Abbey Cardigan in Rowan Felted Tweed Colour (DE) - Downloadable PDF

Abbey Cardigan in Rowan Felted Tweed Colour

What is Being Made

The Abbey Cardigan is a knitted cardigan design by Martin Storey, available in nine size options to fit bust measurements ranging from 71-76 cm through to 152-157 cm. The finished garment widths span from 81 cm to 162.5 cm, accommodating a broad range of body sizes from children through to adults. This is an intermediate-level knitting project suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle more complex garment construction.

Techniques Used

The Abbey Cardigan employs several essential knitting techniques throughout its construction. Ribbed edging forms the foundation, with the pattern beginning with a 1x1 twisted rib worked over multiple rows to create a neat, elastic border. Decreasing is used strategically to shape the garment, with the pattern specifying two-stitch decreases worked at regular intervals to create fitted shaping. The cardigan is constructed in separate pieces—left front, right front, and back sections—which are then assembled together, a standard approach for structured cardigan patterns. Stitch increases and decreases are distributed throughout to achieve the desired silhouette and fit across the various size options.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (re) – the fundamental stitch forming the main fabric
• Purl stitch (li) – used in combination with knit stitches
• Twisted knit stitch – creates a refined appearance in the ribbed sections
• 1x1 ribbing – alternating knit and purl stitches for elastic edging and cuffs
• Two-stitch decrease (zus-str) – used for shaping throughout the garment

Materials

The Abbey Cardigan is designed to be worked in Rowan Felted Tweed Colour, a DK weight yarn. The pattern specifies yardage requirements varying by size, with the sample photographed in the colourway Succulent 027. Knitting needles required are size 3¼ and 3¾ (metric equivalents: 3.25mm and 3.75mm), with the smaller needles used for ribbed sections and the larger needles for the main fabric, a technique that creates better stitch definition and fabric control.