Tahki Yarns Alderwood Tee Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Alderwood Tee Pattern Summary

What Is Being Made

The Alderwood Tee is a knitted short-sleeved pullover sweater designed by Teresa Chorzepa. This easy-level garment is available in five sizes ranging from Small through 2XL, with finished bust measurements from 34 inches (86.5cm) to 50 inches (127cm) and finished lengths from 19½ inches (49.5cm) to 23½ inches (59.5cm). The tee is an ideal project for knitters seeking a straightforward construction with elegant stitch detail.

Techniques Used

The Alderwood Tee employs cable knitting techniques as a primary design feature, incorporating decorative cable stitches that add visual interest and texture to the garment. The sweater is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, meaning the front and back pieces are knitted separately as flat panels. The construction is seamed, with finished pieces joined together using a yarn needle to create the complete garment. This flat, seamed construction method is beginner-friendly and allows for easier stitch correction during the knitting process.

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates several fundamental and decorative stitches. Stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows) forms the base fabric, with a gauge of 19 stitches and 26 rows equaling 4 inches (10cm). The Lace Cable pattern is the featured stitch detail, worked at a gauge of 23½ stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10cm), indicating a slightly tighter gauge due to the cable structure. K2, P2 Ribbing (a multiple of 4 stitches plus 2) is used for finishing edges, providing elasticity and a neat appearance at the neckline and cuffs.

Cable techniques include 4/4 RC (Right Cross), created by slipping 4 stitches to a cable needle and holding them in back, knitting 4 stitches, then knitting the 4 stitches from the cable needle. The 4/4 LC (Left Cross) is worked by slipping 4 stitches to a cable needle and holding them in front, knitting 4 stitches, then knitting the 4 stitches from the cable needle. These cable crosses create the twisted, interlocking texture characteristic of cable knit design.

The pattern also uses various decreasing and increasing techniques including K2tog (knit 2 together), P2tog (purl 2 together), ssk (slip, slip, knit), Sk2p (slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over—a left-leaning double decrease), and M1L (Make 1 Left increase). Yarn overs are also incorporated, adding lace elements to the cable pattern.

Materials and Tools

The Alderwood Tee is knitted using Tahki Yarns Cotton Classic Twist, a 100% mercerized cotton yarn. The yardage requirements range from 8 skeins for the smallest size to 12 skeins for the largest size. Each skein contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and provides 108 yards (100 meters) of yarn, allowing knitters to calculate total yardage needed based on their chosen size.

The pattern requires two pairs of straight needles: size 7 (4.5mm) needles for the main fabric and size 6 (4.0mm) needles for ribbed edges. A size 6 (4.0mm) circular needle measuring 16 inches (40cm) is used to pick up and knit the neckband. Additional tools include a cable needle for manipulating stitches during cable crosses and a yarn needle for seaming pieces together and weaving in ends. Knitters should verify their gauge with both needle sizes to ensure proper fit and finished measurements.