Patio Sweater Jumper Knitting Pattern

Patio Sweater in Rowan Softyak DK

What is Being Made

The Patio Sweater is an intermediate-level knitted garment designed by Brandon Mably. This pattern offers versatility, providing instructions for both a pullover sweater version and a jacket version with button closures. The design is tailored to fit bust measurements ranging from 71–76 cm (28–30 inches) through 152–157 cm (60–62 inches), accommodating nine different size options for a wide range of body types.

Techniques Used

This project employs several essential knitting techniques suitable for intermediate crafters. The pattern incorporates charted colorwork, requiring the knitter to follow a detailed left front chart and work in pattern across multiple rows. Shaping techniques are used throughout, including cast-off decreases at the neck edge and single-stitch decreases worked at regular intervals to create proper garment fit. The pattern also requires working pieces separately, with instructions to work each side of the neck independently before joining, and specific guidance for shaping the left front with neck edge shaping. For the jacket version, button band construction is incorporated, with placement for five faux leather shank buttons.

Stitches Used

The Patio Sweater utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with charted pattern work. Garter stitch is used for the initial ribbing section at the garment edge, worked over 1.5 centimeters. Stockinette stitch forms the base fabric, as indicated by the tension measurement of 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 centimeters over stockinette and chart pattern. The primary visual interest comes from charted colorwork pattern, which is worked across the left front and other sections, creating a multi-color design element that defines the sweater's aesthetic.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

This pattern is designed specifically for Rowan Softyak DK, a double-knit weight yarn. The colorway combination features two colors: Albany (color 255) and Seagrass (color 249), with yardage requirements varying by size from 4 to 8 balls of 50-gram skeins for each color depending on the finished garment size.

The pattern calls for two pairs of needles in different sizes to accommodate the fabric requirements. 3¼mm (US 3) needles are used for the initial ribbing and edge stitches, while 4mm (US 6) needles are used for the main body fabric worked in stockinette and charted pattern. For the sweater version only, a 3¼mm (US 3) circular needle no longer than 40–50 centimeters is required for working the neckline. The pattern also specifies five faux leather shank buttons measuring 1.6 centimeters for the jacket version.

Construction Details

The sweater is constructed using a multi-piece method. Pieces are worked flat on straight needles before assembly. The pattern provides detailed row counts for each size, with the main body sections extending to row 152–182 depending on the size selected. Neck shaping involves casting off stitches at the beginning of rows and then decreasing single stitches at the neck edge over multiple alternating rows to create a smooth, fitted neckline. The pattern accommodates both sweater and jacket versions, with the jacket version including button band construction on the left front.