Oliver Jumper & Trousers Set in Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino - Downloadable PDF

Oliver Jumper & Trousers Set Knitting Pattern in Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino

The Oliver Jumper & Trousers Set is a charming baby knitwear collection designed by Rowan, available as a free downloadable PDF. The pattern covers two coordinating pieces — a classic raglan sweater and a pair of matching trousers — sized to fit babies from 0–3 months through 12–18 months. The set is rated as beginner difficulty, making it an ideal first project for those new to baby knitting or anyone looking for a straightforward, satisfying make.

About the Designs

The Oliver Sweater (Jumper)

The Oliver sweater is a beautifully simple baby jumper worked in a raglan construction, meaning the sleeves and body are shaped simultaneously from the underarm to the neckline, creating a smooth, comfortable fit ideal for tiny shoulders. The pattern offers two colour variations:

• One Colour Sweater: Worked entirely in a single shade throughout for a clean, classic look.
• Two Colour Sweater: Uses yarn A in Cream (shade 00102) and yarn B in Camel (shade 00103), with the colour change introduced at the raglan armhole shaping to create a subtle two-tone effect.

The sweater begins at the back, cast on with 3¼mm (US 3) needles. The lower body begins with a few rows of stocking stitch (stockinette), which are intentionally allowed to roll to the right side, creating a neat, natural rolled hem — a design detail that adds a soft, modern touch without requiring any additional finishing. The body then transitions to garter stitch (knitting every row), which is worked throughout the remainder of the garment. Garter stitch is a wonderfully beginner-friendly texture: it lies flat naturally, has a pleasant ridged appearance, and is forgiving to work, making it perfectly suited to a first baby knitting project.

The raglan armhole shaping is achieved through decreases worked at each end of the needle on regular rows, gradually reducing the stitch count as the yoke is formed. This classic construction technique produces a fitted, neat yoke and is one of the most popular methods for baby and children's knitwear due to its comfortable, stretchy fit across the shoulders.

The Oliver Trousers

The coordinating trousers complete the Oliver set, designed to pair seamlessly with the sweater. Like the jumper, the trousers are sized to fit babies from 0–3 months through 12–18 months and are worked at the same 4 ply weight using Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino. The trousers are a beginner-friendly construction, consistent with the approachable skill level of the full pattern set.

Yarn: Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino

Both pieces in the Oliver set are knitted in Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino, a luxurious 4 ply weight yarn sold in 50g balls. As the name suggests, this yarn combines the softness of cashmere with the warmth and elasticity of merino wool, resulting in a yarn that is exceptionally gentle against delicate newborn and baby skin. The blend offers excellent stitch definition, which helps the garter stitch ridges and raglan shaping appear crisp and neat in the finished garment.

• Yarn A — Cream, shade 00102: Used for the main body of the two colour sweater; 3 balls for sizes 0–3 and 3–6 months, 4 balls for 6–9 and 9–12 months, and 5 balls for 12–18 months.
• Yarn B — Camel, shade 00103: Used for the yoke of the two colour sweater; 3 balls for sizes 0–3, 3–6, and 6–9 months, and 4 balls for 9–12 and 12–18 months.

Needles and Tools

• 3¼mm (US 3) knitting needles