Rowan Newt Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Newt Knitted Sweater by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Newt is a children's knitted sweater designed by Martin Storey, available in sizes to fit ages 3–4 through 11–12 years. This garment features a classic pullover construction with raglan armholes and is offered in both a two-colour intarsia version and a single-colour option. The design showcases a decorative motif chart worked into the front of the sweater, making it a charming piece for young knitters and experienced crafters alike.

Techniques Used

The Newt sweater employs several key knitting techniques that add visual interest and structural integrity to the finished garment:

• Bottom-up construction: The sweater is worked from the lower edge upward, allowing knitters to try on and adjust fit as they progress.
• Intarsia: The two-colour version uses the intarsia technique to incorporate a decorative motif chart into the front of the sweater. This method involves working with separate lengths of yarn for different coloured sections, creating a neat, flat fabric without the bulk of stranded colourwork.
• Seamed construction: Pieces are worked flat and then seamed together, providing clean, professional-looking joins.
• Worked flat: All pattern pieces are knitted on straight needles in rows rather than in the round, making this an accessible project for knitters who prefer traditional flat knitting methods.
• Raglan shaping: The armholes are shaped using raglan decreases, which create diagonal lines from the underarm to the neckline, a classic and flattering silhouette for children's garments.

Stitches Used

The Newt sweater is primarily constructed using fundamental knitting stitches, making it suitable for knitters with intermediate skills:

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch): The main fabric throughout the sweater, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing the classic smooth, V-patterned surface.
• Decreases for shaping: Raglan armhole shaping employs slip-stitch decreases (sl 1, K1, psso) and knit two together (K2tog) on knit rows, with corresponding purl decreases (P2tog and P2togtbl) on purl rows to maintain pattern consistency.
• Cast-off: Standard cast-off techniques are used to finish edges and secure stitches.

Materials and Specifications

The Rowan Newt is designed to be knitted in Softyak DK, a double-knit weight yarn that provides excellent drape and softness ideal for children's garments.

Two-Colour Version yarn requirements:

• Yarn A (Cream 230): 4, 5, 5, 6, or 7 x 50g balls depending on size
• Yarn B (Plateau 239): 1, 1, 2, 2, or 2 x 50g balls depending on size

One-Colour Version yarn requirements:

• Softyak DK (photographed in Prairie 233): 4, 5, 6, 7, or 7 x 50g balls depending on size

Needles required:

• 1 pair 3¼mm (UK size 10 / US size 3) needles for ribbing
• 1 pair 4mm (UK size 8 / US size 6) needles for main fabric

Tension: 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 centimetres measured over stocking stitch using 4mm (US 6) needles. Achieving correct tension is essential for proper fit across all size ranges.

Design Details

The front of the sweater features a decorative motif chart spanning 44 stitches and 73 rows, worked entirely in stocking stitch using the intarsia technique. The motif is positioned centrally on the front, with stocking stitch borders on either side. The back and sleeves remain in solid colour, allowing the charted design to be the focal point of the garment. Raglan armholes are shaped symmetrically on both front