Rowan Combe Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Combe Knitted Sweater by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Combe is a knitted sweater designed by Martin Storey, available in six sizes to fit bust/chest measurements from 81–86 cm through to 132–137 cm. This is a classic pullover-style jumper worked in a stranded colorwork pattern, suitable for intermediate knitters seeking a project with patterned detail and structured shaping.

Construction Technique

This sweater 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 with seams. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for easier management of the stranded colorwork pattern across the body.

Stranded Colorwork Pattern

The Combe features stranded knitting throughout the body, a technique where two colors are carried across the row to create a multi-colored design. This method requires careful tension management to keep the carried yarn (floats) at the correct tension so the fabric remains elastic and lies flat. The pattern is worked from a chart, with specific row sequences repeated across the back and front pieces. The armhole and shoulder shaping are worked while maintaining the pattern accuracy, demanding attention to stitch placement alongside structural decreases.

Stitches and Shaping

The sweater is primarily worked in stocking stitch (stockinette stitch), the foundation for the stranded pattern. Shaping is achieved through strategic cast-offs and decreases:

• Armhole shaping is created by casting off stitches at the beginning of rows, followed by single-stitch decreases worked at each end over multiple rows
• Shoulder shaping involves stepped cast-offs to create angled shoulders
• Neck shaping on the front piece includes decreases at the neck edge while simultaneously casting off shoulder stitches
• The back neck stitches are held on a stitch holder for later finishing, typically for a neckband

Yarn and Materials

The Combe is designed to be worked in Rowan Softyak DK, a double-knitting weight yarn. The pattern requires three colors from the Rowan palette:

• Color A (Pampas): 7–10 balls of 50 grams, depending on size
• Color B (Cream): 4–7 balls of 50 grams
• Color C (Plateau): 1 ball of 50 grams for all sizes

The pattern is worked using two needle sizes: 3¼mm (US 3) needles for ribbed edgings and 4mm (US 6) needles for the main fabric. The tension is set at 25 stitches and 29 rows to 10 centimeters measured over patterned stocking stitch on the larger needles, making this a standard DK-weight gauge suitable for a fitted garment.

Finished Measurements

Actual bust/chest measurements of the finished garment range from 92 cm (36¼ inches) in the smallest size to 145 cm (57 inches) in the largest, offering ease for comfortable wear across the size range.