Rowan Garter Stripe Hoodie Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Garter Stripe Hoodie by Josh Bennett

What is Being Made

The Rowan Garter Stripe Hoodie is a knitted sweater featuring a distinctive striped pattern created using two contrasting yarn colors. This garment is designed to be worked from the bottom up in a flat construction method, making it accessible for knitters who prefer working on straight needles rather than in the round. The finished hoodie includes a functional hood and is constructed with shaping to create a fitted silhouette that flatters the wearer.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished design:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is knitted starting from the lower edge and worked upward, allowing knitters to try on the piece as it progresses and easily adjust length if needed.
• Worked flat: Rather than working in continuous rounds, this hoodie is constructed on straight needles with seaming required at the end, giving knitters more control over shaping and stitch placement.
• Stripe pattern: Two colors from the Rowan Cocoon yarn range are carried up the sides of the work rather than being broken off between color changes. This technique reduces weaving in ends and creates a neater, more professional finish along the edges.
• Slip stitch detailing: The stripe panel incorporates slipped stitches worked with yarn in front (wyif), creating a refined visual texture and helping to maintain even edges throughout the striped sections.
• Decreasing for shaping: Strategic decreases using knit two together through the back loop (K2togtbl) and standard knit two together (K2tog) stitches are worked symmetrically to shape the garment at key points, such as row 9 of the stripe panel.

Stitches Used

The Rowan Garter Stripe Hoodie utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined in thoughtful ways:

• Garter stitch: The primary stitch structure, created by knitting every row, which produces a textured, reversible fabric with excellent drape and elasticity.
• Stockinette stitch: Used in the stripe panel sections, worked as knit on right-side rows and purl on wrong-side rows to create a smooth, classic knitted appearance.
• Slipped stitches: Stitches are slipped purlwise with yarn in front to add visual interest and precision to the striped sections without adding bulk.
• Through-the-back-loop decreases: K2togtbl decreases are used to maintain the visual integrity of the stripe pattern while reducing stitches for shaping.
• Standard decreases: K2tog stitches are worked to balance decreases on both sides of the garment for symmetrical shaping.

Materials

The Rowan Garter Stripe Hoodie pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended finished fabric and drape:

• Yarn: Rowan Cocoon yarn in two colorways—Shale (804) as the primary color and Quarry Tile (818) for the stripe contrast. Quantities range from 8 to 12 balls of 100 grams each depending on the finished size, with the larger sizes requiring more yardage.
• Needles: Three pairs of needles in different sizes are required: 5mm (US 8), 5½mm (US 9), and 6mm (US 10). The pattern specifies using 5mm needles for the initial cast-on, with 6mm needles used for the main fabric to achieve proper tension.
• Additional notions: Five buttons measuring 15mm are required for the hood closure or front opening, depending on the final design specifications.

Sizing and Tension

The pattern is available in six sizes ranging from UK XS (US XXS, 38 inches chest) through UK XXL (48 inches chest), accommodating a wide range of body measurements. The recommended tension is 16 stitches and 22 rows over 10 centimeters when measured over stockinette stitch using 6mm needles. Achieving proper tension is essential for the garment to fit correctly and for the stripe pattern to display as intended.

Special Pattern Notes

The designer, Josh Bennett, recommends using the specific cast-on and cast-off methods detailed in the pattern instructions, as these techniques produce a neat, stretchy edge that enhances the finished appearance. However, alternative methods are acceptable if