Rowan Pippin Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Pippin Knitted Sweater by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Pippin is a children's knitted sweater designed by Martin Storey, available in five size options to fit ages 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12 years. This classic pullover sweater features decorative cable patterning throughout and is constructed using a bottom-up knitting method with seamed construction.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques to create its finished structure:

• Bottom-up construction: The sweater is knitted from the lower edge upward, allowing for straightforward length adjustments and a logical progression through the pattern.
• Flat knitting: Pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, with seaming used to join the finished pieces together.
• Seamed assembly: Individual knitted pieces (front, back, and sleeves) are sewn together to create the final garment.
• Cable work: Decorative cable stitches are integrated throughout the body of the sweater, creating textured vertical lines and visual interest.
• Raglan shaping: The armholes are shaped using raglan decreases, which create diagonal lines from the underarm to the neckline for a comfortable, fitted silhouette.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Pippin pattern combines several stitch techniques to achieve its textured appearance:

• Ribbed rib stitch: The lower edge begins with a knit-purl rib pattern (alternating K1, P1 or K2, P2 depending on size) that provides elasticity and structure at the hem.
• Cable stitches: The main body features cable stitches, specifically C2B (cable 2 back) crosses that create the characteristic twisted rope-like texture. These cables are worked in repeating 8-row pattern sequences as indicated on the accompanying stitch chart.
• Decreases for shaping: Raglan armhole shaping uses standard decreases including K1, psso (knit 1, pass slipped stitch over), K2tog (knit 2 together), P2tog (purl 2 together), and P2togtbl (purl 2 together through back loops) to create neat, sloped edges.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The pattern calls for Rowan Softyak DK, a double knitting weight yarn. Yardage requirements vary by size: 6, 7, 8, 10, or 11 balls of 50g each, depending on which of the five sizes is being knitted. The photographed sample is shown in Rowan Softyak DK Plain 232. Additional yarn information is available on knitrowan.com.

Needles and notions: The pattern requires two pairs of straight needles in different sizes: 3¼mm (US 3) needles for the ribbed cuff and 4mm (US 6) needles for the main body and cable pattern work. A 3¼mm (US 3) circular needle at least 40cm long is needed for neckline finishing. A cable needle is essential for working the cable crosses. One 15mm button from Groves & Banks is required for the finished sweater.

Gauge and Tension

Achieving the correct tension is critical for proper fit. The pattern specifies a gauge of 34 stitches and 33 rows over 10 centimeters when measured over the cable pattern using 4mm needles. Knitters should always knit and measure a gauge swatch before beginning the project to ensure their finished sweater will be the correct size.

Construction Details

The sweater begins with a ribbed cuff worked on smaller needles, which is then changed to larger needles for the main body. The cable pattern is established from a stitch chart and worked in repeating 8-row sequences. The back piece is worked straight until it reaches the specified length (ranging from 24cm for the smallest size to 35cm for the largest), at which point raglan armhole shaping begins. Decreases are worked at both ends of the piece over multiple rows to create the characteristic diagonal raglan lines. The pattern reference is ZB230-00009 v.1, with copyright held by MEZ Crafts UK Ltd., 2018.