Sweaters in Stylecraft Special Aran with Wool - 9659 - Downloadable PDF

Sweaters in Stylecraft Special Aran with Wool - Pattern 9659

What Is Being Made

This downloadable PDF pattern contains instructions for knitting two distinct sweater designs in Stylecraft Special Aran with Wool yarn. The patterns are available in four size options to fit chest measurements from 91-97cm (36-38 inches) up to 122-127cm (48-50 inches), making these sweaters suitable for a wide range of body sizes. The full length of the finished garments ranges from 71cm to 79cm depending on size selected.

Design Features

One of the two sweater designs featured in this pattern includes cabled sleeves, incorporating decorative cable work into the sleeve construction. Both designs are crafted as pullover-style sweaters with set-in sleeves. The sleeve length varies from 47cm to 51cm across the different size options, providing appropriate proportions for each chest size.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Ribbed edging: The pattern begins with a 2x2 rib worked over 11 rows using 4mm needles, creating an elastic cuff that helps the sweater fit snugly
• Cable work: The pattern incorporates cable stitches including C3B (cable 3 back) and C3F (cable 3 front) techniques, which create the textured, twisted rope-like appearance characteristic of cable knit sweaters
• Decreasing: Strategic use of p2tog (purl 2 together) decreases helps shape the garment and adjust stitch counts as needed
• Shaping: The pattern includes detailed shaping instructions to create proper fit through the body and sleeves

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The main fabric combines several stitch types to create visual interest and texture. The pattern uses reverse stockinette stitch (purl stitches on the right side) as a background, which provides contrast to the raised cable motifs. Stockinette stitch (knit stitches on the right side) appears in specific sections, and the aforementioned cable stitches create dimensional texture. The ribbing at the cuffs uses a 2x2 rib pattern, alternating knit and purl stitches to create vertical lines and elasticity.

Materials Required

This pattern is designed for use with Stylecraft Special Aran with Wool yarn in the aran weight category. The yardage requirements vary by size: smaller sizes require 400g of yarn, while larger sizes need 3 balls (approximately 900g total). The example shown uses the colorway Tawny (3392). Knitters will need two pairs of needles: 4mm needles for the ribbed sections and 5mm needles for the main body fabric. The pattern also specifies using the thumb method for casting on stitches.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience. The combination of ribbing, cable work, and shaping techniques requires familiarity with basic knitting skills and the ability to follow detailed row-by-row instructions. Knitters should be comfortable reading charts or written instructions for cable stitches and managing increases and decreases throughout the garment construction.