Rowan Madura Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Madura Cardigans by Georgia Farrell

What Is Being Made

Rowan Madura is a collection of knitted cardigans designed by Georgia Farrell. This downloadable PDF pattern provides instructions for creating fitted cardigans available in five size ranges, from bust measurements of 81–86 cm (32–34 inches) up to 122–127 cm (48–50 inches). The finished garments feature actual bust measurements ranging from 104 cm to 144 cm, offering a selection of proportions for different body types.

Construction Techniques

The Madura cardigans are constructed using multiple knitting techniques to achieve a professional finish:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment pieces are knitted from the lower edge upward, allowing for straightforward shaping and length adjustments as you work.
• Seamed assembly: Individual pieces (back, left front, and right front) are knitted separately and then seamed together, creating clean, structured seams that contribute to the cardigan's polished appearance.
• Top-down elements: The pattern also incorporates top-down techniques, particularly for the front band and neckline finishing, which are worked using a circular needle to create a continuous, seamless edge.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Madura cardigans feature a textured stitch pattern worked throughout the main body of the garment. The pattern begins with a ribbed cuff worked in a knit-purl repeat (K2, P2 rib), which provides elasticity and a neat, fitted edge at the lower body. This ribbing is worked for 12 rows on smaller needles before transitioning to the main pattern stitch on larger needles. The body continues in a patterned stitch for 128 to 150 rows depending on size, creating visual interest and texture. Shaping is maintained throughout by decreasing and casting off stitches at strategic points to form the armholes and shoulders, with careful attention to keeping the pattern correct during all shaping rows. The front band utilizes a circular needle, allowing stitches to be held and worked continuously for a professional finish.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Madura cardigans are designed to be knitted using Rowan Island Blend Fine yarn, a fingering-weight yarn supplied in 50-gram balls. The pattern requires 8 to 11 balls depending on the size being made, with the photographed sample shown in the colorway Lagoon 109. This yarn weight and fiber blend create a fabric with good drape and structure suitable for a fitted cardigan silhouette.

The pattern calls for two pairs of straight needles in different sizes to manage the fabric density and create proper tension:

• 2¾mm (US 2) needles: Used for the ribbed cuffs and edges, where the smaller needle size creates a tighter, more elastic fabric.
• 3¼mm (US 3) needles: Used for the main body pattern, where the slightly larger needle accommodates the stitch pattern and creates the correct fabric density.
• 2¾mm (US 2) circular needle (at least 100 cm long): Used for the front band and neckline finishing, allowing multiple stitches to be held and worked in the round or back and forth as needed.

The pattern specifies a tension of 26 stitches and 36 rows to 10 centimeters measured over the pattern stitch using 3¼mm needles. Achieving this tension is essential for the garment to fit correctly across all five size options.

Pattern Details and Sizing

The Madura pattern is graded across five distinct sizes with precise measurements provided for bust fit and finished garment dimensions. Shaping instructions include specific stitch counts for casting off at the shoulders and decreasing at the neckline, ensuring a professional fit. The pattern document is formatted as a downloadable PDF (reference ZB265-00015-UK, version 1) and includes comprehensive sizing information and yarn sourcing details available through knitrowan.com.