Rowan Mullion Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Mullion Cardigan by Sarah Hatton

What is Being Made

The Rowan Mullion is a knitted cardigan designed by Sarah Hatton, available in five sizes to fit bust measurements from 81-86 cm up to 122-127 cm (32-50 inches). The finished garment features actual bust measurements ranging from 101 cm to 141 cm, providing a comfortable fit with positive ease. This is a sophisticated knitwear piece that combines classic cardigan construction with elegant lace detailing.

Knitting Techniques

The Mullion cardigan is constructed using bottom-up construction, meaning the garment is knitted starting from the lower edge and working upward toward the shoulders. The piece is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional seaming and finishing. The design incorporates lace patterning as a central design element, creating decorative openwork sections that add visual interest and sophistication to the finished garment.

The yoke section features a more complex lace pattern, with the back patt panel measuring 17 cm and containing 46 stitches. Sleeve extensions are created through strategic increases worked at the armhole edges, with stitches cast on at specific intervals to form the sleeve openings. The pattern requires careful attention to maintaining stitch counts and pattern repeats across multiple size variations.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Mullion employs several key knitting stitches and techniques:

• Stockinette stitch (st st) forms the foundation fabric, measured at 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm
• Lace stitches including yarn forward (yfrn), yarn over (yon), knit two together (K2tog), and slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K1, psso) create the decorative openwork patterns
• Purl stitches are used for texture variation and to define pattern sections
• Make one purl (M1P) increases are used in the yoke shaping to add stitches while maintaining pattern integrity
• The yoke patt measures 26 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm, indicating a slightly different gauge than the stockinette sections

The back patt panel consists of 46 stitches worked in a consistent lace pattern throughout the body and yoke sections. The lace pattern repeats are worked across the garment width, with edge stitches adjusted for different sizes to accommodate the five size options.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Mullion cardigan is designed to be knitted in Rowan Softyak DK, a yarn available in multiple colorways including Lawn 241 (the shade shown in the pattern photography). Yarn requirements range from 8 x 50g balls for the smallest size to 12 x 50g balls for the largest size, providing approximately 400-600 meters of yarn depending on the size being made.

The pattern calls for two pairs of needles in different sizes to manage the gauge requirements:

• 3¼mm (US 3) needles for ribbing or initial cast-on sections
• 4mm (US 6) needles for the main body and yoke, used to achieve the specified gauge of 22 stitches over stockinette stitch and 26 stitches over yoke pattern, both measured over 10 cm

The pattern is presented as a downloadable PDF (reference ZB239-00009 v.1) published by Rowan and MEZ Crafts UK Ltd., making it accessible for digital download and printing for knitters working from home or in groups.