Rowan Bret Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Bret Striped Knit Sweater by Kim Hargreaves

What is Being Made

Rowan Bret is a classic striped sweater designed by Kim Hargreaves, available in six sizes ranging from 86 cm to 121 cm bust/chest (34 to 44 inches). The pattern includes both ladies and mens sizing options, with the ladies sizes in regular text and mens sizes in bold throughout the instructions. This is a timeless knit garment suitable for everyday wear across multiple fit ranges.

Construction Method

This sweater is worked flat on straight needles and uses a bottom-up construction approach. The body is knitted from the ribbed hem upward, with seamed side seams that are shaped during the knitting process. The garment features structured shaping with increases worked at the side seams during the lower body section, followed by armhole decreases and shoulder shaping at the top.

Stripe Technique and Pattern

The signature design element of Rowan Bret is its horizontal striped pattern. The sweater alternates between two contrasting Rowan Orginal Denim yarn colors: Nashville (shade A) and Memphis (shade B). The stripe sequence consists of 6 rows in yarn A followed by 6 rows in yarn B, creating a balanced 12-row repeat that forms the striped stockinette stitch pattern. Stripes are maintained consistently throughout the garment, including during armhole shaping and shoulder decreases, requiring careful attention to color continuity.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout Rowan Bret is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric surface. The pattern begins with ribbing at the hem for stretch and recovery. Shaping is achieved through standard knitting decreases at the armholes and increases at the side seams, all worked within the stockinette stitch foundation.

Yarn and Materials

Rowan Bret is designed to be knitted in Rowan Orginal Denim, a specialized yarn that requires specific consideration during pattern sizing. The yarn quantities vary by size:

• Yarn A (Nashville): 11 to 15 balls of 50gm per size
• Yarn B (Memphis): 9 to 12 balls of 50gm per size

The pattern is worked on 4mm (US 6) needles (one pair for flat knitting). The Rowan Orginal Denim yarn has important finishing characteristics: it will shrink in length during the first wash, and the pattern includes specific allowances for this shrinkage. The tension before washing is 20 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm measured over stockinette stitch using 4mm needles. Size diagrams provided in the pattern show after-washing measurements to account for denim shrinkage.

Garment Shaping Details

The sweater features graduated shaping throughout. Side seams include increases worked at strategic intervals (1 stitch at each end of the 3rd row, then every 20th row thereafter) to create a fitted silhouette. Armhole shaping begins with cast-off stitches at the armhole edge, followed by decreases worked over several rows to create a smooth armhole curve. Shoulder shaping uses stepped cast-offs to create a structured shoulder line, with a shaped back neck opening created by casting off center stitches and working each shoulder separately.