Swans Island Alden Jumper Knitting Pattern

Swans Island Alden Sweater

Project Overview

The Alden is an intermediate-level knit sweater designed by Stacey McCrear Warner and published as Pattern No. 223 by Swans Island. This garment is worked using a bottom-up construction method, making it an ideal project for knitters seeking to build foundational skills in sweater construction while incorporating classic cable details.

What Is Being Made

The Alden is a pullover sweater available in six sizes ranging from extra small to 2XL. Finished bust measurements span from 36 inches to 56.5 inches, with length options from 22 inches to 26 inches, accommodating various body types and style preferences. The sweater features a classic fit suitable for everyday wear.

Construction Techniques

This sweater employs a bottom-up construction method, where the front and back pieces are knitted separately from the bottom edge upward to the armhole. The sleeves are then cast on and worked simultaneously with the body, creating a seamless integration at the yoke. Once the sleeve and body sections are complete, they are seamed together at the top from the bottom of the sleeve to the neckline, providing structural integrity and a finished appearance.

The garment is worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, allowing for row-by-row construction and easier management of stitch patterns across the front and back panels.

Stitches and Pattern Details

The primary stitch used throughout the Alden is stockinette stitch, created by knitting all stitches on the right side rows and purling all stitches on the wrong side rows. This fundamental stitch creates a smooth, classic fabric that serves as an ideal canvas for the sweater's cable work.

Cable stitches add visual interest and texture to the design. The pattern incorporates a 2/2 Left Cable (2/2 LC) technique, which is executed by slipping two stitches onto a cable needle and holding them to the front of the work, knitting the next two stitches, and then knitting the two stitches from the cable needle. This creates a twisted, rope-like pattern that adds depth and dimension to the finished sweater.

Additional stitch abbreviations and techniques referenced in the pattern include knit and purl stitches, increases using the make-one method (m1), decreases using slip-slip-knit (ssk) and knit-two-together (k2tog) methods, and the backward loop cast-on method for adding stitches during shaping.

Materials and Gauge

The Alden is designed to be knitted using Swans Island Washable Wool Collection, a 100% fine merino wool yarn in sport weight. Each skein contains 100 grams and yields 360 yards, with the pattern requiring between 4 and 6 skeins depending on the chosen size. The color shown in the sample is Verdigris (WWS110).

The recommended gauge is 6.75 stitches and 10 rows per inch when working in stockinette stitch, achieved using US size 4 (3.5mm) needles. Knitters are advised to check their gauge before beginning the project to ensure proper fit and finished dimensions.

Needles and Notions

Construction requires US size 4 (3.5mm) double-pointed needles for working the sleeves and US size 4 (3.5mm) circular needles in both 16-inch and 29-inch lengths for the body sections. Additional notions needed include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping, stitch holders for managing stitches during construction, and a tapestry needle for seaming the finished pieces together.

Skill Level and Pattern Structure

Rated as an intermediate project, the Alden assumes knitters have experience with basic knitting techniques and are ready to tackle multi-piece garment construction. The pattern provides detailed abbreviations and instructions for shaping the neckline and sleeves, making it accessible for knitters progressing beyond simple stockinette projects while still offering engaging cable work to maintain interest throughout the knitting process.