I’ve had a cardigan pattern from Knit Today Issue 20 — a design called Soft Stripes by Anni Howard — on my mind for quite some time. It’s a straightforward, wearable cardigan that I originally knitted in 2009 using Rowan Tapestry. That version quickly became a firm favourite in my wardrobe and I still wear it today. When Rowan Tapestry was discontinued, I put the idea of making another one on hold. But I always knew I’d come back to it eventually — the only question was which yarn to use.

‘Soft Stripes’ designed by Anni Howard, knitted in Rowan Tapestry, from ‘Knit Today’, issue 20

My ‘Soft Stripes’ cardigan knitted using Rowan Tapestry

Recently, I decided to revisit the pattern and try substituting with something new. After comparing a few options, I landed on Rowan Felted Tweed Colour — a yarn with a similar lightness and colour interest, but with a very different structure. I chose two shades: 025 Frost, a cool blend of blues and lilacs, and 029 Agate, a richer, warmer mix of berry tones. I ordered them from EnglishYarns.co.uk, who also have a physical shop called Shoreham Knitting and Needlecraft which is in Shoreham by Sea in West Sussex.

Rowan Felted Tweed Colour is a DK-weight blend of merino wool, alpaca, and viscose, with a gently felted texture and gradual colour changes. While it doesn’t have the same sheen or smoothness as Tapestry, it does offer beautiful transitions and a distinctive tweedy finish. It also has more drape and a slightly looser handle, which worked well with the simple structure of the cardigan.

The knitting itself was fairly straightforward. The pattern didn’t require much adaptation — the gauge matched up closely, and I was able to follow the original instructions with only minor tweaks – I needed to lengthen the sleeves and rework the sleeve cap, which I remembered doing the first time I knitted it. The yarn behaved well on the needles, and the resulting fabric has a soft, relaxed feel that’s ideal for layering.

‘Soft Stripes’ cardigan knitted with Rowan Felted Tweed Colour

What’s interesting is how different the finished cardigan feels compared to the original. Tapestry had more body and held its shape a little more firmly. In contrast, the Felted Tweed Colour version is lighter and has more movement — not in a bad way, just different. The drape gives it a slightly more casual, fluid look, and it sits comfortably without feeling bulky.

In terms of colour, the two shades I used blended nicely. I didn’t work any specific colourwork or striping, but simply used them in blocks, allowing the natural shifts in tone to create interest without the need for complex detail. The effect is subtle but striking.

‘Soft Stripes’ cardigan knitted with Rowan Felted Tweed Colour

Overall, Felted Tweed Colour turned out to be a very good substitute for Tapestry — not an exact match, but close enough in weight and tone to retain the spirit of the original, while bringing something new to the table. If you have patterns designed for Tapestry and have been wondering how to revive them, this could be worth a look.

If you’re thinking of revisiting an old favourite pattern, it’s well worth exploring Rowan’s current yarn range — you might just find the perfect substitute. And if you’ve already done something similar, or are planning to, I’d love to hear about it.

Click here to visit Rowan’s website to view and buy yarns, patterns and knitting and crochet tools and accessories.

Happy knitting!
Esther x