Blast (EN,FR) in Rowan - Downloadable PDF

Blast Cardigan by Lisa Richardson – Knitting Pattern Summary (Rowan)

Blast is an intermediate-level knitting pattern by designer Lisa Richardson, published by Rowan and available as a downloadable PDF (reference ZB304-00002-EN). The pattern is written in both English and French, making it accessible to a wide range of knitters. It produces a chunky-weight cardigan with a relaxed, generous silhouette, worked in Rowan Tweed Haze yarn.

What Is Being Made

The pattern instructs knitters on how to construct a fitted cardigan with shaped front slopes and structured shoulder shaping. The garment is designed with a classic set-in or tailored construction, featuring separate front and back pieces that are seamed together. The finished cardigan has a shaped neckline achieved through front slope decreases and neat, stepped shoulder cast-offs for a professional finish.

The pattern covers nine sizes, designed to fit bust measurements ranging from 71–76 cm (28–30 in) up to 152–157 cm (60–62 in), with actual garment bust measurements spanning from 105 cm (41¼ in) to 187.5 cm (73¾ in), offering generous positive ease across all sizes.

Techniques Used

• Front slope shaping: Decreases are worked at the end of alternating rows and every 4th row to create a smooth, angled front neckline. The exact decrease sequence varies by size, demonstrating careful grading across all nine sizes.
• Shoulder shaping: Stitches are cast off in a stepped sequence over multiple alternate rows, producing a sloped shoulder seam that sits neatly and reduces bulk at the join.
• Seamed construction: The cardigan is knitted in separate pieces and assembled, a traditional approach well suited to chunky-weight projects as it adds structure and stability to the finished garment.
• Straight knitting: Sections of the body are worked without shaping between key construction points, allowing knitters to build rhythm and pace with the chunky yarn.
• Decreasing: Single stitch decreases are used consistently throughout the front slope shaping, worked at specific row intervals to maintain the correct stitch count and garment proportions.
• Casting off in stages: The shoulder cast-off is broken into multiple steps across alternate rows rather than cast off all at once, a technique that creates a more refined and tailored shoulder line.

Stitches Used

• Standard knit and purl stitches form the foundation of the fabric throughout the pattern.
• Decrease stitches (single decreases worked at row ends) are used for both front slope and shoulder shaping.
• The pattern is worked at a chunky gauge, meaning each stitch is large and the fabric grows quickly, making this an appealing project for knitters who enjoy seeing fast progress.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

The pattern is designed specifically for Rowan Tweed Haze, a chunky-weight yarn from the Rowan brand. Tweed Haze is a characterful yarn that combines a soft haze or halo effect with rustic tweed-style flecks, giving the finished cardigan texture and visual depth. The yarn quantity required varies by size, as indicated in the full pattern PDF. Knitters should use the needle size specified in the pattern to achieve the correct tension and ensure the garment matches the stated actual measurements.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, Blast is best suited to knitters who are comfortable with shaping techniques such as working decreases at specific row intervals and casting off in stages for shoulder shaping. The chunky weight of Rowan Tweed Haze keeps the knitting manageable and enjoyable, while the multi-step shaping instructions provide a satisfying technical challenge for those looking to develop their garment-making skills.

Pattern Format

The Blast pattern by Lisa Richardson for Rowan is available as a downloadable PDF, presented in both English and French. It includes full written