Scottish Ale II

Scottish Ale II: Women's Tunic Length Cable Sweater

What is Being Made

The Scottish Ale II is a tunic-length cable sweater designed for women by Cheryl Beckerich. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a sophisticated pullover garment available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3XL, with finished chest measurements from 34 inches (86.5 cm) to 54 inches (137 cm). The sweater features a consistent length of 33 inches (84 cm), making it an elegant tunic-style piece suitable for layering or wearing as a standalone garment. This design builds upon Cheryl Beckerich's original Scottish Ale pattern, which was created as a dense cable sweater intended for outdoor wear as an alternative to a traditional coat.

Techniques and Construction

The Scottish Ale II employs classic cable knitting techniques to create its distinctive textured surface. The sweater is constructed using circular needles, which allow for seamless or minimal-seam construction depending on the knitter's preferred method. The pattern utilizes moss stitch as the primary stitch pattern for gauge measurement, creating a dense, textured fabric characteristic of traditional cable sweaters. Cable techniques are integrated throughout the design to produce the decorative raised patterns that define this style of sweater.

Stitches Used

• Moss Stitch: The foundation stitch used for gauge calculations and primary fabric texture
• Cable Stitches: Decorative raised stitches created by crossing groups of stitches over one another to form rope-like patterns throughout the sweater

Materials and Tools Required

The Scottish Ale II is worked in Cascade Yarns Cascade 220, a 100% Peruvian Highland Wool yarn available in 100-gram skeins with a yardage of 220 yards per 200 meters. The project requires 7 to 10 skeins depending on size, with smaller sizes (S and M) needing 7 to 8 skeins and larger sizes (L through 3XL) requiring 8 to 10 skeins. This aran to worsted weight yarn provides the density and structure necessary for the cable sweater construction.

Essential knitting tools include a size 8 US (5 mm) 24-inch circular needle for the main body, a size 8 US (5 mm) 16-inch circular needle for ribbing and neckline work, a cable needle for manipulating cable stitches, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming if necessary. The recommended gauge is 19 stitches and 25.5 rows measured over 4 inches (10 cm) in moss stitch, which is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions.