Cardigans in Hayfield Bonus Aran Tweed - 7249 - Downloadable PDF

Cardigans in Hayfield Bonus Aran Tweed – Pattern 7249

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Hayfield presents two classic knitwear designs worked in the brand's popular Bonus Aran Tweed yarn: a Round Neck Cardigan and a Cardigan with Hood. Both garments are crafted in a rich aran weight, making them ideal projects for knitters who enjoy textured stitch work and structured cabling. The pattern covers a generous size range, fitting chest and bust measurements from 61/66 cm (24/26 in) up to 112/117 cm (44/46 in), making it suitable for children through to adults.

Design Overview

Round Neck Cardigan

The Round Neck Cardigan is a timeless, versatile design featuring a classic crew neckline. It is worked in Hayfield Bonus Aran Tweed and incorporates a combination of richly textured stitch patterns that give the finished fabric depth and visual interest. The round neck finish makes this cardigan suitable for layering over shirts, blouses, or lightweight tops, and its structured aran-weight fabric provides excellent warmth and durability.

Cardigan with Hood

The Cardigan with Hood offers a more casual, contemporary silhouette. The addition of a hood makes this design particularly practical for cooler weather, and the same textured stitch panels used throughout both garments give it a cohesive, handcrafted aesthetic. The hood adds both style and function, making this an excellent choice for everyday outerwear knitting projects.

Stitches and Techniques Used

Both cardigans in pattern 7249 feature a combination of three distinct stitch patterns, each contributing a different texture and visual element to the finished garments. Working with multiple stitch panels is a hallmark of traditional aran knitting, and this pattern showcases that heritage beautifully.

• Zig Zag Cable Panel: A dynamic cable design that creates a striking diagonal or zigzagging rope effect across the fabric. Cable knitting involves crossing groups of stitches over one another using a cable needle, producing a raised, three-dimensional texture. The zig zag variation adds movement and visual complexity beyond a standard straight cable.
• Honeycomb Cable Pattern: One of the most recognisable aran stitches, the honeycomb cable creates a repeating interlocked cell structure that resembles the geometric pattern of a beehive. It is worked by alternating the direction of cable crosses on successive repeats, producing a dense, cushioned fabric with excellent warmth properties.
• Trinity Stitch Pattern: Also known as bramble stitch or blackberry stitch in some traditions, Trinity stitch creates a highly textured bobble-like surface through a combination of knitting and purling into the same stitch and working decreases. It produces a beautifully bumpy, rich fabric that contrasts well with the smoother cable panels.

Together, these three stitch patterns create the layered, tactile quality that defines classic aran knitwear. Knitters working this pattern will develop or refine skills in cable knitting, textured stitch construction, and panel combination — all core techniques in the aran tradition.

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is essential for both garments to match the stated measurements. The pattern specifies the following tension guidelines, all worked on 5mm needles:

• Zig Zag Cable Panel: 23 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm (4 in)
• Honeycomb Cable Pattern: 28 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm on 5mm needles
• Trinity Stitch Pattern: 43 stitches and 48 rows to 20 cm (8 in)

As the pattern advises: if less stitches are produced, use a thinner needle; if more stitches result, use a thicker needle. Checking tension before beginning is strongly recommended, particularly when working with multiple stitch panels that each have their own gauge characteristics.

Finished Measurements

The pattern provides the following finished garment measurements across the six sizes:

• Actual chest/bust measurement: 72, 80, 92, 100, 112, and 120