Rennie Sweater Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rennie Sweater in Rowan Softyak DK

What is Being Made

The Rennie Sweater is a knitted pullover garment designed to fit bust measurements ranging from 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) up to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches). The finished garment features actual bust measurements from 105 cm (41¼ inches) to 185 cm (72¾ inches), offering a generous fit across nine size options. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a classic sweater construction with shaped shoulders, ribbed cuffs, and a crew neckline.

Techniques Used

The Rennie Sweater employs several fundamental knitting techniques throughout its construction. Ribbing is worked at the sleeve cuffs using a knit-one, purl-one pattern, creating an elastic edge that sits approximately 8 centimeters from the cast-on. Increases are strategically placed along the sleeves using the make-one (M1) technique to shape the sleeve cap, with increases worked in two separate rows to gradually expand the stitch count. Stockinette stitch forms the primary fabric of the garment body and sleeves, creating a smooth, classic knit appearance. Shoulder shaping is achieved through cast-off techniques at the armhole, with remaining stitches secured and shaped to create a fitted shoulder line. The pattern also incorporates stitch holder placement for the front neckline, allowing for later finishing of the neck opening.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K) – the foundational stitch used throughout the stockinette stitch fabric
• Purl stitch (P) – used in ribbing and as the reverse side of stockinette stitch
• Make-one increase (M1) – used to add stitches along the sleeves for shaping
• Stockinette stitch (st st) – the primary stitch pattern worked in rows of knit and purl
• Ribbing (K1, P1 repeat) – creates the elastic cuff at the sleeve

Materials

The Rennie Sweater is knitted using Rowan Softyak DK yarn, a double-knit weight yarn supplied in 50-gram balls. The pattern specifies 16 to 17 balls of yarn depending on the size selected. The photographed sample is worked in the Cream colorway (shade 230). Knitting requires two pairs of needles: one pair of 5mm (US size 8) needles for the ribbed cuffs and initial cast-on, and one pair of 6mm (US size 10) needles for the main body and sleeves. The pattern notes that yarn is held double throughout the project, effectively using two strands simultaneously to achieve the specified tension. A circular needle may be substituted for the straight needles when working the back piece due to the large number of stitches involved. Stitch holders are required to hold stitches temporarily during construction, particularly for the front neckline shaping.

Tension and Fit

The pattern is designed to achieve a tension of 16 stitches and 22 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over stockinette stitch using 6mm needles with yarn held double. Maintaining this tension is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements and proper garment fit across all nine size options.