Rowan Belle Pullover Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Belle Pullover by Quail Studio

What is Being Made

The Rowan Belle Pullover is an intermediate-level knitted sweater designed to fit bust measurements ranging from 71–76 cm (28–30 inches) up to 122–127 cm (48–50 inches). The finished garment features actual bust measurements of 94.5 cm to 143 cm (37¼ to 56¼ inches), offering a comfortable, relaxed fit across six size options. This pullover is a classic crew-neck design constructed using a raglan sleeve construction method.

Techniques Used

The Rowan Belle Pullover employs several key knitting techniques suited to intermediate-level crafters. The garment is worked primarily in stockinette stitch throughout the body and sleeves, creating a smooth, classic fabric. Raglan shaping is used for the sleeve cap, requiring decreases worked symmetrically at each end of alternating rows to create the characteristic diagonal seams from armhole to neckline. Increases are incorporated along the sleeve length using make-one (M1) increases positioned two stitches in from each edge, creating a neat selvage. The pattern also includes casting off techniques for shaping the raglan armholes and seaming methods such as backstitch or mattress stitch to join the raglan armhole seams during finishing.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K): The primary stitch forming the stockinette stitch fabric
• Purl stitch (P): Used in combination with knit stitches to create stockinette stitch
• Make-one increase (M1): Used for sleeve shaping to add stitches gradually
• Decrease stitches: Employed for raglan armhole shaping on alternating rows
• Cast-on and cast-off: Foundation and edge-finishing techniques

Materials and Specifications

The Rowan Belle Pullover is worked using Rowan Brushed Fleece yarn, a soft and cozy fiber choice. Yarn requirements vary by size: smaller sizes require 5 balls of Yarn A (Peat 262) and 3 balls of Yarn B (Crag 253), each ball weighing 50 grams. Larger sizes require 6 balls of Yarn A and 4 balls of Yarn B. The pattern specifies 5½mm (US 9) needles for the main fabric and 5mm (US 8) circular needles for the neckband. The tension is set at 14 stitches and 20 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using 5½mm needles, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.

Construction Overview

The sweater is constructed in separate pieces: two sleeves and a back and front (worked alike). Each sleeve begins with a cast-on of 30–34 stitches and is increased gradually along its length until reaching 54–68 stitches, depending on size. The sleeves are then shaped using raglan decreases, with 2 stitches cast off at the beginning of two rows before decreasing one stitch at each end of every alternate row until 8 stitches remain. The back and front panels are cast on with 66–100 stitches and worked in stockinette stitch before undergoing similar raglan shaping. All pieces are joined using backstitch or mattress stitch seaming, and finishing includes pressing as per standard knitting guidelines.