Square Neck Sweater

Square Neck Sweater with Wide Cable & Eyelet Panel

What is Being Made

This is a knitted pullover sweater designed by Pat Menchini, featuring a distinctive square neckline and decorative wide cable combined with eyelet panel details. The sweater is available in six sizes, ranging from bust measurements of 76-81 cm (30-32 inches) up to 127-132 cm (50-52 inches), making it suitable for a wide range of body types. The finished length from shoulder measures between 55-60 cm (21¾-23¾ inches) depending on size, with consistent short sleeves of 14 cm (5½ inches) across all sizes.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to create its visual interest and structure. The sweater incorporates cable knitting, which requires using a cable needle to create twisted rope-like textures. Eyelet work is integrated into the design, involving yarn overs and decreases to create small decorative holes that add an elegant, openwork element to the garment. Stocking stitch forms the primary fabric base, providing a smooth, classic knit surface. The combination of these techniques requires intermediate knitting skills and careful attention to stitch placement and cable crossing sequences.

Stitches Used

• Stocking Stitch: The foundational stitch used throughout most of the sweater, creating a smooth V-textured fabric
• Cable Stitches: Twisted stitches created by crossing groups of stitches over one another using a cable needle to form the wide cable panel
• Eyelet Stitches: Created through yarn overs paired with decreases to form decorative openwork holes within the design
• Ribbing: Typically used at cuffs, hem, and neckline for elasticity and structure (standard in sweater construction)

Materials Required

The sweater is worked using Rico-Design Creative Sport Print DK yarn in shade Blue 012, a double knit weight yarn offering 145 metres (158 yards) per 50g ball. Yarn requirements range from 6 balls for the smallest size to 8 balls for the largest sizes. Two pairs of knitting needles are needed: 3.25 mm (UK 10, US 3) needles for ribbed sections and 4.5 mm (UK 7, US 7) needles for the main fabric worked in stocking stitch. A cable needle is essential for manipulating stitches when creating the cable panel. The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch using the 4.5 mm needles, making gauge testing critical before beginning the project.