Willow & Lark Edward Jumper Knitting Pattern

Willow & Lark Edward Jumper

What is Being Made

The Edward Jumper is a unisex fairisle men's jumper designed by Willow & Lark as part of The Homestead Collection. This modern take on a classic fairisle design offers both men and women a comfortable, stylish knit equally suited to casual town wear or country outings. The jumper is available in six sizes, ranging from 91cm to 117cm chest measurements (36in to 46in), with finished chest measurements from 99cm to 126cm (39in to 49½in).

Techniques Used

The Edward Jumper is constructed using several key knitting techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is worked from the bottom edge upward, allowing for easier fitting adjustments during the knitting process
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, then seamed together
• Seamed assembly: Individual pieces (front, back, and sleeves) are sewn together to create the finished jumper
• Stranded fairisle: The primary decorative technique features a fairisle pattern worked using the stranded method, where multiple yarn colors are carried across the back of the work to create the intricate design

Stitches and Pattern Work

The Edward Jumper features stocking stitch as the primary base stitch throughout most of the garment. The signature element is the fairisle pattern, which requires working with multiple colors in a single row using the stranded colorwork technique. This creates the classic fairisle aesthetic that defines the jumper's visual appeal. The pattern is worked at a specific tension to ensure proper drape and fit of the finished garment.

Materials and Tools

The Edward Jumper is designed to be knitted using Willow & Lark Ramble yarn, a 100% wool DK weight yarn. Each ball contains 50g (1¾oz) of yarn. The pattern provides specific yardage requirements based on size, ranging from 4 balls of the main color (A) for smaller sizes to 6 balls for larger sizes, with 2 to 3 balls each of the secondary colors (B and C).

Suggested colorways include Sky Blue 121, Battleship Grey 104, School House Blue 136, Army Green 116, Snow Drop 101, and Truffle 107, allowing for various color combinations depending on personal preference.

Three pairs of knitting needles in different sizes are required for this project:

• 3.25mm (UK 10 / US 3) needles for ribbed edgings
• 4.00mm (UK 8 / US 6) needles for working stocking stitch sections
• 4.50mm (UK 7 / US 7) needles for the fairisle pattern sections

Tension and Gauge

Achieving correct tension is essential for this project. The pattern specifies 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10cm (4in) measured over stocking stitch using 4.00mm (US 6) needles. For the fairisle pattern sections, the tension is 22 stitches and 24 rows to 10cm (4in) using 4.50mm (US 7) needles. Knitters should swatch before beginning to ensure their tension matches these specifications, as variations in fiber, weight, twist, and yarn composition will impact the finished garment's appearance and fit.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty. While the base stitches are straightforward, the fairisle colorwork technique and the coordination of multiple yarn colors across rows requires prior knitting experience. Knitters should be comfortable with stranded colorwork methods and have experience with seaming garment pieces together.

Design Notes

Willow & Lark specifically recommends using their Ramble yarn to achieve the finished appearance shown in the pattern photographs. The choice of yarn fiber, weight, twist, and composition directly impacts how the fairisle pattern displays and how the finished garment drapes. Yarn quantities provided are based on average requirements, and knitters should monitor their yardage usage throughout the project.