Rowan Esk Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Esk Cardigan by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Esk is a knitted cardigan designed by Martin Storey. This garment is worked as a button-front cardigan with shaping at the armholes and shoulders. The pattern includes a back piece and left front piece, with sizing available in five sizes ranging from small (to fit bust 81-86 cm) through to extra-extra-large (to fit bust 122-127 cm).

Techniques Used

This cardigan is constructed using several key knitting techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is worked from the cast-on edge upward, allowing for easy fitting adjustments during the knitting process.
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, creating seams that are finished after individual pieces are completed.
• Seamed construction: The back and front pieces are seamed together to create the finished garment.
• Cable work: The pattern incorporates cable stitches as a decorative element, with a special abbreviation Wrap4 used for cable manipulation.
• Armhole and shoulder shaping: Structured shaping is achieved through strategic cast-offs and decreases to create a fitted silhouette at the armholes and shoulders.
• Ribbed edging: The lower edge features a knit-purl ribbed pattern that provides elasticity and a finished appearance.

Stitches Used

The Esk cardigan employs fundamental knitting stitches combined with textural elements:

• Knit and purl stitches: The foundation of the garment, used to create the main fabric and ribbed edges.
• Ribbed stitch pattern: A 2x2 rib (alternating two knit stitches with two purl stitches) forms the lower band and cuff areas.
• Cable stitches: Worked from a chart pattern, these create textural interest across the body of the cardigan. The Wrap4 technique involves inserting the right needle between specific stitches on the left needle to create cable crossings.
• Stockinette stitch: Used as the base fabric in patterned areas when not working cables.

Materials and Tools

The Esk cardigan requires specific materials for successful completion:

• Yarn: Rowan Brushed Fleece in the colorway Grotto 257 (photographed). Yardage requirements vary by size: 5 x 50gm balls for size S, 6 x 50gm balls for sizes M and L, 7 x 50gm balls for size XL, and 8 x 50gm balls for size XXL.
• Needles: One pair of 5mm (US 8) needles for ribbed sections, one pair of 6mm (US 10) needles for main pattern work, and one 5mm (US 8) circular needle measuring 80 cm long for finishing techniques.
• Notions: Three BN1302 buttons from Bedecked for the front closure.

Tension and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a tension of 15 stitches and 20 rows over 10 centimeters when measured over the patterned fabric using 6mm (US 10) needles. The cardigan is available in five sizes accommodating bust measurements from 81 to 127 centimeters, with corresponding adjustments to stitch counts and shaping throughout the pattern.