Rowan Gardenia Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Gardenia Cardigan by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Gardenia is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Martin Storey. This garment is available in nine sizes, ranging from 71–76 cm (28–30 in) bust to 152–157 cm (60–62 in) bust, with actual finished bust measurements spanning 118.5 cm to 191 cm. The cardigan features a sophisticated construction with front and back pieces that are shaped at the shoulders, making it a tailored, structured garment suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

The Gardenia cardigan employs the fairisle technique, a traditional colorwork method that creates intricate patterned designs by carrying yarn across the back of the work and switching between colors within rows. This technique is used throughout the main body of the garment to create visual interest and texture. The pattern is worked primarily in stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows), which provides a smooth, classic fabric base that showcases the fairisle colorwork. The ribbed edging uses a two-color rib construction, alternating knit and purl stitches in contrasting yarns to create a neat, elastic border that helps the garment maintain its shape.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (st st): The primary stitch used for the main body of the cardigan, worked in rows with knit stitches on right-side rows and purl stitches on wrong-side rows. This creates the smooth fabric upon which the fairisle pattern is displayed.
• Ribbed stitch: Used for the cuff and lower edging, combining knit and purl stitches in alternating columns to create elasticity and a professional finish.
• Fairisle colorwork: A multi-color technique integrated into the stockinette stitch base, repeating a 14-stitch pattern across the row and a 56-row pattern repeat throughout the garment.

Materials

The Gardenia cardigan is knitted using Rowan Summerlite 4ply yarn, a lightweight four-ply weight yarn supplied in 50-gram balls. The pattern incorporates five yarn colors:

• Yarn A – Still Grey (shade 422): The primary color, used in quantities ranging from 9 to 13 balls depending on size.
• Yarn B – Washed Linen (shade 418): A secondary color used for ribbed edging and fairisle patterning, requiring 3 to 5 balls.
• Yarn C – Rooibos (shade 441): An accent color used in the fairisle pattern, requiring 2 balls for all sizes.
• Yarn D – Touch of Gold (shade 439): A highlight color for fairisle details, requiring 2 balls for all sizes.
• Yarn E – Langoustino (shade 440): An additional accent color, requiring 2 balls for all sizes.

The pattern requires two pairs of needles: 2¾mm (US 2) needles for the ribbed edging and initial cast-on, and 3mm (US 2/3) needles for the main body work. A 2¾mm (US 2) circular needle measuring at least 150 cm in length is also needed, likely for finishing techniques such as picking up stitches for neckbands or other edge treatments.

Tension and Fit

The pattern specifies a tension of 31 stitches and 31 rows to 10 cm, measured over patterned stockinette stitch using 3mm (US 2/3) needles. Achieving correct tension is essential for ensuring the cardigan fits properly across all nine size options and that the fairisle pattern displays at the intended scale.