Rowan Deirdre Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Deirdre Cardigan by Marie Wallin

What is Being Made

The Rowan Deirdre is a knitted cardigan designed by Marie Wallin, available in five sizes ranging from Small to XXL to fit bust measurements of 81-127 cm (32-50 inches). This garment features a classic cardigan construction with a button front closure, long sleeves, and a distinctive collar that extends 20 cm from the shoulder shaping.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Deirdre cardigan is worked flat on needles and constructed bottom-up, meaning knitting begins at the lower edge and progresses upward toward the shoulders. The garment is seamed together, with separate pieces for the back, left front, and right front that are joined using seaming techniques. This construction approach allows for precise shaping and pattern alignment throughout the garment.

Stitch Patterns and Cable Work

The cardigan incorporates two primary stitch patterns that work together harmoniously:

• Moss Stitch: A textured, reversible stitch created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a single-stitch offset pattern. This stitch provides a subtle, woven appearance and is used for ribbing and edge details.
• Cable Pattern: Decorative cables are a central design feature, created using a cable needle to cross stitches over one another. The pattern is worked from a chart, with cable and moss stitch panels measuring 21 stitches across and repeated multiple times across the width of the back and fronts.

The tension for this pattern is 22 stitches and 26 rows over 10 cm in moss stitch, and 23 stitches and 27 rows over 10 cm in cable pattern when worked on 5½mm needles.

Shaping Details

The cardigan features structured shaping at the armholes and shoulders. Armhole shaping is achieved by casting off stitches at the beginning of rows, followed by decreasing one stitch at each end over several rows to create a fitted sleeve cap. Shoulder shaping uses a stepped cast-off method, with stitches cast off in graduated amounts across multiple rows to create a smooth shoulder line. The back neck is left open to accommodate the extended collar.

Materials Required

The pattern calls for Rowan Lima yarn in quantities varying by size: 17, 19, 21, 23, or 25 balls of 50-gram weight (photographed in the colorway Peru 889). Rowan Lima is a specialty yarn available through the Rowan yarn range.

Needles and notions include:

• One 5½mm (US 9) circular needle
• One pair of 5½mm (US 9) straight needles
• Cable needle for working cable stitches
• Stitch holder for holding stitches during construction
• Four 15mm buttons for the front closure

Finishing and Collar

After the main pieces are seamed together, the cardigan features a distinctive collar that is worked directly from the back neck stitches. This collar continues for 20 cm in length, creating a substantial neckline element. The garment is finished with four 15mm buttons spaced along the left front opening.