Rowan Beautham Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Beautham Knitted Sweater by Lisa Richardson

What is Being Made

The Rowan Beautham is a knitted sweater designed by Lisa Richardson, available in five sizes to fit bust measurements from 81-86 cm (32-34 inches) up to 122-127 cm (48-50 inches). The finished garment features actual bust measurements ranging from 93 cm to 133 cm, making it suitable for a wide range of body types. This is a classic pullover-style sweater with a distinctive funnel neck detail and long sleeves.

Techniques Used

This sweater is constructed using several key knitting techniques that create both visual interest and structural integrity:

• Bottom-up construction: The sweater is knitted from the bottom upward, allowing knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and easily adjust length as needed.
• Seamed assembly: Pieces are worked flat and then seamed together, creating clean, professional-looking joins.
• Worked flat: All pattern pieces are knitted on straight needles in flat rows rather than in the round, making this an accessible project for knitters who prefer traditional flat knitting methods.
• Cable details: The pattern incorporates cable stitches, adding textural depth and visual sophistication to the design. The cable abbreviation C5B (slip next stitch onto cable needle and leave at back of work, knit 4, then knit the slipped stitch) is used to create these decorative elements.

Stitches Used

The Beautham sweater employs a combination of fundamental and decorative stitches to achieve its finished appearance:

• Ribbing: The cuffs and lower edges begin with knit-purl ribbing (K1, P1 alternating pattern), which provides elasticity and helps the garment fit snugly at the wrists and hem.
• Moss stitch: The main body fabric is worked in moss stitch, a textured stitch created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a offset pattern across rows. This stitch is worked over 3¼mm (US 3) needles and creates a dense, reversible fabric with excellent drape and stability.
• Cable stitches: Decorative cable patterns are incorporated throughout, created using the C5B cable technique and worked while maintaining the moss stitch pattern.

Materials and Gauge

The Rowan Beautham is designed to be knitted using Rowan Valley Tweed yarn (photographed in the colorway Gryke 111). The pattern requires 7 to 10 balls of 50-gram yarn, depending on the size being knitted, with larger sizes requiring more yardage.

Two sizes of needles are required for this project: 3mm (US 2/3) needles for the ribbed cuffs and neckband, and 3¼mm (US 3) needles for the main body and sleeves. A cable needle is also necessary for working the cable stitches throughout the pattern.

The pattern is worked to a tension of 26 stitches and 47 rows to 10 centimeters measured over moss stitch using 3¼mm (US 3) needles. Achieving correct tension is essential for the garment to fit properly, as the sweater's final measurements depend on maintaining this gauge.

Construction Details

The sweater features a funnel neck—a standing collar created by decreasing stitches at the shoulders and then working additional rows on 3mm needles to form the characteristic rolled neckline. The sleeves are shaped with increases worked at regular intervals, with the frequency of increases varying by size to accommodate different proportions. Armholes are shaped by casting off stitches at the beginning of rows, and the pattern provides detailed shaping instructions for all five sizes to ensure a well-fitted garment.

This downloadable PDF pattern from Rowan (pattern reference ZB242-00003) provides complete instructions for creating a timeless, textured sweater suitable for intermediate knitters who are comfortable working with cables and shaping techniques.