Hoxton Sweater in Rowan Alpaca Soft DK - Downloadable PDF

Hoxton Sweater by Martin Storey – Knitting Pattern Summary (Rowan Alpaca Soft DK)

The Hoxton Sweater is a beautifully crafted women's pullover designed by Martin Storey and published by Rowan. This intermediate-level knitting pattern (pattern reference ZB177-00007) is available as a free downloadable PDF and produces a classic, elegant sweater with a striking cable panel detail set against a clean stocking stitch and garter stitch background. The design is versatile, flattering across a wide range of sizes, and is ideally suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic cable techniques and are ready to develop their skills further.

Sizing and Fit

The Hoxton Sweater is worked in five sizes, designed to fit bust measurements ranging from:

• Small (S): 81–86 cm / 32–34 in
• Medium (M): 91–97 cm / 36–38 in
• Large (L): 102–107 cm / 40–42 in
• Extra Large (XL): 112–117 cm / 44–46 in
• Extra Extra Large (XXL): 122–127 cm / 48–50 in

This generous size range makes the Hoxton Sweater an accessible and inclusive pattern, suitable for a broad spectrum of knitters and wearers. Stitch counts vary by size throughout the pattern, with the main body working between 99 and 157 stitches depending on the size being knitted.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a women's pullover sweater — a wardrobe staple that combines everyday wearability with thoughtful design details. The centrepiece of the Hoxton Sweater is a prominent cable panel running vertically along the front of the garment, which adds texture, visual interest, and a sense of craftsmanship. The surrounding fabric is worked in a combination of stocking stitch and garter stitch, providing a clean, classic backdrop that allows the cable to stand out beautifully. The result is a sweater that feels both modern and timeless — suitable for casual everyday wear as well as smarter occasions.

Techniques and Construction

The Hoxton Sweater is knitted flat in separate pieces, which are then seamed together — a traditional construction method well suited to intermediate knitters. Key techniques used throughout the pattern include:

• Cable knitting: The signature feature of this design is a 12-stitch cable panel, worked using both C12F (Cable 12 Front) and C12B (Cable 12 Back) cable crossings. These two cable directions create a dynamic, twisting rope effect that alternates direction across the panel, giving the design its distinctive character.
• Increasing (inc): Shaping is achieved using standard increases, worked at specific intervals to build the correct stitch count for each size.
• Needle changes: The pattern involves working on more than one needle size, with a change to 3¾mm (US 5) needles at a specified point, which is typical for transitioning from a ribbed or garter-stitch border into the main body of the garment.
• Stocking stitch: The main body fabric is worked in classic stocking stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side), creating a smooth, flat surface.
• Garter stitch: Sections of garter stitch (knit every row) are incorporated into the pattern, adding a subtle textural contrast and structure to the fabric.
• Reading a repeating stitch pattern: The cable panel follows a 16-row repeat, requiring knitters to track their position within the pattern sequence — a valuable skill-building exercise for those developing beyond beginner level.

Stitches Used

The Hoxton Sweater draws on a focused but effective set of stitches and techniques:

• Knit stitch (K) — the foundation of both the stocking stitch and garter stitch sections
• Purl