Rowan Rydal Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Rydal Knitted Sweater by Marie Wallin

What Is Being Made

Rydal is a knitted sweater designed by Marie Wallin for Rowan. This garment is a pullover-style jumper available in four sizes to fit bust measurements of 81-86 cm (S), 91-97 cm (M), 102-107 cm (L), and 112-117 cm (XL). The sweater features a distinctive funnel neck and is constructed with a classic fitted silhouette through strategic shaping at the shoulders and side seams.

Techniques Used

Rydal is worked using the bottom-up construction method, meaning the garment is knitted from the lower edge upward. The sweater is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, which requires seaming to join the pieces together once knitting is complete. This traditional approach allows for precise control over shaping and patterning throughout the garment.

The design incorporates cable stitch techniques as a central design element. Cables are created using a cable needle to cross stitches over one another, producing the characteristic twisted rope-like texture that runs through the body and sleeves. The pattern alternates between cable rows and slip-stitch rows to create visual interest and dimensional texture.

The sweater begins with ribbed edging at the hem and cuffs, which provides elasticity and helps the garment maintain its shape. The body transitions from ribbing into stockinette stitch and then into the cable pattern repeat. Shaping is achieved through strategic increases at the side seams during the body section and decreases at the shoulders and neck to create the fitted funnel neckline.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch (g st) – Used for the initial 2-row borders on the back, front, and sleeves to create a finished edge and prevent curling
• Ribbing (K2, P2 and K2, P1 variations) – Applied at the hem and cuffs for elasticity and structure
• Stockinette stitch (st st) – The main background stitch worked in knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side
• Cable stitches (C3B, C3F) – Cross-stitch techniques that create the cable texture; C3B means cable 3 back and C3F means cable 3 front
• Slip stitches (sl 2) – Used between cable sections to add texture and help define the cable pattern

The main pattern repeat is a 4-row sequence that combines purl and knit stitches with slip stitches and cable crosses. This creates a repeating motif that runs vertically down the front and back of the sweater and across the sleeves.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The pattern specifies Rowan Purelife British Sheep Breeds DK yarn for construction. The yarn requirements vary by size: 10 balls for size S, 11 balls for size M, 13 balls for size L, and 14 balls for size XL. Each ball weighs 50 grams. The sample photographed was worked in Mid Brown Bluefaced Leicester 782, a natural wool colorway from the Rowan range.

Two pairs of needles are required: 3¾mm (US 5) needles for the ribbed sections and initial cast-on, and 4mm (US 6) needles for the main body and pattern work. A cable needle is essential for executing the cable stitches throughout the design. The needle size progression allows for a tighter gauge in the ribbing to ensure proper fit and elasticity, while the slightly larger needles create the correct gauge for the patterned body sections.

Construction Overview

The back and front pieces are worked identically using the same stitch patterns and shaping sequences. Each piece begins with a cast-on of 120-172 stitches depending on size, worked in garter stitch for 2 rows, then transitions to ribbing. After the ribbed section is complete, the pattern shifts to stockinette stitch for approximately 20-24 cm before the cable pattern begins.

Once the cable pattern is established, the sweater is worked straight until the armhole depth is reached (19-22 cm depending on size). Shoulder shaping is then worked by casting off stitches at regular intervals, and the remaining stitches are decreased to form the funnel neckline. The sleeves are similarly constructed with increases