Rowan Hornshaw Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Hornshaw Knitted Sweater by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Hornshaw is a knitted sweater designed by Martin Storey for Rowan. This intermediate-level garment is available in seven sizes ranging from XS to 2XL, with finished chest measurements from 38 inches (97 cm) to 50 inches (127 cm). The sweater features a classic construction with a fitted body, shaped armholes, and a divided neckline with shoulder shaping.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques suitable for intermediate crafters. The sweater begins with ribbed edging at the lower body, which provides elasticity and structure. The main body is worked in stockinette stitch, a foundational knit fabric that creates a smooth, professional finish. The pattern incorporates armhole shaping through strategic cast-offs and decreases, and neck shaping with a divided front neckline that requires working each shoulder separately. Shoulder shaping is achieved through stepped cast-offs to create a tailored fit.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Hornshaw primarily utilizes two essential stitches:

• Ribbing (K2, P2): Used for the welts and cuffs, the knit-purl combination creates vertical columns that provide stretch and recovery
• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The main fabric throughout the body, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing the classic smooth knit appearance

The pattern also includes decreases worked at armhole and neck edges to shape the garment, and cast-offs to finish edges and create shoulder seams.

Materials and Specifications

The Hornshaw is designed to be worked with Rowan Big Wool yarn, a substantial weight yarn that knits quickly and creates a dense, warm fabric. The pattern originally features two colorway options: Forest (shade 043) and Concrete (shade 061). Yarn requirements vary by size, ranging from 8 to 12 balls of 100-gram skeins depending on the finished size selected.

The pattern specifies 10mm (US 15) needles (UK size 000), which are appropriately sized for the Big Wool yarn weight. The recommended tension is 9 stitches and 12½ rows per 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using the specified needles, ensuring proper garment proportions and fit across all sizes.

Pattern Structure and Construction

The sweater is constructed in separate pieces: a front and back worked flat on straight needles. The front begins with a cast-on appropriate to the chosen size, followed by ribbed edging and then stockinette stitch body. Armhole shaping occurs through cast-offs at the beginning of rows followed by edge decreases. The front features a divided neckline where the center stitches are cast off, and each shoulder is completed separately with neck edge decreases and stepped shoulder cast-offs. The back is worked to match the front's armhole shaping before the neckline division, creating a coordinated garment with balanced proportions.