Rowan Rosemary Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Rosemary Cardigan by Grace Jones

What Is Being Made

The Rowan Rosemary is a baby cardigan designed to fit infants and toddlers ranging from newborn (0-3 months) through 2-3 years of age. The garment features an actual chest measurement range of 52 to 65 cm (20½ to 25½ inches), making it a versatile layering piece for growing babies. This cardigan is constructed as a classic button-front closure style, fastened with three decorative buttons.

Techniques Used

The Rosemary cardigan is worked using several key knitting techniques that create both structure and visual interest. The garment is worked flat on straight needles, meaning each piece is knitted separately and later seamed together. The construction follows a bottom-up approach, where the knitter begins at the lower edge and works upward toward the shoulders and neckline. Lace detailing is incorporated into the design, adding an elegant, delicate quality appropriate for a baby garment. The raglan armhole shaping is a defining feature, created through strategic decreases that form diagonal lines from the underarm to the neckline.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the Rosemary cardigan is stockinette stitch (abbreviated as st st in the pattern), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a recognizable V-pattern texture. The lace elements are created using yarn-forward increases (yfwd) paired with knit two together decreases (K2tog), forming decorative eyelet patterns. The pattern includes a fold line row created through purl stitches, which defines the hem edge. Raglan armhole shaping is achieved through slip-stitch decreases (sl 1, K1, psso) and knit two together decreases positioned at each end of rows, creating a neat, finished appearance.

Materials

The Rowan Rosemary is knitted using Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino yarn, a soft and luxurious fiber blend ideal for delicate baby garments. The pattern calls for two colors: Vintage Pink (color A) and Rosy (color B). Yardage requirements vary by size, with the largest size requiring 6 x 50-gram balls of Vintage Pink and 1 x 50-gram ball of Rosy. Needles required include 3mm (US 2/3) needles for the initial cast-on and ribbed sections, and 3¼mm (US 3) needles for the main body of the cardigan. A 3mm circular needle measuring at least 70 to 90 cm long (depending on size) is needed for finishing the neckline. The pattern specifies three 1365/30 buttons from Bedecked for the front closure.