Rowan Spirit Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Spirit Cardigan by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Spirit is a knitted cardigan designed by Martin Storey. This garment is available in five sizes to fit bust measurements of 81–86 cm (32–34 in), 91–97 cm (36–38 in), 102–107 cm (40–42 in), 112–117 cm (44–46 in), and 122–127 cm (48–50 in). The finished cardigan features actual bust measurements ranging from 120 cm (47¼ in) to 162 cm (63¾ in), accommodating various fit preferences and styling options.

Techniques Used

The Rowan Spirit cardigan is constructed using several key knitting techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is worked from the lower edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the piece as it progresses and adjust length as needed.
• Worked flat: The cardigan is knitted on straight needles in flat pieces rather than in the round, with each piece worked back and forth in rows.
• Seamed assembly: Individual pieces are completed separately and then sewn together using mattress stitch or similar seaming techniques to create the finished garment.
• Cable work: The pattern incorporates cable stitches as a decorative element, adding texture and visual interest to the design.
• Shaping techniques: The pattern includes increases for sleeve extensions, decreases for armhole shaping, and structured shoulder and neckline shaping to achieve a well-fitted silhouette.

Stitches Used

The Rowan Spirit employs a combination of fundamental and decorative stitches:

• Stockinette stitch (st st): The primary stitch throughout the garment, worked in knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side to create a smooth, classic fabric.
• Cable stitches: Specialty cable techniques are featured, including C4B (cable 4 back), which involves slipping stitches onto a cable needle, leaving them to the back of the work, and then knitting the next stitches before returning to the cable needle stitches. The pattern panel containing cable work measures 24 stitches in width.
• Cast-on and cast-off techniques: The pattern uses standard cast-on methods to begin the back piece and strategic cast-off sequences to shape shoulders and neckline.
• Increases and decreases: Single stitch increases at sleeve extensions and single stitch decreases at the neckline create smooth, graduated shaping.

Materials

The Rowan Spirit cardigan is knitted using Cotton Cashmere yarn from Rowan, a blend that combines the breathability of cotton with the luxury and softness of cashmere. The yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 8 to 12 balls of 50-gram yarn (the photographed sample is shown in Linden Green 220).

The pattern calls for two pairs of needles in different sizes to achieve proper gauge and fabric texture. 3¼mm (US 3) needles are used for the ribbed cuff or lower edge, while 4mm (US 6) needles are used for the main body of the cardigan worked in stockinette stitch. A cable needle is also required to work the cable pattern panels throughout the design.

Gauge and Fit

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit. The pattern specifies that the cable pattern panel (24 stitches) should measure 9 cm in width. Over stockinette stitch using 4mm (US 6) needles, the gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm. This gauge measurement ensures that the finished cardigan will meet the intended bust measurements and overall proportions.

Construction Details

The back piece is worked first, beginning with a cast-on and ribbing on smaller needles before switching to larger needles for the main body. The back is worked straight in stockinette stitch until it reaches the appropriate length (23–25 cm depending on size). Sleeve extensions are then created by increasing one stitch at each end of alternating rows, followed by casting on additional stitches at the beginning of rows to establish the armhole openings. The armholes measure approximately 19–25 cm from the markers. Shoulder shaping is accomplished through a series of strategic cast-offs, and the back n