Swale in Rowan Moordale - ZB297-00002-UK - Downloadable PDF

Swale Cardigan by Martin Storey – Knitting Pattern Summary (Rowan ZB297-00002-UK)

The Swale is a beautifully crafted women's cardigan designed by Martin Storey for Rowan, released as part of the brand's ongoing commitment to classic, wearable knitwear since 1978. Published as a downloadable PDF (reference ZB297-00002-UK), this pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with shaping techniques and are ready to take on a structured garment with a polished finish.

About the Garment

The Swale cardigan is a full-sized, shaped women's cardigan worked in DK weight yarn. It is designed to fit a wide range of bust sizes, offering five size options:

• 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 measurement of the finished garment ranges from 177.5 cm to 217.5 cm (approximately 70 to 85¾ inches), indicating a generous, relaxed fit with considerable ease — a hallmark of comfortable, everyday knitwear. This makes the Swale a versatile layering piece suitable for a variety of body types and styling preferences.

Construction and Techniques

The Swale cardigan is constructed using classic flat knitting techniques, with separate pieces worked back and forth in rows before being seamed together. The pattern begins with ribbing or a border section before transitioning into the main body fabric. Key construction techniques include:

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) as the primary fabric, worked throughout the body once the initial section is complete — giving the cardigan a smooth, clean appearance on the right side
• Armhole shaping using paired increases worked at each end of the needle on specified rows, creating neat, symmetrical shaping at the underarm — specifically, increasing 1 stitch at each end on the next and following 2 alternate rows, then on the following row
• Markers placed at both ends of a designated row to denote the base of the armhole openings, a helpful technique for measuring armhole depth accurately during construction
• Shoulder shaping achieved through a series of cast-off rows, with stitches bound off at the beginning of successive rows to create a sloped, tailored shoulder line
• Careful row counting and measurement at key points — for example, the back is worked straight until it measures approximately 37.5 to 39.5 cm before armhole shaping begins, depending on the size being knitted

The armhole section is worked over 48 to 66 rows (varying by size), equating to approximately 16 to 22 cm in depth from the markers, ensuring a well-proportioned fit across all sizes. The shoulder cast-off sequence involves binding off groups of 9, 10, 11, or 12 stitches across multiple rows, a technique that creates a smooth, stepped shoulder seam ideal for neat finishing.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) – the main body fabric, created by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side
• Knit (K) rows – right-side rows forming the smooth face of the fabric
• Likely ribbing or a textured border stitch at the cast-on edges and front bands, as is standard construction for a cardigan of this type in the Rowan design tradition
• Increase stitches used during armhole shaping to expand the stitch count symmetrically
• Cast-off (bind-off) sequences for shoulder and armhole shaping

Yarn and Materials