Rowan Colne Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Colne Cardigan by Lisa Richardson

What is Being Made

The Rowan Colne is a striped cardigan designed by Lisa Richardson, available in five sizes to fit bust measurements from 81-86 cm up to 122-127 cm (32-34 inches to 48-50 inches). The finished garment features an actual bust measurement ranging from 92 cm to 132 cm depending on size selected. This is a classic bottom-up construction cardigan with a structured fit and defined armhole shaping.

Techniques Used

The Colne cardigan employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished design:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is worked from the lower edge upward, beginning with the back piece and progressing through armhole and shoulder shaping before completing the front and sleeve components.
• Seamed construction: Pieces are worked flat on straight needles and then seamed together, allowing for precise shaping and professional finishing.
• Striped colorwork: The cardigan features a multi-stripe sequence worked throughout using three coordinating colors from the Rowan Valley Tweed yarn range, creating visual interest and depth.
• Worked flat: All pieces are worked flat on two needles rather than in the round, providing control over shaping and stitch placement.
• Decreasing for shaping: Strategic decreases are worked at regular intervals to create tapered body lines and properly fitted armholes and shoulders.

Stitches Used

The Colne cardigan utilizes fundamental knitting stitches to create its structure and texture:

• Garter stitch: Used for the initial cast-on edge, providing a stable, non-rolling border that frames the lower edge of the garment.
• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch throughout the body and all pieces, creating a smooth, classic fabric surface that showcases the striped colorwork effectively.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Rowan Colne pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the correct fabric and finished measurements:

Yarn Requirements: The pattern uses Rowan Valley Tweed yarn, a premium wool blend, held double throughout for added warmth and fabric weight. Three colors are required:

• Yarn A – Malham 101: 4 to 6 balls of 50gm depending on size
• Yarn B – Penyghent 104: 7 to 9 balls of 50gm depending on size
• Yarn C – Gordale 105: 4 to 5 balls of 50gm depending on size

Needles: Two pairs of needles are required to work this pattern:

• 1 pair of 5mm (US 8) needles for the cast-on edge and initial rows
• 1 pair of 6mm (US 10) needles for the main body fabric

Tension: The pattern specifies a tension of 15 stitches and 21 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over stockinette stitch using 6mm needles with 2 strands of yarn held together. Achieving correct tension is essential for proper fit and finished measurements.

Pattern Construction Details

The back piece begins with 79 to 109 stitches cast on using the smaller needles and yarn A held double. After working 4 rows in garter stitch, the needles are changed to the larger size and stockinette stitch is begun with the first row of the stripe sequence. The body is tapered through decreases worked at regular intervals before armhole shaping is introduced. The armhole is shaped through a combination of cast-off stitches and decreases worked over multiple rows, with the stripe pattern maintained throughout. Shoulder and back neck shaping complete the back piece, with careful stitch management to create clean lines and proper fit at the neckline.