Orchid Jumper Knitting Pattern

Orchid Knit Sweater by Kim Hargreaves

What is Being Made

The Orchid is a knitted sweater designed by Kim Hargreaves and published by Rowan. This garment is a classic pullover-style jumper available in ten size options, ranging from 71–76 cm to 152–157 cm bust measurements. The sweater features a shaped front neckline and tailored back neck shaping, making it a structured, fitted garment suitable for everyday wear.

Craft and Technique

This is a knitting project classified as beginner level, making it an excellent choice for knitters developing their foundational skills. The construction method involves knitting flat pieces (front and back panels) that are later seamed together. The pattern demonstrates fundamental shaping techniques including neck decreases, armhole shaping, and shoulder bind-offs, all of which are essential skills in garment construction.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns Used

The Orchid is worked primarily in stockinette stitch (st st), the most fundamental knit stitch pattern. Stockinette stitch creates a smooth, classic fabric with a recognizable V-pattern texture on the right side. The pattern incorporates several shaping decreases:

• K2tog (knit two together): a right-leaning decrease used for armhole and neck shaping
• K2tog tbl (knit two together through the back loop): a left-leaning decrease that creates balanced, symmetrical shaping on either side of the garment

These decreases are worked at regular intervals—some on consecutive rows and others spaced across alternate rows and fourth rows—to create the garment's fitted silhouette and neckline definition.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Orchid is designed to be knitted using Rowan Cotton Glace, a lightweight yarn sold in 50-gram balls. Yarn quantities vary by size, ranging from 9 balls for the smallest size to 13 balls for the largest size. Cotton Glace is a smooth, mercerized cotton yarn that produces a refined, breathable fabric ideal for warm-weather garments.

Two needle sizes are required:

• 2.75mm (US 2) needles: used for the initial cast-on and lower ribbing or edge work
• 3.25mm (US 3) needles: the main needle size for working the body in stockinette stitch

The pattern specifies a tension of 23 stitches and 32 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using the 3.25mm needles. Achieving correct tension is critical for obtaining the intended finished measurements.

Additional Materials

The pattern requires stitch holders to temporarily secure stitches during neck and armhole shaping, allowing the knitter to work each side of the neckline separately before binding off.

Construction Details

The front and back are worked as separate pieces. The front features a shaped V-neckline created by casting off a central group of stitches and then decreasing one stitch at each neck edge over four consecutive rows, followed by additional decreases spaced across subsequent rows. The back neck shaping is worked similarly, with decreases positioned to create a finished neckline. Both front and back include armhole shaping accomplished through casting off stitches at the side edges and working decreases to taper the armhole opening.