Rowan Toyama Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Toyama Cardigan by Lisa Richardson

What is Being Made

The Rowan Toyama is a knitted cardigan designed by Lisa Richardson, available in five sizes ranging from small (to fit bust 81-86 cm / 32-34 in) through to extra-extra-large (to fit bust 122-127 cm / 48-50 in). This is a classic button-front cardigan construction suitable for a range of body measurements and fit preferences.

Construction Technique

The Toyama cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up, seamed, and worked-flat method. This traditional approach means the garment pieces are knitted individually from the lower edge upward, then assembled together with seams. Working flat (rather than in the round) on straight needles allows for straightforward shaping and a classic cardigan silhouette with front button bands.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the Toyama is moss stitch, a fundamental textured stitch that creates a small, bumpy fabric surface. Moss stitch is formed by alternating knit and purl stitches in a specific pattern across rows, creating visual interest and a fabric with good drape and structure. The pattern specifies that tension should be measured at 18 stitches and 45 rows to 10 centimeters over moss stitch using 4½mm needles, ensuring consistent sizing across all garment pieces.

Additional shaping techniques include decreasing stitches at specific points to create armholes and neckline shaping, and casting off (binding off) to finish edges. The pattern uses abbreviations such as "tog tbl" (together through back loop) for specific decrease methods that maintain the moss stitch pattern integrity during shaping.

Materials and Tools

The Toyama is designed to be worked in Rowan Pure Linen yarn in two colorways:

• Yarn A: Kalahari (color 391) – 5, 6, 6, 7, 7 x 50-gram balls depending on size
• Yarn B: Gobi (color 390) – 4, 4, 5, 5, 6 x 50-gram balls depending on size

The pattern is worked using one pair of 4½mm (US size 7) needles. The linen yarn choice provides a lightweight, breathable fabric ideal for warm-weather wear, with the two-color construction adding visual depth and design interest to the moss stitch texture.

The cardigan is finished with 2 buttons (BN1533 from Bedecked), which are fastened through the button bands created during the flat construction process.

Pattern Structure

The pattern provides detailed row-by-row instructions for the back piece, left front, and right front sections. The back is cast on with 81 to 125 stitches (depending on size), worked in moss stitch, then shaped at the armholes and shoulders. The front pieces are cast on with 63 to 85 stitches each and include neckline shaping to create the classic cardigan front opening. All pieces maintain the moss stitch pattern throughout, with yarn color changes occurring partway through construction to create the two-tone effect.