Rowan Flare Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Flare Sweater and Tunic by Lisa Richardson

What is Being Made

The Rowan Flare is a children's knitted sweater and tunic design available in four size options to fit ages 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, and 9-10 years. The pattern provides instructions for both a shorter sweater length and a longer tunic length, allowing crafters to choose which silhouette suits their project. The garment features a classic pullover construction with raglan armholes that create a flattering, comfortable fit for young wearers.

Techniques Used

This sweater is constructed using bottom-up seamed construction, meaning pieces are knitted individually from the bottom edge upward and then sewn together. The design incorporates striped colorwork throughout, with six coordinating yarn colors available for creating visual interest. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, which is a traditional approach that requires seaming the pieces together at the end. The pattern includes raglan armhole shaping, a technique that involves gradual decreases along diagonal lines from the underarm to the neckline, creating the distinctive sloped shoulder line characteristic of raglan sleeves.

Stitches Used

The Rowan Flare employs fundamental knitting stitches suitable for children's garments. The ribbed edging at the hem and cuffs is created using 2x2 ribbing, which alternates knit and purl stitches in a repeating pattern (K2, P2) to create elastic, stretchy edges that help the garment fit snugly. The main body of the sweater is worked in stockinette stitch (abbreviated st st), the most basic and widely used knit stitch pattern that creates a smooth, flat fabric with a recognizable V-pattern texture on the right side. Decreases for the raglan shaping are accomplished using slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K1, psso) on knit rows and purl two together (P2tog) decreases on purl rows, techniques that reduce stitch count while maintaining neat, aligned decreases along the armhole edges.

Materials

The Rowan Flare is designed to be knitted with Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino yarn, a luxuriously soft blend ideal for children's garments. The sweater requires between 6 to 10 balls of 50-gram yarn depending on size and length chosen, while the tunic version requires 8 to 12 balls. Six color options are available: Taupe (A), Turquoise (B), Fuchsia (C), Denim (D), Apple (E), and Lily (F), allowing crafters to create striped combinations or solid-colored versions.

The pattern calls for two needle sizes: 3mm (US 2/3) needles for working the ribbed edges, and 3¼mm (US 3) needles for the main stockinette stitch body. The recommended tension is 25 stitches and 34 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using the 3¼mm needles, which helps ensure the finished garment achieves the intended measurements and drape.

Pattern Details by Size

• Size 3-4 years: To fit chest 53-56 cm (21-22 in); actual garment chest measurement 66.5 cm (26¼ in)
• Size 5-6 years: To fit chest 59-61 cm (23-24 in); actual garment chest measurement 73 cm (28¾ in)
• Size 7-8 years: To fit chest 63-66 cm (25-26 in); actual garment chest measurement 79 cm (31 in)
• Size 9-10 years: To fit chest 69-73 cm (27-29 in); actual garment chest measurement 85.5 cm (33¾ in)

Construction Overview

The sweater back begins with casting on between 82 and 106 stitches depending on size. After working 10 rows of 2x2 ribbing for a neat, elastic edge, stitches are increased by one at the center of the final ribbing row. The knitter then switches to the larger needles and continues in stockinette stitch until the piece reaches the appropriate length: 28.5 to 37 centimeters for the swe