Rowan Killarney Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Killarney Sweater by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

Rowan Killarney is a knitted sweater designed by Martin Storey, available in five sizes ranging from small to extra-extra-large to fit bust measurements from 81-86 cm (32-34 inches) up to 122-127 cm (48-50 inches). This garment is constructed as a classic pullover sweater with a prominent cable panel detail running down the center front and back.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Killarney sweater is worked flat on straight needles, meaning each piece is knitted as a flat rectangle rather than in the round. The garment is constructed using the bottom-up method, where the knitter begins at the lower edge and works upward toward the shoulders and neckline. Individual pieces are then seamed together to create the finished garment. This traditional construction approach allows for precise shaping at the armholes, shoulders, and neckline through strategic increases and decreases worked at specific intervals throughout the pattern.

Stitches and Cable Details

The pattern features cable stitches as the primary decorative element. The design incorporates a 24-row cable pattern repeat that forms a striking center panel. The cable work is executed using C2B (cable 2 back) and C2F (cable 2 front) abbreviations, which involve slipping stitches onto a cable needle to create the characteristic twisted rope-like texture. The cable panel is flanked by reverse stockinette stitch at the sides, which provides visual contrast and allows the cables to stand out prominently. Standard stockinette stitch is used for additional areas of the garment.

Shaping is accomplished through strategic decreases and increases: the pattern includes decreases worked at the sides during the lower body section, followed by increases to create a gentle A-line silhouette. Armhole shaping involves casting off stitches at the beginning of rows followed by single-stitch decreases worked at each end of rows over multiple row intervals.

Yarn and Needles

The Killarney sweater is knitted using Softknit Cotton yarn by Rowan. The pattern requires 8 to 12 balls of 50-gram yarn depending on the size being knitted, with the photographed sample shown in the colorway Lupin 575. Cotton yarn provides a breathable, lightweight fabric ideal for warmer weather wear.

Two pairs of needles are required: 4mm (US 6) needles and 4½mm (US 7) needles, along with a cable needle for manipulating the cable stitches. The pattern specifies a tension of 28 stitches and 28 rows to 10 centimeters measured over the cable pattern, and 20 stitches and 28 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch, both using the larger 4½mm needles.

Garment Shaping and Fit

The sweater incorporates fitted shaping through decreases at the lower body that taper the width, followed by strategic increases that create gentle shaping. Armhole depth ranges from 20 to 24 centimeters depending on size, with the back length measuring between 35 and 39 centimeters from cast-on edge to armhole. Shoulder shaping is achieved through successive cast-offs that create a sloped shoulder line, and back neck shaping provides a comfortable neckline opening.