Rowan Granville Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Granville Cardigan by Martin Storey

What Is Being Made

The Granville is a knitted cardigan designed by Martin Storey for Rowan. This garment is a classic button-front cardigan available in seven sizes ranging from extra small (XS) to 2XL, with finished chest measurements from 38 inches (97 cm) to 50 inches (127 cm). The cardigan features a structured silhouette with shaped armholes and shoulders, making it suitable for a range of body types and fit preferences.

Knitting Techniques

This cardigan is constructed using several key knitting techniques that create both visual interest and structural integrity:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is worked from the bottom edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and easily adjust length if needed.
• Flat knitting: The pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, with seaming used to join the finished pieces together.
• Cable work: The pattern incorporates cable stitches that add texture and visual depth to the finished garment. The cables are created using a cable needle to manipulate stitches, with specific abbreviations including C4B (cable 4 back) and C4F (cable 4 front) that create the characteristic twisted rope effect.
• Seaming: Individual pieces (front, back, and sleeves) are knitted separately and then seamed together to create the finished cardigan.
• Shaping: The pattern includes detailed shaping instructions for armholes, shoulders, and neckline, achieved through strategic casting off and decreasing stitches at specific intervals.

Stitches Used

The Granville cardigan employs a combination of fundamental and decorative stitches:

• Stockinette stitch: Forms the base fabric of the garment, creating a smooth, classic appearance.
• Cable stitches: The pattern features cable motifs worked over 4 stitches. C4B (slip 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold at back, knit 2, then knit 2 from cable needle) and C4F (slip 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold at front, knit 2, then knit 2 from cable needle) create the signature textured cables that run throughout the design.
• Patterned repeats: The design uses a 36-stitch pattern repeat across the width and a 24-row pattern repeat vertically, which are worked from a chart. This structured approach ensures consistent cable placement across all sizes.

Materials

The Granville cardigan requires specific materials to achieve the intended drape and appearance:

• Yarn: Rowan Softknit Cotton is the specified yarn, a natural fiber choice that provides breathability and a refined finish. The pattern requires 18 to 26 balls of 50-gram yarn depending on size, with the sample photographed in the colorway Silver 586.
• Needles: Two needle sizes are required. Size 3¾mm (US 5) needles are used for ribbed edgings and cuffs to create elasticity and definition, while size 4½mm (US 7) needles are used for the main body and pattern work. The tension is measured at 30 stitches and 28 rows over 10 centimeters using the 4½mm needles.
• Additional notions: A cable needle is essential for manipulating stitches during cable work. The cardigan is finished with 6 buttons (Bedecked BN1816 style), which provide both functional closure and decorative detail.

Construction Details

The pattern provides comprehensive sizing and shaping information across all seven sizes. The back piece is worked straight until it reaches the specified length before armhole shaping begins. Armholes are shaped by casting off stitches at the beginning of rows and then decreasing one stitch at each end over multiple rows to create a fitted sleeve cap. The shoulders are shaped through a series of cast-off rows, while the back neck is worked separately to accommodate the neckline opening. This methodical approach ensures a well-proportioned garment with proper fit across all size ranges.