The Cardigan Rocinante is worked top-down in stockinette stitch.
The knit-in borders are worked in twisted knit one purl one ribbing.
The armhole lines are defined by purl stitches.

The cardigan is worked starting from the Back. The Back shoulder slopes and neckline are shaped simultaneously using short rows – first on the right side, then on the left side. Next, the upper part of the Back is worked in back-and-forth rows. The upper armhole curve is shaped by decreasing stitches. Once the upper Back is complete, the stitches remain on the needle, and the work continues with the Front pieces.

The Right Front is worked first, followed by the Left Front. Stitches for the Front pieces are picked up along the Back shoulders. The shoulder slopes are shaped using short rows. The upper armhole curve is shaped by decreasing stitches, and the initial shaping of the Front crewneck begins with increases.

After completing the upper sections, the Back, Right Front, and Left Front are joined into one piece. Stitches for the Sleeve Caps are picked up along the armholes, and the missing stitches of the Front crewneck and knit-in borders are cast on using the working yarn. On the first wrong-side row, the upper part of the Sleeve Caps is shaped using short rows.

The one-piece section is then worked in back-and-forth rows until the Body and Sleeves are separated. At this stage:

• the Sleeve Caps are shaped by increasing stitches;
• the Front crewneck shaping is completed using short rows;
• the knit-in borders are worked in twisted knit 1, purl 1 ribbing;
• the armholes are shaped by decreasing stitches at the upper curve and increasing stitches at the lower curve;
• the bust darts from the armhole are shaped using short rows.

Once the armhole level is reached, the Body and Sleeves are separated. The Back and Front pieces are then worked together as one piece in back-and-forth rows. Horizontal bust darts on the Front are worked at chest level using short rows. The Body is completed with the bottom band, worked in twisted knit 1, purl 1 ribbing.
The Sleeves are then worked in the round from the underarm to the cuff. The cuffs are worked in twisted ribbing.
Finally, the neckband is worked. Stitches are picked up around the neckline, and the neckband is worked in twisted knit 1, purl 1 ribbing.

The main file and the attached materials (PDF files for each size and video tutorials) describe the process of knitting all parts of the garment, provide fitting guidance, and include recommendations for adjusting the charts.
The pattern is of intermediate difficulty. The necessary skills for knitting this design are:

• reading knitting charts (all charts are accompanied by written instructions; the video demonstrates how to work the upper parts of the Back and Front pieces, join them into one-piece, and work the neckband),
• knitting the stockinette stitch evenly, without gauge fluctuations, regardless of knitting method (flat, in the round, or using the magic loop technique),
• working increases and decreases with different slants,
• working “wrap & turn” short rows,
• working twisted ribbing and double ribbing,
• picking up stitches along the edge,
• working a tubular bind-off. All necessary techniques are described in detail in each size file and demonstrated in the video tutorials.