Mayfair Sweater in Rowan Alpaca Soft DK - Downloadable PDF

Mayfair Sweater by Martin Storey – Knitting Pattern Summary (Rowan Alpaca Soft DK)

The Mayfair Sweater is a beautifully crafted women's pullover designed by Martin Storey and published by Rowan. Available as a free downloadable PDF, this intermediate-level knitting pattern (reference ZB177-00009) produces a classically styled sweater with striking colourwork detail, worked in a lightweight DK weight yarn. The design is rated as suitable for knitters with some experience, particularly those comfortable working with multiple yarn colours and slip-stitch techniques.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a women's pullover sweater worked in five sizes to fit bust measurements ranging from 81–86 cm (32–34 in) up to 122–127 cm (48–50 in), covering sizes Small through XXL. The garment features a structured ribbed hem and cuffs, a smooth stocking stitch body, and a distinctive three-colour slip-stitch pattern that creates a textured, woven-like surface effect without the complexity of traditional stranded colourwork.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern was originally knitted in Rowan Super Fine Merino DK, using three colourways across the design:

• Yarn A – Black (shade 145): the primary background colour, requiring 7–10 x 50g balls depending on size
• Yarn B – Steel (shade 144): a mid-tone contrast colour, requiring 3–5 x 50g balls depending on size
• Yarn C – Cream (shade 142): a light contrast colour, requiring 4–6 x 50g balls depending on size

Although the pattern name references Rowan Alpaca Soft DK, the PDF itself specifies Rowan Super Fine Merino DK as the yarn originally used. Both are DK weight yarns, making the pattern suitable for substitution with any quality DK yarn that achieves the correct tension. The combination of three colours — a deep black, a cool steel grey, and a soft cream — gives the Mayfair Sweater its sophisticated, urban palette.

Needles

• 3¼mm (US 3) needles – used for the ribbed welts and cuffs
• 4mm (US 6) needles – used for the main body and slip-stitch pattern sections

Techniques Used

The Mayfair Sweater employs a range of knitting techniques that make it an excellent project for an intermediate knitter looking to develop their skills with multi-colour and textural work:

• Two-by-two rib (K2, P2) – used for the welts and cuffs to create a neat, elasticated edge that frames the garment cleanly
• Stocking stitch – the foundational fabric of the sweater body, worked in alternating knit and purl rows to create a smooth, classic surface
• Slip-stitch colourwork – the defining technique of this design, in which stitches are slipped with yarn held at the back (wyab) to create a multi-colour woven or mosaic effect using only one yarn per row; this avoids the need for stranding or intarsia, making the colourwork accessible to intermediate knitters
• Colour joining and management – working with three separate yarn colours (Yarn A, Yarn B, and Yarn C) requires careful management of yarn at the edges and clean colour changes between rows
• Shaping increases and decreases – used at the armholes, neckline, and sleeve head to shape the garment correctly across all five sizes

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K) – the fundamental stitch used throughout the body and pattern rows
• Purl stitch (P) – used in rib sections and stocking stitch wrong-side rows
• Slip stitch (