Fiona Ellis Re-Gathering Intentions Jumper Knitting Pattern

Fiona Ellis Re-Gathering Intentions Cable Sweater

What is Being Made

The Re-Gathering Intentions is a mock turtleneck asymmetric cabled sweater designed by Fiona Ellis. This knitted garment features an innovative design element where I-cord ties create the visual impression of cables spilling out of the fabric, adding movement and dimension to the finished piece. The sweater is available in six sizes, ranging from 34½ inches to 51 inches in bust measurement, with corresponding length adjustments from 22½ inches to 26 inches.

Techniques Used

This sweater is constructed using a bottom-up knitting method, meaning the garment is worked from the hem upward. The pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, and the finished components are seamed together to create the complete garment. The defining characteristic of this design is the extensive use of cables, which are created using cable techniques that twist and cross stitches to form raised, textured patterns across the fabric.

Stitches and Cable Techniques

The sweater employs several specialized cable stitches executed according to detailed stitch charts. The pattern includes the following cable maneuvers:

• T3B (Twist 3 Back): Slip one stitch onto a cable needle and hold at back, knit two stitches from the left needle, then purl one stitch from the cable needle
• T3F (Twist 3 Front): Slip two stitches onto a cable needle and hold at front, purl one stitch from the left needle, then knit two stitches from the cable needle
• C4B (Cable 4 Back): Slip two stitches onto a cable needle and hold at back, knit two stitches from the left needle, then knit two stitches from the cable needle

The sweater features two primary stitch charts. Chart A measures 3¼ inches wide and consists of 20 stitches worked over a 4-row repeat, combining knit and purl stitches with C4B cable crosses. Chart B also measures 3¼ inches wide with 20 stitches and incorporates both C4B and twisted cable stitches (T3B and T3F) over a 7-row repeat. The base fabric is worked in stockinette stitch, which provides a smooth background that allows the cable patterns to stand out prominently.

Materials and Gauge

The sweater is knitted using 100% Superwash Merino Wool yarn in the shade Smoky Granite. Yardage requirements vary by size: the smallest size requires 8 skeins, while the largest size requires 12 skeins. Each skein contains 164 yards of yarn and weighs 3½ ounces (100 grams).

The pattern is worked on US size 8 (5 mm) needles for the main fabric. A pair of US size 8 (5 mm) double-pointed needles is used specifically for working the I-cord ties. Additional notions include a cable needle for manipulating stitches during cable crossings, a stitch holder for securing stitches, and stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points.

The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch. Knitters are advised to swatch and verify their gauge before beginning, adjusting needle sizes as necessary to achieve the correct tension, as even small gauge variations will affect the final garment dimensions.