When the great outdoors is calling your name, pull on this magnificent cowl sweater to stay warm and fabulous. The design was inspired by Japanese culture and a modern style, combining asymmetry, cables, and lightweight yarn for a must-have addition to your fall wardrobe.
Skill Level: Advanced
Size: Finished Bust Size 35 (39, 43, 47, 51)” to fit bust 31 (35 (39, 43, 47)”
4” positive ease recommended.
Shown in size 39”
Gauge: 17 sts and 24 rows = 4” [10 cm] in St st with smaller needles after wet blocking
22 sts and 26 rows = 4” [10 cm] in Cable pattern with larger needles after wet blocking
Materials
Yarn:
Garnstudio Drops Air (70% Alpaca, 23% Polyamide, 7% Wool; 164 yards [150 meters]/50 grams): #14 Heather, 9 (10, 11, 12, 13) balls
Needles: US size 7 (4.5 mm): 24″, 32″ or 40″ circular; US size 8 (5 mm): 24″, 32″ or 40″ circular
Notions: Markers; cable needle (cn); tapestry needle; stitch holders or waste yarn
Abbreviations
LN – left needle
Special Stitches
C4B – Sl2 sts on CN and hold to back of work, k2 from LN, k2 from CN.
C4F – Sl2 sts on CN and hold in front of work, k2 from LN, k2 from CN.
C4BPP – Sl2 sts on CN and hold to back of work, k2 from LN, p2 from CN.
C4FPP – Sl2 sts on CN and hold in front of work, p2 from LN, k2 from CN.
Pattern Notes
The sweater is worked from bottom up in the round to armholes. Upper Front and Back are worked separately to shoulders. The cowl is worked in the round. Sleeves are picked up along the armhole edges and worked in St st to cuffs.
The chart provides RS and WS rows instructions, but only RS of the fabric is shown. At Rows 16, 22, and 26, the cables are worked between 2 chart repeats.
Pattern
Body
With smaller needles, CO 160 (176, 192, 208, 224) sts, join to work in rnd, being careful not to twist the sts. PM for beg rnd.
Rib Rnd: p1, *k2, p2; rep from * to last 3 sts, k2, p1.
Rep Rib Rnd until rib meas 3′′ / [7.6 cm].
Switch to larger needles.
Set-up Rnd: *Pfb, k2, p2, (k2, p1, pfb) twice, k2, pfb; rep from * around – 200 (220, 240, 260, 280) sts.
Rnd 1: *Work Chart A; rep from * around.
Cont in patt until piece meas 17¾ (18, 18¼, 18¼, 19)′′ / [45 (46, 47, 47, 48) cm], ending with an odd chart row.
Divide Front and Back
Armholes
Set-up Row 1 (RS): CO 1, SM, work corresponding row of Chart B (C, B, C, B) over next 100 (110, 120, 130, 140) sts, PM, CO 1, place rem unworked 100 (110, 120, 130, 140) sts for Back on stitch holder, turn work, ready to work a WS row – 102 (112, 122, 132, 142) sts.
Set-up Row 2 (WS): Work in patt to end, slipping markers.
Note: No further mention of markers will be made, as they always should be slipped unless otherwise stated.
Front
Row 1 (RS): K1, work in patt to last st, p1.
Row 2 (WS): Work in patt to end.
Rep last 2 rows until Armhole meas 7 (7¾, 8½, 9½, 9¾)” / [18 (20, 22, 24, 25) cm], ending with WS row.
Note: Make note of the last row worked as the Back must be worked to the same row.
Shoulder Shaping
Short Row 1 (RS): Work in patt to last 10 sts, W&T.
Short Row 2 (WS): Work in patt to end.
Short Row 3: Work in patt to 10 sts before wrapped st, W&T.
Short Row 4: Rep Short Row 2.
Rep last 2 rows once more.
Next Row 1 (RS): BO 1, work in patt over next 60 (80, 80, 100, 100) sts, PM (contrast marker), p to end.
Next Row 2 (WS): BO in k to contrast marker, work in patt to end.
Do not break yarn. Put Front aside.
Back
With RS facing, ready to work Back. Slip live sts to larger needles.
Row 1 (RS): CO 1, PM, work corresponding row Chart D (E, D, E, D), SM, CO 1 – 102 (112, 122, 132, 142) sts.
Row 2 (WS): Work sts as they appear to end, slipping markers.
Row 3: K1, work in patt to last st, p1
Rep last 2 rows until Back meas same as Front, ending with the same row as for Front.
Work 1 RS row.
Shoulder Shaping
Short Row 1 (WS): work in patt to last 10 sts, W&T.
Short Row 2 (RS): work in patt to end.
Short Row 3: work in patt to 10 sts before wrapped st, W&T.
Short Row 4: Rep Short Row 2.
Rep last 2 rows once more.
Next Row (WS): BO 1, work in patt over next 60 (80, 80, 100, 100) sts, BO in knit rem Right Shoulder sts.
Cowl
Note: Due to difference in Armhole lengths, the one which is not joined needs to be sewn down for approx. 2″ / [5 cm] using tapestry needle. Go on as follows:
With RS facing, work 60 (80, 80, 100, 100) Front Cowl sts in corresponding row Chart A, PM, work 60 (80, 80, 100, 100) Back Cowl sts in corresponding row Chart A, PM for beg rnd.
Work in patt as est for 56 rows.
Switch to smaller needles.
Work in St st for 9” / [23 cm].
BO all sts.
Sleeves
Sew shoulder seam.
With smaller needles and RS facing, beg at center armhole, evenly pick up and k58 (64, 68, 72, 78) sts. Join to work in rnd, PM for beg rnd.
Knit 5 rnds.
Dec Rnd: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 – 2 sts dec’d.
Work in St st until Sleeve meas 15¾ (16, 16½, 1616½17)” / [40 (41, 42, 42, 43) cm] or desired length less 2” / [5 cm], AT THE SAME TIME work Dec Rnd every 8 (8, 7, 7, 6) rnd until 36 (40, 40, 44, 44) sts rem.
Next Rnd: *K2, p2; rep from * to end.
Rep last rnd for 2” / [5 cm].
BO all sts in rib.
Rep for 2nd Sleeve.
Finishing
Weave in the ends. Wet block to measurements.
Measurements:
Size XS S M L XL
A (cm) 90 100 110 120 130
(in) 35 39 43 47 51
B (cm) 54 72 72 90 90
(in) 20 29 29 36¼ 36¼
C (cm) 20 16 20 16 20
(in) 7¾ 6¼ 7¾ 6¼ 7¾
D (cm) 18 20 22 24 25
(in) 7 7¾ 8 1/2 9½ 9¾
E (cm) 46 46 46 46 46
(in) 18 18 18 18 18
F (cm) 34 38 40 44 46
(in) 13½ 15 15¾ 17¼ 18
G (cm) 22 24 25 26 26
(in) 8½ 9½ 10 10¼ 10¼
H (cm) 45 46 47 47 48
(in) 17¾ 18 18¼ 18¼ 19
Schematics:
