Rowan Bourne Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Bourne Knitted Sweater by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Bourne is a children's knitted sweater designed by Martin Storey, available in four size options to fit ages 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12 years. The garment features actual chest measurements ranging from 77 cm to 95 cm (30¼ to 37½ inches), making it suitable for a range of growing children. This is a classic pullover-style sweater constructed with a structured fit and professional finishing.

Techniques and Construction Method

The Rowan Bourne is worked using the bottom-up construction method, meaning the sweater is knitted starting from the lower edge and progressing upward toward the shoulders and neckline. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, which allows for precise shaping and patterning control. All pieces are seamed together after completion, creating clean, professional seams that join the front, back, and sleeves.

Cable knitting is a primary design feature of this sweater. The pattern incorporates both a center body panel with a 40-row pattern repeat and side panels with a 16-row pattern repeat, allowing for intricate textural interest. The body panel measures 35 cm across, while the sleeve panel measures 13.5 cm, providing balanced visual proportion. Cable work requires careful attention to stitch placement and the use of a cable needle to create the characteristic twisted rope-like texture.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The sweater begins with ribbed edging, a foundational knitting technique that provides elasticity and a neat finish. The pattern specifies working in rib for 16 rows total, creating a snug, stretchy cuff at the lower edge that helps the garment sit securely on the wearer. This ribbing is worked before transitioning to the main patterned sections.

The main body features patterned panels worked from a chart, combining cable stitches with background stitches to create dimensional texture. The structured pattern repeats ensure consistency across the front and back pieces, while the side panels provide visual balance. Shaping is maintained throughout by working decreases and increases while keeping the pattern correct, a technique that requires intermediate knitting skills.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Rowan Bourne is designed to be knitted with Softyak DK yarn, a double-knit weight yarn that provides excellent stitch definition for cable work. The pattern requires 8, 9, 9, or 10 balls of 50-gram yarn depending on the child's size, allowing crafters to calculate yardage and select suitable yarn substitutes if needed. The yarn is photographed in the colorway Albany 255, providing a visual reference for color selection.

Two needle sizes are required for this project. 3¼mm (US 3) needles are used for the ribbed edging, their smaller size creating the tight, elastic rib. 4mm (US 6) needles are then used for the main body and patterned sections, allowing the stitches to relax slightly and the cable patterns to display clearly. A cable needle is essential for manipulating stitches during cable crossings, enabling the characteristic twisted effect that defines cable knitting.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern specifies a tension of 22½ stitches and 38 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over the side pattern using 4mm needles. Achieving correct gauge is critical for proper fit, particularly in a children's garment where sizing is size-specific. The detailed measurements for each size ensure that the finished sweater will fit appropriately across the chest and in length.