Sweater in Hayfield Bonus Aran - 10612 - Downloadable PDF

Hayfield Bonus Aran Sweater – Pattern 10612

This intermediate-level knitting pattern from Hayfield produces a classic, structured pullover sweater worked in the ever-popular Hayfield Bonus Aran yarn. Featuring a cable panel as its central design element, this sweater combines timeless Aran-style texture with a relaxed, comfortable fit across six sizes, making it a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with cables and shaping techniques.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a drop-shoulder or set-in style pullover sweater worked in Hayfield Bonus Aran yarn in shade 588 Mauve Marl. The sweater is designed to fit chest sizes ranging from 32/34 inches up to 52/54 inches (81/86 cm to 132/137 cm), with finished widths spanning 43¾ inches to 64½ inches and full lengths from 25½ inches to 29½ inches. Sleeve lengths range from 18 inches to 19 inches depending on size. This generous range of sizing — Small through XXXL — makes the pattern accessible to a wide variety of knitters and body types.

Techniques Used

• Cable knitting: A dedicated cable panel forms a key decorative feature of this sweater, adding classic Aran-style texture and visual interest to the fabric. Cables are created by temporarily holding stitches on a cable needle and crossing them over one another to produce twisted rope or braid-like effects.
• Ribbing: A 1x1 rib (alternating knit one, purl one) is used, likely at the cuffs, hem, and neckband, providing stretch and a neat, professional finish. The tension note specifies the rib should be measured slightly stretched, which is standard practice for accurate fit.
• Garment shaping: As an intermediate pattern, shaping techniques such as increases and decreases are used to form the armholes, sleeves, and neckline.
• Working with a stitch holder: Stitches are placed on a stitch holder at various points — typically at the neckline — to be picked up and worked later, a common construction technique in sweater knitting.

Stitches Used

• 1x1 Rib stitch – alternating knit and purl stitches across the row, used for borders and cuffs
• Cable panel stitches – worked over a defined stitch count using a cable needle to create the signature Aran-style twisted cable motif
• Stocking stitch (stockinette) – the likely background fabric of the body and sleeves, providing a smooth, even surface that contrasts beautifully with the cable panel

Materials Required

The pattern is designed specifically for Hayfield Bonus Aran (100g balls, shade 588 Mauve Marl), a reliable and widely available Aran-weight yarn. The number of balls required ranges from 6 balls for size Small up to 9 balls for size XXXL. It is important to note that ball quantities are based on achieving the stated tension with the specified yarn.

• Yarn: Hayfield Bonus Aran, 100g balls, shade 588 Mauve Marl – 6 to 9 balls depending on size
• Primary needles: 1 pair of 5mm (UK6 / USA8) knitting needles for the main body and cable panel
• Secondary needles: 1 pair of 4mm (UK8 / USA6) knitting needles for the ribbed borders
• Additional tools: A cable needle for working the cable panel, and a stitch holder for managing live stitches during construction

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is essential for a well-fitting finished garment. The pattern specifies 22 stitches and 24 rows over 10cm / 4 inches using 5mm needles in stocking stitch, and 24 stitches