Shanti Cardigan in Rowan Kidsilk Haze - Downloadable PDF

Shanti Cardigan by Sarah Hatton in Rowan Kidsilk Haze – Pattern Summary

The Shanti Cardigan is a beautifully delicate knitted cardigan designed by Sarah Hatton and published by Rowan. This downloadable PDF pattern is available as a free download and is rated as an intermediate skill level project, making it a rewarding challenge for knitters who are comfortable with shaping and working with fine-weight yarn. The design sits within the cardigan and bolero category, offering a lightweight, elegant layering piece that is well-suited to warmer seasons or as a refined cover-up year-round.

What Is Being Made

The Shanti is a classic fitted cardigan worked in a lace-weight yarn, giving it an airy, gossamer quality. The pattern is sized to fit a wide range of bust measurements, from 81 cm (32 in) up to 117 cm (46 in), with actual garment bust measurements ranging from approximately 98 cm (39 in) to 136 cm (54 in), providing a gentle ease across all sizes. The garment features a structured back with back neck shaping, left and right fronts worked separately, and set-in or shaped armhole construction typical of a tailored cardigan silhouette.

Construction and Techniques

The Shanti Cardigan is knitted flat in separate pieces and seamed together, a traditional construction method that gives the finished garment excellent structure and drape. Key construction techniques used throughout the pattern include:

• Back neck shaping: Stitches are cast off in stages at the back neck, with each side of the neck worked separately to create a neat, professional finish. Centre back neck stitches are placed on a holder and cast off, with remaining shoulder stitches cast off in sequence.
• Shoulder shaping: Stepped cast-offs are used at the shoulder edges to create a smooth, angled shoulder line that sits well when seamed.
• Left and right fronts worked separately: Each front is cast on individually and shaped to mirror the other, with neck and armhole shaping worked in reverse on each piece.
• Stitch holders: Live stitches are placed on holders during neck shaping, a technique that allows for neat finishing and the option to pick up stitches for neckbands or edgings later.
• Seaming: As a pieced garment, the Shanti requires joining of front, back, and sleeve sections, which is typically done using mattress stitch or a preferred seaming method for an invisible finish.

Stitches Used

The pattern is worked primarily in knit and purl stitches, forming the foundation of the fabric. The construction references include:

• Stocking stitch (stockinette): The main body fabric is worked in knit on right-side rows, creating a smooth, classic surface that allows the halo of Kidsilk Haze to bloom beautifully.
• Cast-on and cast-off techniques: Standard cast-on methods are used to begin each piece, with cast-offs worked at shoulders, neck, and armholes as part of the shaping process.
• Turning rows: Short-row or turn-based techniques are referenced in the back neck shaping, requiring knitters to work partial rows and manage live stitches on holders.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

The Shanti Cardigan is designed specifically for Rowan Kidsilk Haze, a legendary lace-weight yarn in the Rowan range. Kidsilk Haze is a luxurious blend of kid mohair and silk, known for its extraordinary softness, incredible halo, and lightweight warmth. It knits up into a fabric with a cloud-like, ethereal quality that is particularly well-suited to delicate cardigans and layering pieces.

• Yarn: Rowan Kidsilk Haze (lace weight / 70% super kid mohair, 30% silk), sold in 25 g balls
• Yarn quantity: 4 balls for sizes 81–107 cm bust; 5 balls for the two largest sizes (112–117 cm bust)