Dawn Cardigan in Rowan Kid Classic - Downloadable PDF

Dawn Cardigan by Martin Storey – Knitting Pattern Summary (Rowan Kid Classic)

The Dawn Cardigan is a beautifully crafted knitted cardigan designed by Martin Storey and published by Rowan. This intermediate-level knitting pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is worked in Rowan Kid Classic yarn, an aran-weight yarn that gives the finished garment a luxuriously soft, lightly halo'd texture. The sample shown in the pattern is knitted in Cherry Red 847, a rich, vibrant colourway that showcases the stitch detail beautifully.

What Is Being Made

The Dawn Cardigan is a classic, shaped women's cardigan featuring a structured body with ribbed welts and a charted stitch pattern running through the main body sections. It is designed to fit a range of bust sizes, making it a versatile and wearable wardrobe staple. The cardigan is worked flat in separate pieces and seamed, following a traditional construction method well suited to intermediate knitters.

Size Range

• To fit bust: 81–86, 91–97, 102–107, 112–117, 122–127 cm (32–34, 36–38, 40–42, 44–46, 48–50 in)
• Actual bust measurement of garment: 88, 98, 109, 117, 128 cm (34½, 38½, 43, 46, 50½ in)

Materials Required

Yarn

• Yarn: Rowan Kid Classic
• Weight: Aran
• Quantity: 6, 6, 7, 8, or 8 x 50g balls depending on size
• Sample colourway: Cherry Red 847

Rowan Kid Classic is a popular aran-weight yarn blended with kid mohair and wool, giving it a soft halo and excellent stitch definition. Its warmth and drape make it ideal for cardigans and garments worn close to the body.

Needles

• 4mm (US 6) needles – used for the ribbed welts and lower edgings
• 5mm (US 8) needles – used for the main body and charted pattern sections

Techniques Used

This pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping, reading charts, and working from written row-by-row instructions. The following techniques are employed throughout the pattern:

• Flat knitting – the cardigan pieces are worked back and forth in rows rather than in the round
• Ribbing – used for the welts and cuffs to create a neat, elasticated edge; worked over multiple rows before transitioning to the main pattern
• Increasing (M1 – Make 1) – used both within the ribbed sections to adjust stitch counts and along the body to shape the garment; for example, a specific increase row is worked on Row 16 of the welt to bring stitches up to the correct count for the main pattern
• Shaping increases at side seams – stitches are increased at each end of specific rows and at regular intervals (every 10th row) to shape the body, with increased stitches incorporated into the pattern
• Working from a chart – the main body features a 32-row repeating stitch pattern worked from a knitting chart, requiring the knitter to read chart symbols and maintain pattern continuity across shaping rows
• Needle changes – switching from smaller to larger needles at the appropriate point to transition from welt ribbing to the main fabric

Stitches Used

• Rib stitch – worked over the welts and edgings, providing stretch and structure at the lower edges and cuffs
• Charted body pattern – a 32-row