Rowan Olava Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Olava Striped Sweater by Arne & Carlos

What is Being Made

The Rowan Olava is a knitted sweater designed by Arne & Carlos, available in five sizes to fit bust measurements from 81-86 cm (32-34 inches) through to 122-127 cm (48-50 inches). The finished garment has an actual bust measurement ranging from 141 cm to 181 cm depending on size, offering a relaxed, comfortable fit. This is a classic pullover-style jumper featuring decorative colorwork and ribbed cuffs.

Techniques Used

The Olava employs several key knitting techniques to create its distinctive appearance:

• Bottom-up construction: The sweater is worked from the lower edge upward, allowing for easy fitting adjustments and a traditional garment assembly method.
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, requiring seaming to join the finished pieces.
• Intarsia colorwork: A central motif is incorporated using the intarsia technique, which involves working with separate yarn lengths for different colored sections. The pattern features a 93-row chart worked over the center front of the garment, with Kidsilk Haze used double throughout the colorwork sections.
• Striping: The design incorporates stripe elements as part of its overall construction.

Stitches Used

The Olava utilizes fundamental knitting stitches to achieve its structure and texture:

• Stockinette stitch (st st): The primary stitch throughout the garment, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. This creates the smooth, classic fabric base for both the solid-colored sections and the intarsia chart.
• Ribbing: Used for the cuffs and collar sections, created by alternating knit and purl stitches in vertical columns to produce an elastic, fitted edge.

Materials and Gauge

The Olava is designed to be worked with specific yarns and needles to achieve the correct fabric characteristics:

• Yarn A: Rowan Felted Tweed in Alabaster (197), used as the main color. Quantities range from 7 to 10 balls of 50g depending on size.
• Yarn B: Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Peacock (671), used double throughout the intarsia colorwork sections. This requires 2 balls of 25g across all sizes.
• Needles: 3¼mm (US 3) needles for ribbed sections and 4mm (US 6) needles for main fabric.
• Tension: 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm measured over stockinette stitch using 4mm (US 6) needles and Felted Tweed.

Pattern Structure

The sweater follows a traditional construction method with distinct sections. The back is worked first in stockinette stitch, followed by the front which incorporates the 93-row intarsia chart centered over the chest area. Sleeves are worked separately, beginning with ribbed cuffs that are then increased to the required width. Shoulder shaping is achieved through cast-off rows, and a collar is formed from held stitches, completing the neckline.