Romane Cardigan - Knitting Pattern For Women in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino

Romane Cardigan Knitting Pattern for Women – Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino

The Romane Cardigan is a classic women's cardigan knitting pattern published by Debbie Bliss in 2019 and worked in the luxuriously soft Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn. This is a beautifully structured, button-front cardigan designed to flatter a wide range of bust sizes, from 82 cm (32 in) up to 112 cm (44 in), with finished bust measurements ranging from 86 cm (34 in) to 124 cm (48¾ in). The finished length to shoulder ranges from 51 cm to 57 cm depending on size, and the sleeve length with the cuff turned back is 37 cm (14½ in). This downloadable PDF pattern is rated as beginner difficulty, making it an excellent project for knitters who are just moving beyond the very basics and want to tackle their first or second garment construction.

What Is Being Made

The Romane Cardigan is a women's seamed cardigan featuring a neat button band and ten-button fastening. It is a timeless, wearable design suitable for everyday wear. The pattern is worked in two colours: the main body is knitted in Tobacco 98, while a contrast colour in Wasabi 313 provides an accent detail. The result is a polished, structured cardigan with a flattering silhouette across seven sizes.

Construction Techniques

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan is built from the cast-on edge upward toward the shoulders, a traditional and intuitive approach that allows knitters to try on the garment as they go and adjust length easily.
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted flat on straight needles, meaning knitters work back and forth in rows rather than in the round. This is a familiar method for beginners and produces separate panels that are later joined.
• Seamed finishing: The individual pieces — front panels, back, and sleeves — are sewn together after knitting is complete. Seaming gives the cardigan a structured, tailored finish and adds durability to the garment.
• Buttonhole technique: The button band includes worked buttonholes to accommodate 10 buttons. Working neat, even buttonholes is a key skill developed in this pattern, and the use of a circular needle for the button band pickup ensures a smooth, professional edge.
• Shaping techniques: The pattern uses a range of standard knitting shaping methods including make one (m1) increases, skpo (slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over) decreases, and s2kpo (slip two stitches as if to k2tog, knit one, pass two slipped stitches over) for more pronounced double decreases. These shape the armholes, neckline, and sleeve cap.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (st st): The primary fabric stitch of the cardigan, creating a smooth knit side on the right side of the work and a purl side on the wrong side. Stocking stitch is the foundation of most garment knitting and is ideal for showcasing the softness of Baby Cashmerino.
• Knit (k) and Purl (p): The two fundamental stitches used throughout, forming the basis of all stitch patterns and ribbing in the design.
• Yarn forward (yf): Used in combination with decrease stitches to create the buttonhole openings in the button band.
• Ribbing: Implied through the cuff and band construction, providing elasticity and a neat finish at edges.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, a sport weight yarn. The main colour required is Tobacco 98 (M), with 8 to 12 balls of 50g needed depending on size. One 50g ball of Wasabi 313 (C) is used as the contrast colour. Baby Cashmerino is a blend prized for its exceptional softness, making it comfortable against the skin and ideal for garments worn close to the body.
• Needles: A pair of