Litcham Sweater in Rowan Handknit Cotton - Downloadable PDF

Litcham Sweater by Sarah Hatton in Rowan Handknit Cotton – Knitting Pattern Summary

About This Pattern

The Litcham Sweater is an original design by Sarah Hatton, published as a free downloadable PDF through Rowan. It is a classic knitted sweater worked in Rowan Handknit Cotton DK yarn, photographed in the shade Slate 347. This is an intermediate-level knitting pattern suitable for those who are comfortable with basic shaping techniques and reading multi-size instructions.

What Is Being Made

The Litcham is a women's pullover sweater featuring a clean, relaxed silhouette with integrated sleeve shaping. It is designed to be worked flat in pieces and seamed, making it an accessible project for knitters who have moved beyond beginner level. The sweater has a neat, structured finish with garter stitch border details along the lower body.

Sizing

The pattern is offered in a generous range of ten sizes, designed to fit bust measurements from 81 cm to 127 cm (approximately 32 to 50 inches). This wide size range makes the Litcham an inclusive and versatile pattern suitable for many body types.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting – the sweater pieces are worked back and forth in rows on straight needles
• Garter stitch borders – a 2-stitch garter stitch edging is maintained at each end of wrong-side rows during the lower body section, creating a tidy, non-curling selvedge
• Stocking stitch (stockinette) – the main body fabric transitions fully into stocking stitch above the border section
• Sleeve shaping via increases – stitches are increased at each end of specified rows to shape integrated sleeves, with increases worked on alternating rows and then on consecutive rows
• Side seam markers – stitch markers are placed at both ends of a designated row to denote the top of the side seam openings, a helpful construction detail
• Multi-size pattern reading – instructions are presented for all ten sizes simultaneously using brackets, requiring the knitter to identify and follow their size throughout

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (st st) – knit on right side rows, purl on wrong side rows; forms the primary fabric of the sweater body
• Garter stitch (g st) – knit on every row; used as a 2-stitch border at each side edge of the lower body for a clean, flat finish
• Increases (inc) – used to shape the sleeve sections, adding one stitch at each end of the needle on specified rows

Materials Required

The pattern calls for Rowan Handknit Cotton in a DK weight, sold in 50g balls. The quantity required ranges from 11 to 19 balls depending on the size being knitted. The sample garment was worked in Slate 347, a cool mid-tone shade. Two sizes of straight needles are used: 3¼mm (US 3) needles and 4mm (US 6) needles. The tension for this pattern is 20 stitches per 10 cm measured over stocking stitch on 4mm needles, which is standard for DK-weight cotton yarn.

About Rowan Handknit Cotton

Rowan Handknit Cotton is a 100% cotton DK yarn known for its smooth, matte finish and excellent stitch definition. Cotton yarns like this one are particularly well suited to garments intended for warmer weather or layering, as the fibre is breathable and has a pleasant weight and drape. Because cotton has less natural elasticity than wool, it is important to swatch carefully and achieve the stated tension before beginning the project.

Pattern Format

The Litcham Sweater pattern by Sarah Hatton is available as a free downloadable PDF from