Campbell Cardigan in Rowan Alpaca Soft DK and Kidsilk Haze - RM007-00006-DEP - Downloadable PDF

Campbell Cardigan by Quail Studio – Pattern Summary

The Campbell Cardigan is a knitted cardigan pattern designed by Quail Studio and published under reference RM007-00006-DEP. It is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated as a beginner difficulty project, making it an accessible choice for knitters who are building their skills and confidence. The design is worked in a flattering, relaxed silhouette with a distinctive cable-panel front band and a smooth stocking stitch body, combining tactile texture with elegant simplicity.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a classic cardigan with a fitted front band featuring a running cable detail. The garment is sized to fit a wide range of bust measurements, from 71–76 cm up to 152–157 cm, with a knitted bust measurement ranging from approximately 125.5 cm to 208 cm, offering generous ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit. The front band is worked as an integral part of the fronts, with 13 stitches maintained throughout in a cable pattern that is twisted every 24th row. The cardigan fastens with 4 buttons. A rear neckband is created by continuing the cable panel stitches after shoulder shaping, producing a neat, self-finished neckline.

Yarns and Materials

The Campbell Cardigan is knitted using two Rowan yarns held together throughout, which creates a beautifully soft and subtly lustrous fabric:

• Yarn A: Rowan Alpaca Soft DK in shade Champagne 235, a DK-weight yarn sold in 50 g balls. Alpaca Soft DK combines the natural warmth and softness of alpaca with the structure of a DK-weight yarn, making it ideal for a drapey, cosy cardigan.
• Yarn B: Rowan Kidsilk Haze in shade Lustre 686, a lace-weight yarn sold in 25 g balls. Kidsilk Haze is a famously fine and halo-rich blend of kid mohair and silk, which when held alongside a DK yarn adds a delicate sheen and softness to the finished fabric without significantly altering the gauge.

The combination of one strand of Alpaca Soft DK and two strands of Kidsilk Haze held together is a popular Rowan technique that creates a fabric with warmth, a gentle halo, and a luxurious hand feel.

Needles and Tension

The pattern calls for 4.5 mm (size 5) knitting needles as the primary needle size, along with one cable needle for working the cable panel on the front bands. The stated tension is 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 × 10 cm measured over stocking stitch, using one strand of Alpaca Soft DK and two strands of Kidsilk Haze held together on size 5 needles. Achieving the correct tension is important for ensuring the finished cardigan matches the intended measurements across all sizes.

Stitches and Techniques Used

Despite its beginner rating, the Campbell Cardigan introduces a small number of well-defined techniques that give the finished garment its character:

• Stocking stitch (stockinette): The main body of the cardigan is worked in smooth stocking stitch, knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows. This creates the clean, classic fabric that forms the bulk of the garment.
• Rib stitch: A rib pattern is used during the initial rows of the fronts and back, combining knit and purl stitches in a repeating sequence (for example, 3 stitches knit, 2 stitches purl) to create an elastic, structured border.
• Cable pattern: A 12-stitch cable is worked over the front bands, measuring approximately 6 cm wide. The cable is twisted every 24th row, requiring the use of a cable needle to hold stitches to the front or back while others are worked. This is a straightforward, infrequently twisted