Laurel Sweater Jumper Knitting Pattern

Laurel Sweater in Rowan Kid Classic

What is Being Made

The Laurel Sweater is an intermediate-level knitted pullover designed by Marie Wallin. This garment is available in five sizes ranging from Small (to fit bust 81-86 cm / 32-34 in) through to XXL (to fit bust 122-127 cm / 48-50 in). The sweater features a classic construction with a patterned body, set-in armholes, and shaped shoulders, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Laurel Sweater employs several intermediate knitting techniques that add visual interest and texture to the finished garment. The pattern incorporates cable work, which is a hallmark technique for creating raised, twisted stitches that run vertically through the fabric. This requires the use of a cable needle to temporarily hold stitches while working others, creating the characteristic braided or twisted appearance.

The sweater also uses armhole shaping and shoulder shaping, which are essential techniques for creating a well-fitted garment. The pattern includes cast-off decreases at the beginning of rows to form the armhole depth and shoulder angles. Additionally, neck opening construction is featured, with the front piece divided to create an opening that is worked separately on each side, allowing for proper neckline shaping and finishing.

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

The pattern uses specialized cable stitches defined by the following abbreviations:

• C7F (Cable 7 Front): Slip 4 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the front of the work, knit 3 stitches, slip the center of the next 7 stitches back onto the left needle and knit this stitch, then knit 3 stitches from the cable needle
• Cr4L (Cross 4 Left): Slip 3 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the front of the work, purl 1 stitch, then knit 3 stitches from the cable needle
• Cr4R (Cross 4 Right): Slip 1 stitch onto a cable needle and hold at the back of the work, knit 3 stitches, then purl 1 stitch from the cable needle
• Cr5L (Cross 5 Left): Slip 3 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the front of the work, continuing with pattern as specified

The pattern is worked primarily in stockinette stitch with cable and crossed stitch elements integrated throughout. The tension is set at 24 stitches and 27 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over the pattern using the specified needles, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.

Materials and Equipment

The Laurel Sweater is knitted using Rowan Kid Classic yarn, a soft and luxurious fiber choice. The yarn requirements vary by size, ranging from 11 balls (for size Small) to 16 balls (for size XXL), with each ball weighing 50 grams. The sweater is photographed in the colorway Mellow 877, though Bronze 912 is suggested as an alternative shade.

The knitting is worked on 4.5mm (US 7) needles, which are paired needles used for flat knitting in the round or back-and-forth construction. A cable needle is also required for managing the cable stitches throughout the pattern. These tools work together with the yarn to create the finished sweater with proper stitch definition and fabric characteristics.