Broadgate Tabard in Rowan Alpaca Soft DK (Fr) - Downloadable PDF

Broadgate Tabard by Georgia Farrell – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Broadgate Tabard is a sophisticated knitted tabard (slipover) designed by Georgia Farrell and published by Rowan in 2020. A tabard is a sleeveless, vest-like garment open at the sides, making it a versatile layering piece that can be worn over blouses, shirts, or knitwear. This particular design is rated at advanced difficulty (level 3), making it best suited to experienced knitters who are comfortable with complex stitch patterns, shaping techniques, and working with cable needles.

What Is Being Made

The Broadgate Tabard is a sleeveless knitted slipover worked in separate front and back pieces that are then finished together. The garment features a shaped neckline on the front with carefully constructed shoulder shaping, giving it a refined, tailored silhouette. It is available in three chest sizes, covering a range from 81–91 cm up to 112–127 cm, making it suitable for a range of adult figures. The pattern is presented in French (Fr) and is available as a downloadable PDF under pattern reference ZB278-00003-FRP.

Yarn and Materials

The recommended yarn is Rowan Alpaca Soft DK, a double knitting weight yarn. The sample shown in the pattern photography is worked in the colourway Mulberry 207. Depending on size, the pattern requires 5 to 6 balls of 50g of this yarn. Rowan Alpaca Soft DK is a luxuriously soft yarn with a beautiful drape, making it an excellent choice for a garment that sits close to the body and benefits from a fluid, elegant finish.

Needles and Tools

• One pair of 4mm straight needles for working the main flat pieces
• One set of four 4mm double-pointed needles, or alternatively one 4mm circular needle of no more than 40 cm in length, for working the neckband in the round
• A cable needle is required for the decorative stitch pattern

Tension and Gauge

The pattern specifies a tension of 24 stitches and 33 rows to 10 cm, measured over the point fantaisie (fancy or decorative stitch pattern) using 4mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is especially important in an advanced pattern like this, where precise stitch counts are essential for accurate shaping across the front neckline and shoulders.

Techniques Used

The Broadgate Tabard employs a range of knitting techniques that contribute to its advanced difficulty rating:

• Decorative fancy stitch pattern (point fantaisie): The main body fabric is worked in a textured or lace-influenced stitch pattern that gives the tabard its distinctive visual character. This pattern must be maintained consistently throughout all shaping sections, which requires careful attention and experience.
• Cable and cross stitches: The pattern uses a set of specialised cable abbreviations worked over two stitches, creating small but elegant twisted or crossed details within the fabric. These include:
  • C2F – slip the next stitch onto a cable needle and hold to the front, knit 1, then knit the held stitch
  • C2B – slip the next stitch onto a cable needle and hold to the back, knit 1, then knit the held stitch
  • Cr2L – slip the next stitch onto a cable needle and hold to the front, purl 1, then knit the held stitch
  • Cr2R – a corresponding right-leaning cross stitch worked with the cable needle held to the back
• Front neckline shaping: The front neckline is worked by dividing stitches at a set point, leaving the central 44 [47: 49] stitches on hold for the neckband, and working each shoulder section separately. Neckline decreases are worked at regular intervals — every 7 [8: 4] rows and then every 2