Rowan Skylark Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Skylark Cardigan by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Skylark is a knitted cardigan designed by Martin Storey. This garment is available in five sizes to fit bust measurements ranging from 81–86 cm (32–34 inches) up to 122–127 cm (48–50 inches), with actual finished bust measurements from 94 cm to 134 cm. The cardigan features a classic construction with shaping at the armholes and shoulders, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

This cardigan is constructed using several key knitting techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is knitted from the lower edge upward, allowing for easy adjustments to length during the knitting process.
• Worked flat: The pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, which is typical for cardigan construction.
• Seamed assembly: Individual pieces (front panels, back, and sleeves) are knitted separately and then seamed together to create the finished garment.
• Cable work: Decorative cable patterns are incorporated throughout the design, adding visual interest and texture to the cardigan.
• Shaping techniques: The pattern includes cast-off shaping at the armholes and decreasing at each end of rows to create proper armhole depth and shoulder definition. Neck shaping is also worked to create a finished neckline.

Stitches Used

The Skylark cardigan employs a combination of fundamental and decorative stitches:

• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch used throughout most of the garment, providing a smooth, classic fabric base.
• Ribbing: Rib stitch is used for structural details, including a 25-stitch rib section at the front opening of the cardigan and ribbed edging worked as (P1, K1 tbl) for a neat, elastic finish.
• Cable stitches: Cable patterns are worked using the special abbreviation C6F (slip next 3 stitches onto cable needle), which creates the characteristic twisted rope-like texture. These cables are repeated across the garment in a 15-stitch pattern repeat worked 4 to 6 times depending on size.

Materials and Tools

The Skylark cardigan is knitted using Rowan Moordale yarn. The pattern requires 5 balls of 100-gram yarn (photographed in the colorway Feather 001), providing approximately 500 grams of yarn total for completion.

The needles required are:

• One pair of 3¾mm (UK size 9 / US size 5) needles
• One pair of 4mm (UK size 8 / US size 6) needles
• One cable needle for working cable stitches

The pattern is worked to a tension of 23 stitches and 30 rows over 10 centimeters when measured over stockinette stitch using the 4mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential for proper fit across all five sizes.

Pattern Details

The left front panel is cast on with 93 to 129 stitches depending on size, and features a combination of charted cable patterning across the main body with a 25-stitch ribbed section reserved for the front opening. The back and right front are worked with corresponding shaping and pattern placement. Armhole shaping begins with casting off 3 to 6 stitches at the beginning of rows, followed by decreasing 1 stitch at each end over multiple rows to achieve the proper armhole depth of 21 to 27 centimeters. Shoulder shaping and back neck shaping are completed with strategic cast-offs and decreases to create a professional, finished neckline. This structured approach ensures a well-fitted cardigan with proper proportions across all size ranges.