Rowan Malmo Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Malmo Striped Sweater

What is Being Made

Rowan Malmo is a classic pullover sweater designed by Martin Storey. This garment is a versatile, everyday knit available in five size options ranging from 81-86 cm to 122-127 cm bust (32-34 in to 48-50 in), with corresponding finished bust measurements of 100 cm to 140 cm (39½ in to 55 in). The sweater features a timeless construction suitable for both casual wear and layering.

Techniques Used

Malmo is constructed using bottom-up seamed construction, meaning the back and front pieces are knitted separately from the lower edge upward, then sewn together at the side seams. The sweater incorporates horizontal striping throughout the design, created by changing between different yarn colors at specified intervals. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for straightforward colorwork transitions and seaming.

Shaping is achieved through strategic increases and decreases. The side seams feature increase rows worked as make-one stitches (M1) positioned two stitches in from each edge, creating a subtle shaping line. Armhole shaping is accomplished through cast-off decreases at the beginning of rows, followed by paired decreases (K2tog and K2tog tbl on knit rows; P2tog and P2tog tbl on purl rows) worked two stitches in from the edges. Shoulder and neckline shaping uses cast-off techniques to create clean, finished edges.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout Malmo is stockinette stitch (st st), which creates the smooth, classic fabric appearance. Stockinette stitch is formed by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, producing the characteristic V-pattern texture on the front of the fabric.

Shaping stitches include:

• Make-one (M1) increases for side seam shaping
• Knit two together (K2tog) for right-leaning decreases
• Knit two together through back loop (K2tog tbl) for left-leaning decreases
• Purl two together (P2tog) for decreases on wrong-side rows
• Purl two together through back loop (P2tog tbl) for left-leaning purl decreases
• Cast-off stitches for armhole and shoulder shaping

Materials and Yarn

Malmo is designed to be worked in Rowan Pure Wool Superwash Worsted, a durable and practical yarn choice. The pattern uses three distinct colors to create the horizontal stripe pattern:

• Yarn A: Moonstone (color 112) – 3, 4, 4, 4, or 4 x 100gm balls depending on size
• Yarn B: Gold (color 133) – 1 x 100gm ball for all sizes
• Yarn C: Charcoal Grey (color 155) – 2, 3, 3, 3, or 3 x 100gm balls depending on size

The yarn is worked at a tension of 20 stitches and 25 rows to 10 cm measured over stockinette stitch using 4½mm (US 7) needles, ensuring consistent fabric drape and finished measurements across all sizes.

Needles Required

The pattern calls for two needle sizes:

• 4mm (no 8 / US 6) needles – one pair
• 4½mm (no 7 / US 7) needles – one pair

The slightly larger 4½mm needles are used for the main body to achieve the specified tension, while the smaller 4mm needles may be used for ribbed edges or cuffs if the pattern includes them.

Construction Details

The back piece begins with a cast-on of 90, 100, 110, 120, or 130 stitches depending on