Rowan T-Shirt Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan T-Shirt by Annika Andrea Wolkeo

What is Being Made

The Rowan T-Shirt is a knitted short-sleeved garment designed to fit bust measurements from 81–127 cm (32–50 inches). This project creates a classic t-shirt silhouette with a comfortable, relaxed fit available in five size options: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, and Extra Extra Large. The finished garment features a structured neckline and shaped shoulders for a refined finish.

Knitting Techniques

This Skill Level 2 project employs several fundamental knitting techniques to create an elegant finished piece. The garment is worked flat on straight needles, meaning front and back pieces are knitted separately and later seamed together. Construction follows a bottom-up approach, with the body worked from the cast-on edge upward before shaping the armholes and shoulders. The design incorporates lace patterning throughout, creating visual interest and texture while maintaining breathability—ideal for a cotton-based yarn.

Stitches and Stitch Pattern

The t-shirt combines several essential knitting stitches to build its structure and decorative elements. The pattern begins with garter stitch (knit every row), which creates a textured, reversible fabric used for the initial 6 rows on both front and back pieces. The main body features a multi-row lace pattern that repeats across the garment:

• Purl stitches create smooth rows that contrast with textured sections
• Knit stitches form the foundation of the pattern
• Yarn forward (yf) increases create the characteristic openings in lace
• Knit two together (k2tog) decreases balance the yarn overs and maintain stitch count
• Slip stitches (sl1) add visual definition and help shape the lace motif

The lace pattern is established over 6 rows and repeated throughout the body until armhole shaping begins. Shoulder and neck shaping employ cast-off techniques to cleanly finish these edges.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Rowan T-Shirt is designed to be worked in Cotton Cashmere, a luxury blend yarn that combines the breathability of cotton with the softness of cashmere. The pattern photograph features the colorway Morning Sky 221. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 6 to 8 balls of 50-gram yarn, providing approximately 300–400 meters of fiber depending on the finished size.

Two pairs of needles are required to complete this project. The initial cast-on and garter stitch foundation use 3¾mm (UK size 9 / US size 5) needles, which create a tighter gauge suitable for establishing clean edges. The main body pattern is worked on 4mm (UK size 8 / US size 6) needles, which produce the correct tension for the lace pattern at 19–20 stitches and 24 rows per 10 centimeters. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking armhole placement and stitch holders for managing stitches during shoulder shaping.

Construction Overview

Both the front and back pieces begin identically with a cast-on of 112–152 stitches (depending on size), followed by 6 rows of garter stitch for a finished edge. The pattern then transitions to the main lace repeat, which continues for 32 centimeters before armhole markers are placed. Subsequent shaping creates the sleeve cap and neckline opening through strategic cast-offs, resulting in a polished, professionally finished garment suitable for layering or wearing alone.