Cynthia sweater

Cynthia is a vintage-inspired cabled sweater with modified drop shoulders and a slightly cropped silhouette.

The all-over cables of the body are offset by the stocking stitch sleeves, which fall in a gentle balloon shape.

Cynthia is worked in sport to DK weight yarn, for a sweater that’ll quickly become a staple in your transitional wardrobe.

The pattern includes 9 sizes to fit from a 28in to 65in / 70cm to 162.5cm bust, with two optional bust adjustments to create your perfect fit – one to add up to 3in / 7.5cm of width over the bust, and one to add 1.5in / 3.5cm of length to the front to stop the front hem from riding up.

Key information 

Cynthia is worked from the bottom up, starting with a shallow half twisted rib hem. The cable panels are set up with unique placement for each size to give the same look across the whole range. The sweater is worked in the round to just before the underarms, where there’s the option to work two bust adjustments.

After underarm separation, the front and back are worked back and forwards in rows. The shoulders are joined with a 3-needle bind-off, before sleeves are picked up and worked down to the cuffs. Finally, stiches are picked up around the neckline for a twisted rib collar.

Cynthia is written in 9 sizes, to fit a full bust of 28in – 65in / 70cm – 162.5cm (including the optional bust adjustment). Where numbers vary, instructions are written as 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) 6, 7, 8, 9.

Recommended yarn 

Cynthia is designed for sport to DK weight yarn. The green sample is worked using Filcolana Pernilla (100% wool, 175m to 50g), a yarn with a round spin and great stitch definition that works well for cables.

I’ve also used Rowan Felted Tweed (50% wool, 25% alpaca, 25% viscose, 175m to 50g) for a second sample, but any yarn that meets gauge and gives good stitch definition will work well.

Yarn requirements 

955 (1050, 1135, 1340, 1450) 1580, 1990, 2110, 2200 m / 1045, (1150, 1240, 1465, 1585) 1730, 2180, 2310, 2410 yds of sport to DK weight yarn.

Gauge 

28st and 32 rows on 3.75mm needles, measured over cabled pattern. 

24st and 32 rows on 3.75mm needles, measured over stocking stitch in the round.

When working your swatch, I’d recommend working from chart E to check your tension over the cabling.

Suggested needles and notions

• 3.75mm long circular needle, plus 3.75mm needle suitable for short circumference knitting
• 3.5mm long circular needle, plus 3.5mm needle suitable for short circumference knitting
• Spare needle for 3-needle bind-off
• Cable needle
• Stitch markers – you may wish to place markers between the cabled panels
• Tapestry needle

Sizing and schematic 

Cynthia is designed to fit with 4-6in / 10-15cm of positive ease at the full bust. As the pattern has fit options, the best way to get the right fit is to start with your actual upper bust measurement and pick the size closest to that. This is taken under the armpits, above your full bust, and gives a truer reflection of your overall frame than a full bust measurement.

Compare the finished chest circumference of this size with your full bust measurement to determine whether or not to work the optional bust adjustment; you can add either 1.5in / 3.5cm or 3in / 7.5cm to the bust of your sweater by working this adjustment.