Rowan Mist Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Mist Cardigan by Kim Hargreaves

What is Being Made

Rowan Mist is a women's cardigan designed by Kim Hargreaves, available in five sizes to fit bust measurements of 45, 46, 46, 50, and 50 inches (81, 86.5, 91.5, 96.5, and 102 cm respectively). This is a classic cardigan construction featuring front button closures and a refined, timeless silhouette suitable for layering and everyday wear.

Techniques Used

The Rowan Mist cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up seamed method, meaning the garment pieces are knitted individually from the cast-on edge upward, then joined together with seams. The pattern is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional row-by-row construction. The design incorporates short-row shaping techniques, which are used to create contoured garment shaping without increasing or decreasing stitches in the traditional manner. This advanced shaping technique involves wrapping stitches at strategic points to add depth and dimension to the garment pieces, particularly in the front sections where the cardigan's fit is refined.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern throughout the Rowan Mist cardigan is moss stitch, also known as seed stitch. Moss stitch is created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a checkerboard pattern (K1, P1 repeating across rows, with the pattern offset on alternating rows). This classic textured stitch creates a dense, reversible fabric with excellent drape and visual interest. The moss stitch is maintained consistently across the back, fronts, and other garment pieces, creating a cohesive, professional appearance. Additionally, the pattern includes rib stitch elements for structural detail and shaping at specific garment edges.

Materials

The Rowan Mist cardigan is designed to be knitted using Rowan Felted Tweed yarn, a premium wool blend that provides excellent stitch definition and durability. The pattern requires seven to eight balls of 50-gram skeins depending on size selection (7 balls for the three smaller sizes, 8 balls for the two larger sizes). The yarn is worked on 3¾mm (US 5) needles, which are sized to achieve the specified tension. The pattern calls for two buttons for the front closure. The recommended yarn color shown in the pattern photography is Bonny 137, though knitters may select from the full Rowan yarn range. Tension is critical for this project, measured at 22 stitches and 38 rows over 10 centimeters in moss stitch using the specified needle size.

Pattern Notes

The Rowan Mist pattern emphasizes the importance of maintaining neat, finished edges on the front pieces, as these row-end edges form the actual finished edges of the completed garment. To achieve professional results, all new yarn balls should be joined at marked side seam or armhole edges rather than at the front edges. The pattern includes detailed shaping instructions for side seams, with increases worked at regular intervals to create the garment's silhouette. This downloadable PDF pattern provides complete instructions for constructing a sophisticated, wearable cardigan suitable for intermediate to advanced knitters.