Fakenham in Mode at Rowan Alpaca Haze - Downloadable PDF

Fakenham Sweater in Rowan Alpaca Haze

What Is Being Made

The Fakenham is a knitted sweater designed by Quail Studio, available in nine sizes ranging from 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) chest to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches) chest. This garment is crafted as a classic pullover-style jumper with a structured fit, offering actual chest measurements from 103 cm (40½ inches) at the smallest size up to 183 cm (72 inches) at the largest size.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Fakenham employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for advanced beginners. The pattern uses a two-needle construction method, beginning with ribbed edging at the cuffs and hem before transitioning to stockinette stitch for the main body. The sweater is worked flat in pieces—separate back and front panels—which are subsequently seamed together. A key technical feature is that yarn is held double throughout the entire project, which affects gauge and creates a denser, warmer fabric.

The pattern incorporates strategic shaping, with the front and back pieces worked without shaping for extended sections before shoulder shaping begins. Ribbed detailing appears at the garment edges, providing structure and elasticity. Stitch holders are used during construction to hold stitches for later finishing, a standard technique in sweater assembly.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches: The foundation of the pattern, creating the ribbed texture at edges
• Stockinette stitch (st st): The primary stitch for the body, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing the classic smooth, V-textured fabric
• Ribbing pattern: Alternating K1, P1 sequences that create vertical columns of texture, used for cuffs, hem, and neckline edges

Yarn and Materials

This pattern calls for Rowan Alpaca Haze yarn in sport weight, held double throughout construction. The yardage requirement varies by size, ranging from 6 skeins (25 grams each) for the smallest sizes up to 11 skeins for the largest size. The photographed sample is worked in Shadow 010, a neutral colorway. Working yarn double creates a thicker, more insulating fabric from the sport-weight base yarn.

Two pairs of needles are required: 6mm (US 10) needles for the ribbed sections and 6½mm (US 10½) needles for the stockinette stitch body. The pattern specifies a tension of 14 stitches and 18 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using the larger needles with yarn held double. Achieving correct tension is essential for proper fit across all nine sizes. Additional notions include stitch holders for managing live stitches during assembly.