Haven Cardigan in Rowan Brushed Fleece - Downloadable PDF

Haven Cardigan in Rowan Brushed Fleece by Quail Studio – Pattern Summary

The Haven Cardigan is a beautifully cosy, oversized knitted cardigan designed by Quail Studio for Rowan. Published in 2020 under pattern reference ZB219-00007-UK, this design is worked in the luxuriously soft Rowan Brushed Fleece yarn, shown in the pattern sample in shade Dawn 269. It is rated as an intermediate skill level project, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with shaping techniques and working with chunky-weight yarns.

What Is Being Made

The Haven Cardigan is a chunky-weight knitted cardigan featuring a relaxed, wearable silhouette. A notable design detail is the inclusion of patch pockets with pocket linings, which are knitted separately and then integrated into the fronts of the garment. The cardigan is worked in pieces — including a Left Front and corresponding sections — and then seamed together. It is available in a generous size range: XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL, making it an inclusive and versatile pattern for a wide range of knitters.

Yarn and Materials

• Yarn: Rowan Brushed Fleece, a chunky-weight yarn with a soft, halo-like brushed finish that gives the finished garment a warm, cloud-like texture
• Yarn quantity: 16 to 19 balls depending on size (the pattern specifies 16(17,17,18,18,19) balls)
• Shade shown: Dawn 269
• Needles: 9mm (US 13) and 10mm (US 15) knitting needles
• Notions: Stitch holders are required for holding pocket lining stitches during construction

Techniques Used

• Holding yarn double: Throughout the pattern, the Rowan Brushed Fleece is held double — meaning two strands are worked together simultaneously. This technique increases the fabric's warmth, weight, and drape, and is a common approach with lighter chunky or aran yarns to achieve a truly chunky, substantial fabric.
• Working in separate pieces and seaming: The cardigan is constructed by knitting individual sections such as the Left Front separately before joining, a classic construction method that gives precise shaping control.
• Pocket lining construction: The pocket linings are knitted separately using 10mm needles with yarn held double, cast on to 16 stitches and worked in stocking stitch for 15cm, then placed on a stitch holder to be joined later. This is a traditional set-in pocket technique that creates a neat, functional pocket with a clean finish on the right side of the fabric.
• Decreasing and shaping: The pattern incorporates shaping decreases worked at the beginning of specific rows, with stitch counts varying by size to achieve a well-fitted silhouette across all six sizes.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch): The main body fabric is worked in stocking stitch — knit on right side rows, purl on wrong side rows — creating a smooth, classic knitted fabric. This stitch is used for the pocket linings and the main body sections.
• 1x1 Rib: The ribbed sections are worked as *K1, P1; repeat from * to end on right side rows, and *P1, K1; repeat from * to end on wrong side rows. This alternating knit-and-purl rib pattern is used on the Left Front edging and is typical of cardigan bands and cuffs, providing elasticity and a tidy, structured border.

Tension

The pattern specifies a tension of 9 stitches and 11 rows to 10cm measured over stocking stitch. Achieving the correct tension is especially important in a garment like the