Swan Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Swan Cardigan in Rowan Creative Linen

What is Being Made

The Swan Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Lisa Richardson. This garment is crafted using Rowan Creative Linen yarn and features a sophisticated construction with multiple size options ranging from 88.5 cm to 172 cm chest measurements (34¾ to 67¾ inches). The cardigan is a classic button-front style, secured with three black coated metal buttons measuring 20mm from Textile Garden.

Knitting Techniques Used

This cardigan employs several key knitting techniques appropriate for an intermediate skill level. The construction begins with garter stitch edging, which provides a stable, textured border. The garment features color work utilizing a charted pattern that incorporates two shades of Rowan Creative Linen yarn—Stormy and Silver—creating visual interest throughout the body and sleeves. The pattern requires shaping techniques including strategic increases (made stitches) distributed across rows and decreases at the neck edge to create proper garment fit. The cardigan demonstrates set-in sleeve construction with separate front and back pieces that are joined together, and includes neckband finishing worked from held stitches.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Garter stitch – used for the initial edging rows, creating a reversible, textured fabric
• Stockinette stitch – the primary stitch base for the body and sleeves
• Make one (M1) – increases worked strategically across rows to shape the garment and adjust stitch counts
• Charted color pattern – a repeating pattern worked from a provided chart, changing between yarn colors as indicated to create the design
• Cast off – used extensively for neck shaping and finishing edges with precision decreases

Materials and Tools

The Swan Cardigan is knitted with Rowan Creative Linen, a 100-gram yarn available in two colorways for this project: Stormy (color 635) and Silver (color 650). Yarn quantities vary by size, ranging from 3 to 6 balls of each color depending on the finished chest measurement selected. The pattern is worked on 4½mm (US 7) knitting needles, which are paired needles suitable for the yarn weight and stitch definition required. The tension is set at 23 stitches and 40 rows over 10 centimeters, measured in pattern using the specified needle size. Three black coated metal buttons measuring 20mm from Textile Garden complete the cardigan's front closure.

Pattern Construction Details

The cardigan is constructed in separate pieces: a back, left front, and right front, with sleeves worked separately before assembly. The back piece establishes the main garment width and length, while fronts are shaped to accommodate button bands and neck shaping. Each front piece begins with garter stitch edging, followed by strategic increases that are distributed evenly across the width. The neck shaping involves casting off groups of stitches at regular intervals while simultaneously decreasing at the neck edge over consecutive rows. The neckband is created by picking up stitches from holders at the back and front neck edges, providing a finished edge. This modular construction approach is typical of intermediate-level cardigan patterns and allows for precise sizing and professional finishing.