Rowan Embla Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Embla Knitted Sweater by Arne & Carlos

What is Being Made

Embla is a knitted sweater designed by the renowned design duo Arne & Carlos for Rowan. This garment is a fitted pullover sweater available in five size options ranging from 81–86 cm to 122–127 cm bust measurements (32–34 inches to 48–50 inches). The sweater features a classic construction with a shaped raglan armhole design and includes shaping at the front neckline for a tailored fit.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques to create visual interest and structure:

• Bottom-up construction: The sweater is worked from the lower edge upward, allowing for easy fitting adjustments and a traditional assembly method
• Worked flat: Pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, then seamed together
• Lace patterning: Decorative lace motifs are incorporated throughout using yarn-forward increases and decreases to create openwork sections
• Stripe sequences: The design incorporates a multi-color stripe pattern that repeats across the garment, adding visual depth and color variation
• Seamed construction: Individual pieces (back, front, and sleeves) are knitted separately and then seamed together for a polished finish
• Raglan armhole shaping: The armholes are shaped using raglan decreases that create diagonal seam lines from the underarm to the neckline

Stitches Used

The Embla pattern utilizes fundamental and decorative stitches to achieve its design:

• Stockinette stitch (st st): The primary stitch used for smooth fabric sections and as the base for pattern areas
• Knit two together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease used extensively in the lace pattern and raglan shaping
• Yarn forward (yfwd): Creates decorative eyelets and increases within the lace pattern, paired with decreases to maintain stitch count
• Purl: Used on wrong-side rows to create the stockinette fabric and as part of the stripe sequence

Materials

The Embla sweater is designed to be knitted using Rowan yarns in a carefully coordinated five-color palette. The pattern requires yarn in the following colors and quantities, which vary by size:

• Yarn A – Turkish Plum 660: 4–6 x 25g balls (depending on size), providing the primary color for the garment
• Yarn B – Candy Girl 606: 2 x 25g balls across all sizes, used for stripe sequences
• Yarn C – Heavenly 592: 1–2 x 25g balls, contributing to the multi-color stripe design
• Yarn D – Vanilla 670: 1–2 x 25g balls, adding a neutral or contrasting stripe element
• Yarn E – Grace 580: 1–2 x 25g balls, completing the color palette

The pattern specifies two needle sizes to achieve proper tension and fabric quality:

• 3¼mm (US 3) needles: Used for ribbed edgings and cuffs to create elasticity and a neat finish
• 4mm (US 6) needles: The main needles used for working the body of the sweater in pattern and stockinette stitch

The recommended tension is 23 stitches over 10 cm measured over stockinette stitch on 4mm needles, ensuring proper garment fit and drape. Additional yarn information and substitution guidance is available on knitrowan.com for crafters seeking alternative Rowan yarns.