Rowan Sundew Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Sundew Cardigan by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Sundew is a knitted cardigan designed by Martin Storey, available in five sizes to fit bust measurements from 81-86 cm (32-34 inches) up to 122-127 cm (48-50 inches). The finished garment features actual bust measurements ranging from 91 cm to 131 cm, making it suitable for a range of body types. This is a classic cardigan construction with button front closure, featuring seven buttons for fastening.

Techniques Used

The Sundew cardigan is constructed using several key knitting techniques that create visual interest and structure:

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is knitted from the bottom upward, beginning with the back piece and working toward the shoulders and neckline
• Worked flat: All pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional seaming
• Cable work: The pattern incorporates cable stitches as a central design element. Cable techniques involve slipping stitches onto a cable needle, working the next stitches, then working the held stitches to create twisted rope-like textures
• Seamed construction: Finished pieces are sewn together using mattress stitch or similar seaming methods to create the complete garment
• Shaping: The cardigan includes structured shaping at the armholes and shoulders, achieved through strategic casting off and decreasing stitches to create a fitted silhouette

Stitches Used

The Sundew pattern employs a variety of fundamental and decorative stitches:

• Ribbing: The lower edge begins with a knit-purl rib (alternating K1 tbl and P1) worked over 20 rows, creating an elastic, fitted edge that helps the garment retain its shape
• Cable stitches: The main body pattern features cable work, created by manipulating stitch groups with a cable needle. One example involves slipping three stitches to a cable needle, knitting two stitches, then working the cable needle stitches in a specific sequence to create the characteristic twisted cable texture
• Stockinette stitch: The foundation stitch used throughout much of the pattern, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side
• Pattern repeats: The main body is worked from a chart with a 20-row pattern repeat that is maintained throughout the piece while shaping occurs

Materials

The Rowan Sundew requires specific materials to achieve the intended fabric quality and drape:

• Yarn: Rowan Wool Cotton, a blend fiber that combines the warmth of wool with the breathability of cotton. The pattern requires 6, 6, 7, 8, or 8 balls of 100g yarn depending on size selected. The photographed sample was worked in Gooseberry 004, a colorway reference
• Needles: Two pairs of needles are required—3¼mm (US 3) needles for the ribbed edges and 4mm (US 6) needles for the main body pattern. This needle size difference creates the characteristic tighter edge and more relaxed body fabric
• Additional notions: One cable needle for working cable stitches, and seven BN1365/30 buttons from Bedecked for the front closure

Tension and Sizing

The pattern specifies a tension of 31.5 rows to 10 cm measured over the patterned fabric using 4mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential for proper garment fit and finished measurements. The pattern includes detailed shaping instructions for armholes, including cast-offs and decreases worked over multiple rows, and shoulder shaping to create a well-fitted neckline.