Shoreditch Cardigan in Rowan Super Fine Merino DK - D105 - Downloadable PDF

Shoreditch Cardigan by Martin Storey – Knitting Pattern Summary (Rowan Super Fine Merino DK)

The Shoreditch Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitting pattern designed by Martin Storey and published by Rowan as an online exclusive downloadable PDF. This stylish cardigan is constructed using a distinctive sideways knitting technique, where the body and sleeves are worked from side to side rather than in the conventional bottom-up or top-down direction. This architectural approach gives the finished garment a unique structure and is a rewarding challenge for knitters looking to expand their skills beyond standard construction methods.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a knitted cardigan suitable for a range of adult bust sizes, from 81–86 cm (32–34 in) up to 122–127 cm (48–50 in), covering five sizes: S, M, L, XL, and XXL. The garment features integrated sleeves worked as part of the sideways construction, with the body and sleeve pieces picked up and joined seamlessly. The sample shown in the pattern photography is worked in Aubergine 150, a rich, deep tone that highlights the textural qualities of the stitch pattern.

Construction Technique

One of the most notable aspects of the Shoreditch Cardigan is its sideways construction. The left body and sleeve are worked first, beginning at the centre back and progressing outward. Stitches are then picked up and knitted along the cast-on edge of the left body and sleeve to begin the right body and sleeve, again starting at the centre back. This method creates a mirrored, symmetrical garment and means that the knitter works in a lateral direction throughout, which produces a different fabric drape and stitch alignment compared to vertical knitting.

Markers are placed at both ends of a designated row to denote the top of the sleeve seam, helping the knitter track the transition between the body and sleeve sections with precision. This is a key navigational technique in sideways garment construction.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Main stitch pattern: A repeating 10-row pattern forms the body of the fabric. While the full stitch detail is contained within the PDF, this repeat is central to the garment's textural character and is worked consistently throughout the body and sleeve sections.
• Garter stitch (g st): Used as a finishing border, with 11 rows of garter stitch worked at the cuff edge before casting off. Garter stitch — knitting every row on both right and wrong sides — creates a firm, non-curling edge that is ideal for cuffs and borders.
• Pick up and knit: Used to join the right body and sleeve section to the completed left section, a technique requiring careful stitch count management to maintain an even, professional finish.
• Cast off knitwise on the wrong side: The cuff border is finished with a knitwise cast-off worked on the wrong side, giving a neat, tidy edge consistent with the garter stitch border.

Needle Sizes and Usage

• 4mm (US 6) needles — used for the main body and sleeve fabric, working the primary stitch pattern.
• 3¼mm (US 3) needles — used for the garter stitch cuff borders, creating a slightly tighter tension for a neat, structured finish.
• 3¼mm (US 3) circular needle (no more than a specified length) — used for picking up stitches along edges, enabling the knitter to manage the large stitch counts involved in the sideways construction comfortably.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Rowan Super Fine Merino DK, a DK weight yarn sold in 50g balls. Quantities range from 12 balls (size S) to 17 balls (size XXL). Super Fine Merino DK is a smooth, high-quality merino wool yarn that offers excellent stitch definition — an important quality for showcasing the textural repeat pattern at the heart of this design. The sample cardigan is knitted in Aubergine 150, a deep purple-toned shade.

Difficulty Level and Ideal Knitter

Rated as intermediate, the