Parched Jumper Knitting Pattern

Parched Knit Sweater by Kim Hargreaves

What is Being Made

Parched is an intermediate-level knit sweater designed by Kim Hargreaves for Rowan. This garment features a button-front opening and raglan armhole shaping, creating a classic pullover silhouette with structured tailoring. The sweater is available in nine sizes ranging from 71-76 cm to 152-157 cm bust measurements (28-30 inches to 60-62 inches), making it suitable for a wide range of body types.

Knitting Techniques

The Parched sweater employs several intermediate knitting techniques that create visual interest and structural integrity:

• Raglan armhole shaping: The garment uses progressive decreases to create sloped armholes that extend from the underarm to the neckline, a hallmark of raglan construction that provides comfortable sleeve cap ease and a flattering fit.
• Front opening with button bands: The front is divided and worked separately, allowing for a center front opening that is finished with button bands. Nine buttons are used to fasten the garment.
• Neck shaping: Decreases are worked at the front neck edge to create a shaped neckline that sits properly against the body.
• Stocking stitch foundation: The primary fabric is worked in stocking stitch (stockinette stitch), creating a smooth, classic knit surface.
• Make two increases: The pattern includes M2 (make two) increases, which are created by picking up the horizontal loop lying between stitches and knitting into the front and back of this loop to add stitches without visible holes.

Stitches Used

The Parched sweater utilizes fundamental knitting stitches executed with precision:

• Knit stitch (K): The primary stitch forming the smooth stocking stitch fabric throughout the garment.
• Purl stitch (P): Used to create the reverse side of stocking stitch and any textured elements.
• Knit two together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease used for raglan shaping and front neck shaping.
• Knit two together through back loop (K2tog tbl): A left-leaning decrease that creates a mirror-image decrease for balanced shaping at front edges.
• Knit three together (K3tog): A double decrease used for more pronounced shaping, particularly in the raglan armhole and front neck areas.
• Cast off: Used to bind off stitches at the armhole and to finish edges.
• Make two (M2): An increase technique that adds stitches by working into a horizontal loop between stitches.

Materials and Tools

The Parched sweater is designed to be worked in Rowan Cotton Glace, a lightweight cotton yarn supplied in 50-gram balls. The yarn weight and fiber content create a crisp, breathable fabric ideal for warm-weather wear. The pattern is photographed in the colorway Bleached 726.

Two pairs of needles are required for this project. The ribbed edges and fitted sections are worked on 2.75mm (US 2) needles, while the main body fabric is worked on 3.25mm (US 3) needles. This needle size difference creates a subtle tension change that helps edges sit neatly without curling.

Additional notions include stitch holders for holding stitches during construction and nine buttons for the front opening closure.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked to a tension of 23 stitches and 32 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stocking stitch using 3.25mm needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit, as the sweater is sized to specific bust measurements ranging from 103.5 cm to 185 cm (40¾ inches to 72¾ inches) actual garment width.