Rowan Iceland Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Iceland Knitted Sweater by Stephanie White

What is Being Made

Iceland is a knitted sweater design available in four sizes to fit bust measurements from 82-87 cm (32-34 inches) through 112-117 cm (44-46 inches). This seamed, worked-flat garment features sophisticated lace patterning combined with cable details, creating an elegant pullover suitable for various occasions and skill levels.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs seamed construction, meaning pieces are knitted separately and then sewn together for finishing. The sweater is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing knitters to work back and forth in rows. The design incorporates two primary technical elements: lace work featuring yarn-forward increases and decreases that create openwork motifs, and cable knitting using a cable needle to create twisted stitch patterns. The lace and cable sections are integrated into a 20-row repeating pattern that forms the main fabric design.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with decorative techniques. Key stitches include knit and purl stitches as the foundation, with lace elements created through yarn forward (yfwd) increases paired with knit two together (K2tog) and slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (Sl 1, K1, psso) decreases. Cable work is achieved through the C2B (cable 2 back) abbreviation, which involves slipping a stitch onto a cable needle, holding it at the back of the work, knitting the next stitch, then knitting the stitch from the cable needle. Additional decrease variations include slip 1 wyib (with yarn in back), knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over (Sl 1 wyib, K2tog, psso), which creates centered decreases. The pattern also incorporates M3 (make 3), a stitch multiplication technique, and K1B (knit 1 below), which adds textural variation. These stitches combine across 20 rows to form the repeating pattern.

Materials Required

Yarn: The sweater is knitted using Rowan Cocoon yarn, a bulky-weight yarn requiring 8 to 10 x 100-gram balls depending on size (the pattern was photographed in the colorway Tundra 808). Rowan Cocoon is a thick, warm yarn suitable for quick knitting and cozy garments.

Needles and Notions: Knitters will need one pair of 7mm (US size 10½) needles for the main fabric, along with a cable needle for working the cable stitches. Stitch holders are essential for holding stitches during neck shaping, and the finished sweater requires 6 medium-sized buttons for closure.

Gauge and Construction Details

Achieving proper gauge is critical for this pattern. The tension specification calls for 18 stitches and 15.5 rows to measure 10 centimeters over the lace and cable pattern, and 17 stitches and 16 rows to measure 10 centimeters over rib sections, both measured using 7mm needles. The main body is worked to a length of 41 to 52.5 centimeters depending on size before the neck is divided, with the front and back pieces worked separately after the division point.