Rowan Moorhouse Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Moorhouse Knitted Sweater by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Moorhouse is a knitted sweater designed by Martin Storey, available in seven sizes ranging from XS to 2XL to fit chest measurements from 38 to 50 inches (97 to 127 cm). This is a classic pullover-style jumper featuring cable and texture work throughout the body and sleeves.

Construction Method

This sweater is constructed using a bottom-up, seamed approach, meaning the body and sleeves are knitted separately from the lower edges upward and then joined together. The pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional seaming at the side and sleeve seams. This construction method provides excellent stitch definition for the cable and textured patterns featured in the design.

Techniques and Stitch Work

The Moorhouse showcases several key knitting techniques that create visual interest and texture:

• Cable work forms a central design element, created using cable stitches such as C6B (slip next 3 stitches onto cable needle and hold at back of work, knit 3, then knit 3 from cable needle). These cables add dimension and a traditional aesthetic to the garment.
• Moss stitch is used as a complementary texture throughout the sweater, providing a subtle, bumpy surface that contrasts with the raised cables.
• Shaping techniques including strategic decreases at the neck, armholes, and shoulders create a fitted silhouette that follows the body's contours across all size ranges.

Materials and Gauge

The Moorhouse is designed to be knitted using Rowan Lima yarn, a worsted-weight fiber. The pattern calls for 13 to 19 balls of 50-gram yarn depending on the size selected, with the photographed sample shown in Lima 888.

Two needle sizes are required for this project: 4½mm (US 7) needles for ribbed edgings and a 5½mm (US 9) needle for the main body and cable work. A 4½mm long circular needle is also needed for neckline finishing, and a cable needle is essential for manipulating the cable stitches. One 20mm button is required for the design detail.

The tension is measured at 27 stitches and 26 rows to 10 centimeters over cable pattern and 20 stitches and 26 rows to 10 centimeters over moss stitch using the 5½mm needles. Achieving correct tension is critical for proper fit across all size options.

Design Details

The sweater features a divided neckline with separate shaping for each shoulder, allowing for a refined neckline finish. Armhole shaping is carefully graduated across the size range, with cast-off and decrease sequences that vary by size to maintain proper proportions. The pattern includes detailed row-by-row instructions for neck decreases, armhole decreases, and shoulder shaping, demonstrating Martin Storey's precision in garment design.