Rowan Scallop Sweater Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Scallop Sweater by Lisa Richardson

What is Being Made

The Rowan Scallop Sweater is a knitted pullover sweater designed by Lisa Richardson. This garment is worked in a bottom-up construction method, meaning the knitter begins at the lower edge and works upward toward the shoulders and neckline. The sweater features a classic fitted silhouette with actual bust measurements ranging from 153.5 cm (60½ inches) to 191 cm (75¼ inches) across five size options, accommodating bust measurements from 81–127 cm (32–50 inches).

Techniques Used

This design employs several key knitting techniques to create its distinctive appearance and structure:

• Bottom-up construction: The sweater is knitted from the lower edge upward, allowing for straightforward shaping and measurement as the garment grows.
• Lace patterning: The sweater incorporates lace elements created through yarn forwards (yfwd) and decreases that form an openwork design. These lace motifs are strategically placed to create visual interest and the signature scallop effect.
• Seamed construction: Individual pieces (back, front, and sleeves) are knitted flat and then seamed together, providing clean, structured seams and allowing for precise shaping.
• Worked flat: Rather than being worked in the round, the sweater pieces are created on straight needles in flat rows, with shaping accomplished through increases and decreases worked into the pattern rows.
• Ribbed edging: The lower edge begins with a knit-purl ribbed pattern (K2, P2 rib) that provides elasticity and helps the garment maintain its shape.
• Stocking stitch edges: As the sweater progresses beyond the initial ribbing, the first and last stitches of wrong-side rows are worked in purl to create neat stocking stitch selvage edges suitable for seaming.

Stitches Used

The Rowan Scallop Sweater employs a focused selection of fundamental knitting stitches:

• Knit stitch (K): The primary stitch forming the base fabric and creating the smooth, V-textured surface characteristic of stocking stitch.
• Purl stitch (P): Used in combination with knit stitches to create ribbed edging and to form the reverse side of stocking stitch, as well as contributing to the decorative pattern.
• Yarn forward (yfwd): An increase technique that creates an eyelet or decorative hole in the fabric by bringing the yarn to the front before the next stitch. This stitch is essential for forming the lace pattern and scallop details.
• Knit two together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease that reduces stitch count and works in tandem with yarn forwards to create balanced lace motifs.
• Slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K1, psso): A left-leaning decrease used symmetrically with K2tog to shape the sweater and maintain pattern balance.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Rowan Scallop Sweater is designed to be worked in Rowan Felted Tweed, a premium yarn choice that contributes to the sweater's finished appearance and drape. The pattern requires 8 to 11 balls of yarn, depending on the chosen size, with each ball weighing 50 grams. The photographed sample was created in the colorway French Mustard 216, though the pattern is suitable for any color within the Felted Tweed range.

Two sizes of knitting needles are required to create the proper fabric tension and structure:

• 3¼mm (US 3) needles: Used for the initial ribbed edging at the lower edge of the sweater, where the tighter gauge creates elasticity and helps define the garment's lower boundary.
• 3¾mm (US 5) needles: The primary needles used for the main body of the sweater once the ribbing is complete. These needles produce the correct gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows per 10 centimeters when measured over stocking stitch.
• 3¼mm (US 3) circular needle (maximum 50 cm length): Included in the materials list for finishing techniques, likely for picking up stit