Rowan Cole Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Cole Sweater by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Cole is a knitted sweater designed by Martin Storey, available in five sizes ranging from XS to XXL to fit bust measurements of 81-127 cm (32-50 inches). This garment is constructed as a classic pullover sweater with raglan sleeves and a crew neckline, offering a versatile wardrobe staple for various body sizes.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Cole sweater is worked using a bottom-up, seamed construction approach, meaning the back and front panels 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 and sleeve seams. The design features raglan shaping, where the armholes are decreased gradually along sloped lines from the underarm to the neckline, creating the characteristic diagonal seams that extend from the underarms to the shoulders.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Rowan Cole employs fundamental knitting stitches to create its structure and texture:

• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary stitch used throughout the body of the sweater, creating a smooth, classic fabric with visible V-shaped stitches on the right side
• Ribbing (K2, P2): A 2x2 rib pattern used at the lower edge of the sweater to create elasticity and a neat, fitted finish
• Decreases: Multiple decrease techniques are employed for shaping, including slip-stitch decreases (sl 1, K1, psso), knit two together (K2tog), and purl two together (P2tog), which are worked at regular intervals to create the raglan armhole shaping and neck shaping
• Bind-off: Standard bind-off techniques are used to finish edges and secure stitches

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Rowan Cole is designed to be knitted in Brushed Fleece yarn (photographed in the colorway Nook 260), with each size requiring 5-8 balls of 50-gram yarn depending on the size selected. The yarn choice of brushed fleece provides a soft, textured finish with a cozy hand-feel.

The pattern requires specific needle sizes to achieve the correct tension and fabric characteristics:

• 5mm (US 8) needles: Used for casting on and working the ribbed cuff at the lower edge
• 6mm (US 10) needles: The primary needles used for working the main body of the sweater in stockinette stitch
• 5mm (US 8) circular needle, 40 cm long: Used for the neckline finishing

The pattern specifies a tension of 13 stitches and 19 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over stockinette stitch using the 6mm (US 10) needles. Achieving this tension is essential for the garment to fit correctly across all five size options.

Skill Level and Pattern Details

This pattern is suitable for knitters with intermediate skills, as it involves multiple shaping techniques including raglan decreases worked on both knit and purl rows, neck shaping with divided front panels, and seaming construction. The pattern includes specific stitch counts for each of the five sizes, with detailed row-by-row instructions for the back, front, and neck shaping sections.