Rowan Tallulah Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Tallulah Cardigan by Sarah Hatton

What is Being Made

The Rowan Tallulah is a knitted cardigan designed by Sarah Hatton, available in five sizes to fit bust measurements from 81-86 cm (32-34 inches) through to 122-127 cm (48-50 inches). This garment features sophisticated cable and textured stitch patterns worked in a structured, tailored silhouette.

Techniques Used

The Tallulah cardigan is constructed using several key knitting techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is knitted from the lower edges upward, allowing for straightforward shaping and finishing
• Worked flat: All pieces are created on straight needles rather than in the round, producing seamed garment sections
• Seamed assembly: Individual pieces are knitted separately and then sewn together to create the finished cardigan
• Cable work: Multiple cable panels are integrated throughout the design, including four-stitch cables (C4B and C4F) and more complex twisted cable combinations
• Textured stitches: The pattern incorporates bobble stitches (MB), twisted stitches (T2F, T2B), and reverse stockinette sections to create visual interest and dimensional texture

Stitches Used

The Tallulah pattern employs a diverse range of knitting stitches to achieve its decorative effect:

• Cable stitches: C2F (cable 2 front), C2B (cable 2 back), C4B (cable 4 back), and C4F (cable 4 front) create the characteristic twisted rope effects
• Twisted stitches: T2F (twist 2 front), T2B (twist 2 back), T2FW (twist 2 front on wrong side), and T2BW (twist 2 back on wrong side) add refined detail and directional interest
• Bobble stitch (MB): Created by working (K1, P1, K1) into a single stitch, turning, purling 3, turning, knitting 3, turning, purling 3, turning, and knitting 3 together—these create dimensional raised bumps
• Knit and purl variations: KB1 (knit into back of stitch) and PB1 (purl into back of stitch) create twisted stitch effects
• Decreases and increases: Sl 1, K2tog, psso (slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over) and M1P (make 1 purl) for shaping and lace-like elements
• Stockinette stitch: Smooth knit-purl fabric used as the foundation for textured panels
• Reverse stockinette: Purl-facing sections that provide contrast to the cable and bobble details

Materials

The Tallulah cardigan is designed to be knitted in Rowan Lima yarn, with yardage requirements varying by size: 13 balls for the smallest size (S) through 18 balls for the largest size (XXL), with each ball weighing 50 grams. The cardigan is worked on 5mm (US 8) and 5½mm (US 9) needles, with the main fabric tension measured at 20 stitches and 26 rows to 10 centimeters over stockinette stitch using the larger 5½mm needles. The pattern also requires stitch holders for managing stitches during construction and six 50mm buttons for the front closure.

Pattern Details

The design features repeating cable panels, including Cable Panel A (a 16-row repeat incorporating C2F, C2B, bobbles, twisted stitches, and central decreases creating a refined vertical motif) and Cable Panel B (a 14-stitch panel with four-stitch cables and twisted cable combinations). The combination of these panels with reverse stockinette backgrounds creates a sophisticated, textured fabric suitable for a classic cardigan silhouette.