Holme Cardigan in Rowan Valley Tweed - Downloadable PDF

Holme Cardigan by Lisa Richardson – Knitting Pattern Summary (Rowan Valley Tweed)

The Holme Cardigan is a beautifully crafted knitted cardigan designed by Lisa Richardson for Rowan Yarns, released in 2020. This intermediate-level knitting pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is worked in Rowan Valley Tweed, a sport weight yarn that lends the finished garment a wonderfully rustic, textured character. The Holme Cardigan is a classic, wearable piece suited to a wide range of knitters who have moved beyond the beginner stage and are comfortable working with stitch patterns, shaping, and garment construction.

Garment Overview

The Holme Cardigan is a structured, fitted cardigan featuring traditional garment shaping including armhole shaping, back neck shaping, and what appears to be a repeating stitch pattern worked across the body. The design is rooted in the heritage aesthetic that Rowan Yarns is celebrated for, with the earthy, tweedy texture of Valley Tweed adding depth and visual interest to the finished piece.

Sizing

The pattern is written to fit a range of bust measurements, making it accessible to many body types:

• 81–86 cm (32–34 in)
• 91–97 cm (36–38 in)
• 102–107 cm (40–42 in)
• 112–117 cm (44–46 in)
• 122–127 cm (48–50 in)

The actual bust measurements of the finished garment range from 89 cm (35 in) up to 129 cm (51 in), providing a comfortable, slightly relaxed fit across the size range.

Techniques Used

As an intermediate level pattern, the Holme Cardigan employs a number of standard garment-knitting techniques that will be familiar to experienced knitters:

• Stitch pattern repeats – A four-row repeating stitch pattern is worked consistently across the body pieces, requiring the knitter to keep the pattern correct while simultaneously working shaping decreases.
• Armhole shaping – Stitches are cast off at the beginning of rows to shape the armhole, followed by paired decreases worked at each end of right-side and alternate rows to create a neat, fitted armhole.
• Back neck shaping – The back neck is shaped to create a smooth neckline, a technique that involves working across partial rows and managing multiple sets of stitches.
• Seaming and garment construction – As a traditional knitted cardigan, the Holme is constructed from separate pieces that are seamed together, a method that produces a structured, durable garment.
• Tension/gauge management – Working at sport weight with a consistent gauge is essential to achieving the stated finished measurements across all five sizes.

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates a four-row stitch pattern that forms the main fabric of the cardigan. While the full stitch detail is contained within the PDF, this type of construction in Rowan sport weight designs typically involves combinations of:

• Knit and purl stitches arranged in a textural repeat
• Cast off stitches for armhole and neck shaping
• Decrease stitches worked at row ends and on alternate rows to shape the armholes cleanly

The four-row repeat is straightforward enough to memorise once established, but requires careful attention when shaping begins, as the knitter must keep the pattern correct while reducing stitch counts — a hallmark challenge of intermediate level knitting.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

The Holme Cardigan is designed specifically for Rowan Valley Tweed, a sport weight yarn sold in 50g balls. The colourway referenced in the pattern is: