Mulberry Jumper in Rowan Alpaca Soft DK - RTP002-0005-DEP - Downloadable PDF

Mulberry Jumper in Rowan Alpaca Soft DK – Pattern Summary

The Mulberry Jumper is a classic knitted sweater design from QUAIL STUDIO, published as a downloadable PDF pattern under reference RTP002-0005-DEP. Worked in Rowan Alpaca Soft DK, this intermediate-level project produces a fitted, elegant jumper with set-in or shaped sleeves and a neat neckline finish. The pattern is available in an impressive nine sizes, accommodating a wide range of bust measurements from 71–76 cm up to 152–157 cm, with corresponding knitted bust measurements ranging from approximately 86.5 cm to 166.5 cm, making it a versatile wardrobe staple for many different body shapes.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a pullover jumper (sweater) with long sleeves, a ribbed hem and cuff detail, and a shaped neckline with a dedicated neckband. The sample shown in the pattern photography is worked in Simply Black 216, one of the colourways available in Rowan Alpaca Soft DK, giving the finished jumper a timeless, sophisticated appearance. The construction follows a traditional flat-knitting approach, working the back, front, and sleeves as separate pieces before seaming.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting worked back and forth in rows, with the back piece noting that a circular needle is recommended to accommodate the increasing stitch count comfortably.
• Ribbing for the lower body and sleeve cuffs, establishing a neat, elasticated edge that frames the garment.
• Stitch decreasing at the neckline, including decreases worked every row for the first four rows, then every second row, and then every fourth row, creating a smoothly shaped neckline curve.
• Stitch increasing along the sleeve seam edges to shape the sleeve from cuff to underarm, with the frequency of increases varying by size to achieve the correct sleeve taper.
• Holding stitches on a spare needle (Hilfsnadel) for the neckband, allowing the centre neck stitches to be picked up and finished separately after the shoulders are complete.
• Casting on and binding off using standard methods appropriate for DK-weight yarn.
• Working both sides of the neckline separately, rejoining new yarn at the second side to ensure symmetrical shaping.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (glatt rechts) – the main fabric of the jumper body and sleeves, worked as knit on right-side rows and purl on wrong-side rows, producing a smooth, classic jersey surface.
• 1×1 Rib (1 M rechts, 1 M links) – used for the welts and cuffs, beginning with a right-side row of alternating knit and purl stitches as set out in the back piece instructions, worked over 23 rows before transitioning to stocking stitch.
• Purl two together (2 M li zusammenstricken) – a decrease stitch used during the transition row between ribbing and stocking stitch on the sleeves, reducing the stitch count evenly before the main body of the sleeve begins.

Materials

The pattern calls for Rowan Alpaca Soft DK, a 50 g ball weight yarn in the DK (double knitting) weight category. This yarn, as its name suggests, contains alpaca fibre, lending the finished jumper a soft, luxurious handle with a gentle drape that suits the relaxed, wearable silhouette of the Mulberry design. The number of balls required varies by size, ranging from 9 to 13 balls across the nine sizes offered.

Needles

• 4 mm straight knitting needles (Stricknadeln Nr. 4) are used throughout the pattern for all main pieces.
• An optional 4 mm circular needle, at least 80 cm in length, is recommended for the back piece to manage the larger stitch counts more comfortably as the fabric grows.

Tension / Gauge

The stated tension for