Rowan Akita Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Akita Knitted Sweater

What is Being Made

The Rowan Akita is a knitted sweater designed by Marie Wallin. This garment is available in five sizes: Small (81-86 cm bust), Medium (91-97 cm bust), Large (102-107 cm bust), Extra Large (112-117 cm bust), and Extra Extra Large (122-127 cm bust). The sweater features a sophisticated construction with a distinctive cable panel at the center front and moss stitch detailing throughout.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques to create its finished structure:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The sweater is knitted from the bottom upward, allowing for easier fitting adjustments and a more intuitive building process.
• Worked Flat: All pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, creating seams that are finished after knitting is complete.
• Seamed Assembly: Individual pieces (back, front, and sleeves) are knitted separately and then seamed together to form the finished garment.
• Cable Work: A central cable panel featuring cable crosses is integrated into the design, adding textural interest and visual dimension to the front of the sweater.

Stitches Used

Moss Stitch forms the primary fabric throughout the Akita sweater. Moss stitch is a fundamental textured stitch created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a checkerboard pattern. The pattern instructions specify: Row 1 (RS): K1, *P1, K1, rep from * to end. Row 2: As row 1. This two-row repeat creates a dense, reversible fabric with excellent drape and structure.

Cable Stitches are featured in the center panel, which measures 13 stitches wide and approximately 3.5 cm in width. The cable technique involves slipping stitches onto a cable needle, working subsequent stitches, and then working the held stitches to create twisted rope-like textures. The pattern includes cable crosses worked at regular intervals throughout the center panel, adding visual complexity and sophistication.

Additional shaping techniques include increases and decreases worked at various edges to create the sweater's silhouette, with increases taken into the moss stitch pattern to maintain continuity of texture.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The Rowan Akita is designed to be worked in Rowan Pure Linen, a natural fiber yarn. The yardage requirements vary by size: Small requires 7 balls, Medium requires 8 balls, Large requires 9 balls, Extra Large requires 10 balls, and Extra Extra Large requires 12 balls. Each ball weighs 50 grams. The pattern was photographed in the colorway Patagonian 399.

Needles: The pattern calls for one pair of 3¼mm (US 3) needles for the main fabric. A cable needle is also required for working the cable panel. The tension is specified as 21 stitches and 46 rows to 10 cm measured over moss stitch using 3¼mm needles, with the center cable panel measuring 3.5 cm wide.

Pattern Notes

The Rowan Akita is structured with back and front pieces worked identically, simplifying the knitting process. The pattern includes detailed shaping instructions for the shoulder and neck areas, with specific decreases worked at marked intervals. The underarm shaping and side seam decreases are integrated throughout the pattern to create a fitted garment. This downloadable PDF pattern is an online exclusive from Rowan, designed by the accomplished knitwear designer Marie Wallin.