Woodlark Jumper Knitting Pattern

Woodlark Sweater by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

Woodlark is an intermediate-level knitted sweater designed by Martin Storey for Rowan. This pullover garment is available in nine sizes, ranging from 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches) chest circumference, with finished chest measurements from 97 cm (38¼ inches) to 179 cm (70½ inches). The sweater features a classic construction with a shaped body, set-in armholes, and a divided front neckline with a distinctive twisted rib detail at the neck opening.

Techniques Used

This knitting pattern employs several key techniques appropriate for intermediate knitters. The garment construction begins with casting on stitches for the back panel, followed by ribbed edging and body shaping. The pattern includes armhole shaping achieved through strategic decreases, and front neck shaping that requires dividing the work to accommodate a two-sided construction. A notable feature is the neck band application, where stitches are cast on at the front opening and worked in a twisted rib pattern that contrasts with the stockinette stitch body. The pattern also incorporates slope decreases at the front neck edge using slip-stitch decreases (sl 1, K1, psso) to create a gradual, professional-looking neckline.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (st st) – forms the primary fabric of the garment body
• Fancy Rib – used for the lower edging and structural ribbing sections
• Twisted Rib – creates the decorative neck band, worked as K1, P1 combinations with knit stitches twisted through the back loop (K tbl)
• Slip-Stitch Decreases – (sl 1, K1, psso) employed for shaping the front slope
• Cast-Off Stitches – used to bind off shoulder and neckline edges

Materials and Tools

Woodlark is worked using Rowan Pebble Island yarn, a 50-gram weight yarn available in multiple colorways, including the photographed Un-Dyed 030 shade. The pattern requires two pairs of needles: 4mm (US 6) needles for ribbed sections and 4½mm (US 7) needles for the main stockinette fabric. Yarn quantities vary by size, ranging from 10 balls for the smallest size to 18 balls for the largest size. The tension specifications are critical for proper fit: 26 stitches and 32 rows over 10 cm using the fancy rib on 4mm needles, and 20 stitches and 28 rows over 10 cm in stockinette stitch using 4½mm needles.