Rowan Oakley Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Oakley Knitted Sweater

What is Being Made

The Rowan Oakley is a knitted sweater designed by Martin Storey, available in six sizes to fit chest measurements from 81-86 cm (32-34 in) up to 132-137 cm (52-54 in). The finished garment chest measurements range from 102 cm (40¼ in) to 151.5 cm (59¾ in), providing a comfortable fit across multiple body sizes. This is a classic pullover-style sweater suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

The Oakley sweater is constructed using a bottom-up building method, meaning the garment is knitted starting from the lower edge and working upward toward the shoulders. The sweater is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, and the pieces are subsequently seamed together to create the finished garment. This traditional construction approach allows for precise shaping and detailed stitch work throughout the design.

Cable techniques feature prominently in the design, as indicated by the inclusion of a cable needle in the required materials and the presence of chart-based cable patterns. The cables are integrated into the body of the sweater through charted instructions, creating visual interest and texture across the front and back panels.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs several fundamental knitting stitches to construct the Oakley sweater:

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches form the foundation of the fabric and are used in combination to create ribbed edges and textured sections
• Ribbing appears throughout the pattern, particularly in the edge stitches and cuff areas, created by alternating knit and purl stitches in sequences such as K2, P2 or K1, P1. Ribbing provides elasticity and helps the sweater maintain its shape
• Cable stitches are worked according to charted instructions, with the center 144 stitches of the body following detailed cable patterns from rows 1 through 22 and beyond. These cables create the distinctive textured design element of the sweater

The pattern uses chart-based instructions for the cable sections, allowing knitters to follow the cable crossings visually. The stitch counts and pattern repeats vary by size, with edge stitches adjusted to maintain proper proportions across the six size options.

Materials

The Rowan Oakley requires Rowan Denim Revive yarn in the following quantities: 17, 19, 21, 23, 26, or 28 x 50-gram balls depending on size selection. The pattern was photographed in the Cream 210 colorway, showcasing how the cable details appear in a neutral tone.

Needles required include one pair of 3¼mm (US 3) needles, one pair of 3¾mm (US 5) needles, a 3¼mm (US 3) circular needle no longer than 40 cm for ribbed sections, and a cable needle for managing cable stitches during construction. The use of two needle sizes allows for proper gauge control, with the smaller needles creating the ribbed sections and the larger needles used for the main body fabric where the cables are featured.

Additional information and yarn sourcing details are available on knitrowan.com for knitters seeking alternative colorways or yarn substitutions.