Arcadian Lace Pullover in Cascade Yarns 128 Superwash - C289 - Downloadable PDF

Arcadian Lace Pullover in Cascade Yarns 128 Superwash – Free Knitting Pattern by Cheryl Beckerich

The Arcadian Lace Pullover is a beautifully feminine, lace-detailed knitted sweater designed by Cheryl Beckerich and published by Cascade Yarns. Available as a free downloadable PDF, this intermediate-level knitting pattern produces a classic pullover silhouette enriched with elegant lace patterning — making it a rewarding project for knitters who are ready to move beyond basic construction and explore decorative stitch work in a wearable garment.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a lace pullover sweater worked in a chunky weight yarn. The finished garment features a flattering fit across a wide range of sizes, from XS through XXL, with finished bust measurements spanning 32 inches up to 55.5 inches. The length of the finished pullover ranges from 26 to 28 inches depending on the size, making it a comfortable, mid-length layering piece suitable for cooler seasons. The lace detailing gives the sweater a refined, airy aesthetic despite being knitted in a chunky yarn, striking an appealing balance between warmth and visual lightness.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is specifically designed for Cascade Yarns 128 Superwash, a popular chunky-weight yarn made from 100% Superwash Merino Wool. Each skein contains 128 yards (117 meters) and weighs 100 grams (3.5 oz). The sample is knitted in color #1948, Mystic Purple, a rich, deep tone that beautifully showcases the lace stitch definition. Depending on the size being knitted, the pattern calls for 5 to 10 skeins.

The Superwash treatment on this Merino wool means the finished pullover is machine washable — a highly practical quality for a garment that will be worn regularly. Merino wool itself is prized for its exceptional softness against the skin, natural elasticity, and excellent stitch definition, all of which make it particularly well suited to lace knitting where stitch clarity matters.

Needles and Notions

• US 10 (6mm) circular knitting needles, 24-inch or 30-inch length, or the size needed to achieve gauge
• Stitch holders for managing live stitches during construction
• Stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping points
• Yarn needle for seaming and finishing

Gauge

Achieving accurate gauge is essential for this pattern. The specified gauge is 13.5 stitches and 16.5 rows over 4 inches (10 cm). Because the finished bust measurements span a relatively narrow range per size, knitters are strongly encouraged to swatch carefully and adjust needle size as needed before casting on.

Techniques and Construction

The Arcadian Lace Pullover is rated as an intermediate skill level, making it an ideal next step for knitters who are comfortable with basic knit and purl stitches and are ready to tackle lace patterning and garment shaping. The construction involves working flat or in the round on circular needles, with separate sections joined during finishing.

Key Techniques Used

• Lace knitting — the defining feature of this pullover, lace patterns are created through a combination of yarn overs and decreases that form decorative openwork motifs across the fabric
• Casting on and binding off — standard techniques used to begin and close sections of the garment
• Shaping with decreases — including K2tog (knit two together) and P2tog (purl two together) for smooth, directional shaping at armholes, necklines, and other structural points
• Increasing with Kfb — knitting into the front and back of a stitch to add stitches where the silhouette requires it
• Working with stitch markers — placing and slipping markers to keep l