Cordage Sweater

Cordage Pullover by Kristen TenDyke

What Is Being Made

The Cordage Pullover is an advanced knit sweater designed by Kristen TenDyke. This pullover features a sophisticated cable panel construction with a unique shoulder tab technique that creates visual interest and structural detail. The garment is worked using a combination of flat and in-the-round knitting methods to achieve its distinctive construction.

Construction Technique

This sweater employs an innovative construction method where shoulder tabs are knit first and then placed onto stitch holders. The back and front body pieces are subsequently picked up along the selvedge edges of each shoulder tab and knit separately. This technique allows for precise shaping and creates clean, finished edges where the shoulder tabs meet the body.

The pattern uses both flat knitting (worked in rows) and circular knitting (worked in rounds) depending on the section being constructed. The cable panel is specifically worked in rounds, allowing for seamless integration into the garment's overall design.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques Used

The Cordage Pullover incorporates several advanced cable and increase techniques:

• 2/2 Left Purl Cross (2/2LPC): Slip next 2 stitches to cable needle, hold to front, purl 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle
• 2/2 Right Cable (2/2RC): Slip next 2 stitches to cable needle, hold to back, knit 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle
• 2/2 Right Purl Cross (2/2RPC): Slip next 2 stitches to cable needle, hold to back, knit 2 stitches, then purl 2 stitches from cable needle
• Make 1 Left (M1L): Insert left-hand needle under the horizontal strand between the stitch just worked and the next stitch from front to back, then knit through the back loop for a left-slanting increase
• Make 1 Right (M1R): Insert left-hand needle under the horizontal strand between stitches for a right-slanting increase
• Purl and knit stitches worked in combination to create the textured cable panel pattern

Cable Panel Pattern

The cable panel is worked over a 12-round repeat with a symmetrical design. The pattern alternates between cable crossing rounds and rest rounds, creating a dynamic three-dimensional texture. The panel features 2/2 cables crossed on rounds 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11, with purl stitches framing the cables on either side. The cable panel repeat creates a cohesive visual motif throughout the sweater.

Materials

The Cordage Pullover is designed to be worked in sport weight yarn using appropriate needles for this yarn weight. The pattern requires a cable needle for executing the cable crosses. Stitch holders are necessary for holding stitches during the shoulder tab construction method.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as advanced difficulty. The combination of cable techniques, the innovative shoulder tab construction method, and the coordination of working in both flat and circular knitting requires solid foundational knitting skills and experience with cable stitches and garment construction.