Rowan Mundesley Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Mundesley Cardigan by Sarah Hatton

What is Being Made

The Rowan Mundesley is a seamless, top-down cardigan designed by Sarah Hatton. This garment is worked in one piece beginning at the back neck edge, eliminating the need for seaming. The cardigan is available in sizes to fit bust measurements ranging from 81 cm to 127 cm (32 to 50 inches), making it suitable for a wide range of body types.

Construction Technique

This cardigan employs a seamless, top-down construction method, which means knitting begins at the neckline and progresses downward toward the hem. The body is worked flat rather than in the round, allowing for easier shaping and stitch manipulation. This approach provides several advantages: it eliminates the need for seaming pieces together after completion, allows for try-on during the knitting process, and provides greater control over fit and shaping.

The pattern uses a systematic increase strategy to create the cardigan's silhouette. Increases are strategically placed at the front slopes and raglan edges (the diagonal seams running from the armholes to the neckline). The pattern specifies multiple increase rows worked at different intervals—some on every 4th row, others on alternating rows—to achieve the desired shaping. Increases are worked on both right-side and wrong-side rows, with wrong-side increases created using the M1P (make one purl) technique.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The primary stitch throughout the Mundesley cardigan is stockinette stitch (st st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a distinctive V-pattern texture. This fundamental knitting stitch is formed by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side.

Key shaping techniques include:

• M1 (Make One) increases worked on right-side rows to add stitches invisibly within the fabric
• M1P (Make One Purl) increases worked on wrong-side rows for seamless stitch addition
• Raglan shaping created through paired increases positioned at marked intervals along the front, back, and sleeve edges
• Front slope increases worked at the beginning and end of rows to create the cardigan's front edges
• Stitch markers used to identify specific increase points throughout the garment

Materials Required

The Mundesley cardigan is knitted using Rowan Pure Linen yarn, a natural fiber choice that creates a lightweight, breathable fabric ideal for warmer seasons. Depending on size, the pattern requires 5 to 8 balls of yarn, each weighing 50 grams. The yarn shown in the pattern photography is worked in the colorway Karoo 401.

The pattern calls for specific needle sizes to achieve proper tension:

• 3¼mm (US 3) circular needle, minimum 100 cm length, used for ribbed edgings and initial setup
• 3¾mm (US 5) circular needle, minimum 100 cm length, used for the main body in stockinette stitch
• Set of 4 double-pointed 3¼mm (US 3) needles for small circumference sections
• Set of 4 double-pointed 3¾mm (US 5) needles for sleeve and neckline finishing

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct tension is essential for proper fit. The pattern specifies a gauge of 19 stitches and 29 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over stockinette stitch using the 3¾mm (US 5) needles. This relatively fine gauge combined with linen yarn creates a fabric with good drape and structure suitable for a tailored cardigan silhouette.

Pattern Notes

The Mundesley is a downloadable PDF pattern exclusive to Rowan, designed by renowned knitwear designer Sarah Hatton. The pattern provides detailed row-by-row instructions with size-specific modifications indicated in brackets, allowing knitters to customize the garment to their exact measurements. The seamless construction and systematic increase placement make this an excellent project for knitters seeking to develop their shaping and seamless knitting skills.