Rowan Bloom Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Bloom Knitted Sweater

What is Being Made

Rowan Bloom is a knitted sweater designed by Grace Jones for babies and young children. This garment is available in seven size options ranging from newborn (0-3 months) through to 2-3 years, with actual chest measurements ranging from 58.5 cm to 69.5 cm (23 to 27¼ inches). The sweater features a classic pullover construction with shaped shoulders, a crew neckline, and tailored front and back pieces.

Techniques Used

This sweater is constructed using several key knitting techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is worked from the lower edge upward, allowing for easy adjustments to length during the knitting process
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, creating seamed construction
• Seamed assembly: Individual pieces (front, back, and sleeves) are knitted separately and then sewn together
• Stranded colorwork: The pattern incorporates a 20-stitch repeat motif worked in stranded technique, creating a decorative pattern across the body of the garment
• Shaping techniques: The design includes cast-off shaping for shoulders and decreases for neckline shaping on both front and back pieces

Stitches Used

The Rowan Bloom pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches suitable for baby garments:

• Stockinette stitch (st st): The primary stitch used for the main body of the sweater, creating a smooth, classic fabric
• Purl stitch (P): Used in combination with knit stitches, particularly in ribbed sections and pattern transitions
• Stranded colorwork stitches: Two colors are carried across rows to create the decorative 20-stitch repeat pattern, with the pattern repeated three times across each row during the patterned sections
• Cast-off stitches: Used for binding off shoulders and shaping necklines
• Decrease stitches: Single decreases are worked at neck edges to create the curved neckline shaping

Materials

Yarn: This pattern uses Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino, a soft and luxurious fiber blend ideal for delicate baby skin. Two colors are required:

• Color A (Rosy): 3-5 x 50gm balls depending on size
• Color B (Cream): 1 x 50gm ball

Needles: The pattern requires three pairs of needles in different sizes to achieve proper gauge and fabric texture:

• 1 pair 2¾mm (US 2) needles
• 1 pair 3¼mm (US 3) needles
• 1 pair 3¾mm (US 5) needles

Gauge: Achieving correct gauge is essential for proper fit. The pattern specifies 25 stitches and 34 rows to 10 cm over plain stockinette stitch using 3¼mm needles, and 25 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm over patterned stockinette stitch using 3¾mm needles. Different needle sizes are used for the ribbed sections and patterned sections to maintain consistent fabric appearance.

Pattern Details

The Rowan Bloom sweater features a coordinated two-color design with a charted stranded pattern worked across the chest and body. The back piece is worked in stockinette stitch with the decorative pattern, while the front includes neck shaping that begins several rows before the shoulder shaping on the back piece, creating a flattering neckline. The pattern includes detailed shaping instructions for all seven sizes, with specific stitch counts and row measurements provided throughout.