Piper Sweater Jumper Knitting Pattern

Piper Sweater in Rowan Kidsilk Haze

What is Being Made

The Piper Sweater is a knitted pullover garment designed to fit bust measurements ranging from 71–76 cm (28–30 inches) through to 152–157 cm (60–62 inches), making it available in nine different sizes. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a finished sweater with an actual bust measurement range of 137.5–221 cm (54¼–87 inches), offering generous fit options for various body sizes.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Piper Sweater employs several key knitting techniques throughout its construction. The garment features stocking stitch as the primary fabric base, which creates a smooth, classic appearance. Ribbed edging is incorporated at the cuffs and hem for elasticity and structure. The pattern includes shaping techniques such as decreasing at the front neckline over multiple rows to create a flattering neck opening, with decreases worked at the neck edge on consecutive rows followed by decreases on alternating rows and then on every fourth row for gradual shaping. Shoulder shaping is achieved through cast-off rows, with the shoulder cast-off positioned 10 rows higher than the back neck shaping to create proper garment proportions. The sleeves are set-in style, requiring careful joining to the body. Additionally, the pattern includes a mobile bobble stitch (abbreviated as MB), which involves creating a decorative bobble by knitting multiple stitches into one stitch, turning the work, purling, turning again, and then decreasing the stitches back down—this technique adds textural interest to the design.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the Piper Sweater is stocking stitch (stockinette stitch), which alternates knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side to create the characteristic smooth fabric. Ribbing is used for the neckband and cuff areas, combining knit and purl stitches in alternating columns to provide stretch and recovery. The pattern also features the mobile bobble stitch (MB), a special abbreviation defined in the pattern as: knit one, yarn forward, knit one, yarn forward, knit one all into the next stitch, then turn and purl five, turn and knit five twice, turn and purl two together, purl one, purl two together, turn and slip one, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over. This creates a three-dimensional bobble detail that adds visual texture and dimension to the sweater.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Piper Sweater is designed to be knitted with Rowan Kidsilk Haze, a luxurious yarn sold in 25-gram balls. The pattern is photographed in the colorway combination of Lustre 686 and Cream 634, showcasing how these two shades can be worked together. Kidsilk Haze is known for its soft, delicate qualities, making this an elegant choice for a refined sweater.

Two needle sizes are required for this project. 3mm (US 2/3) needles are used for the ribbed sections at the cuffs and neckband, where the smaller size helps create tight, elastic ribbing. 3½mm (US 4) needles are used for the main body and sleeves worked in stocking stitch. The pattern specifies a tension of 26 stitches and 34 rows to 10 centimeters (4 inches) measured over stocking stitch using the 3½mm needles, which is essential for achieving the correct finished garment measurements. The pattern notes that cast-on and cast-off edges should be worked very loosely to prevent tight edges that could distort the garment's drape and fit.