There’s something special about knitting a garment that feels as good to wear as it does to make. Using Rowan’s Cotton Cashmere yarn for this short-sleeved top was a pleasure, resulting in a piece that is both comfortable and elegant. The blend of 85% cotton and 15% cashmere offers a soft touch and excellent stitch definition, making it an ideal choice for spring and autumn projects with bobbles and cables.

For this project, I chose Rowan’s Cotton Cashmere in the shade Paper 210, a soft, neutral hue that is almost white. The yarn’s composition ensures a breathable fabric, perfect for spring and autumn. After completing the first top, I was so pleased with the outcome that I decided to knit another in the shade Cinnabar 215, a bright mid-pink shade that adds a pop of colour to my wardrobe. I bought the yarn 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 Cotton Cashmere shades

I purchased the Cinnabar pink yarn at the wonderful Shoreham Knitting & Needlecraft shop in Shoreham-by-Sea, England, which also has an excellent online store at English Yarns.

I used the “Bobbles and Cables Top” pattern by Simona Merchant-Dest, which was originally designed for Cascade Lana D’Oro yarn. I adapted it slightly to work with Rowan’s Cotton Cashmere, and the result was fantastic. The pattern features a beautiful mix of bobbles and cables, giving the fabric a rich texture while remaining lightweight and breathable.

One of the reasons I love this pattern is that it is worked from the top down. This method is seamless and allows for easy try-ons as you go, ensuring a perfect fit not only width-wise but also in sleeve and body length. Being able to adjust the length as I knitted meant I could create a garment tailored precisely to my preference.

Before starting, I knitted a gauge swatch using 4mm needles to ensure the correct tension. Achieving the recommended gauge of 20 stitches and 27 rows per 10cm square is crucial for a well-fitting garment.

This top is worked top down, beginning at the neckline. It is worked in rows to the beginning of the front neck, then stitches are cast on for the front neck, and the work is joined and worked in the round to the underarms, incorporating the bobbles and cables for a decorative touch.

At the underarms, the sleeves are separated from the body and placed on waste yarn (or a stitch holder); the front and back are joined to work in the round to the hem. The sleeves are finished by working in the round.

After separating the sleeve stitches onto holders, I continued knitting the body until reaching my desired length. The sleeves were then picked up and knitted downwards, allowing me to tailor their length exactly as I liked. This flexibility is one of the reasons I love top-down knitting so much!

After completing the knitting, I gently washed the top as it had been handled frequently during the process. The care instructions recommend washing by hand, which I followed. I always wash my hand-knitted jumpers by hand and let them dry naturally.

I loved the result so much that I knitted it twice – not just because of the beautiful Rowan Cotton Cashmere yarn, but also due to the well-designed pattern. The combination of the yarn’s luxurious feel and the pattern’s elegant design resulted in a top that can be dressed up or down. The success of the first top in Paper 210 inspired me to create a second in Cinnabar 215, and I’m thrilled with both versions – maybe I’ll knit a third one in blue! I highly recommend this Rowan Cotton Cashmere yarn to fellow knitters as it is just so gorgeous!

Happy knitting!
Esther x