Windblown Cables Sweater

Spectacular cables rule the day in an Aran-style sweater for blustery weather.

Design by Sara Louise Harper

Skill Level

Experienced

Sizes

Woman's small (medium, large, extra-large, 2X-large) Instructions are given for smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses. When only 1 number is given, it applies to all sizes.

Finished Measurements

Chest: 38 (42, 46, 50, 54) inches
Length: 24 (25, 25, 26, 26) inches

Materials

Worsted weight yarn* (218 yds/ 100g per skein): 8 (9, 9, 11, 11) skeins blue #6
Size 6 (4mm) straight and 16-inch circular needles
Size 7 (4.5mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge
4 stitch holders
Cable needle

*Sample project was completed with Worsted Merino Superwash (100% superwash fine merino wool) from Plymouth Yarn Co.

Gauge

24 sts and 28 rows = 4 inches/10cm in St st on larger needles.

Cable A (14 sts) = 1 3/4 inches wide, Cable B (9 sts) = 1 1/2 inches wide and Cable C (9 sts) = 1 1/2 inches wide on larger needles.

To save time, take time to check gauge.

Pattern Stitches

2/2 Rib (multiple of 4 sts + 2)

Row 1 (RS): K2, *p2, k2; rep from * across.

Row 2: P2, *k2, p2; rep from * across.
Rep Rows 1 and 2.

Cable panels (Cable A worked over 14 sts, Cable B worked over 9 sts, Cable C worked over 9 sts)

Back

Ribbing

With smaller needles, cast on 106 (118, 126, 144, 150) sts.

Work in 2/2 Rib pat until ribbing measures 2 inches, ending with a WS row, inc 34 (42, 46, 42, 48) sts evenly across last WS row -- 140 (160, 172, 186, 198) sts.

Change to larger needles.

Set-up row (RS): Work 8 (4, 10, 8, 14) sts in rev St st, Cable B over next 0 (0, 0, 9, 9) sts, Cable A over next 0 (14, 14, 14, 14) sts, *Cable C over next 9 sts, Cable A over next 14 sts, Cable B over next 9 sts, Cable A over next 14 sts, Cable C over next 9 sts,* Cable A over next 14 sts; rep from * to * once, Cable A over next 0 (14, 14, 14, 14) sts, Cable B over next 0 (0, 0, 9, 9) sts, then rem 8 (4, 10, 8, 14) sts in rev St st.

Continue in established pats until back measures 15 1/2 (16, 16, 16 1/2, 16) inches from beg, ending with a WS row. Place markers at each end of last row for beg of armhole.

Shape armhole

Dec 1 st at each end of every RS row 12 times -- 116 (136, 148, 162, 174) sts.

Work even in pats until armhole measures 8 1/4 (8 3/4, 8 3/4, 9 1/4, 9 3/4) inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape neck

Work in pats across 30 (38, 42, 49, 55) sts; join a 2nd skein of yarn and bind off next 56 (60, 64, 64, 64) sts, work in pats across rem sts.

Working both sides at once with separate skeins of yarn, work 2 rows even in pat. Place rem sts on holders.

Front

Work as for back until armhole measures 6 (6 1/2, 6 1/2, 7, 7 1/2) inches, ending with a WS row.

Shape neck

Work in pats across 45 (55, 59, 65, 70) sts; join a 2nd skein of yarn and bind off next 26 (26, 30, 32, 34) sts, work in pat across rem sts.

Working both sides at once with separate skeins of yarn, bind off at each neck edge [3 sts] twice, and [2 sts] twice, then dec 1 st [every row] 5 (7, 7, 6, 5) times -- 30 (38, 42, 49, 55) sts.

Work even until front measures same as back to shoulder. Place rem sts on holders.

Sleeves

With smaller needles, cast on 58 (58, 58, 66, 66) sts.

Work in 2/2 Rib pat until ribbing measures 1 inch, ending with a WS row, and inc 12 (12, 12, 20, 20) sts evenly across last WS row -- 70 (70, 70, 86, 86) sts.

Change to larger needles.

Sizes small (medium, large)

Set-up row (RS): K5, work [Cable A over next 14 sts, Cable B over next 9 sts] twice, Cable A over next 14 sts, k5.

Continue in cable pats, inc 1 st at each end [every 4 rows] 0 (18, 18) times, [every 6 rows] 8 times, and then [every 8 rows] 8 (0, 0) times; work inc sts into Cable C when 4 sts have been inc at each end, then into Cable A for sizes medium (large), then rem 12 (8, 8) sts in rev St st -- 102 (122, 122) sts.

Work even until sleeve measures 17 (18, 18) inches or desired length to underarm. Place marker at each end of last row for underarm.

Sizes extra-large (2X-large)

Set-up row (RS): K2, p2, work Cable C over next 9 sts, [Cable A over next 14 sts, Cable B over next 9 sts] twice, Cable A over next 14 sts, Cable C over next 9 sts, p2, k2.

Continue in cable pats, inc 1 st at each end [every 4 rows] 0 (10) times, and then [every 6 rows] 20 (14) times; work inc sts into Cable A when 10 sts have been inc at each end, then rem 10 (14) sts in rev St st -- 126 (134) sts.

Work even until sleeve measures 18 1/2 (19) inches or desired length to underarm. Place marker at each end of last row for underarm.

Shape cap

Dec 1 st each end of [every RS row] 12 times -- 78 (98, 98, 102, 110) sts.

Bind off rem sts.

Assembly

Block pieces to finished measurements.

Join shoulders using 3-needle bind-off (see page 92). Set sleeves in armholes, then sew side and sleeve seams.

Neckband

With circular needle and RS facing, pick up and knit 108 (116, 124, 124, 124) sts evenly around neck edge. Join for working in rnds.

Next rnd: *P2, k2; rep from * across.

Rep last rnd until neckband measures 2 inches.

Bind off in rib.