Cullen in MODE at Rowan Softest Alpaca - Downloadable PDF

Cullen Sweater Knitting Pattern by Quail Studio – Mode at Rowan Softest Alpaca

The Cullen is a beautifully crafted colourwork pullover sweater designed by Quail Studio and published as part of the Mode at Rowan collection. Worked in the luxuriously soft Softest Alpaca yarn, this intermediate-level knitting pattern produces a classic, structured jumper featuring an all-over colourwork design, a ribbed hem, and carefully shaped neckline and shoulders. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, making it instantly accessible for knitters ready to begin their next project.

What Is Being Made

The Cullen pattern produces a pullover sweater (jumper) with a fitted colourwork body, shaped front neck, and structured shoulder shaping. It is designed to fit a wide range of chest sizes, from 71–76 cm (28–30 in) up to 152–157 cm (60–62 in), with actual garment chest measurements ranging from 89 cm to 171 cm. This generous size range makes the pattern accessible to a broad spectrum of knitters and wearers.

The sweater features a classic silhouette with a ribbed lower band on both the back and front, transitioning into a colourwork stockinette body. The front includes a shaped neckline with gradual decreases, and both back and front are worked to matching lengths before shoulder shaping is completed. The finished garment has a relaxed, wearable ease suitable for everyday wear.

Techniques Used

• Colourwork knitting: The body of the Cullen is worked in a stranded or intarsia-style colourwork pattern using multiple yarn colours simultaneously. The colourwork is charted across a repeating 48-row chart, which is worked throughout the body of the sweater. This technique requires knitters to manage multiple yarn strands and maintain consistent tension across colour changes.
• Ribbing: The lower edges of both the back and front begin with a 2×2 rib (K2, P2) worked for 6 cm. This creates a neat, elasticated border that helps the sweater sit well at the hem.
• Neck shaping: The front neck is shaped through a series of decreases worked at the neck edge over multiple rows, creating a smooth, gradual curve. Stitches are placed on a stitch holder while each side of the neck is worked separately.
• Shoulder shaping: Shoulders are shaped using cast-off rows worked at the beginning of right-side and wrong-side rows, creating a clean, structured shoulder line.
• Stitch holder management: Stitches are regularly transferred to stitch holders during neck and shoulder shaping, a standard technique for keeping live stitches secure while working other sections of the garment.
• Tension/gauge swatch: The pattern specifies a precise tension of 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm over colourwork stockinette stitch, making swatching an essential step before beginning the project.

Stitches Used

• 2×2 Rib (K2, P2): Used for the lower band of both the back and front sections, worked flat on straight needles.
• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The main body fabric is worked in stockinette stitch, forming the base for the colourwork chart pattern.
• Colourwork Chart Stitches: The body is worked following a charted colourwork pattern repeated over 48 rows, incorporating multiple colours in a structured repeat. Knitters follow chart row indicators specific to each size.
• Decrease stitches: Standard decreases are used during front neck shaping, worked on right-side rows to taper the neckline smoothly.

Materials – Yarn

The Cullen sweater is knitted in Softest Alpaca by Mode at Rowan, a chunky weight yarn sold in 50 g balls. The pattern uses five colours, each playing a distinct role in the colourwork design:

• Colour A – Pebble (013): The primary background colour, requiring the most yarn. Quantities range from