by Margie Mitchell

Here is a fun and current take on Aran sweaters. This aran cardigan has high relief cables with lace at the sides for a slimming effect. No ribbing at hem and cuffs gives a sweeping effect from hem to shoulders.

Keyhole cables cross in opposite directions allowing for the keyhole shape with a special cable crossing that allows the cable to lie flatter. The large cable panel is fun, twisting left and right; however, it will keep you on your toes as the number of stitches in the cables that cross the purls varies.

SIZE
XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X]
shown in S with 3 inches of ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 34.25[38.25, 41.25, 47, 50.75, 57.5, 60.5] inches (including buttonbands)
Length to Shoulder: 19[19.5, 20, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 22] inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
Malabrigo Rios [100% merino, 210 yd/192m per 100g skein]; color: 150 Azul Profundo; 8[8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15] skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #5/3.75mm 24-inch circular needle
US #6/4mm 24-inch circular needle
US #7/4.5mm 24-inch circular needle

Notions
cable needle
3 stitch holders or waste yarn
6[6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 7] 7/8-inch buttons
yarn needle

GAUGE

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

2/2 RC: place 2 sts on cable needle, hold in back of work, k2; k2 from cable needle.
2/2 LC: place 2 sts on cable needle, hold in front of work, k2; k2 from cable needle.
2/1/2 RC: place 3 sts on cable needle, hold in back of work, k2, place first st from left tip of cable needle onto left needle and knit stitch, then k2 from cable needle.
3/1 LPC: place 3 sts on cable needle, hold in front of work, p1; k3 from cable needle.
3/1 RPC: place 1 st on cable needle, hold in back of work, k3; p1 from cable needle.
3/2 LPC: place 3 sts on cable needle, hold in front of work, p2; k3 from cable needle.
3/2 RPC: place 2 sts on cable needle, hold in back of work k3; p2 from cable needle.
3/3 LC: place 3 sts on cable needle, hold in front of work, k3; k3 from cable needle.
3/3 RC: place 3 sts on cable needle, hold in back of work, k3; k3 from cable needle.
3/3 LPC: place 3 sts on cable needle, hold in front of work, p3; k3 from cable needle.
3/3 RPC: place 3 sts on cable needle, hold in back of work, k3; p3 from cable needle.
LPI: lift right leg of st below and purl into it. 1 st increased.

Set-up Rows 1 & 2 of Charts 1 & 2 are worked once in total, after which Rows 1-42 of Chart 1 and Rows 1-8 of Chart 2 are repeated. Chart 3 has no set-up rows; Rows 1-8 are repeated for the duration.

Continue to work charts as possible during armhole and neck shaping. When no longer possible, continue to knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts for Charts 1 and 2 and work Chart 3 in stockinette stitch.

Closing Cables:
Closing cables is the method of decreasing in the cable panels before binding off to ensure the bind-off end doesn't flare. This is similar to the increases made before beginning the cables at the start of the work, but involves decreasing instead.

In this pattern, you will find instructions to close cables, and will be given a total number of stitches to decrease in this manner. Work decreases as symmetrically as possible in the pattern of the cable.

Chart 1
Set-up Row 1 [RS]: P3, k2, p2, k2, p7, k4, p7, k2, p2, k2, p3.
Set-up Row 2 [WS]: K3, p1, LPI, p1, k2, p1, LPI, p1, k7, p1, LPI, p2, LPI, p1, k7, p1, LPI, p1, k2, p1, LPI, p1, k3. Row 1 [RS]: P3, k3, p2, k3, p7, k6, p7, k3, p2, k3, p3.
Row 2 [WS]: K3, p3, k2, p3, k7, p6, k7, p3, k2, p3, k3.
Row 3: P3, 3/1 LPC, 3/1 RPC, p7, 3/3 LC, p7, 3/1 LPC, 3/1 RPC, p3.
Row 4: K4, (p6, k8) twice, p6, k4.
Row 5: P4, 3/3 LC, p6, 3/2 RPC, 3/2 LPC, p6, 3/3 LC, p4.
Row 6: K4, p6, k6, p3, k4, p3, k6, p6, k4.
Row 7: P4, k3, 3/1 LPC, p3, 3/2 RPC, p4, 3/2 LPC, p3, 3/1 RPC, k3, p4.
Row 8: K4, p3, k1, p3, k3, p3, k8, p3, k3, p3, k1, p3, k4.
Row 9: P4, (3/1 LPC) twice, 3/2 RPC, p8, 3/2 LPC, (3/1 RPC) twice, p4.
Row 10: K5, p3, k1, p6, k12, p6, k1, p3, k5.
Row 11: P5, 3/1 LPC, 3/3 RC, p12, 3/3 RC, 3/1 RPC, p5.
Row 12: K6, p9, k12, p9, k6.
Row 13: P6, 3/3 LC, 3/3 LPC, p6, 3/3 RPC, 3/3 LC, p6.
Row 14: K6, p6, k3, p3, k6, p3, k3, p6, k6.
Row 15: P5, 3/1 RPC, (3/3 LPC) twice, (3/3 RPC) twice, 3/1 LPC, p5.
Row 16: K5, p3, k4, p3, k3, p6, k3, p3, k4, p3, k5.
Row 17: P4, 3/1 RPC, p4, 3/3 LPC, 3/3 LC, 3/3 RPC, p4, 3/1 LPC, p4.
Row 18: K4, p3, k8, p12, k8, p3, k4.
Row 19: P3, 3/1 RPC, p8, (3/3 RC) twice, p8, 3/1 LPC, p3.
Row 20: K3, p3, k9, p12, k9, p3, k3.
Row 21: P3, k3, p9, k3, 3/3 LC, k3, p9, k3, p3.
Row 22: K3, p3, k9, p12, k9, p3, k3.
Row 23: P3, 3/1 LPC, p8, (3/3 RC) twice, p8, 3/1 RPC, p3.
Row 24: K4, p3, k8, p12, k8, p3, k4.
Row 25: P4, 3/1 LPC, p4, 3/3 RPC, 3/3 LC, 3/3 LPC, p4, 3/1 RPC, p4.
Row 26: K5, p3, k4, p3, k3, p6, k3, p3, k4, p3, k5.
Row 27: P5, 3/1 LPC, (3/3 RPC) twice, (3/3 LPC) twice, 3/1 RPC, p5.
Row 28: K6, p6, k3, p3, k6, p3, k3, p6, k6.
Row 29: P6, 3/3 LC, 3/3 RPC, p6, 3/3 LPC, 3/3 LC, p6.
Row 30: K6, p9, k12, p9, k6.
Row 31: P5, 3/1 RPC, 3/3 RC, p12, 3/3 RC, 3/1 LPC, p5.
Row 32: K5, p3, k1, p6, k12, p6, k1, p3, k5.
Row 33: P4, (3/1 RPC) twice, 3/2 LPC, p8, 3/2 RPC, (3/1 LPC) twice, p4.
Row 34: K4, p3, k1, p3, k3, p3, k8, p3, k3, p3, k1, p3, k4.
Row 35: P4, k3, 3/1 RPC, p3, 3/2 LPC, p4, 3/2 RPC, p3, 3/1 LPC, k3, p4.
Row 36: K4, p6, k6, p3, k4, p3, k6, p6, k4.
Row 37: P4, 3/3 LC, p6, 3/2 LPC, 3/2 RPC, p6, 3/3 LC, p4.
Row 38: K4, (p6, k8) twice, p6, k4.
Row 39: P3, 3/1 RPC, 3/1 LPC, p7, 3/3 LC, p7, 3/1 RPC, 3/1 LPC, p3.
Rows 40 & 42: K3, p3, k2, p3, k7, p6, k7, p3, k2, p3, k3.
Row 41: P3, k3, p2, k3, p7, k6, p7, k3, p2, k3, p3.
Rep Rows 1-42 for patt.

Chart 2
Set-up Row 1 [RS]: K9.
Set-up Row 2 [WS]: P1, LPI, p7, LPI, p1.
Row 1 [RS]: P1, k2, 2/1/2 RC, k2, p1.
Row 2 and every foll WS row: K1, p9, k1.
Row 3: P1, 2/2 RC, k1, 2/2 LC, p1.
Row 5: P1, k9, p1.
Row 7: P1, 2/2 LC, k1, 2/2 RC, p1.
Row 8 [WS]: K1, p9, k1.
Rep Rows 1-8 for patt.

Chart 3
Row 1 [RS]: *Ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2, [k2tog] twice, k2, yo; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 2 and every foll WS row: Purl.
Row 3: *Ssk, yo, k3, yo, k1, [k2tog] twice, k1, yo; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 5: *Ssk, yo, k5, yo, [k2tog] twice, yo; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 7: *Ssk, yo, k3, k2tog, k2, yo, k2tog, yo; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 8 [WS]: Purl.
Rep Rows 1-8 for patt.

DIRECTIONS
Body
With larger needles, CO 223[247, 267, 291, 315, 343, 363] sts.

Size XS Only:
Set-up Row 1 [RS]: P1, beg on st 2 and ending on st 41, work Set-up Row 1 of Chart 1, work Set-up Row 1 of Chart 2, k4, work Row 1 of Chart 3 over next 12 sts (working repeat once in total), k4, (work Set-up Row 1 of Chart 2 once, beg on st 2 and ending on st 41, work Set-up Row 1 of Chart 1 once) twice, work Set-up Row 1 of Chart 2 once, k4, work Row 1 of Chart 3 over next 12 sts (working repeat once in total), k4, work Set-up Row 1 of Chart 2 once, beg with st 2 and ending with st 41, work Set-up Row 1 of Chart 1 once, p1.

Set-up Row 2 [WS]: K1, work Set-up Row 2 of Chart 1 once as est, work Set-up Row 2 of Chart 2 once, p4, work Row 2 of Chart 3 over next 12 sts, p4, work Set-up Row 2 of Chart 2 once, (work Set-up Row 2 of Chart 1 once, work Set-up Row 2 of Chart 2 once) twice, p4, work Row 2 of Chart 3 over next 12 sts, p4, work Set-up Row 2 of Chart 2 once, work Set-up Row 2 of Chart 1 once as est, k1. 257 sts.

Sizes S[M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X] Only:
Set-up Row 1 [RS]: P1, work Set-up Row 1 of Chart 1, work Set-up Row 1 of Chart 2, work Row 1 of Chart 3 over next 12[12, 23, 23, 34, 34] sts (working repeat 1[1, 2, 2, 3, 3] times in total), k4[3, 4, 5, 8, 7], work Set-up Row 1 of Chart 2 0[1, 0, 1, 0, 1] times, k0[2, 0, 2, 0, 2], work Row 1 of Chart 3 over next 12[12, 23, 23, 34, 34] sts (working repeat 1[1, 2, 2, 3, 3] times in total), (work Set-up Row 1 of Chart 2, work Set-up Row 1 of Chart 1) twice, work Set-up Row 1 of Chart 2, work Row 1 of Chart 3 over next 12[12, 23, 23, 34, 34] sts (working repeat 1[1, 2, 2, 3, 3] times in total), k0[2, 0, 2, 0, 2], work Set-up Row 1 of Chart 2 0[1, 0, 1, 0, 1] times, k4[3, 4, 5, 8, 7], work Row 1 of Chart 3 over next 12[12, 23, 23, 34, 34] sts (working repeat 1[1, 2, 2, 3, 3] times in total), work Set-up Row 1 of Chart 2, work Set-up Row 1 of Chart 1, p1.

Set-up Row 2 [WS]: K1, work Set-up Row 2 of Chart 1, work Set-up Row 2 of Chart 2, work Row 2 of Chart 3 over next 12[12, 23, 23, 34, 34] sts, p4[5, 0, 6, 8, 7], work Set-up Row 2 of Chart 2 0[1, 0, 1, 0, 1] times, p0[5, 0, 6, 0, 7], work Row 2 of Chart 3 over next 12[12, 23, 23, 34, 34] sts, work Set-up Row 2 of Chart 2, (work Set-up Row 2 of Chart 1, work Set-up Row 2 of Chart 2) twice, work Row 2 of Chart 3 over next 12[12, 23, 23, 34, 34] sts, p0[5, 0, 6, 0, 7], work Set-up Row 2 of Chart 2 0[1, 0, 1, 0, 1] times, p4[5, 4, 6, 8, 7], work Row 2 of Chart 3 over next 12[12, 23, 23, 34, 34] sts, work Set-up Row 2 of Chart 2, work Set-up Row 2 of Chart 1, k1. 281[305, 325, 353, 377, 401] sts.

All Sizes:
These 2 rows set the pattern, with Charts 1, 2, and 3 and stockinette stitch as established.

Cont to work even in pattern until piece measures 2[2, 2.25, 2.25, 2.5, 2.5, 2.75] inches from cast on.

Change to middle needles and work even in pattern until piece measures 3.5[3.5, 3.75, 3.75, 4, 4, 4.25] inches from cast on.
Change to smaller needles and work even in pattern until piece measures 6.5[6.5, 6.75, 6.75, 7, 7, 7.25] inches from cast on.
Change to middle needles and work even in pattern until piece measures 8[8, 8.25, 8.25, 8.5, 8.5, 8.75] inches from cast on.
Change to larger needles and work even in pattern until piece measures 12 inches from cast on or desired length to underarm, ending after a WS row.

Next row [RS]: Patt 55[58, 62, 65, 67, 68, 74] for Right Front and place these sts on holder, BO 14[20, 24, 28, 38, 48, 48] sts in pattern, patt until there are 119[125, 133, 139, 143, 145, 157] sts on RH needle for Back and place these sts on holder, BO 14[20, 24, 28, 38, 48, 48] sts in pattern, patt to end for Left Front.

Shape armhole:
Work 1 WS row in patt.
Dec row [RS]: K1, ssk, patt to end.
Rep last 2 rows 2[3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 9] times more. 52[54, 58, 60, 61, 62, 64] sts.

Work even in patt until armhole measures 5.75[6.25, 6.5, 7, 7.25, 7.75, 8] inches from cast on, ending after a RS row.

Shape neck:
Next row [WS]: BO 17[17, 18, 19, 19, 19, 20] sts in pattern at the same time closing cables by decreasing 3 sts over first half of Chart 1, patt to end. 32[34, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41] sts.
Dec row [RS]: Work in established pattern to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Rep Dec row every RS row 2[2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3] times more, at the same time closing cables by decreasing 1 st in Chart 1. 28[30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36] sts.
Work even until armhole measures 6.75[7.25, 7.75, 8.25, 8.75, 9.25, 9.75] inches, ending after a RS row.

Short rows 1-2: Work to last 13[14, 15, 15, 17, 18, 18] sts, w&t, patt to end of row.
Next row [WS]: Work in pattern to end of row, picking up remaining wrap, at the same time closing cables by decreasing 2 sts across Chart 1 and 2 sts across Chart 2. Place 24[26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32] remaining sts on a holder or waste yarn.

Right Front
Join yarn to 55[58, 62, 65, 67, 68, 74] sts held for Right Front with WS facing.

Shape armhole:
Work 1 WS row in patt.
Dec row [RS]: Patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Rep last 2 rows 2[3, 3, 4, 5, 5, 9] times more. 52[54, 58, 60, 61, 62, 64] sts.

Work even in patt until armhole measures 5.75[6.25, 6.5, 7, 7.25, 7.75, 8] inches from cast on, ending after a WS row.

Shape neck:
Next row [RS]: BO 17[17, 18, 19, 19, 19, 20] sts in pattern at the same time closing cables by decreasing 3 sts over first half of Chart 1, patt to end. 32[34, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41] sts.
Work 1 WS even row in patt.
Dec row [RS]: K1, ssk, patt to end.
Rep Dec row every RS row 2[2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3] times more, at the same time closing cables by decreasing 1 st in Chart 1. 28[30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36] sts.
Work even until armhole measures 6.75[7.25, 7.75, 8.25, 8.75, 9.25, 9.75] inches, ending after a WS row.

Short rows 1-2: Work to last 13[14, 15, 15, 17, 18, 18] sts, w&t, patt to end of row.
Next row [WS]: Work in pattern to end of row, picking up remaining wrap, at the same time closing cables by decreasing 2 sts across Chart 1 and 2 sts across Chart 2. Place 24[26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32] remaining sts on a holder or waste yarn.

Shape neck:
Next row [RS]: Patt 31[33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39]; BO 43[43, 47, 49, 49, 49, 51] sts in pattern at the same time decreasing 3 sts over last half of first repeat of Chart 1, 2 sts over following Chart 2, and 3 sts over first half of second repeat of Chart 1 (8 sts decreased in total); patt 31[33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39].

Left neck:
Work 1 WS row even over these 31[33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39] sts for left neck only. Place rem sts for right neck on holder, if desired.

Next row [RS]: K1, ssk, work to end of row. 30[32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38] sts.

Work 1 WS row even.

Short Rows 1-2: K1, ssk, work to last 13[14, 15, 15, 17, 18, 18] sts, w&t, work to end of row. 29[31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37] sts.

Next row [RS]: Work in pattern to end of row, picking up remaining wrap, at the same time closing cables by decreasing 3 sts over Chart 1 and 2 sts over Chart 2 (5 sts decreased in total). Place remaining 24[26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32] sts on holder.

Right neck:
Join yarn to rem 31[33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39] sts for right neck with WS facing and work 1 row even in patt.

Next row [RS]: Work to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 30[32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38] sts.

Short Rows 1-2: Work to last 13[14, 15, 15, 17, 18, 18] sts, w&t, work to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 29[31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37] sts.

Next row [WS]: Work in pattern to end of row, picking up remaining wrap, at the same time closing cables by decreasing 3 sts over Chart 1 and 2 sts over Chart 2 (5 sts decreased in total). Place remaining 24[26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32] sts on holder.

SLEEVES (Make 2)
With middle needles, CO 62[68, 72, 80, 84, 86, 88] sts.

Set-up Row 1 [RS]: K6[7, 9, 1, 3, 4, 5], work Row 1 of Chart 3 over next 0[0, 0, 12, 12, 12, 12] sts (working repeat 0[0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1] times in total), work Set-up Row 1 of Chart 2 once, beg with st 3[1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1] and ending with st 40[42, 42, 42, 42, 42, 42] work Set-up Row 1 of Chart 1 once, work Set-up Row 1 of Chart 2 once, work Row 1 of Chart 3 over next 0[0, 0, 12, 12, 12, 12] sts (working repeat 0[0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1] times in total), k6[7, 9, 1, 3, 4, 5].

Set-up Row 2 [WS]: P6[7, 9, 1, 3, 4, 5], work Row 2 of Chart 3 over next 0[0, 0, 12, 12, 12, 12] sts (working repeat 0[0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1] times in total), work Set-up Row 2 of Chart 2 once, work Set-up Row 2 of Chart 1 as established, work Set-up Row 2 of Chart 2 once, work Row 2 of Chart 3 over next 0[0, 0, 12, 12, 12, 12] sts (working repeat 0[0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1] times in total), p6[7, 9, 1, 3, 4, 5]. 72[78, 82, 90, 94, 96, 98] sts.

Note: Read ahead! Needle sizes change at the same time as sleeve increases are worked.

Work in established pattern until piece measures 2.5 inches from cast on.
Change to smaller needles and work until piece measures 4.5 inches from cast on.
Change to middle needles and work until piece measures 10.5[10.5, 10.75, 11, 11, 11.25, 11.25] inches from cast on.
Finally, change to larger needles.
AT THE SAME TIME, inc 1 st at each end of next row, every 4th row 0[0, 0, 0, 0, 10, 11] times, every 6th row 1[0, 7, 8, 17, 9, 10] times, then every 8th row 10[11, 7, 7, 0, 0, 0] times, working increases as follows:
[RS]: K1, M1R, patt to last 3 sts, M1L, k1. 2 sts inc'd.
94[100, 110, 120, 128, 134, 140] sts after all increases have been worked.

Work even in patt until piece measures 17[17, 17.25, 17.5, 18.25, 18.5, 19] inches from cast on or desired length to armhole, ending after a WS row.

Shape cap:
BO 7[10, 12, 14, 19, 24, 24] sts at beg of next 2 rows. 80[80, 86, 92, 90, 86, 92] sts.
Dec row [RS]: K1, ssk, patt to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts dec'd.
Rep Dec row every foll RS row 16[19, 20, 21, 16, 7, 11] times more, then work Dec row every 4th row 0[0, 0, 0, 2, 7, 5] times. 46[40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 58] sts.
BO 3 sts at beg of next 2 rows, then BO 4[4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 3] sts beg of foll 2 rows. 28[22, 26, 28, 32, 36, 40] sts remain.
Next row [WS]: Patt across, closing cables by decreasing 4[4, 4, 6, 6, 6, 6] sts over center of Chart 1.
BO remaining 28[22, 26, 28, 32, 36, 40] sts.

FINISHING
Block pieces according to schematic. Seam shoulders and side seams. Set in sleeves and sew sleeve seams.

BUTTONBAND
With RS facing, pick up and knit 116[120, 120, 124, 124, 128, 128] sts along left front from neck bind off to hem.

Rib row: (K2, p2) to end.

Rep this row until buttonband measures 1 inch. BO in pattern.

BUTTONHOLE BAND
With RS facing, pick up and knit 116[120, 120, 124, 124, 128, 128] sts along right front from hem to neck bind off.

Rib row: (K2, p2) to end.

Rep this row twice more.

Buttonhole row 1 [RS]: Rib 6[10, 10, 2, 2, 2, 2], yo twice, p2tog; *(k2, p2) 4 times, k2, yo twice, p2tog; rep from * 4[4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5] times more, patt to end of row.

Buttonhole row 2 [WS]: *Patt to next double yo, knit into first yo, drop second yo; rep from * 5[5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6] times more, patt to end of row.

Buttonhole row 3 [RS]: *Patt to 1 st before stitch above next yarnover from Buttonhole Row 1, patt into yarnover 2 row belows, drop next st from LH needle; rep from * 5[5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6] times more, patt to end of row.

Rep Rib row until buttonhole band measures 1 inch from pick up edge. BO in pattern.

NECKBAND
With RS facing, pick up and knit 106[106, 110, 114, 118, 122, 126] sts evenly around neck.

Rib row [WS]: (P2, k2) to last 2 sts, p2.
Rib row 2 [RS]: (K2, p2) to last 2 sts, k2.
Rep last 2 rows until neckband measures 1.25 inches from pick up edge, ending after a WS row.

Buttonhole row 1 [RS]: K2, yo twice, p2tog, patt to end.
Buttonhole row 2: Patt to double yo, knit into first yo, drop second yo from needle, p2.
Buttonhole row 3: K2, knit into yarnover 2 rows below, drop next st from LH needle, patt to end.
Work in rib until neckband measures 2.5 inches from pick up edge. BO in pattern.

Weave in ends. Sew on buttons opposite buttonholes.

Block again, if desired.

Margie Mitchell lives in Colorado where she takes inspiration for her designs from the beautiful scenery. She hand dyes yarn for her company Sky High Fibers.

She also offers correspondence courses which help knitters learn to knit like a professional and master their knitting on her website.