Rowan Coastal eBook Knitting Pattern

Rowan Coastal eBook: Belton Knitting Pattern by Lisa Richardson

What is Being Made

The Belton is a fitted knit garment designed by Lisa Richardson, available in five sizes ranging from small (to fit bust 81-86 cm / 32-34 in) through to extra-extra-large (to fit bust 122-127 cm / 48-50 in). This knitted piece features a sophisticated cable panel design as its focal point, combined with textured stitch patterns throughout the body.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate to advanced knitting techniques. Cable crossing is a primary feature, with special abbreviations including C12B (cable 12 back) and C12F (cable 12 forward), as well as smaller four-stitch cables (C4F and C4B). The pattern also incorporates increases and decreases using make-one purl (M1P), knit two together (K2tog), and slip-slip-knit (sl 1, K1, psso) techniques to shape the garment and create shaping within the cable panels. The centre cable panel measures 24 cm and expands from 51 stitches to 59 stitches and back down, demonstrating careful stitch manipulation.

Stitches Used

The pattern combines multiple stitch types to create visual interest and texture. Ribbed stitching forms the foundation of much of the design, with alternating knit and purl columns creating vertical lines. Dot pattern (also referenced in the tension gauge) provides textured background areas. The dominant feature is the cable stitch, with both large twelve-stitch cables and smaller four-stitch cables creating dimensional twisted rope effects. Basic stitches including knit (K) and purl (P) are combined in specific sequences to build the overall fabric structure, with strategic placement of yarn overs and decreases to maintain stitch counts while creating shaping.

Materials

The Belton pattern specifies yarn quantities based on size. For the smallest size, 10 balls of Rowan All Seasons Cotton in Sky (color 268) are required, along with 5 balls of Rowan Organic (color 178). Larger sizes require 11-12 balls of All Seasons Cotton and 5-6 balls of Organic yarn, each ball weighing 50 grams. The pattern calls for two pairs of 5mm (US 8) needles for the main fabric work and two pairs of 4mm (US 6) needles for ribbed sections, plus a 4mm circular needle no longer than 40 cm and a cable needle for managing cable stitches. The tension is measured at 18 stitches and 40 rows per 10 cm over dot pattern, and 18 stitches and 24 rows per 10 cm over rib pattern, both using the 5mm needles.