Prairie Jumper Knitting Pattern

Prairie Sweater in MODE at Rowan Alpaca Cotton

Garment Overview

Prairie is a knitted sweater designed by Quail Studio, available in six sizes from XS to XXL to fit chest measurements ranging from 71–76cm (28–30in) up to 122–127cm (48–50in). This advanced beginner knitting project creates a fitted pullover with shaped sleeve extensions and a classic ribbed lower body, photographed in the Foilage Green colorway.

What Is Being Made

The Prairie sweater is a pullover-style garment constructed with a fitted body and extended sleeve shaping. The design features a structured silhouette with actual chest measurements ranging from 108cm (42½in) at the smallest size to 136cm (53¼in) at the largest. The sweater combines ribbed and stockinette stitch sections to create definition and drape.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques suitable for advanced beginners. The construction includes:

• Decreasing – The pattern uses slip stitch, knit, pass slipped stitch over (Sl 1, K1, psso) for shaped decreases along the front piece
• Casting on and off – Multiple cast-on and cast-off sequences are used to shape the neckline and armholes with precision
• Increasing – Evenly spaced increases are worked along rows to adjust stitch counts between pattern sections
• Sleeve extension shaping – The pattern incorporates progressive increases at the beginning of rows to create extended sleeve caps, adding 2 stitches over 4 rows followed by 3-stitch increases
• Seaming and finishing – The garment requires joining multiple pieces and securing yarn ends

Stitches Used

The Prairie sweater utilizes two primary stitch patterns:

• Ribbed stitch – A K3, P2 rib pattern (knit 3, purl 2) worked over the lower body sections, creating vertical lines and elasticity. The rib is worked for 4cm from the cast-on edge and uses a tension of 25 stitches and 29 rows to 10cm
• Stockinette stitch – Smooth stocking stitch (alternating knit and purl rows) forms the main body of the sweater above the ribbed sections. Stockinette is measured at 19 stitches and 26 rows to 10cm

Materials and Specifications

The Prairie pattern is designed for MODE at Rowan Alpaca Cotton yarn, a blend fiber that creates a soft, breathable fabric. Yarn quantities range from 15 balls (25gm each) for the smallest size to 20 balls for the largest size. The yarn is held double throughout the entire project, effectively creating a thicker working yarn from the standard weight.

Needles: One pair of 4.5mm (US size 7) needles is required for all sizes. The double-strand yarn technique means the effective needle gauge accommodates the doubled yarn thickness.

Additional supplies: Stitch markers and stitch holders are essential notions for managing active stitches during the shaping sequences and for holding stitches while working different sections.

Pattern Structure and Sizing

The pattern provides six distinct size options with graded measurements. The front piece begins with 102–127 cast-on stitches depending on size, with the ribbed section establishing the lower edge. After the rib section, the pattern transitions to stockinette stitch and works straight until the front measures 33cm. Sleeve extension shaping then begins with progressive increases creating extended cap sleeves. The neckline shaping involves multiple cast-off sequences at strategic points to create the neck opening.

This downloadable PDF pattern from MODE at Rowan provides a complete digital resource for knitters seeking an intermediate project with classic construction and modern fit.