Rowan Haida Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Haida Cardigan by Lisa Richardson

What is Being Made

The Rowan Haida is a knitted cardigan designed by Lisa Richardson, available in five sizes to fit bust measurements ranging from 81-86 cm (32-34 in) up to 122-127 cm (48-50 in). The finished garment features actual bust measurements from 131.5 cm (51¾ in) to 171.5 cm (67½ in), providing a comfortable, relaxed fit. This is a substantial knitting project that combines colorwork with structured shaping.

Techniques Used

Stranded colorwork forms the primary decorative element of this design. The pattern employs the intarsia technique, a method for working large areas of color changes by using separate yarn lengths for each colored section rather than carrying yarn across the back of the work. This technique prevents excessive bulk and maintains fabric drape, making it ideal for garment construction.

The cardigan is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, meaning pieces are knitted as individual flat sections and later seamed together. This construction method allows for easier pattern management and shaping through traditional increases and decreases worked at specific points.

Raglan armhole shaping is incorporated into the design, created through a series of strategic decreases. The pattern begins with casting off 3 stitches at the beginning of two rows to establish the armhole depth, followed by a series of decrease rows worked at regular intervals to create the characteristic sloped raglan line from underarm to neckline.

Stitches Used

The foundation of this cardigan is stockinette stitch (st st), worked by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. This creates the smooth, classic fabric base suitable for displaying colorwork.

Make one increases (M1) are used to shape the garment, particularly in the waist shaping section where increases are strategically placed to add fullness. Knit two together (K2tog) and slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K1, psso) decreases are employed for both waist shaping and raglan armhole decreases, creating a tapered silhouette.

Purl two together (P2tog) decreases appear in the waist shaping rows, worked on the wrong side to correspond with the increase rows. The pattern also incorporates cast off stitches at the armhole to establish clean edges for the raglan shaping.

Materials

This project uses Rowan Island Blend Fine yarn, a premium fiber choice available in multiple colorways. The yarn quantities vary by size, with the main color (Yarn A, Vellum 101) requiring 10 to 13 x 50g balls depending on size. Three contrast colors are used for the intarsia colorwork: But'scotch 108, Jellyfish 107, and Pompous 106, each requiring 1 x 50g ball across all sizes. An additional contrast color, Parakeet 104, also requires 1 x 50g ball.

The pattern calls for 2¾mm (US 2) needles in a 1 pair set for working the flat pieces. These needles are appropriately sized for the fine-weight yarn, creating fabric with good stitch definition for both the stockinette base and the detailed colorwork chart.

Pattern Structure

The back piece begins with a stockinette stitch foundation before transitioning into the 38-row colorwork chart, which is worked entirely in stockinette stitch using the intarsia technique. After completing the chart, the piece continues in the main color only with further stockinette stitch rows. Waist shaping is incorporated through strategic increases followed by corresponding decreases, creating a fitted silhouette. The raglan armholes are then shaped through a combination of cast-off stitches and decrease rows worked over multiple rows, gradually reducing stitch count to create the sloped shoulder line characteristic of raglan construction.