Rowan Whinlatter Jumper Knitting Pattern

Rowan Whinlatter Sweater by Lisa Richardson

What is Being Made

The Rowan Whinlatter is a knitted sweater designed by Lisa Richardson. This garment is available in five sizes to fit bust measurements ranging from 81-86 cm (32-34 inches) through to 122-127 cm (48-50 inches), with actual finished bust measurements from 90.5 cm to 130.5 cm. The sweater features a classic pullover construction with shaped armholes, shoulder shaping, and a divided front neckline for a tailored fit.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Whinlatter employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished structure:

• Bottom-up construction: The sweater is worked from the lower edge upward, beginning with casting on stitches for the back piece
• Flat knitting: All pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for seamed assembly
• Seamed construction: Individual pieces (back, front, and sleeves) are knitted separately and then joined together with seams
• Armhole shaping: Decreases are worked at regular intervals to create fitted armholes, using both single decreases and alternate-row decreases for a gradual taper
• Shoulder and neckline shaping: The pattern includes cast-off shaping at the shoulders and strategic decreases at the neckline to create a professional garment silhouette

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Whinlatter incorporates two primary stitch patterns to create textural interest and structure:

• Rib pattern: A ribbed stitch pattern is featured prominently in the design, providing elasticity and a classic knitted appearance. The tension for the rib pattern is measured at 25 stitches and 32 rows to 10 cm when lightly pressed
• Stockinette stitch (st st): Smooth stockinette stitch is used throughout the main body of the garment. The tension for stockinette stitch is 23 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm
• Decrease stitches: The pattern uses slip-stitch decreases (sl 1, K1, psso) and knit two together (K2tog) decreases for armhole and neckline shaping, as well as purl decreases (P2tog and P2tog tbl) on wrong-side rows

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Rowan Whinlatter is designed to be worked with specific materials to achieve the intended drape and fit:

• Yarn: Rowan Moordale yarn is used for this pattern. The garment requires 5 to 7 balls of 100 gm yarn depending on size, with the photographed sample worked in the Pepper 002 colorway. More detailed yarn information is available on knitrowan.com
• Needles: The pattern is worked using one pair of 4 mm (US size 6) needles throughout, which are used for all pieces and stitch patterns
• Tension: Achieving the correct tension is essential for proper fit. Knitters should aim for 25 stitches and 32 rows to 10 cm over the rib pattern and 23 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm over stockinette stitch, both measured with 4 mm needles when the swatch is lightly pressed

Pattern Structure and Construction Details

The back piece begins with casting on 119 to 167 stitches depending on size. After working the initial rib pattern, the back is worked straight until the armhole shaping begins. Armhole decreases are worked over several rows, with 4 to 8 stitches cast off at the beginning of the first two rows, followed by single-stitch decreases worked over subsequent rows and alternate rows. The armhole depth measures 19 to 25 cm depending on size before shoulder shaping commences.

Shoulder shaping is accomplished through a series of cast-offs, with 5 to 9 stitches cast off at the beginning of rows to create stepped shoulders. The back neck is shaped by casting off the centre stitches and working each shoulder separately with decreases at the neck edge.

The front piece is worked similarly to the back until two rows before the armhole shaping on the back is complete. The front neckline