Lacy Cabled Sweater

Lacy Cabled Sweater by Natalie Smart

What is Being Made

The Lacy Cabled Sweater is a knitted pullover garment designed by Natalie Smart. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a fitted sweater available in six sizes to fit bust measurements from 81cm to 107cm (32 to 42 inches). The sweater features a combination of lacy and cable knit elements, offering visual interest through texture and stitch pattern variation. The finished sweater has an actual bust measurement ranging from 84cm to 112cm (33 to 44 inches) with a length to shoulder of approximately 57 to 60cm (22.5 to 23.5 inches) and sleeve seams measuring 48cm (19 inches).

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs several intermediate-level techniques to create its distinctive appearance. Cable knitting is a primary technique, requiring the use of a cable needle to cross stitches over one another, creating the characteristic twisted rope-like texture. Lace knitting is incorporated throughout the design, involving yarn overs and decreases to form openwork patterns. The sweater is constructed using flat knitting on straight needles for the main body pieces, with a circular needle used for certain sections. The pattern requires shaping techniques to achieve the fitted silhouette, including increases and decreases at strategic points. Seaming is necessary to join the various pieces together, and finishing techniques such as binding off and weaving in ends are essential for a polished final product.

Stitches Used

The Lacy Cabled Sweater utilizes fundamental knitting stitches as building blocks for more complex stitch patterns. Knit stitch (k) and purl stitch (p) form the foundation of the design, creating stockinette stitch (st-st) as the base fabric. Cable stitches are created by crossing groups of knit stitches using a cable needle, producing the dimensional twisted effects characteristic of cable knit sweaters. Yarn overs and decreases are combined to form the lacy elements, creating decorative holes and openwork sections within the sweater. The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations including alt (alternate), beg (beginning), cont (continue), and meas (measure) to provide clear construction instructions.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This downloadable PDF pattern specifies precise material requirements for successful completion. The yarn is Knitshop Alpaca Fino Yarn, a luxury fiber composed of 100% alpaca. The yarn provides 200 meters per 100-gram ball, offering excellent yardage for drape and fluidity. Yarn quantities vary by size, requiring between 6 and 9 balls (600 to 900 grams total) depending on the chosen size, with the pattern specifying 6 balls for the smallest size and 9 balls for the largest sizes. The colorway used in the design is Peacock, a sophisticated shade suitable for the lacy and cable textures.

The pattern calls for 3.75mm knitting needles as the primary tool for constructing the main fabric, with a 3.25mm circular needle for specific sections requiring circular knitting. Additional essential tools include a cable needle for executing cable stitches, stitch holders for temporarily securing stitches, and a row counter to track progress through the pattern. The specified tension is 20 stitches and 28 rows to 10cm (4 inches) over stockinette stitch using 3.75mm needles, with guidance to adjust needle size if necessary to achieve correct gauge before beginning the project.

Pattern Format and Designer Information

The Lacy Cabled Sweater is provided as a downloadable PDF pattern created by independent designer Natalie Smart, with copyright held by Natalie Smart Designs (2014). This intermediate-difficulty knitting project is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle cable and lace techniques. The pattern includes comprehensive sizing information with figures in square brackets indicating measurements for larger sizes, ensuring accessibility across a range of body measurements.