Ladies Sweaters in Sirdar Cotton Rich Aran - 7273 - Downloadable PDF

Ladies Sweaters in Sirdar Cotton Rich Aran – Pattern 7273

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Sirdar presents two distinct ladies' sweater designs worked in Sirdar Cotton Rich Aran yarn. The pattern covers dress sizes 12 through 20, fitting bust measurements from 86 cm (34 in) to 107 cm (42 in), making it a versatile choice for a wide range of figures. Both garments are classic, wearable sweaters with set-in sleeves, and each features its own distinct neckline and stitch detailing, giving knitters the opportunity to choose the style that best suits their wardrobe.

The Two Designs

Stand Up Neck Sweater

The first design is a stand-up neck sweater, worked in Sirdar Cotton Rich Aran shade 004. The high, close-fitting neckline gives this sweater a contemporary, polished look that works well for both casual and smart occasions. The body features a richly textured combination of diamond lace and bobble pattern set against a background of reversed stocking stitch, creating a fabric with considerable visual depth and tactile interest. This design requires 5 to 7 balls of 100g yarn depending on the size being made.

Round Neck Sweater

The second design is a round neck sweater, worked in Sirdar Cotton Rich Aran shade 006. The classic round neckline makes this a highly wearable, everyday style. Like the stand-up neck version, it incorporates the same signature diamond lace and bobble pattern with a reversed stocking stitch background, ensuring both sweaters share a cohesive, textured aesthetic while offering different styling options. This design requires 5 to 6 balls of 100g yarn depending on the size being made.

Measurements and Sizing

Both sweaters are sized to fit bust measurements of 86, 91, 97, 102, and 107 cm (34, 36, 38, 40, and 42 inches), corresponding to dress sizes 12 through 20. The actual finished measurements are generously cut, ranging from 94 cm to 115 cm (37 in to 45¼ in) across the chest to allow for comfortable ease. The full length of the garments ranges from 60 cm to 66 cm (23¾ in to 26 in), and the sleeve length is given as approximately 44 to 45 cm (17¼ to 17¾ in), noted as adjustable so knitters can customise the fit to their own arm length.

Techniques Used

These sweaters bring together several classic Aran knitting techniques, making the pattern a satisfying project for knitters with some experience of working cables and textured stitches. The key techniques include:

• Diamond lace and bobble pattern – a structured, repeating motif that forms the main decorative panel of both sweaters, combining yarn-over lace increases with bold bobbles for a richly three-dimensional surface
• Reversed stocking stitch – the background fabric is worked with the purl side as the right side, giving a soft, matte texture that sets off the lace and bobble detailing beautifully
• Cable techniques – the pattern uses a cable needle throughout, with specific cable crossings including T5BP (a five-stitch back cross), T3B (a three-stitch back cross), and T3F (a three-stitch front cross), all of which create the characteristic travelling lines of traditional Aran knitting
• Making bobbles (MB) – each bobble is individually worked by increasing into a single stitch to create four stitches, working short rows, then decreasing back to one stitch, producing a firm, rounded bobble that stands proud of the fabric surface
• Shaping – standard knitting shaping techniques including increases and decreases are used to shape the armholes, sleeves, and necklines of both garments
• Stitch holder usage – stitches are placed on holders during neckline construction, a common technique in garment knitting that allows sections to be set aside and returned to later

Stitches Used

• Reversed stocking st