Women Cable Jacket in Bergere de France Alaska - 71136-314 - Downloadable PDF

Women's Cable Jacket in Bergere de France Alaska – Pattern 71136-314

This intermediate-level knitting pattern (reference 71136-314 from Bergere de France) guides knitters through the construction of a classic women's cable jacket, available as a downloadable PDF. The design is worked in chunky-weight yarn and features structured shaping, bold cable panels, and a neat ribbed foundation — making it an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to tackle more textured, architectural stitch work.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a women's cable jacket with set-in armhole shaping. It is offered in five sizes: S, M, L, XL, and XXL, making it accessible to a wide range of body types. The finished jacket features prominent cable panels running through the body, a ribbed lower edge, and a closure using four beech toggle buttons (52 mm / 2 in length, reference 66039, sold in a pack of four). The overall silhouette is structured and cosy, well suited to cooler seasons.

Yarn and Materials

The specified yarn is Bergere de France Alaska, a chunky-weight yarn used throughout the project. The colourway shown in the pattern is Biscuit (reference 43037). The number of balls required varies by size:

• S: 25 balls
• M: 27 balls
• L: 30 balls
• XL: 33 balls
• XXL: 36 balls

In addition to the yarn, knitters will need a cable needle (cn) for working the cable crossings, and a 6.0 mm crochet hook for any finishing or edging steps indicated in the pattern.

Needles

Two needle sizes are used in this pattern:

• 4.5 mm needles — used for the ribbed cast-on sections and lower edges
• 5.5 mm needles — used for the main body fabric, both the pattern stitch and the cable panels

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct tension is essential for a well-fitting jacket. The pattern specifies two separate tension measurements, both worked on 5.5 mm needles:

• Pattern stitch: 20 stitches and 23 rows = 10 cm (4 in) square
• 12-stitch cable panel: 7 cm (2½ in) wide

Knitters are strongly encouraged to work a tension swatch before beginning, as chunky yarn and cable patterns can vary significantly between individuals. Adjusting needle size up or down is the standard way to correct tension.

Stitches and Techniques Used

Ribbing

The jacket opens with a 2×2 rib (knit 2, purl 2, repeated across the row) worked on the smaller 4.5 mm needles. This creates a firm, elasticated lower edge that anchors the garment and prevents it from flaring. Ribbing is a foundational knitting technique that draws in the fabric and adds stretch.

Pattern Stitch

The main body fabric is worked in a pattern stitch on 5.5 mm needles, providing the background texture against which the cables stand out. The pattern stitch contributes to the overall drape and structure of the jacket.

Cable Knitting

Cable knitting is the defining technique of this design. Cables are created by temporarily holding a group of stitches on a cable needle, knitting the next stitches from the main needle, and then knitting the held stitches — producing the characteristic twisted rope or braid effect. This pattern uses several specific cable abbreviations:

• CR (Cross Right): A right-leaning cable cross, creating a twist that leans to the right.