Thimble Cardigan in Rowan Pure Alpaca - Downloadable PDF

Thimble Cardigan in Rowan Pure Alpaca – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Thimble Cardigan is a classic, elegantly structured cardigan knitting pattern designed by Martin Storey and published by Rowan. Available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it an ideal project for knitters who are comfortable with shaping techniques and reading multi-size instructions. The design is worked in the luxuriously soft Rowan Pure Alpaca, a 50g yarn, with the colourway specified as Mizzle 113.

What Is Being Made

The Thimble Cardigan is a fitted, shaped cardigan designed to suit a wide range of chest sizes. The pattern covers nine sizes, fitting chests from 71–76 cm (28–30 in) up to 152–157 cm (60–62 in), with actual garment chest measurements ranging from 82.5 cm (32½ in) to 164 cm (64½ in). This generous size range makes the pattern highly inclusive and versatile. The cardigan features classic construction elements including a shaped back, armhole shaping, shoulder shaping, and a defined back neck, all hallmarks of a well-tailored, timeless knitwear design.

Construction and Shaping Techniques

The Thimble Cardigan employs a range of intermediate shaping techniques that give the garment its structured, flattering silhouette. Key construction methods include:

• Armhole shaping: Stitches are decreased at each end of specified rows — both on consecutive rows and on alternate rows — to create a smooth, fitted armhole curve. For example, decreases are worked over several rows followed by alternate-row decreases, with the exact number varying by size.
• Shoulder shaping: Shoulders are shaped by casting off stitches in stages at the beginning of successive rows, producing a neat, angled shoulder seam. Cast-off amounts are carefully graded across the nine sizes.
• Back neck shaping: A separate back neck shaping row is worked on the right side to create a clean neckline finish.
• Straight sections: After armhole shaping is complete, the work continues straight until the armhole reaches the required depth (ranging from 19 cm to 29 cm depending on size), ensuring proper proportions throughout the size range.
• Pattern continuity: Instructions specify keeping the stitch pattern correct throughout all shaping, which requires the knitter to maintain pattern integrity while simultaneously working increases or decreases — a key intermediate skill.

Stitches Used

While the full stitch breakdown is contained within the complete PDF, the pattern references a stitch pattern that is maintained throughout shaping sections, indicating the cardigan is not worked entirely in plain stocking stitch. Knitters should be comfortable working a set pattern repeat while managing shaping at row edges. Standard knitting stitches and techniques such as casting off, decreasing (dec 1 st), and working on right side (RS) and wrong side (WS) rows are all referenced within the pattern instructions.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Rowan Pure Alpaca, a premium 50g yarn celebrated for its exceptional softness, subtle sheen, and lightweight warmth — qualities that make it particularly well suited to a refined cardigan design. The specified shade is Mizzle 113, a sophisticated, muted tone in keeping with Rowan's signature aesthetic. As a Rowan pattern, knitters should refer to the full PDF for precise yardage requirements per size, recommended needle sizes, tension/gauge information, and any additional notions required for finishing.

Who This Pattern Is For

The Thimble Cardigan by Martin Storey is best suited to intermediate knitters who have experience working garment shaping, reading multi-size patterns, and maintaining stitch patterns through decreases and cast-offs. The wide size range and classic styling make it a rewarding project for knitters looking to add a beautifully crafted, luxurious alpaca cardigan to their wardrobe.