Rowan Whisk Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Whisk Knitted Sweater by Lisa Richardson

What is Being Made

The Rowan Whisk is an intermediate-level knitted sweater designed by Lisa Richardson. This pullover garment is available in nine sizes, ranging from a bust fit of 71–76 cm (28–30 in) up to 152–157 cm (60–62 in), with corresponding actual garment bust measurements from 84 cm to 165.5 cm. The sweater features a classic construction with a body worked flat and sleeves worked in the round.

Techniques Used

The Whisk employs several key knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate crafters. The body is constructed using flat knitting on circular needles, while the sleeves are worked in the round using double-pointed needles to create seamless cylindrical pieces. The pattern incorporates increases worked as make-ones (M1) to shape the sleeve cap and body shaping. Ribbed edging is used at the cuff and hem for elasticity and structure. The sweater also uses stitch holders to manage stitches during the yoke and armhole shaping, allowing for proper placement of front and back sections.

Stitches Used

• Rib stitch – worked at the sleeve cuff (8 cm in length) and body hem for fitted edges
• Stockinette stitch (st st) – the primary fabric throughout the body and sleeves
• Make-one increases (M1) – used for sleeve shaping, worked at each end of designated rounds to increase sleeve width gradually
• Knit stitches (K) – forming the main fabric structure
• Cast-on and cast-off techniques – for securing stitches at the beginning and completion of sections

Materials

The Rowan Whisk is designed to be knitted using Rowan Tweed Haze yarn, a premium wool blend available in four coordinating colorways. The pattern specifies yarn quantities in 50-gram balls, with color options including Midnight (shade 553), Sunset (shade 557), Winter (shade 550), and Setting Sun (shade 555). Yardage requirements vary by size, with the smallest size requiring 4 balls of the main color (A) and progressively more for larger sizes, up to 9 balls for the largest size.

The needles required are 5.5mm (US 9) circular needles (no more than 80–150 cm long depending on size) for the ribbed sections and initial body work, and 6mm (US 10) circular needles for the main stockinette fabric. Double-pointed needles in both 5.5mm and 6mm sizes are used for sleeve construction worked in the round. The pattern also calls for stitch markers to denote the beginning and end of rounds, and stitch holders for managing stitches during shaping.

Construction Details

The sleeve construction begins with a cast-on of 32–36 stitches (depending on size) distributed evenly over three double-pointed needles. After 8 cm of ribbing, the needles are changed to the larger 6mm size, and increases are worked strategically. Sleeve increases occur at regular intervals—every 8th, 6th, 4th, or 2nd round depending on size—to gradually expand the sleeve from the cuff to the cap. The sleeves measure 44–46 cm in finished length. Armhole shaping is achieved by casting off stitches at the underarm, with remaining stitches placed on holders for the front and back sections to be worked separately or joined at the yoke.