Rowan Thorvald Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Thorvald Knitted Sweater by Arne & Carlos

What is Being Made

Thorvald is a knitted sweater designed by the renowned design duo Arne & Carlos. This garment is available in six sizes to fit chest measurements ranging from 81-86 cm (32-34 inches) up to 132-137 cm (52-54 inches), with actual finished chest measurements from 91 cm to 148 cm. The sweater features a classic construction with a shaped raglan armhole design and front neck shaping for a tailored fit.

Techniques Used

Thorvald is constructed using several key knitting techniques that create both visual interest and structural integrity:

• Bottom-up construction: The sweater is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and easily adjust length if needed.
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, then seamed together at the end.
• Seamed assembly: Individual pieces (back, front, and sleeves) are joined using seaming techniques for a professional finish.
• Stranded colorwork: The design incorporates stranded knitting, a technique where two colors of yarn are carried across the back of the work to create patterned sections while maintaining consistent fabric density.
• Raglan shaping: Raglan armholes are created through strategic decreases at the beginning of rows, producing the characteristic diagonal seam lines from underarm to neckline.
• Decreasing techniques: The pattern uses slip-stitch decreases (sl 1, K1, psso) and knit two together (K2tog) decreases to shape the garment smoothly.

Stitches Used

The Thorvald sweater employs fundamental knitting stitches combined to create the finished fabric:

• Stockinette stitch (st st): The primary stitch throughout the sweater, creating a smooth, classic knitted fabric with a flat appearance on the right side and bumpy texture on the wrong side.
• Garter stitch: Likely used for ribbed edgings and cuffs to create elasticity and prevent rolling.
• Knit and purl stitches: Combined in the stranded colorwork sections to integrate the two yarn colors (Deep Rose and Rainy Day) into cohesive patterned areas.
• Decrease stitches: Slip-stitch decreases and knit two together decreases are essential for shaping the raglan armholes and front neckline.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: Thorvald is designed to be knitted in Rowan Alpaca Soft DK, a lightweight double-knitting weight yarn that provides softness and drape. The pattern uses two colors:

• Color A – Deep Rose (shade 206): Required quantities range from 6 to 9 x 50-gram balls depending on size, with larger sizes requiring more yardage.
• Color B – Rainy Day (shade 210): Required quantities range from 5 to 8 x 50-gram balls, also varying by size.

Needles: The pattern calls for three pairs of needles in different sizes to accommodate the varying gauges required:

• 3¼mm (US 3) needles: Used for initial cast-on and ribbed edgings where a tighter gauge creates elasticity.
• 4mm (US 6) needles: The primary needles for the main body of the sweater, used to achieve the required tension of 22 stitches and 30 rows over 10 centimeters in stockinette stitch.
• 4½mm (US 7) needles: Included in the pattern for potential gauge adjustments or specific sections requiring a slightly looser tension.

Pattern Structure and Construction Details

The back piece is cast on using 3¼mm needles with yarn A, then changed to 4mm needles to work the main body. The back is worked straight until it reaches the appropriate length, at which point raglan armhole shaping begins. Raglan decreases are worked by casting off 3 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows, then continuing with paired decreases (one