Pheobe Sweater in Rowan Brushed Fleece - Downloadable PDF

Pheobe Sweater by Quail Studio in Rowan Brushed Fleece – Pattern Summary

The Pheobe Sweater is a beautifully crafted chunky knit pullover designed by Quail Studio for Rowan, available as a downloadable PDF (pattern ref ZB219-00008-UK). Published in 2020, this intermediate-level knitting pattern produces a cosy, textured sweater with a classic silhouette, shaped through carefully placed increases and structured ribbing. It is suitable for knitters who are comfortable working in the round or flat, managing stitch holders, and working increases within a rib pattern.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a pullover sweater — a garment knitted in separate pieces (back and front at minimum) that are later seamed together. The design features a ribbed lower band, a shaped body, and a neat neckline finish where centre stitches are placed on a stitch holder and each shoulder is worked separately to create a clean neck opening. The sweater is worked in six sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL, making it accessible to a wide range of body types.

Materials Used

Yarn

The pattern calls for Rowan Brushed Fleece, a luxurious chunky weight yarn known for its soft, halo-like brushed finish that gives knitted fabric a warm, cloud-like texture. The sample shown in the pattern photography is worked in shade Fog 271, a muted, atmospheric tone that complements the sweater's relaxed, cosy aesthetic. Depending on size, the pattern requires 9 to 10 balls of Rowan Brushed Fleece — specifically 9 balls for sizes XS through M, and 10 balls for sizes L through XXL.

Needles

Two needle sizes are used throughout the construction of the Pheobe Sweater:

• 6mm (US size 8) needles — used for the ribbed sections such as the lower band and cuffs
• 6.5mm (US size 10½) needles — used for the main body fabric to achieve the correct tension and drape

Using two needle sizes in this way is a common technique in chunky knitwear to ensure the ribbing is firm and neat while the body fabric remains open and relaxed.

Tension

Achieving the correct tension (gauge) is essential for this pattern, particularly given the chunky weight of Rowan Brushed Fleece. Knitters are advised to work a tension swatch before beginning and adjust needle size if necessary to match the stated gauge. Correct tension ensures the finished sweater matches the intended measurements across all six sizes.

Techniques and Construction

Ribbing

Both the back and front pieces begin with a rib stitch section worked on the smaller 6mm needles. Ribbing is a classic knitting technique that alternates knit and purl stitches to create a stretchy, structured fabric. On the Pheobe Sweater, this rib forms the lower hem band and provides a tidy, elasticated edge that sits neatly against the body.

Shaping with Increases

A key construction detail of the Pheobe Sweater is the increase row worked on the wrong side (WS) at the transition between the rib and the main body. This row features multiple strategically placed increases — for example, on the front piece, stitches are increased in groups of 4 and 9 across specific sections of the row, bringing the stitch count up from the cast-on number to a wider working count. For instance, the front is cast on with 82(82,82,86,86,86) stitches and increased to 107(107,107,111,111,111) stitches on this single shaping row. This technique creates a subtle flare and fullness in the body without the need for complex shaping throughout.

Neckline Shaping and Stitch Holders

The neckline is shaped by placing a set number of centre stitches onto a stitch holder — 36(36,36,38,38,38) stitches depending on size — and then working each shoulder side separately to match. This