Juliette Cardigan in Rowan Summerlite 4 Ply - ROC006 - Downloadable PDF

Juliette Cardigan in Rowan Summerlite 4 Ply – A Detailed Pattern Guide

The Juliette Cardigan is a beautifully crafted women's cardigan designed by Jennie Atkinson and published by Rowan. Available as a free downloadable PDF, this intermediate-level knitting pattern produces an elegant, lightweight cardigan featuring delicate beaded diamond motifs on the sleeves and a classic silhouette that suits a wide range of bust sizes. The pattern is knitted in Rowan Summerlite 4 Ply yarn, making it an ideal warm-weather or transitional-season project.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a women's fitted cardigan with set-in sleeves, a button front fastening, and decorative beaded detailing. It is designed to fit the following bust measurements:

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

One of the most distinctive structural features of the Juliette Cardigan is that the body is knitted sideways in one piece, from cuff to cuff. This unconventional construction method means the knitter works horizontally across the garment rather than from hem to shoulder, resulting in a seamless, flowing fabric with interesting directional stitch patterning. This technique is particularly effective with 4 ply yarn, as it keeps the fabric light and drapeable while allowing intricate motifs to be placed precisely on the sleeves.

Construction Technique

The sideways, cuff-to-cuff construction is central to this design and sets it apart from conventionally worked cardigans. Beginning at one cuff, the knitter works outward, shaping the sleeve through a series of carefully placed increases before continuing across the body of the garment and then mirroring the process to complete the second sleeve. This approach eliminates many seams and creates a cohesive, unified fabric across the entire garment.

Sleeve shaping is achieved through a structured sequence of increases worked at each end of the needle. According to the pattern, stitches are increased on specific rows following a precise schedule — including increases on every 6th row and every 4th row at various intervals depending on the size being worked. This graduated shaping ensures a well-fitted sleeve that tapers naturally from cuff to underarm.

Stitches Used

The Juliette Cardigan employs a combination of classic knitting stitches and textural techniques:

• Moss Stitch (Seed Stitch): Used at the cuffs and likely at border edges, moss stitch is formed by alternating knit and purl stitches on every row. It creates a firm, non-curling fabric with a pleasingly textured surface. In this pattern, the cast-on section begins with four rows of moss stitch before transitioning to stocking stitch.
• Stocking Stitch (Stockinette Stitch): The main body fabric of the cardigan is worked in stocking stitch — knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows — giving a smooth, classic surface that allows the beaded diamond motifs to stand out clearly.
• Charted Diamond Motif (Sleeve Diamond Chart): A 13-stitch, 64-row repeating chart is placed centrally on each sleeve. This chart creates a geometric diamond pattern that is enhanced by the placement of Swarovski crystal beads. The chart is worked in conjunction with the surrounding stocking stitch, with the motif carefully centred as the sleeve stitches are increased on either side.
• Beading: Beads are threaded onto the yarn before knitting begins and are incorporated into the fabric at specific chart positions. This technique — threading beads directly onto the working yarn — is a traditional method in knitting that allows beads to sit neatly on the fabric surface, catching the light beautifully.

Beading Details

The beadwork is a signature feature of the Juliette Cardigan and requires careful preparation before casting on. Beads must be threaded onto the yarn in a specific sequence prior to beginning