Rowan Dearne Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Dearne Knitted Sweater by Lisa Richardson

What is Being Made

The Rowan Dearne is a long or short knitted sweater designed by Lisa Richardson, available in both round neck and V-neck variations. This versatile garment is worked from the bottom up in a seamed construction method, making it an ideal project for knitters seeking a classic, structured sweater with elegant shaping. The pattern offers five size options to fit bust measurements ranging from 81–127 cm (32–50 inches), with corresponding finished bust measurements of 91–131 cm (36–51½ inches).

Techniques Used

The Dearne employs several essential knitting techniques that create its refined silhouette. The sweater is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for precise shaping through strategic increases and decreases. The construction uses a bottom-up seamed method, meaning the back and front pieces are knitted separately from the lower edge upward, then joined together with seams along the sides and shoulders. This approach provides excellent control over fit and allows for elegant waist shaping.

Side seam shaping is achieved through decreases worked at regular intervals to create a tapered waist, followed by increases to add fullness through the bust area. The pattern specifies decreasing one stitch at each end of every sixth row over multiple rows, then increasing one stitch at each end of every eighth row. Armhole shaping involves casting off stitches at the beginning of rows followed by gradual decreases worked as slip-stitch decreases and purl decreases on alternate rows. Shoulder shaping uses a stepped cast-off method, and neck shaping is accomplished through decreases worked in coordination with shoulder shaping for a neat, finished neckline.

Stitches Used

The Dearne utilizes fundamental knitting stitches executed with precision. The main fabric is created using stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows), which produces the smooth, classic appearance characteristic of this sweater design. Shaping is accomplished using several decrease techniques:

• Slip-stitch decrease (sl 1, K1, psso): A left-leaning decrease used on right-side rows for armhole and neck shaping
• Knit two together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease used on right-side rows
• Purl two together (P2tog): A decrease worked on wrong-side rows
• Purl two together through back loop (P2tog tbl): A left-leaning decrease on wrong-side rows for balanced shaping
• Make one (M1): An increase stitch used to add stitches at the waist for shaping

The pattern also employs casting off (binding off) at strategic points to create armholes and shape shoulders, with varying numbers of stitches cast off depending on the size being worked.

Materials

The Rowan Dearne is designed to be knitted in Rowan Valley Tweed, a premium yarn that contributes to the sweater's refined appearance and excellent drape. Yarn requirements vary by sweater length and neckline style:

• Long sweater with round neck: 6–9 balls of 50g (depending on size)
• Long sweater with V-neck: 6–9 balls of 50g (depending on size)
• Short sweater with round neck: 5–7 balls of 50g (depending on size)
• Short sweater with V-neck: 5–7 balls of 50g (depending on size)

The pattern recommends working with appropriate needles for the Valley Tweed yarn weight, though specific needle sizes are detailed in the complete pattern documentation. The pattern reference is ZB221-00004, and additional yarn color inspiration is provided through Rowan's Littondale 102 and Wolds Poppy 107 colorways, as shown in the pattern photographs.