Georgia Sweater in Rowan Brushed Fleece - Downloadable PDF

Georgia Sweater by Quail Studio – Knitting Pattern Summary (Rowan Brushed Fleece)

The Georgia Sweater is a beautifully textured, cosy knitted sweater designed by Quail Studio for Rowan. This intermediate-level knitting pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and produces a relaxed, chunky-weight pullover with a striking combination of surface textures and structural cable detailing. It is an ideal project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping techniques and are ready to explore more tactile, dimensional stitch patterns.

What Is Being Made

The Georgia Sweater is a classic pullover-style jumper worked in Rowan Brushed Fleece, a luxuriously soft chunky-weight yarn. The finished garment features a ribbed hem and cuffs, a predominantly reverse stocking stitch body, and a prominent cable panel running through the body. The sweater is designed to fit a wide range of bust sizes, from 71–76 cm up to 122–127 cm (approximately 28–30 in to 48–50 in), with an actual garment bust measurement ranging from 88 cm to 140 cm (34½ in to 55 in), offering a generous, comfortable fit across six sizes.

Construction and Techniques

The Georgia Sweater is constructed using flat knitting worked back and forth in rows on straight needles, with separate pieces for the back and front that are later seamed together. Key construction techniques include:

• Armhole shaping – achieved through cast-off rows at the beginning of rows followed by decreases at each end to create a neat, fitted armhole
• Back neck shaping – worked by dividing stitches and working each side of the neck separately, with decreases at the neck edge to create a smooth neckline curve
• Shoulder shaping – finished with a cast-off at the shoulder edge
• Neckband finishing – worked in the round using a 9mm circular needle or a set of four double-pointed needles, allowing for a seamless, professional neckband finish
• Cable panel – a 60-stitch cable panel measuring approximately 42 cm is incorporated into the body, worked using a cable needle to create the signature textural feature of this design

Stitches Used

The Georgia Sweater draws on several classic knitting stitches and stitch patterns that combine to create its distinctive textured aesthetic:

• 2×2 Rib – formed by alternating two knit stitches and two purl stitches across the row (K2, P2 on right-side rows; P2, K2 on wrong-side rows). This rib is worked for 14 rows at the hem and cuffs, providing elasticity and a neat, structured edge. A small number of decrease stitches are worked on the final rib row to adjust stitch counts before transitioning to the main body.
• Reverse Stocking Stitch (rev st st) – the primary body fabric of the sweater, created by purling on right-side rows and knitting on wrong-side rows. This produces a bumpy, textured surface on the public-facing side of the fabric, giving the Georgia Sweater its characteristic cosy, tactile quality. Reverse stocking stitch is the opposite of standard stocking stitch and is a popular choice in chunky knitwear for its visual warmth and depth.
• Cable Stitches – worked across the 60-stitch body cable panel using a cable needle to cross groups of stitches over one another, creating the rope-like or twisted column effects associated with traditional cable knitting. Cables add structural interest and visual drama to the garment's front and/or body.

Materials – Yarn and Needles

The pattern is specifically written for Rowan Brushed Fleece, a chunky-weight yarn sold in 50g balls. The sample garment shown in the pattern photography was knitted in the colourway Cairn 263. Depending on the size being knitted, the pattern requires between 14 and 17