Rowan Mila Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Mila Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Rowan Mila is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed to fit bust measurements ranging from 71 to 78¾ cm (28 to 31 inches) through to 200 cm (78¾ inches). This garment features a classic cardigan construction with shaped shoulders, a back neck opening, and front panels that are worked separately before being joined together.

Knitting Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques. The pattern begins with ribbed edging worked in a 1x1 rib pattern (alternating purl and knit stitches), which provides elasticity and a finished appearance to the lower edge. The main body is constructed using stockinette stitch (st st), created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic fabric surface.

Shaping techniques include decreasing stitches at the neck edge over consecutive rows to create a fitted neckline, and casting off stitches at the shoulder in alternating rows to shape the shoulder seams. The pattern also incorporates stitch holders to temporarily secure stitches—particularly the back neck stitches—while other sections are completed. The left and right fronts are worked separately with reversed shaping to create mirror-image pieces.

An intermediate technique featured in this pattern is stripe sequence work, where the cardigan transitions from solid-color sections into striped sections using multiple yarn colors held together, requiring careful attention to yarn management and color changes at specific row intervals.

Stitches Used

• 1x1 Ribbing (P1, K1): Created by alternating purl and knit stitches across each row, used for the initial edge ribbing that provides stretch and structure
• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary stitch throughout the cardigan body, formed by knitting all stitches on right-side rows and purling all stitches on wrong-side rows
• Knit 2 Together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease used for shaping the neck and shoulder areas
• Cast Off: Used to bind off stitches at the shoulders and edges to finish the garment sections

Materials and Tools

The Rowan Mila cardigan is worked using a blend of premium yarns held together throughout construction. Cotton Cashmere (50 grams per ball) in Dark Olive (color A) and Kidsilk Haze (25 grams per ball) in Drab (color B) are held together for the initial ribbed sections. The pattern then transitions to Cotton Cashmere in Ecru (color C) and Kidsilk Haze in White (color D), also held together, for the main body and stripe sequences.

The pattern specifies 4mm (US 6) needles for all construction. Knitters will need one pair of 4mm straight needles for working the main pieces, and a 4mm circular needle measuring at least 120 cm long for joining sections and working in the round if necessary. The recommended tension is 20 stitches and 28 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over stockinette stitch using 4mm needles with one strand each of Cotton Cashmere and Kidsilk Haze held together, ensuring proper garment fit and drape.

This yarn combination creates a luxurious, breathable fabric with excellent stitch definition, making it suitable for a cardigan that can be worn across multiple seasons.