Pedham Jumper Knitting Pattern

Pedham Sweater by Quail Studio

What is Being Made

The Pedham is a classic knitted sweater designed by Quail Studio and published by Rowan. This garment is a pullover-style jumper available in nine size options, ranging from 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) chest to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches) chest. The actual finished chest measurements span from 90 cm (35½ inches) to 170 cm (67 inches), offering a comfortable fit across a wide range of body sizes. The sweater features a traditional construction with a shaped back, front, and sleeves, along with shaping at the shoulders and neckline for a tailored fit.

Knitting Techniques Used

This beginner-friendly knitting pattern employs fundamental sweater construction techniques suitable for knitters developing their skills. The garment is worked primarily in stockinette stitch, the most common knit fabric base, which creates a smooth, classic appearance. The pattern incorporates shoulder shaping achieved through strategic cast-offs on alternate rows, allowing the armhole to fit properly around the shoulder area. Neck shaping is accomplished through decreases at the neck edge worked over multiple rows, creating a comfortable neckline opening. The neckband is worked on a circular needle in the round, a technique that eliminates seams in this finishing area and provides a neat, professional edge.

The construction method involves working the back and front pieces separately in flat rows before joining sections together. Stitch holders are used to temporarily hold stitches for the neckline and other areas during construction, allowing the knitter to work sections in the correct sequence. The pattern uses right-side and wrong-side row designations to guide shaping placement, ensuring symmetrical construction. Increases and decreases are strategically placed to create the garment's silhouette.

Stitches and Abbreviations

The Pedham pattern uses the following stitches and abbreviations:

• St st (Stockinette Stitch) – The primary stitch throughout the garment, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side
• K (Knit) – The fundamental knit stitch
• Pfb (Purl into front and back) – A special abbreviation used in this pattern for creating increases through the purl stitch
• Cast off – The bind-off technique used to secure stitches at shoulders and other edges
• Dec (Decrease) – Reduction of stitch count, used at the neck edge for shaping

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Pedham is designed to be knitted with Rowan Merino Soft yarn, a premium wool blend available in 50-gram balls. The pattern was photographed in the colorway Sage 019. Yarn quantities vary by size, ranging from 9 balls for the smallest size (71-76 cm chest) to 17 balls for the largest size (152-157 cm chest).

The pattern requires two pairs of straight needles in different sizes plus one circular needle. Specifically, knitters will need:

• 5mm (UK size 6 / US size 8) straight needles – Used for initial cast-on and ribbing sections
• 5.5mm (UK size 5 / US size 9) straight needles – The primary needles for working the main body in stockinette stitch
• 5mm (UK size 6 / US size 8) circular needle, 40 cm length – Used for working the neckband in the round

Additional notions required include stitch holders for temporarily securing stitches during construction and stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points.

Tension and Fit

The pattern specifies a tension of 14 stitches and 18 rows to 10 centimeters, measured over stockinette stitch using the 5.5mm (US 9) needles. Achieving the correct tension is essential for the sweater to fit properly at the intended chest measurements. The back piece is worked until it measures between 63 and 77 centimeters in length depending on size, with shoulder shaping beginning after this measurement is reached.