Airtex Rib Sweater in Sirdar Cashmere Merino Silk - 10557 - Downloadable PDF

Airtex Rib Sweater in Sirdar Cashmere Merino Silk DK – Pattern 10557

This intermediate-level knitting pattern from Sirdar (Design No. 10557) guides you through creating a beautifully textured women's pullover sweater combining an Airtex stitch pattern with classic ribbing. The design is worked in Sirdar Cashmere Merino Silk Double Knitting, a luxurious blend of pure silk, extra fine merino wool, and Himalayan cashmere that gives the finished garment an exceptionally soft hand feel and an elevated, designer-quality appearance. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and has been triple-checked by Sirdar to guarantee a successful result when worked with the recommended yarn.

What Is Being Made

The project is a women's long-sleeved pullover sweater with a structured, textured body and neat ribbed edges. It is designed to fit chest sizes ranging from 81/86 cm (32/34 inches) up to 132/137 cm (52/54 inches), covering six sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL, and XXXL. The finished garment has a generous, relaxed width — from 113 cm (44½ inches) at size S up to 165 cm (65 inches) at size XXXL — making it a comfortable, wearable fit across a wide range of body types. The full length ranges from 55 cm (21¾ inches) to 65 cm (25½ inches) depending on size, and the sleeve length is a consistent 46 cm (18 inches) across all sizes. The combination of the airtex texture and ribbing gives this sweater a sophisticated, tactile quality well suited to womenswear.

Techniques Used

• Airtex stitch construction: The defining feature of this design, the airtex pattern creates an open, lace-like or cellular texture within the fabric. This technique involves a series of yarn-overs and decreases worked in a regular sequence to form small, evenly spaced eyelets or mesh-like cells across the knitted fabric, giving the sweater its distinctive lightweight, breathable appearance.
• Rib stitch borders: Classic knit-and-purl ribbing is used at the cuffs, hem, and likely the neckline to provide elasticity and a neat, professional finish that frames the airtex body panels.
• Flat knitting: The sweater pieces — back, front, and sleeves — are worked flat on a pair of straight needles and then seamed together, a construction method well suited to intermediate knitters building confidence with garment shaping.
• Garment shaping: Intermediate-level shaping techniques are used throughout, including sleeve increases and armhole, shoulder, and neckline shaping, requiring the knitter to work decreases and bind-offs at specified intervals.
• Seaming: Once all pieces are complete, the garment is assembled by joining the shoulder, side, and sleeve seams, a key finishing skill for any knitted garment.

Stitches Used

• Airtex pattern stitch – the primary decorative and structural stitch of the sweater body, formed through yarn-overs and paired decreases to create an open, textured mesh effect
• Knit and purl rib – used for the welts, cuffs, and neckband to add stretch and definition
• Standard knit (plain) and purl stitches – used in combination throughout the construction

Materials Required

The pattern is designed specifically for Sirdar Cashmere Merino Silk DK (Double Knitting), yarn code F005, in shade 407 Royal Navy, sold in 50g balls. The quantity of yarn required ranges from 13 balls (size S) to 19 balls (size XXXL). Alternative shades available in this yarn include 416 Orchard Red, 415 Polished Copper, and 421 Meadow Greens, all part of a palette described as inspired by the grandeur of English country estates.

Two pairs of knitting needles are required: 4mm (UK 8 / USA 6) needles for the main body and sleeves,