Thistle Slipover
Design BF016 · Bramble & Fleece Autumn/Winter Collection
A cabled slipover worked from the top round. The back is worked flat to the armholes, then the front to match. The body is then joined and worked in the round down to the ribbed hem, with ribbed arm and neckbands completing the look. Worked in Bramble & Fleece Wooltrace DK in crisp white, this really is a standout piece.
Thistle is the most technical garment in the collection and the most rewarding. It is entirely seamless: armhole and neckline stitches are picked up and worked in the round, and every edge is finished with a stretchy or tubular Italian bind-off, so the piece has no join anywhere.
At a glance
- Yarn: Bramble & Fleece Wooltrace DK — 400 (500: 500: 600: 600: 700: 700)g, worked with one strand
- Shade photographed: Ecru 296
- Needles: 3.5mm (US 4) circular needles in 60cm and 80cm lengths for the body; 3mm (US 2.5) circular needles, 60cm for the body ribbing and 40cm for the armbands and neckband
- Tension: 20 stitches and 32 rows to 10cm / 4in over stocking stitch on 3.5mm needles. One cable pattern of 28 stitches measures 9cm / 3½in
- Sizes: Seven sizes, XS to XXXL
- Skill level: Experienced
- Format: Digital PDF download
Which yarn does the Thistle Slipover use?
Thistle is written for Bramble & Fleece Wooltrace DK, a 100% British Romney DK at 225m per 100g hank, traceable to the individual farm by QR code. Romney is the right fibre for this design: its long staple and springy handle make cables stand proud and stay defined, where a softer wool would blur them. You will need 400g to 700g depending on size — 4 to 7 hanks.
What techniques does it use?
Cables from a chart, working flat then joining to work in the round, picking up stitches along an armhole and neckline, double ribbing, a stretchy bind-off and a tubular Italian bind-off. The pattern includes a full abbreviations table and step-by-step notes for the specialist bind-offs.
This is a digital knitting pattern supplied as a PDF download in English, with charts, a full abbreviations table and metric and imperial measurements. Yarn and needles are sold separately.