Rowan Tiking Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Tiking Knit Sweater by Sarah Hatton

What is Being Made

The Rowan Tiking is a knitted sweater designed by Sarah Hatton, available in five sizes to fit bust measurements from 81–86 cm (32–34 inches) up to 122–127 cm (48–50 inches). The finished garment features actual bust measurements ranging from 91 cm to 131 cm (36 to 51½ inches), offering a comfortable, relaxed fit across the size range.

Construction Method

This sweater is constructed using a bottom-up, seamed, and worked-flat approach. The pattern is worked in separate flat pieces on straight needles, then assembled together using seaming techniques. This traditional construction method allows for precise shaping and fitting throughout the garment.

Techniques Used

The Tiking employs several key knitting techniques to create its distinctive appearance and structure:

• Lace patterning: A repeating lace motif forms the primary decorative element, created through yarn forwards and decreases that work together to create openwork sections. The pattern note emphasizes the importance of matching each decrease with an increase to maintain proper stitch counts and pattern integrity.
• Armhole shaping: The pattern includes cast-off stitches at the beginning of rows followed by strategic decreases to create tailored armholes that fit properly at the shoulder.
• Shoulder and neckline shaping: The sweater features shaped shoulders and a back neck opening, created through calculated cast-offs and turning rows to build structure at the upper body.
• Ribbed edgings: Alternating knit and purl stitches create a ribbed texture for finishing edges, providing elasticity and a polished appearance.

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates fundamental knitting stitches combined to create texture and shaping:

• Stockinette stitch (st st): The primary fabric stitch, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, forming a smooth, classic knit fabric.
• Lace stitches: Created using yarn forwards (yfwd), slip stitches (sl 1), knit two together decreases (K2tog), and pass slipped stitch over (psso) techniques. These stitches work in concert to create the openwork lace pattern that repeats over rows 11 to 14.
• Ribbing: Alternating knit and purl stitches (K1, *P1, K1*) create textured edges with natural stretch.
• Decreases: K2tog and slip-slip-knit (sl 1, K1, psso) decreases are used both within the lace pattern and for armhole and shoulder shaping.

Materials and Specifications

The Tiking is designed to be worked in Rowan Cotton Cashmere yarn, a luxury blend that combines the breathability of cotton with the softness of cashmere. The pattern requires 6 to 9 balls of 50-gram weight yarn depending on the size selected, with the photographed sample shown in the colorway Faded Denim 222.

The pattern calls for two pairs of needles in different sizes to achieve proper tension and fabric characteristics. 3¼mm (US 3) needles are used for ribbed edgings and initial stitch setup, while 4mm (US 6) needles are used for the main body fabric. The tension is critical for proper fit: 20 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm when measured over stockinette stitch, and 20 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm when measured over the lace pattern, both using the 4mm needles.

Skill Level and Pattern Details

This pattern is suitable for knitters with intermediate experience, as it requires understanding of lace techniques, shaping methods, and the ability to maintain pattern repeats while simultaneously working decreases for armhole and shoulder shaping. The pattern reference is ZB232-00011 v.1, and additional yarn information and pattern support is available on knitrowan.com.