Senna Jumper Knitting Pattern

Senna Sweater in MODE at Rowan Alpaca Cotton

What is Being Made

Senna is a knitted pullover sweater designed by Quail Studio, available in nine sizes ranging from 71-76 cm to 152-157 cm chest measurement. The garment features a contemporary construction method with yoke shaping, creating a modern silhouette suitable for a range of body sizes and proportions.

Construction Method and Design Features

This sweater is worked from the top down, a technique that allows for easy fitting adjustments and seamless construction. The yoke shaping creates a fitted upper body that gradually increases in width toward the hem. Sleeves are worked separately and held on stitch holders while the body is completed, then returned to and worked downward to the cuff. This approach minimizes seaming and provides excellent fit control throughout the garment.

Knitting Techniques Used

The pattern employs several essential knitting techniques:

• Circular knitting: The body is worked in the round using circular needles, creating a seamless tube of fabric that eliminates side seams
• Yoke increases: Strategic increases are distributed across rounds to shape the shoulder and upper body area, with different increase frequencies depending on size
• Double-pointed needle work: Sleeves transition to double-pointed needles for the narrower circumference at the cuff
• Stocking stitch: The primary fabric is worked in stocking stitch, creating a smooth, classic knit surface

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern uses fundamental knitting stitches and abbreviations:

• K (knit): The basic knit stitch forming the primary fabric
• M1 (make one): An increase stitch created by inserting the left needle from front to back under the strand between two stitches, then knitting through the back loop to create a new stitch
• SSK (slip, slip, knit): A left-leaning decrease worked by slipping two stitches individually as if to knit, then inserting the left needle into the front of these stitches and knitting them together
• Rnd (round): One complete circle of knitting when working in the round

Materials and Equipment

The Senna sweater is crafted using MODE at Rowan's Alpaca Cotton yarn, a blend fiber that combines the softness of alpaca with the breathability and durability of cotton. The yarn is worked at a gauge of 23 stitches and 31 rows over 10 centimeters on 3.75mm (US 5) needles.

Needles required:

• 3.75mm (US 5) circular needles in three lengths: 40cm, 60cm, and 80cm for working the body at different stages
• Set of 3.75mm (US 5) double-pointed needles for sleeve cuffs

Yarn quantity: The pattern requires 9 to 13 balls of Alpaca Cotton (25 grams per ball) depending on the size being knitted. The sample shown was photographed in the colorway Dahlia 020.

Additional notions: Stitch markers are essential for tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings, while stitch holders are used to temporarily secure stitches for the sleeves during body construction.

Difficulty Level

Classified as an intermediate pattern, Senna requires solid foundational knitting skills including comfort with circular needle techniques, understanding of increases and decreases, and ability to follow pattern instructions across multiple sizes. The top-down construction method and yoke shaping provide an excellent learning opportunity for knitters advancing beyond basic projects.