Denes in Mode at Rowan Softest Alpaca - Downloadable PDF

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

The Denes pattern, designed by Quail Studio and published under the Mode at Rowan collection, is a beautifully crafted pullover sweater worked in chunky-weight yarn. Available as a downloadable PDF, this design is rated advanced beginner, making it an excellent step-up project for knitters who have mastered the basics and are ready to explore more textured and decorative stitch work. The pattern is offered across a generous range of nine sizes, fitting chest measurements from 71–76 cm (28–30 in) up to 152–157 cm (60–62 in), with actual garment chest measurements ranging from 113.5 cm (44¾ in) to 196 cm (77¼ in), ensuring a relaxed, comfortable fit across a wide spectrum of body sizes.

What Is Being Made

Denes is a pullover jumper featuring a structured body with a combination of textural stitch panels. The garment is designed to have a generous, relaxed silhouette, typical of chunky knit sweaters. The sample shown in the pattern photography is worked in Eucalyptus 016, a soft muted tone that beautifully showcases the interplay of the lace and garter stitch panels.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern calls for Mode at Rowan Softest Alpaca, a luxuriously soft chunky-weight yarn sold in 50g balls. Depending on size, the pattern requires between 8 and 16 balls, with smaller sizes needing 8 balls and the largest size requiring 16 balls. Softest Alpaca, as the name suggests, is an alpaca-rich yarn prized for its exceptional softness, warmth, and gentle drape — qualities that complement the open lace panel detailing in this design particularly well.

• Yarn: Mode at Rowan Softest Alpaca, chunky weight, 50g balls
• Yarn quantities: 8–16 balls depending on size
• Sample colourway: Eucalyptus 016
• Needles: 1 pair 5mm (US 8) needles and 1 pair 6mm (US 10) needles
• Extras: Stitch holders

Tension

The stated tension for this pattern is 17 stitches and 23 rows to 10 cm, measured over garter stitch using 6mm (US 10) needles. Additionally, the lace panel is 23 stitches wide and measures 14 cm in width. Achieving accurate tension is particularly important in a garment of this type, where the lace panel width contributes to the overall proportions of the finished sweater.

Techniques Used

Denes employs a thoughtful combination of knitting techniques that give the garment its distinctive character. The body construction begins with a ribbed welt worked on the smaller 5mm needles, transitioning to the larger 6mm needles for the main fabric. The ribbing establishes a neat, elasticated edge before the main stitch pattern begins.

• Ribbing: A simple K1, P1 rib is worked for approximately 4 cm at the cast-on edge to create a tidy, stretchy hem.
• Garter stitch (g st): The main body fabric is worked in garter stitch — knitting every row — which creates a dense, squishy texture with excellent drape and warmth. Garter stitch also lies flat without curling, making it ideal for chunky garments.
• Lace panel knitting: Two symmetrical lace panels are set into the body of the sweater, each 23 stitches wide. These panels are worked using a repeating sequence of yarn-forward increases (yf and yrn) paired with decreases (K2tog and Sl 1, K1, psso) to create decorative eyelet motifs without changing the stitch count.
• Shaping