Rowan Tamson Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Tamson Baby Sweater by Grace Jones

What is Being Made

The Rowan Tamson is a classic baby sweater designed for infants and toddlers ranging from newborn through 2-3 years old. This knitted jumper features a timeless construction with actual chest measurements ranging from 51.5 cm to 64 cm (20¼ to 25¼ inches) across seven size options. The garment includes button closures for practical dressing and fastening.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Tamson employs a bottom-up construction method, meaning the sweater is knitted from the lower edge upward. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, creating individual pieces that are later seamed together. This traditional approach allows for precise shaping and a professional finish.

The pattern incorporates several shaping techniques essential to garment construction:

• Armhole shaping achieved through casting off stitches at the beginning of rows followed by strategic decreases
• Neck shaping on both back and front pieces, with the back neck shaped through turning rows and the front neck shaped with decreases worked over multiple rows
• Shoulder shaping created through cast-off edges that form the top of the garment

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Tamson features a reversible rib pattern that creates visual interest and elasticity throughout the garment. The stitch pattern alternates between knit and purl stitches in a consistent repeat:

• Row 7 (Right Side): K1, *P1, K1, repeat from * to end
• Row 8: P1, *K1, P1, repeat from * to end
• Row 9: P1, *K1, P1, repeat from * to end
• Row 10: K1, *P1, K1, repeat from * to end

This four-row repeat creates a textured knit-purl pattern that is maintained throughout the body of the sweater. The pattern requires consistent attention to keeping pattern correct during all shaping operations, including armhole decreases, neck shaping, and shoulder construction. The garment is worked at a tension of 26 stitches and 35 rows to 10 centimeters over the pattern stitch.

Materials and Tools

The Rowan Tamson is knitted using Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino yarn, a premium blend ideal for delicate baby garments. The yarn quantity varies by size, ranging from 3 x 50 gram balls for the smallest sizes (0-3 months) to 5 x 50 gram balls for the largest sizes (2-3 years). The photographed sample is worked in the colorway Camel 103.

Two sizes of needles are required for this project:

• 3mm (US 2/3) needles used for the initial cast-on and ribbed edging
• 3¼mm (US 3) needles used for the main body pattern where the tension is measured

The sweater is completed with 2 to 3 buttons depending on size (BN1116 from Bedecked), which provide functional closures for the front opening. The pattern reference is ZB247-00012 v.1, designed by Grace Jones and published by MEZ Crafts UK Ltd.