Howe in Rowan Moordale - ZB297-00001-UK - Downloadable PDF

Howe Sweater in Rowan Moordale – Pattern Summary (ZB297-00001-UK)

About This Design

Howe is a classic knitted sweater designed by Martin Storey for Rowan, released as part of the brand's ongoing collection of wearable, timeless knitwear. Published in 2021 and available as a downloadable PDF, this pattern is rated intermediate in skill level, making it an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with shaping techniques and are ready to move beyond simple rectangular construction. The design is worked in DK weight yarn, offering a satisfying balance between speed of knitting and refined stitch definition.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a fitted pullover sweater with classic construction, including a shaped back neck and defined armhole shaping. It is designed to fit a range of bust sizes:

• To fit bust: 81–86, 91–97, 102–107, 112–117, and 122–127 cm (32–34, 36–38, 40–42, 44–46, and 48–50 in)
• Actual bust measurement of garment: 111.5, 121.5, 132, 142.5, and 151.5 cm (44, 47¾, 52, 56, and 59¾ in)

The generous range of sizes makes Howe an inclusive pattern suitable for a wide variety of body types. The actual measurements indicate a comfortable, slightly relaxed fit with meaningful ease built in across all sizes.

Techniques Used

The construction of Howe involves several key knitting techniques that place it firmly in the intermediate category:

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) – the body of the sweater is worked in stocking stitch throughout, beginning with a knit row on the right side
• Armhole shaping – stitches are cast off at the beginning of two rows, followed by decreases worked at each end of every alternate row to create a clean, tailored armhole
• Shoulder shaping – worked by casting off stitches at the beginning of successive rows, with the number of rows and stitches varying by size to achieve a neat, sloped shoulder line
• Back neck shaping – the pattern includes explicit back neck shaping for a well-finished neckline
• Straight knitting – sections of the body are worked without shaping to build length before armhole and shoulder shaping begins

The armhole shaping, in particular, requires attention to alternating decrease rows, a technique that intermediate knitters will find manageable but rewarding. The back length before armhole shaping is approximately 29–31 cm depending on size, giving the sweater a well-proportioned silhouette.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (st st) – the primary stitch pattern, created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, producing a smooth, classic fabric
• Cast off – used at armhole openings and shoulder shaping
• Decrease stitches – worked at each end of alternate rows during armhole shaping to reduce stitch count gradually and neatly

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is written for Rowan Moordale, a DK weight yarn sold in 100g skeins. The quantity required ranges from 5 to 7 skeins depending on the size being knitted. The sample garment shown in the pattern photography is worked in Pepper 002, a rich, deep colourway that beautifully showcases the smooth stocking stitch fabric. An alternative colourway of Orange Peel 018 is also referenced, offering a warmer, bolder option for knitters who prefer a more vibrant finished piece.

Rowan Moordale is a yarn well suited to garment knitting, and its DK weight ensures that the stitch definition in the stocking stitch body of Howe is clear and even. Knitters should select needles appropriate for DK weight yarn and are always advised to work a tension swatch before beginning to