Fenced In Sweater Jumper Knitting Pattern

Fenced In Sweater by Brandon Mably in Rowan Softyak DK

What Is Being Made

The Fenced In Sweater is an intermediate-level knitted pullover garment designed to fit bust measurements ranging from 71–76 cm (28–30 inches) through 152–157 cm (60–62 inches), offering nine size options for a wide range of body types. This pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and uses the Rowan Softyak DK yarn in a two-color colorwork design.

Techniques Used

This sweater employs several key knitting techniques suited to intermediate crafters. The construction begins with garter stitch edging worked flat on straight needles before transitioning to stockinette stitch and charted colorwork patterns. The design incorporates shaping throughout, including strategic decreases at the neck edge worked over multiple alternating rows to create a fitted neckline. The pattern requires working each side of the neck separately to achieve proper fit and symmetry. Circular needles are used for the sweater version to manage stitches across the body, and the piece is constructed with careful attention to row counts and stitch alignment with the chart pattern.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Garter Stitch (g st): Used for the initial 1.5 cm edge, creating a textured, reversible border
• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary base stitch for the body and sleeves
• Chart Pattern: A multi-row colorwork design worked from a left front chart, creating the distinctive "fenced in" visual motif
• Decreases: Single stitch decreases at the neck edge, worked on alternating rows to shape the neckline gradually
• Cast-off edges: Strategic casting off of stitches at the beginning of rows to shape the shoulder and neck areas

Materials

Yarn: Rowan Softyak DK (50 gm balls) in two colors—Color A (Black, shade 250) and Color B (Tuscan Red, shade 253). Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 4 to 8 balls of each color depending on the finished bust measurement.

Needles: The pattern requires one pair of 3¼mm (US 3) needles and one pair of 4mm (US 6) needles for working the sweater flat. For the sweater version only, a 3¼mm (US 3) circular needle no longer than 40–50 cm is also needed for certain sections.

Additional Notions: Five faux leather shank buttons, each 1.6 cm in size, are specified for the jacket version of this pattern.

Tension and Fit

The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over stockinette stitch and charted pattern using 4mm needles. Achieving correct tension is essential for proper fit across the nine available sizes. The actual bust measurement of the finished garment ranges from 100 cm (39½ inches) in the smallest size to 180 cm (71 inches) in the largest size.