Rowan Bounty Slipover Knitting Pattern

Rowan Bounty Slipovers by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Bounty is a collection of knitted slipovers designed as versatile layering pieces. This downloadable PDF pattern from Rowan features the Clipper slipover design by renowned knitwear designer Martin Storey. Slipovers are sleeveless garments that pull over the head, making them ideal for wearing over shirts or as standalone pieces in warmer months. The pattern is available in nine sizes, ranging from 71-76 cm to 152-157 cm bust measurements, accommodating a wide range of body types from children through to larger adult sizes.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques that build foundational skills while creating a polished finished garment. The construction begins with casting on stitches for the back piece, followed by working in a repeating stitch pattern throughout the body. Armhole shaping is achieved through strategic cast-offs at the beginning of rows, gradually reducing stitch count to create fitted arm openings. Shoulder shaping uses a stepped cast-off method, where groups of stitches are bound off in decreasing quantities across multiple rows to create a sloped shoulder line that provides proper garment fit. Back neck shaping is incorporated to ensure comfortable neckline depth. The pattern requires working straight sections between shaping rows, maintaining stitch pattern consistency throughout all shaping sequences.

Stitches Used

The Clipper slipover features a repeating 18-row pattern stitch that forms the primary texture and visual interest of the garment. This pattern is worked consistently across the front and back pieces, with the pattern maintained even during armhole and shoulder shaping sequences. The 18-row repeat creates a rhythmic, textured fabric that is characteristic of intermediate knitting projects. The pattern combines knit and purl stitches in a structured repeat, though the specific stitch combination follows the detailed row-by-row instructions provided in the full PDF pattern.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Rowan Bounty Clipper slipover is worked in Rowan Brushed Fleece, a 50-gram ball yarn available in multiple colorways including Rock 273 and Coraline 284 as shown in the pattern photography. Yarn requirements range from 5 balls for the smallest sizes up to 7 balls for the largest sizes, depending on the finished garment dimensions. The project requires two pairs of needles: 5mm (US 8) needles and 6mm (US 10) needles. The 5mm needles are used for the initial cast-on, while the 6mm needles are used for the main body knitting. The pattern specifies a tension of 14 stitches and 22 rows over 10 cm (4 inches) when working pattern stitch on 6mm needles, which is essential to achieve the correct finished garment measurements. Additional notions required include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and stitch holders for securing stitches during construction.