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Classroom > Needlework > Cable Knit Sweater

Cable Knit Sweater

Here is a knitting project for the avid knitter. Beginners beware, we rate this sweater for a high intermediate or expert knitter. It has tricky armholes, neck and sleeve caps. And of course, the cables which can be hard to handle and have to be just so. BUT, if you knit a lot and are not afraid of the challenges listed above, this is a great garment to make for the man in your life. We try to have projects to suite all our viewers so from time to time we will have a more difficult one.

(Click on image for larger view)

Instructions are for small size. Changes for medium, large and extra-large are in parentheses.
MATERIALS:
--	4 Ply Worsted Weight Yarn 20 (22, 24, 26) oz.
1 pr.	Boye^® 14" Knitting Needles - Size 4 #6328-4
1 pr.	Boye^® 14" Knitting Needles - Size 8 #6328-8
1	Boye^® 16" Circular Knitting Needles - Size 4 #7348-4
1	Boye^® Stitch Holder #7554
1	Boye^® Stitch Markers #7581

GAUGE:
6 Sts=1 inch (Size 8 needles)
6 Rows=1 inch

BACK:
With Size 4 needles cast on 78 (80, 84, 88) Sts. Work in ribbing K 2, P 2 for 3-1/4 inches small and medium size, 3-1/2 inches for large and extra-large size.

CABLE PATTERN:
Row 1: Purl
Row 2: K 6, P 1, K 4, P 1,* K 6, P 1, K 4, P 1. Rep from * 4 more times. K 6 for small size.
P 1, K 6, P 1, K 4, P 1, * K 6, P 1, K 4, P 1. Rep from * 4 more times.
K 6, P 1 for medium size.
K 2, P 1, K 6, P 1, K 4, P 1, * K 6, P 1, K 4, P 1. Rep from * 4 more times.
K 6, P 1, K 2 for large size.
K 4, P 1, K 6, P 1, K 4, P 1, * K 6, P 1, K 4, P 1. Rep from * 4 more times. K 6, P 1, K 4 for extra-large size.
Row 3: P 6, K 1, P 4, K 1, * P 6, K 1, P 4, K 1. Rep from * 4 more times. P 6 for small size.
K 1, P 6, K 1, P 4, K 1, (Rep * above). P 6 for medium size.
P 2, K 1, P 6, K 1, P 4, K 1, (Rep * above). P 6, K 1, P 2 for large size.
P 4, K 1, P 6, K 1, P 4, K 1, (Rep * above). P 6, K 1, P 4 for extra-large size.
Repeat Rows 2 and 3 alternately for 4 more rows.
Row 8: K 6. * P 1, K 4, P 1, Sl 3 Sts on cable holder and hold in front of work, K 3 Sts, K 3 Sts from cable holder (cable twist). Rep from * 4 more times. P 1, K 4, P 1, K 6 for small size.
P 1, K 6, cable twist as above 5 times. P 1, K 4, P 1, K 6, P 1, for medium size.
K 2, P 1, K 6, cable twist as above 5 times. P 1, K 4, P 1, K 6, P 1, K 2 for large size.
K 4, P 1, K 6, cable twist as above 5 times. P 1, K 4, P 1, K 6, P 1, K 4, for extra-large size.
Row 9-23: Repeat Row 3 then Row 2 alternately.
Row 24: Same as Row 8.
Repeat Rows 9 through 24 until sweater measures 13 (13-1/2, 14, 14-1/2) inches above ribbing. End on purl row.

ARMHOLE SHAPING: (Remember to make cable twist after every 15th row.)
Row 1: Bind off 3 (3, 4, 5) Sts, work in pattern across row.
Row 2: Same as Row 1.
Row 3: Dec 1 St, work in pattern across row.
Row 4: Dec 1 St, work in pattern across row.
Row 5: Dec 1 St, work in pattern across row.
Row 6: Dec 1 St, work in pattern across row.
Row 7: K 1, P 1, K 4, P 1, * K 6, P 1, K 4, P 1. Rep from * 4 more times. K 1 for small size.
K 2, P 1, K 4, P 1, (Rep * above). K 2 for medium size.
K 3, P 1, K 4, P 1, (Rep * above). K 3 for large size. K 4, P 1, K 4, P 1,(Rep * above). K 4 for extra-large size.
Row 8: P 1, K 1, P 4, K 1, * P 6, K 1, P 4, K 1. Rep from * 4 more times. P 1 for small size.
P 2, K 1, P 4, K 1 (Rep * above). P 2 for medium size.
P 3, K 1, P 4, K 1, (Rep * above).
P 3 for large size.
P 4, K 1, P 4, K 1, (Rep * above).
P 4 for extra-large size.
Repeat Rows 7 and 8 for 6-1/4 (7, 7-1/4, 7-1/2) inches. End on purl row.

NECK SHAPING AND SHOULDER:
Row 1: Work in pattern across on the first 25 (26, 27, 27) Sts. Place these stitches on stitch holder. Now bind off 18 (18, 18, 20) Sts for back neck edge. Continue to work in pattern across row on remaining 25 (26, 27, 27) Sts.
Row 2: Work in pattern across row to within last 2 Sts. Dec 1 St.
Row 3: Dec 1 St. Work in pattern across row.
Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until there are 17 (19, 21, 23) Sts. Bind off. Work other side to correspond, reversing shaping.

FRONT:
Work in ribbing as for back.

CABLE PATTERN:
Make same as for back until sweater measures 12-1/4 (12-1/2, 12-1/2, 13) inches above ribbing. End on purl row.

NECK SHAPING:
Row 1: Work in pattern across rowan first 39 (40, 42, 44) Sts. Place these stitches on stitch holder for left neck and shoulder shaping. Work in pattern across row on remaining stitches.
Row 2: Work in pattern across row to within last 2 Sts. Dec 1 St.
Row 3: Work in pattern across row. Repeat Rows 2 and 3 for 3/4 (1, 1-1/2, 1-1/2) inches. End on knit row.

ARMHOLE SHAPING:
Row 1: Bind off 3 (3, 4, 5) Sts, work in pattern across row to within last 2 Sts, Dec 1 St.
Row 2: Work in pattern across row.
Row 3: Dec 1 St. Work in pattern across row to within last 2 Sts, Dec 1 St.
Row 4: Work in pattern across row.
Row 5: Dec 1 St. Work in pattern across row to within last 2 Sts. Dec 1 St.
Row 6: Work in pattern across row.
Row 7: Work in pattern across row to within last 2 Sts. Dec 1 St. Repeat Rows 6 and 7 until there are 17 (19, 21, 23) Sts.
Work in pattern until armhole measures same as back armhole. Bind off. Work other side to correspond, reversing shaping. Sew right shoulder edge only.

NECK BAND:
With Size 4 circular needle, starting at left front shoulder edge to point of V, pick up 54 (55, 57, 59) Sts, place a marker on needle (this makes the point of V which is center front). Now pick up same amount of stitches to the right shoulder seam. Pick up 38 (38, 40, 40) for back neck edge.
Row 1: P across to within 2 Sts of the marker, Dec 1 St on each side of marker.
Row 2: K across row to within 2 Sts of marker, Dec 1 St on each side of marker.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until there are 12 rows.
Row 13: Work in ribbing across row, remembering to Dec 1 St on each side of marker. Repeat Row 13 for 5 more rows. Bind off in ribbing.

SLEEVES:
Starting at lower edge with Size 4 needle, cast on 54 Sts for small and medium sizes, 58 Sts for large and extra-large.
Row 1: Work in ribbing, K 2, P 2, across row.
Row 2: P 2, K 2 across row. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for 3-1/4 (3-1/4, 3-1/2, 3-1/2) inches.
Change to Size 8 needles. Work in cable pattern as follows:
Row 1: * K 6, P 1, K 4, P 1. Rep from * 3 more times. K 6 for small and medium sizes.
K 1, P 1, K 6, P 1, K 4, P 1. Rep from * 3 more times. K 6, P 1, K 1 for large and extra-large sizes.
Row 2: * P 6, K 1, P 4, K 1. Rep from * 3 more times. P 6 for small and medium sizes.
P 1, K 1, * P 6, K 1, P 4, K 1. Rep from * 3 more times. P 6, K 1, P 1 for large and extra-large sizes.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for 4 more rows. End on purl row. * Slip first 3 Sts onto cable holder. and hold in front of work. K next 3 Sts. K 3 Sts from cable holder. P 1, K 4, P 1. Rep from * for 3 more times. Make 1 more cable twist on remaining 6 Sts for small and medium sizes.
K 1, P 1. * Slip next 3 Sts onto cable holder and hold in front of work. K next 3 Sts. K 3 Sts from cable holder. P 1, K 4, P 1. Rep from * for 3 more times. Make 1 more cable twist on next 6 Sts. P 1, K 1, for large and extra-large sizes.
Row 8: Same as Row 2.
Row 9: Work in pattern across row, Inc 1 St at Beg and end of row.
Row 10: K 1. Continue working in pattern across row to within last St. K 1, for small and medium sizes.
P 2, K 1. Continue working in pattern across row to within last 3 Sts. K 1, P 2 for large and extra-large sizes.
Row 11: P 1. Continue working in pattern to within last St, P 1 for small and medium sizes.
K 2, P 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 3 Sts, P 1, K 2 for large and extra-large sizes.
Repeat Rows 10 and 11 for 6 more rows.
Row 18: Work in pattern across row, Inc 1 St at Beg and end of row.
Row 19: K 1, P 1. Continue working pattern to within last 2 Sts. P 1, K 1 for small and medium sizes.
K 3, P 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 4 Sts. P 1, K 3 for large and extra-large sizes.
Row 20: P 1, K 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 2 Sts. K 1, P 1 for small and medium sizes.
P 3, K 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 4 Sts. K 1, P 3 for large and extra-large sizes.
Repeat Rows 19 and 20 for 6 more rows.
Row 27: Work in pattern, Inc 1 St at Beg and end of row.
Row 28: P 2, K 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 3 Sts. K 1, P 2 for small and medium sizes.
P 4, K 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 5 Sts. K 1, P 4 for large and extra- large sizes.
Row 29: K 2, P 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 3 Sts. P 1, K 2 for small and medium sizes.
K 4, P 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 5 Sts. P 1, K 4 for large and extra-large sizes.
Repeat Rows 28 and 29 for 6 more rows.
Row 36: Work in pattern, Inc 1 St at Beg and end of row.
Row 37: K 3, P 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 4 Sts. P 1, K 3 for small and medium sizes.
P 1, K 4, P 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 6 Sts. P 1, K 4, P 1 for large and extra-large sizes.
Row 38: P 3, K 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 4 Sts. K 1, P 3 for small and medium sizes.
K 1, P 4, K 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 6 Sts. K 1, P 4, K 1 for large and extra-large sizes.
Repeat Rows 37 and 38 for 6 more rows.
Row 45: Work in pattern, Inc 1 St at Beg and end of row.
Row 46: P 4, K 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 5 Sts. K 1, P 4 for small and medium sizes.
P 1, K 1, P 4, K 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 7 Sts.
K 1, P 4, K 1, P 1, for large and extra-large sizes.
Row 47: K 4, P 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 5 Sts. P 1, K 4 for small and medium sizes.
K 1, P 1, K 4, P 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 7 Sts. P 1, K 4, P 1, K 1 for large and extra-Iarge sizes.
Repeat Rows 46 and 47 for 6 more rows.
Row 54: Work in pattern, Inc 1 St at Beg and end of row.
Row 55: P 1, K 4, P 1: Continue working in pattern to within last 6 Sts. P 1, K 4, P 1 for small and medium sizes.
K 2, P 1, K 4, P 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 8 Sts. P 1, K 4, P 1, K 2 for large and extra-large sizes.
Row 56: K 1, P 4, K 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 6 Sts. K 1, P 4, K 1 for small and medium sizes.
P 2, K 1, P 4, K 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 8 Sts. K 1, P 4, K 1, P 2 for large and extra-large sizes.
Repeat Rows 55 and 56 for 6 more rows.
Row 63: Work in pattern, Inc. 1 St at Beg and end of row.
Row 64: P 1, K 1, P 4, K 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 7 Sts. K 1, P 4, K 1, P 1, for small and medium sizes.
P 3, K 1, P 4, K 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 8 Sts. K 1, P 4, K 1, P 3 for large and extra-large sizes.
Row 65: K 1, P 1, K 4, P 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 7 Sts. P 1, K 4, P 1, K 1 for small and medium sizes.
K 3, P 1, K 4, P 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 9 Sts. P 1, K 4, P 1, K 3 for large and extra-large sizes.
Repeat Rows 64 and 65 for 6 more rows.
Row 72: Work in pattern, Inc 1 St at Beg and end of row.
Row 73: K 2, P 1, K 4, P 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 8 Sts. P 1, K 4, P 1, K 2 for small and medium sizes.
K 4, P 1, K 4, P 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 10 Sts. P 1, K 4, P 1, K 4 for large and extra-large sizes.
Row 74: P 2, K 1, P 4, K 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 8 Sts. K 1, P 4, K 1, P 2 for small and medium sizes.
P 4, K 1, P 4, K 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 10 Sts. K 1, P 4, K 1, P 4 for large and extra-large sizes.
Repeat Rows 73 and 74 for 6 more rows.
Row 81: Work in pattern, Inc. 1 St at Beg and end of row.
Row 82: P 3, K 1, P 4, K 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 9 Sts. K 1, P 4, K 1, P 3 for small and medium sizes.
K 1, P4, Kl, P4, K 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 11 Sts. K 1, P 4, K 1, P 4, K 1 for large and extra-large sizes.
Row 83: K 3, P 1, K 4, P 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 9 Sts. P 1, K 4, P 1, K 3 for small and medium sizes.
P 1, K 4, P 1, K 4, P 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 11 Sts. P 1, K 4, P 1, K 4, P 1 for large and extra-large sizes.
Repeat Rows 82 and 83 for 6 more rows.
Row 90: Work in pattern, Inc 1 St at Beg and end of row.
Row 91: K 4, P 1, K 4, P 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 10 Sts. P 1, K 4, P 1, K 4 for small and medium sizes.
K 1, P 1, K 4, P 1, K 4, P 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 12 Sts. P 1, K 4, P 1, K 4, P 1, K 1, for large and extra-large sizes.
Row 92: P 4, K 1, P 4, K 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 10 Sts. K 1, P 4, K 1, P 4 for small and medium sizes.
P 1, K 1, P 4, K 1, P 4, K 1. Continue working in pattern to within last 12 Sts. K 1, P 4, K 1, P 4, K 1, P 1 for large and extra-large sizes.
Repeat Rows 91 and 92 for 6 more rows.
Row 99: Work in pattern, Inc 1 St at Beg and end of row.
Sleeve should measure about 15" above ribbing for small and medium sizes, 16" above ribbing for large and extra-large sizes.

ARMHOLE SHAPING:
Row 1: Dec 1 St. Work in pattern to within last 2 Sts. Dec 1 St. Repeat Row 1 until there are 32 Sts for all sizes.
Next Row: Bind off 8 Sts. Work in pattern across row. Repeat last row for 2 more rows. Bind off. Block and assemble.

Enjoy!

K	Knit	P	Purl
St(s)	Stitch(es)	Sl	Slip
Inc	Increase	Dec	Decrease
Tog	Together	Pat	Pattern
Beg	Beginning	Rep	Repeat
St St	Stockinette Stitch

Symbols

* (asterisk): After working the instructions following the asterisk once, repeat these same instructions the specified number of times.

( ) parentheses: Work the instructions in the parentheses the exact number of times specified.

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