Fleming In Rowan Alpaca Sparkle - Downloadable PDF

Fleming Cardigan in Rowan Alpaca Sparkle – Knitting Pattern Summary

About This Pattern

Fleming is a beautifully designed knitted cardigan by Lisa Richardson, published by Rowan as a downloadable PDF (pattern reference ZB381-00005-EN). It is rated Advanced Beginner, making it an excellent next step for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to tackle simple shaping and garment construction. The cardigan is photographed in Rowan Alpaca Sparkle in the colourway Almond 10020, giving the finished piece a soft, luxurious shimmer.

What Is Being Made

Fleming is a classic cardigan with a structured front opening, ribbed hem and cuffs, and a neat neckband. The design features a front opening edge worked in garter stitch throughout, providing a clean, stable border without curling. The body transitions from a ribbed welt into stocking stitch, creating a smooth, elegant fabric. A 160 cm length of 7 cm wide ribbon is used as a fastening, adding a charming, feminine finishing detail in place of traditional buttons.

Sizing

The pattern is written across a generous nine sizes, fitting chest measurements from 71–76 cm (28–30 in) up to 152–157 cm (60–62 in). Actual garment chest measurements range from 81.5 cm to 161.5 cm, offering a comfortable positive ease across all sizes.

Yarn and Materials

• Yarn: Rowan Alpaca Sparkle, a DK weight yarn sold in 50 g balls. The pattern calls for between 5 and 10 balls depending on size, with the quantities increasing from 5 balls for the smallest size up to 10 balls for the largest.
• Needles: One pair of 6 mm (UK No. 4 / US 10) needles.
• Extras: A 160 cm length of 7 cm wide ribbon for the front fastening, plus a stitch holder for neckband stitches.

Tension

The stated tension is 13 stitches and 20 rows to 10 cm, measured over stocking stitch using 6 mm needles. Achieving correct tension is particularly important in a garment pattern with fitted shaping across multiple sizes, so knitting a tension swatch before beginning is strongly recommended.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• 2×2 Rib (K2, P2): Used for the welts and cuffs to create a stretchy, neat edging. The rib is worked slightly differently on the back and fronts to accommodate the garment's construction.
• Garter Stitch (knit every row): The 2-stitch front opening edge is maintained in garter stitch throughout the left and right fronts, keeping the border flat and tidy.
• Stocking Stitch (knit RS rows, purl WS rows): The main body fabric of the cardigan, worked once the ribbed welt is complete.
• Decreasing and Shaping: The pattern includes waist shaping worked as decreases within the body, armhole shaping using cast-offs and decreases, and neck shaping on both left and right fronts. Shapings are mirrored on each front piece by reversing the instructions.
• Stitch Holder: Used to hold neckband stitches live while the opposite front is completed, a standard technique in garment knitting that allows a neat, joined neckband to be worked afterwards.
• Seaming and Finishing: As a constructed garment knitted in separate pieces (back, left front, right front, sleeves), the cardigan requires seaming and finishing, including attaching the ribbon fastening.

Construction Notes

The cardigan is worked flat in separate pieces on a single pair of straight needles, then seamed