Rowan Mackintosh Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Mackintosh Knitted Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Rowan Mackintosh is a knitted sweater designed by Martin Storey. This garment is a classic pullover sweater available in five size options to fit bust measurements ranging from 81–86 cm (32–34 inches) up to 122–127 cm (48–50 inches). The finished garment features actual bust measurements from 96 cm to 136 cm, providing a range of fits for different body types and style preferences.

Construction Method

This sweater is constructed using a bottom-up seamed approach, meaning the body and sleeves are knitted separately starting from the lower edges and worked upward, then assembled together with seams. This traditional construction method allows for straightforward shaping and provides excellent garment stability.

Knitting Techniques

The Mackintosh employs several advanced knitting techniques to create visual interest and structure:

• Stranded colorwork (Fair Isle): The pattern incorporates the Fair Isle technique, a traditional method of working with two colors within a single row to create intricate patterned designs. The colorwork features a 24-row pattern repeat that is worked throughout the garment using the stranded method, where unused yarn is carried across the back of the work.
• Striped stockinette stitch: The base fabric combines stripes with stockinette stitch, creating horizontal bands of color variation that add visual depth to the design.
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for easier pattern work and seaming.
• Shaping techniques: The pattern includes strategic increases and decreases for armhole shaping, shoulder construction, and neckline definition, demonstrating intermediate to advanced garment engineering.

Stitches Used

The Mackintosh is primarily worked in stockinette stitch, the fundamental stitch that creates the smooth, classic fabric base. Additional stitches employed include:

• Knit and purl stitches for creating the striped sections
• Increases using the make-one (M1P) technique for gradual shaping
• Decreases including K2tog, K3tog, P2tog, and P2tog tbl for armhole and shoulder shaping
• Slip stitches (Sl 1) used in conjunction with decreases for neat edge finishing

Materials Required

The Mackintosh is designed to be knitted using Rowan Cashmere Tweed yarn, a luxury fiber blend that provides warmth and drape. The yarn requirements vary by size:

• Yarn A (Oats 001): 8–12 x 25g balls depending on size
• Yarn B (Chocolate 008): 5–8 x 25g balls depending on size

The pattern specifies two needle sizes to achieve proper tension: 3.25mm (UK size 10, US size 3) needles for ribbed sections and 4mm (UK size 8, US size 6) needles for the main fabric. The tension is measured at 22 stitches and 30 rows over 10 cm in striped stockinette stitch, and 27 stitches and 26 rows over 10 cm in the patterned Fair Isle sections, both worked on 4mm needles.

Design Details

The sweater features classic tailoring with set-in armholes that are shaped through a series of cast-offs and decreases to create a fitted sleeve cap. The back neck and shoulders are shaped with graduated cast-offs for a professional finish. The pattern includes detailed row-by-row instructions for multiple sizes, ensuring consistent fit across the size range.