Rowan Blenny Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Blenny Knitted Sweater by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Blenny is a knitted sweater designed by Martin Storey, available in five size options to fit bust measurements from 81–86 cm up to 122–127 cm (32–50 inches). This garment features a classic pullover construction with raglan armholes and is worked primarily in stockinette stitch with decorative slip stitch patterning and color work elements.

Construction Method

The Blenny is constructed using a bottom-up, seamed approach, meaning the back and front pieces are knitted separately from the lower edge upward, then joined together. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional seaming at the side seams and raglan armhole lines. This method provides excellent control over shaping and pattern placement.

Techniques Used

• Stranded colorwork: The pattern incorporates multiple yarn colors worked simultaneously, with yarns carried across the back of the work to create color patterns
• Slip stitch patterning: Decorative slip stitches are used throughout the garment, creating textured visual interest while maintaining fabric integrity. Stitches are slipped with yarn in back (wyib) on knit rows and with yarn in front (wyif) on purl rows
• Stripe sequences: The design features organized color transitions using three distinct yarn colors in structured repeating sequences
• Raglan shaping: Decreases are worked at regular intervals to create the characteristic raglan armhole style, where the sleeve cap decreases continue diagonally from underarm to neckline
• Seaming: Finished pieces are joined using mattress stitch or similar seaming techniques for a professional appearance

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (st st): The primary fabric stitch, created by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic knit appearance
• Slip stitches: Stitches are slipped knitwise to create pattern definition and texture without adding bulk
• Decreases: Knit two together (K2tog) and slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K1, psso) are used for raglan shaping
• Purl two together (P2tog): Used on wrong-side rows to maintain shaping symmetry
• Cast-on and cast-off: Standard techniques secure the beginning and end of pieces

Materials

The Rowan Blenny is designed to be knitted using Rowan Summerlite 4ply yarn, a lightweight four-ply weight suitable for creating garments with excellent drape and breathability. Three coordinating colorways are specified:

• Yarn A – Still Grey 422: The primary color, required in quantities ranging from 6–9 x 50gm balls depending on size
• Yarn B – Touch of Gold 439: An accent color, requiring 1 x 50gm ball across all sizes
• Yarn C – Anchor Grey 446: A secondary accent color, also requiring 1 x 50gm ball across all sizes

Knitting needles required include a 1 pair of 2¼mm (US 1) needles for ribbing or edging and a 1 pair of 3mm (US 2/3) needles for the main fabric. The pattern specifies a tension (gauge) requirement to ensure proper fit and drape of the finished garment.

Design Details

The back piece measures 33.5–34.5 cm in length before raglan armhole shaping begins. Raglan armholes are shaped by casting off 4–8 stitches at the beginning of rows (depending on size), followed by decreases worked on every row to create the diagonal raglan lines. The slip stitch pattern is introduced after the initial armhole cast-offs and continues throughout the armhole shaping, creating a cohesive design element that integrates structure with visual interest.