Rowan Silver Moony Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Silver Moony Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Rowan Silver Moony is a knitted cardigan designed by Martin Storey, available in five sizes to fit bust measurements from 81–86 cm (32–34 in) up to 122–127 cm (48–50 in). This garment features an actual finished bust measurement ranging from 88 cm (34¾ in) in the smallest size to 132 cm (52 in) in the largest size, offering a comfortable, slightly relaxed fit suitable for layering.

Techniques Used

This cardigan is constructed using bottom-up seamed construction, meaning pieces are knitted individually from the lower edge upward and then joined together. The design employs a worked flat method on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional seaming at the side and sleeve seams. The garment features a distinctive striped pattern that repeats throughout, created by changing yarn colors in a carefully planned sequence. The stripe sequence spans 30 rows and repeats continuously, incorporating a slip-stitch textured pattern that adds visual interest and dimension to the fabric.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches executed with precision. The foundation begins with garter stitch (knit every row), which creates a textured, reversible fabric used for the initial 6 rows at the lower edge. The main body employs a slip-stitch pattern combined with knit and purl stitches. Specifically, the pattern includes slip stitches worked with yarn in front (wyif) and yarn in back (wyib), creating a subtle texture that interacts beautifully with the color changes. Standard stockinette stitch elements (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows) appear in the pattern sequence. Shaping is achieved through decreasing at strategic intervals—decreasing one stitch at each end of specific rows to create a tailored silhouette.

Materials

The Rowan Silver Moony is knitted using Rowan Summerlite DK, a lightweight yarn available in six coordinated colorways. The yarn quantities vary by size, with the smallest size requiring 8 x 50gm balls and the largest requiring 12 x 50gm balls. The six colors used throughout the stripe sequence are:

• Yarn A – Linen (color 460): The primary color, used most frequently in the stripe repeat
• Yarn B – Indigo (color 450): Introduces cool blue tones
• Yarn C – Black (color 464): Provides contrast
• Yarn D – Cantaloupe (color 456): Adds warm orange-toned accents
• Yarn E – Rouge (color 462): Contributes rich red notes
• Yarn F – Khaki (color 461): Grounds the palette with neutral warmth

Knitting is worked on 3¼mm (US 3) needles for the garter stitch edging and 3¾mm (US 5) needles for the main body, allowing for a slight gauge change that creates definition at the lower edge. The cardigan is finished with 8 metal shank buttons (Groves reference 9427224190) for closure.