Aspen Jumper Knitting Pattern

Aspen Jumper in Rowan Alpaca Soft DK

What is Being Made

The Aspen Jumper is a striped knitted sweater designed to fit bust measurements ranging from 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) up to 142-147 cm (56-58 inches), with nine size options available. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a classic pullover garment with a crew neckline and set-in sleeves.

Knitting Techniques

This pattern employs several essential knitting techniques suitable for intermediate crafters. The garment is constructed using stockinette stitch as the primary fabric, which creates a smooth, classic appearance. The design incorporates stripe patterning worked throughout the body and sleeves, alternating between two colors in a repeating 12-row sequence. Neck shaping is achieved through strategic decreases at the front neckline, with decreases worked over multiple rows and alternating rows to create a gradual, fitted curve. Shoulder shaping uses cast-off techniques at regular intervals to form the armhole and shoulder seams. The pattern also includes set-in sleeve construction, a fundamental technique for creating fitted garments with proper sleeve cap shaping.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary stitch throughout the garment, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing the classic smooth fabric surface
• Knit Stitch (K): Used for right-side rows and shaping decreases
• Decreases: Single stitch decreases worked at neck edges to shape the front neckline gradually
• Cast Off: Used to secure stitches at shoulder seams and garment edges
• Slip Stitch (sl): Used to transfer stitches to holders for the neckband and front neck shaping

Stripe Sequence

The pattern features a repeating 12-row stripe sequence: Rows 1-4 are worked using color A (Simply Black), followed by Rows 5-12 using color B (Simply White). This sequence repeats throughout the body and sleeves, creating a regular, balanced striped effect.

Materials and Gauge

The Aspen Jumper is knitted using Rowan Alpaca Soft DK yarn, a double knitting weight yarn supplied in 50-gram balls. The colorway options are Simply Black (color A) and Simply White (color B), with yardage requirements varying by size from 5-6 balls of each color depending on the finished bust measurement. The pattern is worked on 4mm (US 6) needles, with a recommended tension of 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch. An optional 4mm circular needle at least 80 centimeters long may be used for working the neckband.

Construction Details

The garment is constructed in separate pieces: a back, front, and two sleeves, which are then seamed together. The back is worked straight to the shoulder shaping, while the front includes neck shaping that begins 24 to 32 rows (depending on size) before the shoulder shaping commences. The neckband is worked on held stitches after the main body is complete, creating a finished edge. The pattern provides detailed row-by-row instructions for shaping the armholes, neck curve, and shoulders, with specific stitch counts for each of the nine sizes to ensure proper fit across the full range of measurements.