Rowan Florey Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Florey Cardigans by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Florey is a collection of knitted cardigans designed by Martin Storey for children aged 5-12 years. Available in four sizes to fit chest measurements from 59-61 cm up to 76-79 cm, these cardigans feature a classic construction with raglan armholes and a hood. The design includes practical details such as patch pockets with reinforced linings and six-button front closures.

Techniques Used

This cardigan pattern employs several key knitting techniques to create its structured silhouette and functional design:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is knitted from the lower edge upward, allowing for straightforward sizing adjustments and a logical progression through the pattern.
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, then seamed together at the end for a traditional tailored finish.
• Raglan shaping: The armholes are shaped using raglan decreases, which create diagonal seam lines from the underarm to the neckline. This technique involves casting off stitches at the beginning of rows, then working paired decreases (K2tog and K2tog tbl) on subsequent rows to gradually reduce stitch counts.
• Ribbed edgings: The lower edge and cuffs are worked in rib stitch before transitioning to stockinette stitch, providing elasticity and a neat finish.
• Seamed construction: Individual pieces (back, fronts, sleeves, and hood) are knitted separately and then sewn together, creating clean, durable seams.
• Pocket integration: Patch pockets are created with separate pocket linings that are knitted independently, then attached to the fronts for a professional appearance.

Stitches Used

The Rowan Florey pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches to create a garment suitable for intermediate knitters:

• Stockinette stitch (st st): The primary stitch throughout the main body and sleeves, creating a smooth, flat fabric with a recognizable V-pattern on the right side.
• Ribbing: Typically worked as knit and purl combinations (such as K2, P2) at the cuffs, lower edge, and neckline to create vertical columns that provide stretch and recovery.
• Decreases: K2tog (knit two together) and K2tog tbl (knit two together through back loop) are used for raglan armhole shaping, reducing stitch counts symmetrically on either side of the front panels.
• Make one increases (M1P): Purl-wise make one increases are used in the pocket linings to adjust stitch counts as needed for proper pocket dimensions.

Materials

The Rowan Florey is designed to be worked in Softyak DK yarn, a double-knitting weight yarn that offers softness and durability suitable for children's garments. Yarn requirements range from 6 x 50gm balls for the smallest size (5-6 years) to 9 x 50gm balls for the largest size (11-12 years). The pattern photographed version is shown in colorway Lea 236.

Needles required include one pair of 3¼mm (US 3) needles for ribbed sections and pocket linings, one pair of 4mm (US 6) needles for the main stockinette stitch fabric, a 3¼mm (US 3) circular needle at least 80 cm long for the hood, and a cable needle for any cable techniques. The pattern also calls for six G440428 buttons from Groves & Banks for the front closure.

Tension and Finished Measurements

The pattern is worked to a tension of 22 stitches and 30 rows over 10 cm measured in stockinette stitch using 4mm needles. The finished chest measurements range from 75.5 cm for the smallest size to 92 cm for the largest, providing approximately 16-16.5 cm of positive ease over the intended wearer's measurements for comfortable wear.