Cable Car Pullover

Cable Car Pullover by Donna Estin Designs

Garment Overview

The Cable Car Pullover is an intermediate-level knit sweater featuring dramatic interwoven cable patterns. This pullover is designed to be worn with 4 inches of positive ease, making it a comfortable, relaxed-fitting garment suitable for layering. The finished bust measurements range from 36 to 52.75 inches across five size options, accommodating a wide range of body types.

Construction and Techniques

This knitting project uses circular needles for seamless construction, which is a hallmark technique for modern sweater design. The Cable Car Pullover employs a combination of knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive appearance. The garment features ribbed edging worked in 1x2 ribbing, which provides structure and elasticity at the cuffs and hem. The body of the sweater showcases the signature cable work, which requires a cable needle to manipulate stitches and create the interlocking cable patterns that define the design.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Cable Car Pullover incorporates multiple stitch patterns to create visual interest and texture:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): Used as the base fabric, providing a smooth, classic knit surface
• 1x2 Ribbing: Applied at the cuffs and hem for a fitted, elastic finish that stretches slightly when blocked
• Cable Car Chart Pattern: The signature stitch pattern featuring interwoven cables that create the dramatic visual centerpiece of the sweater

Yarn and Materials

The Cable Car Pullover is designed to be knitted with Knit Picks Swish Worsted yarn, a 100% fine superwash merino wool that offers durability and easy care. Yardage requirements range from 1,320 to 2,090 yards depending on size, requiring 12 to 17 balls of yarn at 110 yards per 50-gram ball. The worsted weight yarn provides excellent stitch definition, making the cable patterns clearly visible in the finished garment.

Needles and Gauge

Two needle sizes are required for this project. US 6 (4mm) circular needles in 16-inch length are used for ribbed sections, while US 7 (4.5mm) circular needles or straight needles are used for the main body. Knitters should verify gauge before beginning: 20 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch when blocked, and 26 stitches over 4 inches in the Cable Car chart pattern when blocked. A cable needle is essential for executing the cable twists that define this sweater's aesthetic. Stitch markers are recommended to help track pattern repeats and construction sections.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, the Cable Car Pullover requires competency with cable knitting techniques, circular needle construction, and reading stitch charts. This project is suitable for knitters who have completed basic sweater projects and are comfortable working with cable patterns.