Genoa in MODE at Rowan Mohair Soft - Downloadable PDF

Genoa Sweater in MODE at Rowan Mohair Soft – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Genoa is a beautifully crafted knitted sweater designed by Quail Studio and published as part of the MODE at Rowan collection. Available as a downloadable PDF, this intermediate-level pattern produces a classic, elegant jumper featuring a striking cable panel set against a smooth stocking stitch background. The design is offered in an impressive nine sizes, fitting chest measurements from 71–76 cm (28–30 in) up to 152–157 cm (60–62 in), making it an accessible and versatile project for a wide range of knitters.

What Is Being Made

Genoa is a pullover sweater (jumper) knitted flat in separate pieces — a back, a front, and sleeves — which are then seamed together. The finished garment features a ribbed hem and cuffs, a defined cable panel running as a central design feature, and a neat neckband worked in the round. The actual chest measurement of the finished garment ranges from 98 cm (38½ in) for the smallest size up to 178 cm (70 in) for the largest, offering a relaxed, comfortable fit with generous positive ease.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting – the back and front are worked back and forth in rows on straight needles, with pieces seamed at completion
• Working in the round – the neckband is picked up and worked on circular needles, a technique that produces a smooth, professional finish without a seam
• Ribbing – a K1, P1 rib is used for the welts and cuffs, providing elasticity and a tidy edge; the back rib measures approximately 5 cm before the body begins
• Cable knitting – a central cable panel measuring 7.5 cm wide over 18 stitches is a key design feature; cables are created by temporarily placing stitches on a cable needle and crossing them to the front or back before knitting
• Neck shaping – both the front and back necks are shaped by placing stitches on holders and working each side separately, with decreases worked at the neck edge over a series of rows and alternate rows
• Shoulder shaping – the back and front shoulders are shaped to align neatly for seaming
• Seaming – the finished pieces are joined using standard knitting seaming methods

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (stockinette) – the main body fabric, worked as knit on right-side rows and purl on wrong-side rows, creating a smooth, classic surface
• K1, P1 rib – used for all welts, cuffs, and the neckband, alternating knit and purl stitches to create a stretchy, textured border
• C6B (Cable 6 Back) – slip 3 stitches to a cable needle and hold to the back of the work, knit the next 3 stitches, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle; this creates a right-leaning cable twist
• C6F (Cable 6 Front) – slip 3 stitches to a cable needle and hold to the front of the work, knit the next 3 stitches, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle; this creates a left-leaning cable twist
• K3tog (Knit 3 Together) – a double decrease used in shaping, reducing the stitch count by 2 stitches in a single movement

Understanding the Cable Panel

Cable knitting is one of the most rewarding and recognisable techniques in hand knitting. By crossing groups of stitches over one another using a cable needle, the knitter creates a three-dimensional, rope-like twist in the fabric. In Genoa, the C6B and C6F cables work together within an 18-stitch panel to produce a classic, structured cable motif that adds visual interest and texture to the otherwise smooth stocking stitch body. The cable panel measures a consistent