Aldeburgh Jumper Knitting Pattern

Aldeburgh in Mode at Rowan Merino Soft

What is Being Made

Aldeburgh is a knitted sweater designed by Quail Studio, available in eight sizes ranging from 81-86 cm to 152-157 cm chest measurements (32-34 inches to 60-62 inches). The garment features a front opening with a 26 cm zip closure, making it a practical pullover-style sweater with contemporary styling. The actual chest measurements of the finished garment range from 108 cm (42½ inches) in the smallest size to 182.5 cm (71¾ inches) in the largest size, offering generous ease for comfortable wear.

Techniques Used

This advanced beginner knitting project employs several intermediate shaping techniques that build foundational skills. The pattern incorporates decreasing at the front opening edge to create the shaped neckline and front placket opening, using both paired decreases on alternate rows and every fourth row depending on the size being worked. Shoulder shaping is achieved through strategic cast-offs at the beginning of rows, while neck shaping requires casting off stitches and working each side of the neck separately to create a finished neckline. The pattern also includes increases (indicated by M1 and inc abbreviations) to add shaping detail. These techniques require understanding how to read multi-size patterns with bracketed sizing options and managing multiple stitch holders simultaneously.

Stitches Used

The Aldeburgh sweater uses a limited but essential stitch vocabulary appropriate for an advanced beginner. The ribbing at the lower edge is worked in 1x1 rib, created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a regular pattern. This ribbing provides elasticity and a finished edge. The main body of the sweater is worked in stockinette stitch (st st), which is created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, producing the classic smooth, V-textured fabric. The pattern notation includes K2tog (knit two together) for right-leaning decreases and M1 (make one) for increases, both fundamental techniques for shaping.

Materials and Tools

The Aldeburgh sweater is knitted using Rowan Merino Soft yarn in 50-gram balls, photographed in the Charcoal 015 colorway. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 13 balls for the smallest size to 25 balls for the largest size. The pattern calls for 5.5mm (US size 9) needles in a single pair format. The recommended tension is 15 stitches and 20 rows measured over 10 centimeters in stockinette stitch using the specified needle size—achieving correct tension is critical for proper fit across all eight sizes. Additional notions required include stitch holders for managing live stitches during neck and shoulder shaping, stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping points, and a 26 cm zip for the front opening closure.