Rowan Tenzin Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Tenzin Cardigan by Marie Wallin

What is Being Made

Tenzin is a knitted cardigan designed by Marie Wallin for Rowan. This garment is available in five sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, and Extra Extra Large, with bust measurements ranging from 81-86 cm (32-34 inches) to 122-127 cm (48-50 inches). The cardigan features a classic button-front closure with 11 buttons and is constructed using a structured, tailored approach.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Tenzin cardigan is worked flat on straight needles and constructed bottom-up, meaning pieces are knitted from the lower edge upward. The garment is seamed together, with individual pieces (back, left front, and right front) knitted separately before being joined. This construction method allows for precise shaping and professional finishing.

The design incorporates lace patterning as a key design element. The lace pattern is worked from a chart and features an 8-stitch repeat that is repeated across each row, with a 12-row pattern repeat worked throughout the body of the cardigan. An important pattern note indicates that when working the lace from the chart, each decrease must be matched by an increase to maintain stitch count, with any insufficient stitches at row ends worked in stockinette stitch instead.

Stitches Used

• Ribbing (K1, P1): Used for the lower edge of the garment, providing elasticity and a neat finish. The ribbed sections are worked until the piece measures 10 cm before transitioning to the main pattern.
• Stockinette Stitch: Used as the base fabric and for any end stitches where the lace pattern cannot be fully worked.
• Lace Pattern: The primary decorative stitch worked from a chart, featuring paired decreases and increases to create an openwork design.
• Decreases and Increases: Essential to the lace pattern construction, these shaping techniques create the characteristic holes and texture of lace knitting.

Shaping Details

The cardigan includes structured shaping at the shoulders and back neck. Shoulder shaping is achieved by casting off 3 to 4 stitches at the beginning of successive rows (depending on size), creating a stepped shoulder line. Back neck shaping involves casting off center stitches and working each side of the neck separately, with additional decreases at the neck edge to create a curved neckline.

Materials Required

Yarn: Rowan Softyak DK, a DK-weight yarn. The pattern requires 8 to 11 balls of 50-gram yarn, depending on the size being knitted. The yarn shown in the pattern photograph is Softyak DK in Plain 232.

Needles: Two pairs of needles are required. The ribbed sections are worked using 3¼mm (US 3) needles, while the main lace pattern is worked using 4mm (US 6) needles. This needle size change helps create a neat transition between the ribbed edge and the patterned body.

Additional Notions: The cardigan requires 11 buttons, specifically BN1365 buttons measuring 11mm in diameter, available from Bedecked.

Tension and Gauge

The pattern is designed to be worked at a tension of 24½ stitches and 30 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over the lace pattern using 4mm (US 6) needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the cardigan to fit properly and for the lace pattern to display correctly.