Mini Manor Cardigan in Rowan Cotton Cashmere PDF

Mini Manor Cardigan in Rowan Cotton Cashmere by Quail Studio – Pattern Summary

The Mini Manor Cardigan is a beautifully structured children's knitted cardigan designed by Quail Studio and worked in Rowan Cotton Cashmere. This intermediate-level knitting pattern produces a classic, refined cardigan with subtle stripe detailing, ribbed welts, and neat shoulder and neck shaping. It is available as a downloadable PDF and is sized to fit children aged 3–4, 5–6, 7–8, 9–10, and 11–12 years, with corresponding chest measurements ranging from approximately 53–79 cm (21–31 inches) and an actual garment chest measurement of 87.5–109.5 cm (34½–43 inches), providing a comfortable, relaxed fit.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a children's drop-shoulder or set-in style cardigan featuring a front button band, shaped front slopes, back neck shaping, and ribbed cuffs and hem. The design is clean and timeless, making it suitable for both everyday wear and smarter occasions. The two-colour stripe detail adds a gentle visual interest without overwhelming the classic silhouette.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Rowan Cotton Cashmere, a DK weight yarn sold in 50g balls. Two colourways are used:

• Yarn A – Paper (shade 210): used as the main colour throughout, with quantities ranging from 4 to 6 balls depending on the size being knitted.
• Yarn B – Harbour (shade 223): used as the contrast colour for the stripe sections, with 1 to 2 balls required depending on size.

Rowan Cotton Cashmere is a luxuriously soft blend that combines the breathability of cotton with the gentle warmth and drape of cashmere, making it an excellent choice for children's garments that need to be both comfortable against the skin and durable enough for regular wear.

Needles and Tension

The pattern requires two pairs of straight needles:

• 3.5mm (US 4) needles – used for the ribbed welts and cuffs
• 4mm (US 6) needles – used for the main stocking stitch body sections

A 3.5mm (US 4) circular needle, at least 120–150 cm long depending on the size, is also required, most likely for picking up and working the front button band or neckband in the round or across a long row of stitches.

The stated tension is 20 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm measured over stocking stitch using 4mm (US 6) needles. Achieving this tension swatch before beginning is strongly recommended, as even small variations can significantly affect the finished garment size across the multiple size options offered.

Techniques and Construction

This is an intermediate-level knitting pattern, meaning knitters should be comfortable with a range of standard techniques before beginning. The construction is worked in separate flat pieces – back, left front, right front, and sleeves – which are then seamed together. Key techniques used throughout the pattern include:

• Rib stitch – a K2, P2 rib is used for the welts and cuffs, providing elasticity and a neat, professional edge finish
• Stocking stitch (st st) – the main body fabric is worked entirely in stocking stitch, knitting on right side rows and purling on wrong side rows
• Stripe knitting – two yarns (A and B) are alternated in a defined stripe sequence, requiring confident yarn management and the ability to carry or rejoin yarn at row edges
• Front slope shaping – the left and right fronts are shaped with regular decreases along the front edge, using a K2tog decrease worked a few stitches in from the edge to create a smooth, angled neckline
• Back neck shaping – stitches are divided at the back neck, with each side worked separately and decreases made at the neck edge to create a neat curved finish
• Shoulder