Rowan Nieve Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Nieve Knitted Sweater by Sarah Hatton

What is Being Made

The Rowan Nieve is a knitted sweater designed by Sarah Hatton, available in five sizes to fit bust measurements from 81-86 cm (32-34 inches) up to 122-127 cm (48-50 inches). The finished garment features actual bust measurements ranging from 96 cm (38 inches) to 136 cm (53½ inches), providing comfortable ease for everyday wear. This is a classic pullover-style sweater suitable for various skill levels.

Techniques Used

The Nieve sweater is constructed using bottom-up knitting, meaning the garment is worked from the lower edge upward. The pattern employs stranded colorwork, a traditional technique for creating patterned designs by carrying multiple yarn colors across rows and selecting which color to knit with at each stitch. The sweater is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, requiring seaming to join the pieces together after completion.

Stitches and Construction Details

The primary stitch used throughout the garment is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric. The pattern incorporates shaping techniques including:

• Cast-off decreases at the armhole openings to establish the sleeve cap depth
• Slip-stitch decreases (slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over) and knit 2 together decreases worked at the armhole edges to create a tapered fit
• Purl 2 together and purl 2 together through the back loop decreases on wrong-side rows
• Neck shaping with decreases worked over multiple rows to create a comfortable neckline opening
• Shoulder shaping through strategic cast-offs to create proper sleeve cap depth and shoulder definition

Materials: Yarn

The Nieve pattern calls for two Rowan yarns in a stranded colorwork design:

• Rowan Cocoon (shade Shale, color 804): 7, 8, 9, 10, or 10 balls of 100gm each, depending on size
• Rowan Alpine (shade Alpine, color 802): 1 ball of 100gm for all sizes

These yarn quantities support the two-color stranded knitting technique that creates the sweater's pattern.

Materials: Needles and Gauge

The pattern requires two pairs of needles to accommodate gauge changes:

• 6mm (US 10) needles for the initial cast-on and ribbing sections
• 7mm (US 10½) needles for the main body knitting in stockinette stitch

The working tension is 14 stitches and 16 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using the 7mm needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit and finished measurements.

Pattern Structure

The sweater is constructed in separate pieces: a back panel, a front panel, and sleeves. The back begins with a cast-on of 67 to 95 stitches depending on size, worked upward to the armhole depth of 20 to 26 centimeters. Armhole shaping is achieved through cast-offs at the beginning of rows followed by decreases at the edges over subsequent rows. Shoulder shaping and back neck shaping are completed before finishing. The front follows a similar construction but includes additional neck shaping worked several rows before the shoulder shaping to create a comfortable neckline. All pieces are worked flat and require seaming to complete the garment.