Rowan Lingmell Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Lingmell Sweater by Lisa Richardson

What is Being Made

The Rowan Lingmell is a knitted sweater designed by Lisa Richardson. This garment is available in five size options, with actual bust measurements ranging from 112 cm (44 inches) for the smallest size up to 152 cm (59¾ inches) for the largest size, accommodating bust sizes from 81–127 cm. The sweater features a structured construction with shaped armholes and shoulders, making it a tailored, fitted design suitable for everyday wear.

Techniques Used

The Lingmell employs several key knitting techniques that create both visual interest and structural integrity:

• Bottom-up construction: The sweater is worked from the bottom upward, beginning with cast-on stitches at the hem and progressing toward the shoulders and neckline.
• Worked flat: Pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for seaming during finishing.
• Seamed assembly: Individual pieces are joined together using seaming techniques, creating clean, professional edges.
• Stranded colorwork: The pattern incorporates stranded knitting, a technique where multiple yarn colors are carried across the back of the work to create patterned sections. This adds visual depth and design complexity to the finished garment.

Stitches Used

The Lingmell utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with colorwork techniques:

• Stockinette stitch (st st): The primary stitch used throughout the garment, creating a smooth, classic fabric surface.
• Patterned stockinette stitch: Stockinette stitch worked with multiple colors to create the stranded colorwork design elements.
• Ribbing: A knit-purl combination rib pattern (K2, P2 ribbing) is used for the cuff and waistband areas, providing elasticity and a finished appearance at garment edges.
• Shaping decreases and increases: Strategic increases at the armhole openings and decreases at the shoulders and neck create the garment's fitted silhouette.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The Lingmell is designed to be worked in Rowan Moordale, a worsted-weight yarn supplied in 100-gram balls. The pattern calls for three coordinating colors:

• Color A – Ash (010): 2–3 balls depending on size
• Color B – Pepper (002): 4–6 balls depending on size
• Color C – Turmeric (003): 1 ball (used as an accent color)

Needles: The pattern requires two needle sizes:

• 1 pair of 3¼mm (US 3) needles for ribbed sections
• 1 pair of 4mm (US 6) needles for the main body and patterned sections

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct tension is essential for proper fit. The pattern specifies two different gauges depending on the stitch type:

• 23 stitches and 30 rows over 10 cm (4 inches) in plain stockinette stitch using 4mm needles
• 24 stitches and 27 rows over 10 cm (4 inches) in patterned stockinette stitch using 4mm needles

These gauge specifications account for the slight density difference created when working stranded colorwork compared to solid-color knitting.

Construction Details

The sweater is constructed in separate pieces that are later seamed together. The back and front pieces feature armhole shaping created by increasing stitches at strategic intervals, with increases worked at both ends of rows every 8 rows over multiple rows. Shoulder shaping is achieved through a series of cast-off rows at the beginning of rows, creating a stepped shoulder line. The neckline is shaped with decreases at the neck edge and cast-off stitches at the beginning of rows, creating a finished neck opening. Stitches are held on holders at the center back and center front for the neckband, which is typically worked separately and grafted or sewn into place.

This downloadable PDF pattern from Rowan (reference ZB254