Cathleen Sweater in Rowan Pure Wool Worsted - Downloadable PDF

Cathleen Sweater by Gemma Atkinson – Knitting Pattern Summary (Rowan Pure Wool Superwash Worsted)

The Cathleen Sweater is a sophisticated, advanced-level knitting pattern designed by Gemma Atkinson and published by Rowan. Available as a free downloadable PDF, this pattern produces a beautifully structured pullover sweater with thoughtful shaping details that make it a rewarding project for experienced knitters looking to expand their skills.

What Is Being Made

The Cathleen pattern creates a classic pullover sweater worked in a worsted weight yarn. The design features carefully engineered fit across five sizes, accommodating bust measurements from 81–86 cm (32–34 in) up to 122–127 cm (48–50 in), making it an inclusive and versatile pattern. The sweater is photographed in Grasshopper 130, a rich, nature-inspired colorway that showcases the stitch definition of the yarn beautifully.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Rowan Pure Wool Superwash Worsted, a 100% superwash-treated pure wool in 100g skeins. The quantity required ranges from 6 skeins (smallest size) to 10 skeins (largest size), making it practical to purchase accurately for your chosen size.
• Needles: Two pairs of straight needles are required — 4mm (UK no. 8 / US 6) needles and 4.5mm (UK no. 7) needles. The smaller needles are typically used for ribbed edgings and cuffs, while the larger needles are used for the main body fabric.
• Notions: Stitch markers are an essential tool for this pattern, as the shaping relies on placing and slipping markers to track decreases and pattern sections accurately.

Techniques Used

The Cathleen Sweater is rated advanced in difficulty, and the construction reflects that classification. The pattern employs a combination of shaping techniques that require confident needle management and an ability to work multiple elements simultaneously.

• Marker-guided shaping: Stitch markers are placed at key intervals and slipped from needle to needle throughout the shaping rows. Knitters must track their position relative to these markers while simultaneously working ribbing and pattern sections — a technique that demands focus and experience.
• Paired decreases: The shaping uses both P2tog (purl two together) and P2tog tbl (purl two together through the back loop) to create symmetrical, mirrored decreases on either side of marked sections. These paired decreases are a hallmark of professional garment shaping and produce a clean, tailored line.
• Ribbing: Sections of ribbing are worked throughout the pattern, both as structural edging and as an integrated design element within the body of the sweater. Knitters must maintain rib continuity while executing decreases, which requires careful stitch counting.
• Pattern stitch integration: The pattern alternates between ribbing sections and a separate stitch pattern between the markers, requiring the knitter to manage two distinct stitch textures within the same row.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) — the foundational stitches used throughout
• Ribbing — worked in a repeating knit-purl combination for elasticity and structure
• P2tog — a standard purl decrease leaning to the right
• P2tog tbl — a mirrored purl decrease worked through the back loop, leaning to the left
• Slip stitch — used for marker management and potentially within the stitch pattern itself

About the Yarn – Rowan Pure Wool Superwash Worsted

Rowan Pure Wool Superwash Worsted is a premium 100% wool yarn that has been treated with a superwash process, meaning finished garments can be machine washed with care. The worsted weight construction gives