Rowan Wayfarer Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Rowan Wayfarer Cardigan by Lisa Richardson

What Is Being Made

The Rowan Wayfarer is a knitted cardigan designed by Lisa Richardson, available as a downloadable PDF pattern. This garment is constructed using an innovative interlocking loop construction method that creates a unique structural design. The cardigan is sized to fit bust measurements of 81-97 cm (S-M) and 102-117 cm (L-XL), making it suitable for a range of body sizes.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Wayfarer employs several advanced knitting techniques that distinguish it from traditional cardigan construction:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The cardigan is worked from the bottom upward, allowing knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and adjust length as needed.
• Seamless Worked Flat: Despite being worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, the pattern is designed to minimize seaming, reducing finishing work and creating cleaner garment lines.
• Cable Work: The pattern features prominent cable stitches as a primary design element, with cables worked both backward (C6B, C12B) and forward (C6F, C12F) to create textured, dimensional fabric.
• Interlocking Loop Construction: The cardigan is uniquely constructed from two separate loops that are intentionally interlocked together. Each loop is worked independently to a specific length before being joined, creating an innovative structural approach to cardigan design.

Stitches Used

The Wayfarer pattern incorporates several essential knitting stitches and techniques:

• Stockinette Stitch (St St): Used as the base fabric for tension measurement and foundation stitching throughout the garment.
• Purl Stitch: Creates textured panels and reverse stockinette sections that frame the cable work.
• Knit Stitch: Forms the primary fabric structure and cable columns.
• Cable Stitches: The pattern utilizes four distinct cable abbreviations: C6B (cable 6 back), C6F (cable 6 front), C12B (cable 12 back), and C12F (cable 12 front). These cables are worked by slipping stitches onto a cable needle, leaving them at the front or back of work, then knitting stitches from the main needle before knitting the held stitches. The cable pattern repeats every 4 rows, with the most complex cable row (row 3) featuring multiple cables worked in sequence.
• Cast On and Cast Off: The pattern uses waste yarn for provisional cast-on, allowing stitches to be picked up later for the interlocking loop joining technique.

Pattern Repeats and Measurements

The cable pattern is organized into a 4-row repeat that forms the basis of the design. This 4-row repeat is then incorporated into a larger 40-row pattern section, which is repeated 4 times for size S-M and 5 times for size L-XL. The first loop should measure approximately 125 cm for S-M or 150 cm for L-XL before the loops are joined. The second loop is worked to match the length of the first loop before the interlocking and joining process.

Materials and Tools

The Wayfarer pattern specifies the following materials and equipment:

• Yarn: Rowan Cocoon, with 9 x 100gm balls required for S-M and 10 x 100gm balls for L-XL. The pattern was photographed in Frost 806; knitters can view the full current Rowan yarn range at www.knitrowan.com for color alternatives.
• Needles: One pair of 7mm (US 10½) straight needles for the main fabric, 6mm (US 10) circular needle for certain sections, and a cable needle for managing cable stitches.
• Tension: The pattern is designed to achieve 14 stitches and 16 rows over 10 cm when measured in stockinette stitch using 7mm (US 10½) needles. Achieving correct tension is essential for proper garment fit and finished measurements.

Design Features

The Rowan Wayfarer combines classic cable knit aesthetics with a modern construction approach. The interlocking loop design creates a distinctive visual and structural element, while the cable work provides texture and visual interest. The pattern's use of purl stitches to frame the cables creates