Rowan Homespun Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Homespun Sweater by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

Rowan Homespun is a knitted sweater pattern designed by Martin Storey, available in five size options to fit bust measurements from 81-86 cm up to 122-127 cm (32-50 inches). The finished garment features an actual bust measurement ranging from 105 cm to 145 cm depending on the chosen size, offering a comfortable, relaxed fit suitable for everyday wear.

Construction Method

This sweater is constructed using a bottom-up, worked flat approach, meaning the pieces are knitted individually from the lower edge upward and then seamed together. The garment is shaped with raglan armholes, a classic construction technique where the sleeve cap decreases diagonally from the underarm to the neckline, creating a smooth shoulder line and allowing for comfortable arm movement.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Rowan Homespun features a sophisticated combination of stitch techniques:

• Ribbed cuffs and waistband: The pattern begins with a 2x2 rib (alternating 2 knit stitches with 2 purl stitches) worked over 16 rows, creating an elastic, fitted edge that helps the garment sit neatly at the wrists and hem.
• Cable panels: A prominent cable panel measuring 48 stitches across and 15 cm in width forms a decorative central motif on the front. This panel incorporates complex cable crossings (K3, P3 sequences with P2 and K2 variations) that create dimensional, twisted rope-like textures.
• Stockinette stitch: The main body of the sweater is worked in stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows), providing a smooth, classic fabric base.
• Lace elements: The pattern incorporates lace shaping through strategic decreases, including K2tog tbl (knit 2 together through the back loop) and P2tog (purl 2 together) decreases that create tapered lines and contribute to the garment's refined silhouette.

Techniques Used

The construction employs several intermediate to advanced knitting techniques:

• Raglan shaping: Decreases are worked symmetrically at each end of rows to create the distinctive diagonal lines of the raglan armhole. The pattern specifies decreasing 1 stitch at each end of specific rows (9 to 21 rows depending on size, then continuing on alternate rows for 24 to 28 rows), requiring careful attention to row counting and decrease placement.
• Cable work: The cable panel requires a cable needle to temporarily hold stitches while others are knitted, creating the twisted, interlocking appearance characteristic of cable knit sweaters.
• Seaming: After all pieces are completed, they are joined together using mattress stitch or similar seaming techniques, creating invisible or nearly invisible seams for a professional finish.
• Decreasing techniques: The pattern uses both standard decreases (K2tog, P2tog) and twisted decreases (K2tog tbl, P2tog tbl) to create neat, directional shaping lines.

Materials Required

The Rowan Homespun pattern calls for Rowan Softyak DK yarn in quantities ranging from 11 to 15 x 50-gram balls depending on the chosen size. The yarn is photographed in the colorway Steppe 231. DK (double knitting) weight yarn is a medium-weight option that works well for sweaters, providing good stitch definition for both the ribbed and cable elements.

Needles required include:

• 1 pair of 3¼mm (US 3) needles for the ribbed sections
• 1 pair of 4mm (US 6) needles for the main body
• 2 double-pointed 3¼mm (US 3) needles for finishing details
• A cable needle for working the cable panel

Tension and Fit

The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 30 rows over 10 centimeters, measured in stockinette stitch using 4mm (US 6) needles. The cable panel measures 15 centimeters in width. Achieving the correct tension is essential for