Jessica Sweater Jumper Knitting Pattern

Jessica Sweater in Rowan Big Wool

What is Being Made

The Jessica Sweater is a classic knitted pullover designed by Quail Studio for Rowan Yarns. This garment is a beginner-friendly sweater available in six different sizes, with bust measurements ranging from 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) up to 122-127 cm (48-50 inches). The finished sweater features a relaxed fit with an actual bust measurement of the garment ranging from 96 cm to 148 cm depending on the size selected.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Jessica Sweater employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners. The construction begins with garter stitch for the initial 6 rows on both the front and back pieces, creating a textured edge. The majority of the garment is worked in stockinette stitch throughout, which creates a smooth, classic fabric. The pattern includes shaping techniques such as casting off stitches to create armholes, decreasing stitches at the neck edge for neckline shaping, and alternating decreases at armhole edges. The sweater is constructed in separate pieces—front and back—which are later joined together. The front features a divided neckline with stitches held on a stitch holder while each side of the neck is worked separately, allowing for symmetric shaping on both shoulders.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch (g st): Used for the first 6 rows of both front and back pieces to create a textured, stable edge
• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary stitch throughout the body of the sweater, creating the classic smooth fabric
• Knit 2 Together (K2tog): Used for decreasing stitches, particularly at the neckline and armhole shaping
• Cast Off: Used to bind off stitches at the armhole openings and to finish the garment
• Cast On: Used to establish the initial stitches for both front and back pieces

Materials Required

The Jessica Sweater is designed to be knitted using Rowan Big Wool yarn, a bulky weight yarn. The pattern requires 8 to 11 balls of 100-gram skeins, depending on the size being made (ranging from 8 balls for the smallest size to 11 balls for the largest size). The yarn shown in the pattern photograph is in the colorway Prize 064.

Two pairs of needles are required for this project: 9mm (US 13) needles and 10mm (US 15) needles. The 10mm needles are used for the main body of the sweater, while the 9mm needles are kept on hand for ribbing or other sections that may require a tighter gauge.

Gauge and Tension

The pattern specifies a tension of 10 stitches and 10 rows to 10 centimeters, measured over stockinette stitch using 10mm (US 15) needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential for the garment to fit properly and match the intended finished measurements.

Pattern Structure

The sweater is worked in two main pieces: the back and the front. The back piece is cast on and worked straight until the armhole shaping begins. The front piece follows a similar construction but includes additional shaping for the neckline. Both pieces begin with 6 rows of garter stitch before transitioning to stockinette stitch. Markers are placed at specific points to denote important shaping locations, such as the top of side seam openings. The pattern provides detailed row-by-row instructions for armhole and neckline shaping, with different stitch counts provided for each of the six size options.