Rhythm Cardigan in Rowan Island Blend - ZM662-00015-UK - Downloadable PDF

Rhythm Cardigan by Lisa Richardson – Knitting Pattern Summary (Rowan Island Blend, ZM662-00015-UK)

The Rhythm Cardigan is a beautifully structured knitted cardigan designed by Lisa Richardson and published by Rowan (pattern reference ZM662-00015-UK). This is a downloadable PDF pattern rated at an intermediate skill level, making it an ideal project for knitters who are comfortable with shaping, raglan construction, and working multiple pattern elements simultaneously. The cardigan is photographed in Rowan Island Blend shade White 900, giving it a clean, classic aesthetic that suits a wide range of styling choices.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a women's raglan cardigan with a defined front slope, ribbed hem and cuffs, and a button band. The garment is worked in separate pieces — including a back, left front, right front, and sleeves — which are then joined through raglan armhole shaping. It features a neat front slope shaping that creates a graceful neckline, and is finished with a button band worked on a long circular needle. The cardigan is designed to be fitted through the body with a classic, timeless silhouette.

Sizing and Fit

The pattern is offered in five sizes, designed to fit bust measurements of 81–86, 91–97, 102–107, 112–117, and 122–127 cm (approximately 32–34, 36–38, 40–42, 44–46, and 48–50 inches). The actual bust measurement of the finished garment ranges from 96 cm to 136 cm (37¾ to 53½ inches), providing a comfortable, relaxed ease across all sizes.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Rowan Island Blend, a DK weight yarn, in quantities ranging from 8 to 12 x 50g balls depending on the size being knitted. Island Blend is a premium yarn from Rowan's collection, and further yarn information is available at knitrowan.com. The pattern also requires 6 buttons, style BN1337 from Bedecked — a specific button reference that ensures the correct size and aesthetic match for the finished garment.

Needles Required

• 1 pair of 4mm (US 6) straight needles – used for the main body and sleeve pieces
• 1 x 4mm (US 6) circular needle, at least 120 cm long – used for working the button band around the full front opening

Tension

The stated tension for this pattern is 21 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm, measured over stocking stitch using 4mm (US 6) needles. Achieving the correct tension swatch before beginning is strongly recommended, particularly for an intermediate-level garment where precise shaping and sizing depend on accurate stitch and row counts.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Stocking stitch (st st) – the primary stitch used for the body, fronts, and sleeves, worked by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side
• 1x1 Rib – used for the welts and cuffs, created by alternating knit and purl stitches across the row; the specific rib used here has a slight variation at the end of right-side rows (K1, P1, rep to last 2 sts, K2) to create a neat selvedge edge
• Raglan armhole shaping – a classic construction technique where the sleeve and body pieces are shaped simultaneously with decreases, creating a diagonal seam line from the underarm to the neckline; this requires careful tracking of decreases on both armhole and front slope edges at the same time
• Front slope shaping – gradual decreases worked at the front edge to create the angled neckline characteristic of a V-neck or sloped-front cardigan style
• Cast-off shaping – used at the beginning of raglan armhole rows to remove multiple stitches at once, establishing the armhole line