Rowan Starburst Sweater Knitting Pattern

Rowan Starburst Sweater by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Starburst Sweater is a children's knitted pullover designed by Martin Storey. This garment is available in four sizes to fit ages 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12 years, with actual chest measurements ranging from 75.5 cm to 95.5 cm (29¾ to 37½ inches). The sweater features a classic crew neck construction with shaped shoulders and a structured back neck opening.

Techniques Used

This design employs several intermediate knitting techniques to create visual interest and structure:

• Bottom-up construction: The sweater is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing for straightforward shaping and measurement adjustments
• Intarsia colorwork: The sweater features intarsia patterning, a technique where different colored yarns are used to create a design motif. The pattern is worked from a chart, enabling precise color placement and pattern definition
• Striped sections: The lower portion of the garment incorporates horizontal stripes worked in alternating yarn colors before transitioning to the intarsia chart pattern
• Seamed construction: Pieces are worked flat and then seamed together, creating clean, professional finishing
• Worked flat: All pattern pieces are knitted on straight needles in flat rows rather than in the round, providing flexibility in shaping

Stitches Used

The Rowan Starburst Sweater is constructed primarily using stockinette stitch (st st), the fundamental stitch for most of the garment. Stockinette stitch creates a smooth, classic fabric with a distinctive V-pattern appearance on the right side. This stitch is ideal for displaying both the striped sections and the intarsia colorwork pattern, as it provides an even canvas for color changes and motifs to stand out clearly.

Materials and Yarn

This pattern uses Rowan Softyak DK yarn, a soft and durable yarn weight suitable for children's garments:

• Yarn A (Cream): 4, 4, 5, or 6 x 50g balls depending on size
• Yarn B (Terrain): 2, 2, 3, or 3 x 50g balls depending on size
• Yarn C (Lea): 1 x 50g ball for all sizes

Needles and Tension

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

• 3¼mm (US 3) needles: Used for ribbed edgings and initial sections
• 4mm (US 6) needles: Used for the main body fabric

The tension for this garment is 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm measured over stockinette stitch using 4mm needles. Achieving correct tension is essential for proper garment fit and is particularly important when working intarsia patterns to maintain consistent fabric density.

Pattern Structure

The sweater follows a traditional construction method with separate back and front pieces. The back is worked first with striped sections at the lower edge, followed by solid color stockinette, and concludes with shoulder shaping and back neck shaping. The front piece mirrors the back construction through the striped and solid sections, then introduces the intarsia chart pattern before front neck shaping. All pieces are subsequently seamed together to create the finished garment, with the intarsia technique allowing for detailed, multi-colored design elements to be incorporated seamlessly into the knitted fabric.