Falcon Cardigan in Rowan Four Seasons - Downloadable PDF

Falcon Cardigan in Rowan Four Seasons – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Falcon Cardigan is a knitted cardigan pattern designed by Quail Studio and published by Rowan. It is worked in Rowan Four Seasons yarn and is rated as an advanced beginner project, making it an ideal step up for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to explore simple lace detailing and garment construction. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF.

What Is Being Made

The Falcon Cardigan is a classic, relaxed-fit cardigan featuring a repeating eyelet lace panel set against sections of smooth stockinette stitch. The garment is constructed in separate pieces — a back, two fronts, and sleeves — which are then seamed together. It is designed to fit a wide range of chest sizes, from 71–76 cm (28–30 in) up to 152–157 cm (60–62 in), offering nine size options and actual garment chest measurements ranging from 99 cm to 182 cm. The sample shown in the pattern photography is worked in Frost 001, a pale, cool-toned colourway that highlights the delicate lace texture beautifully.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting – all main pieces are worked flat on straight needles, back and forth in rows
• Seamed construction – individual pieces are knitted separately and joined, a traditional approach that gives the finished cardigan structure and stability
• Eyelet lace patterning – a simple four-row repeating lace sequence is worked at intervals throughout the body and sleeves, creating decorative horizontal bands of open, airy texture
• Ribbing – a knit one, purl one (K1, P1) rib is used at the cast-on edges to create neat, elasticated hems on the body and sleeves
• Stockinette stitch sections – smooth knit fabric is worked between the lace bands, giving the design a clean, contemporary feel
• Circular needle use – a long circular needle (at least 140 cm) is specified for picking up and working the button band or neckband, a practical technique for managing a large number of stitches comfortably

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (st st) – the primary fabric stitch, worked as knit on right-side rows and purl on wrong-side rows
• K1, P1 rib – used for the welts and cuffs to provide stretch and a tidy finish at cast-on edges
• Garter stitch rows – knit rows on both right and wrong sides appear within the lace pattern repeat, adding a subtle ridge that frames the eyelet bands
• Yarn forward (yfwd) – the key lace increase stitch, which creates a decorative hole or eyelet in the fabric
• K2tog (knit two together) – a right-leaning decrease paired with the yarn forward to maintain stitch count within the lace repeat
• Purl rows – used as the closing row of each lace repeat to smooth the fabric before the next section begins

Lace Pattern Detail

The eyelet lace band is worked as a five-row repeat, with the key lace action occurring across rows three and four. Row 3 begins and ends with a single knit stitch, with yfwd, K2tog repeated across the row. Row 4 offsets this slightly by beginning and ending with two knit stitches, again with yfwd, K2tog across the centre. This staggered approach creates a visually interesting, slightly diagonal eyelet effect. The full lace sequence is repeated ten times in each lace section, building up a generous band of open texture before returning to stockinette stitch.

Garment Structure and Measurements

Each main piece begins with six rows of K1, P1 rib, followed by 17 cm of stockinette stitch, then the first lace