K2tog) used strategically in the pattern.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Rowan Buster is designed to be knitted in Rowan Softyak DK, a double-knitting weight yarn that provides excellent stitch definition for cable work. Yarn requirements vary by size: the smallest size (3–4 years) requires 6 x 50g balls, while the largest size (11–12 years) requires 11 x 50g balls. The pattern was photographed in the colorway Pampas 235. Additional yarn information is available on knitrowan.com.

Needles and Notions

Construction requires two pairs of needles in different sizes to create proper tension and stitch definition. 3¼mm (US 3) needles are used for the initial ribbed sections, while 4mm (US 6) needles are used for the main body and cable patterning. A cable needle is essential for executing the cable stitches throughout the design. The cardigan is fastened with 5 buttons (Groves & Banks reference G44073210).

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct gauge is crucial for proper fit. The pattern specifies 35 stitches and 34.5 rows to 10 centimeters measured over the cable pattern using 4mm needles, and 22 stitches and 32 rows to 10 centimeters measured over double moss stitch using the same needles. Gauge swatches should be worked and measured carefully before beginning the project.

Pattern Structure

The Buster follows a charted pattern repeat of 24 rows, which is worked continuously across the back and front pieces. The pattern provides row-by-row instructions for shaping, including armhole decreases, shoulder shaping, and back neck shaping. Each size is clearly marked throughout the pattern with bracketed stitch counts, making