Rowan Manua Coat Knitting Pattern

Rowan Manua Knitted Coat by Lisa Richardson

What is Being Made

The Rowan Manua is a tailored knitted coat designed by Lisa Richardson, available in five sizes to fit bust measurements from 81–86 cm (32–34 in) up to 122–127 cm (48–50 in). The finished coat features an actual bust measurement ranging from 131.5 cm to 171.5 cm across the size range, offering a relaxed, comfortable fit suitable for layering. This is a structured outerwear piece combining classic tailoring with modern knitwear design.

Techniques Used

The Manua employs a bottom-up construction method, meaning the coat is knitted from the lower edge upward. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for precise shaping and seaming. Seaming is used to join the various pieces together, creating clean, professional seams typical of structured coat construction. The pattern includes detailed shaping at the shoulders and back neck, achieved through strategic increases and decreases worked into the fabric as the knitter progresses through the rows.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Manua primarily uses stockinette stitch (st st), the fundamental knit stitch that creates a smooth, classic fabric. The pattern also incorporates a decorative stitch pattern worked over the lower sections of the back and front pieces, with shaping achieved through purl two together decreases (P2tog) integrated into the patterned rows. The back neck shaping involves casting off stitches at regular intervals to create the neckline depth, while single stitch decreases at the neck edges provide a refined finish. The pattern instructions specify working "keeping patt correct," indicating that stitch pattern continuity is maintained throughout the shaping process.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Manua is designed to be knitted in Rowan Island Blend Fine yarn, a premium fiber blend. The pattern calls for 14 to 19 balls of 50-gram yarn depending on the size selected, with the photographed sample worked in the colorway Tungsten 110. Knitters use 3¼mm (US 3) needles throughout the project: one pair of straight needles for the main flat pieces and a 3¼mm circular needle at least 120 cm long for finishing details such as the neckband. The pattern specifies a precise tension of 26 stitches and 34 rows to 10 cm over stockinette stitch, and 29 stitches and 42 rows to 10 cm over the stitch pattern, both measured using 3¼mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential for the coat to fit properly across the range of sizes.