We just wrapped up our summer knit-along, and our new knit-along (KAL) is just around the corner! This time we’re digging into knitted cables—because cables + fall go hand in hand.
What pattern are we knitting? Knitter’s choice! The only guidelines are:
• the pattern should be a garment (sweater or cardigan) that has cables
• the pattern must be knit with a Berroco yarn,
• the pattern should be a Berroco pattern (because we can better help answer questions when we can easily access the patterns, though there are a couple of exceptions that we will note below)
That’s about it! We’ve got a lot of options listed down below that will get you started. I’ll be knitting Kernmantle from Norah Gaughan Volume 15 because I’ve had the Berroco Ultra® Alpaca for it since that book came out and I NEED IT. Another great choice is Arya, our brand new free pattern knit with Berroco Ginkgo®.
When are we knitting? The knit-along starts October 1 and ends November 30. You can absolutely swatch before the cast-on date—we encourage this!
Where are we talking about the knitting? As usual, we’ll have a dedicated thread in our Berroco Lovers group on Ravelry and we’d love to chat with you there about your projects! You can also share your progress and thoughts via social media—just be sure to tag us (@berrocoyarn) on all social media channels and use #CablesKAL
Now for the pattern suggestions—they are just that, suggestions! If nothing from this extensive but not exhaustive list appeals to you, you can see even more Berroco patterns that use cables on Ravelry (you’ll need to be logged into your free Ravelry account to view this link correctly). The patterns listed below are all in current Berroco yarns (meaning the suggested yarn has not been discontinued); but say a pattern in Berroco Blackstone Tweed (many cabled patterns in that yarn, or maybe you’re interested in a different pattern in a discontinued yarn) catches your fancy, we can certainly suggest some alternatives. You can of course find all of the yarns listed at Berroco.com
If you want a free pattern…
Check out Astilbe (Berroco Remix), Raam (Berroco Comfort), Adelaide (Berroco Tuscan Tweed), Arya (Berroco Ginkgo), or Udina (Berroco Vintage)
If you want adventurous cables…
Check out Woodbine (Berroco Tuscan Tweed), Kernmantle (Berroco Ultra Alpaca), Riasa (Berroco Catena), Parlan (Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light), Gullveig (Berroco Ultra Alpaca), Zinaida (Berroco Ginkgo)
If you want wool-free cables…
There’s Route 1 (Berroco Remix, free pattern), Abi (Berroco Remix), Watson (Berroco Modern Cotton), Tiran (Berroco Remix), Tonia (Berroco Comfort DK, free pattern), Woodrush (Berroco Weekend), Leisl (Berroco Modern Cotton)
If you want easy cables…
Isthmus (Berroco Ultra Wool), Niche (Berroco Maya), Linea (Berroco Ultra Alpaca), Pietra (Berroco Ultra Alpaca)
If you want fast cables…
Vashon (Berroco Vintage Chunky), Auberon (Berroco Ultra Alpaca), Fitzgerald (Berroco Vintage Chunky, men’s pattern)
If you want cables for men…
Daron (Berroco Remix), Aram (Berroco Comfort, free), Rockport (Berroco Weekend, free), Gateshead (Berroco Mercado)
Patterns from other sources…
These are all patterns that were designed by Berroco team members for magazines or other publications, so we can easily answer questions about any of these. Beatnik (Berroco Remix, free Knitty pattern), Laurel (Berroco Tuscan Tweed, free Knitty pattern), White Smoke Cardigan (Berroco Corsica, knitscene pattern), Wickford (Berroco Tuscan Tweed, Twist Collective pattern), White Pine (Berroco Ultra Alpaca)
And more cable patterns…
Morton (Berroco Mercado), Queen Maud (Berroco Fiora), Millington Cardigan (Berroco Ultra Wool), Tensile (Berroco Andean Mist), Breena (Berroco Ultra Alpaca), Rafik (Berroco Remix), Chaparral (Berroco Ultra Alpaca), Rosamond (Berroco Mercado), Ropewalk (Berroco Maya)
If you don’t mind doing a bit of yarn substitution (and the requisite SWATCHING that comes with subbing)…
Larkspur (try Berroco Pima 100 instead), Aidez (free, try Berroco Vintage Chunky), Forster (try Berroco Ultra Alpaca), Perdita (free, try Berroco Mercado), Blish (free, try Berroco Remix or Berroco Brielle), Red Clover (try Beroco Tuscan Tweed), Connate (try Berroco Ultra Wool)
Are you going to join us? Leave a comment below or in the Ravelry group letting us know what project you’re planning to make and in which Berroco yarn!
So many beautiful choices! This will be a great KAL!
Hoping to join despite having a couple of shawls on the go. I am thinking of knitting Riasa which uses Catena-is that okay? I have knitted cables a number of times btw.
Hi Ellie! Yep, Riasa + Berroco Catena is definitely okay . 😀 And it will knit up quickly!
Idefinately want to join
Very cool! Such beautiful options! Is there a way for me to filter the list on Ravelry to just list top down or side to side options (i.e., no set in sleeves 🙂 )?
Yes! If you have that webpage open, scroll down until you see the Attributes “folder”, then click “Construction.” There are filters in there for both “top down” and “sideways.”
I love knitting sweaters with cables. I will keep this Berroco Blog letter for a very long time because of its endless wonderful recommendations.
Thanks so knitterly.
can’t find the pattern for the coat you call Morton. Do you have another name for it that works?
Thanks for pointing that out, I forgot that there was another project named Morton back in the day (we try to avoid doing that specifically for this reason). This is the link for the Morton Coat: https://www.berroco.com/patterns/morton-coat
What is the name of the cable cardigan pattern above with the ‘knit along” advert.?
The pattern used in the photo at the top of the page is our new free pattern, Arya: https://www.berroco.com/patterns/arya
What would be a good non-wool option for the Morton sweater?
Hi Melissa! Berroco Comfort Chunky is the only non-wool yarn we currently have that’s really close to the gauge. Vintage Chunky is another option you could try, it’s only 40% wool (the rest are synthetic fibers) and it’s easy care, if the question is about washability and not so much sensitivity.
Just wondering if you can help me with your pattern Ausable I know not related to this post. Please clarify in section ” Work body” you have the next row as a (WS) row. When the previous row was also ending with a WS row. Does that mean after piece measures 2″ you complete a (RS) row so you start the body and (first row of chart on a (WS) row). Can you please clarify. Thanking you in advance. Cathy.
Hi Cathy, Ausuble is not my pattern (it’s Amy Christoffers’ pattern). Someone else asked this question on the Ravelry pattern and looks like that was a typo. You can find the full exchange here: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ausable-3/comments?page=2
Can I participate if I knit a reversible cable blanket in Vintage Chunky?
We were thinking this would be a garment knit-along, but since a blanket is considerably more knitting than most garments, sure!
I am in love! Thank you for offering such a tantalizing knitalong with such a plethora of exciting choices. As I have 6 skeins of Ultra alpaca I’ll do Kernmantle so I can start the KAL on time. I know that I need two more skeins, and I am placing the order. Red Clover has sent my fingers on a typing frenzy that led me to Webs and their stock of Blackstone Tweed. I would like to alter the tunic and make it into a dress. I suppose that ordering 2 more balls of yarn would do the trick? I measure 1,59 m (5 feet?). Do you have any tips about that process (I am full figure)? So, I am going to register in FaceBook. Is there a code to enter?
So happy you’re joining us Claudette! Kernmantle is going to be so fun, and I’m glad I’ll have you knitting it with me! As for your question about Red Clover, I think the 2 balls should be enough. If you head over to our Cables Knit-along thread in the Berroco Lovers Ravelry group, there’s a woman there named Myriam who knit Red Clover not that long ago and she might be able to better help you, as she has some experience with it. But I can definitely share some tips—come chat with us! Our knit-along isn’t really happening on Facebook, so there’s no code or anything.
I am eager to join your knit along. I will knit Astilbe using Vintage.I have not joined a knit along but am an avid knitter.
We’re glad you’re joining us Yeyette! Astilbe is such a fun pattern.
I’m going to knit Beatnik with Remix. I think I’ll make it for my daughter. Or maybe me!
Hi Cathy! So glad you’re joining us! Beatnik is such a great pattern.
Do I join the fall knit-a-long by replying here or how? I’m thinking of doing Rosalind in Ultra Wool. Also, is there a Ravelry group for the knit-a-long?
Hi Sue! You join in by getting your yarn and pattern ready and joining us in the Berroco Lovers group on Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/berroco-lovers/3827376/451-475#454 😀
I am making Beatnik and after downloading the pattern I find the link for the directions to the Whip Stitch are not available. Can you help with this? Thanks,.this is my first ever knit a long
Hi Karen. It’s a quick whip stitch that you might have learned in sewing tutorials. You can google “whip stitch” to find a variety of tutorials and videos that will work for you.
Hi I am knitting the Beatnik sweater and am a bit confused at the moment.
Working in pattern after the ribbing the pattern clearly states continue until work measures 4 in. Does that 4 in. include the ribbing?I am not going any firther until I know for sure.
Thanks
Hi Karen,
Feel free to post in our Berroco Lovers group on Ravelry, where we’re having our discussion about the knit-along. https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/berroco-lovers/3827376 I know at least one other person is knitting Beatnik and we’d love to help you through any issues. To answer your question, yes, the 4″ includes the ribbing. In knitting patterns, the word “work” when used as a noun means “all of the knitting that is currently on your needles.”
Hello Amy. I saw the link you provided, but I have not been able to find how to post a comment/problem in the Berroco Lovers Group. This is my first KAL and I really feel like a fish out of water. I am doing Udina, in Vintage Sour Cherry. The screen postings do not do justice to this gorgeous colour that unfortunately bleeds noticeably over everything it touches. I heard that such a problem can be alleviated by dipping the finished garment in water mixed with white vinegar. Have you heard of this? And if so, what are the proportions? I have done the body and I am working on the left sleeve now.
Hi Claudette,
First, to post comments on Ravelry, you do need to have a Ravelry account (it’s free to join and you don’t get bombarded with emails). Then, go to the Berroco Lovers group (https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/berroco-lovers/), click on the Berroco Fall Knit-along: Cables link, and at the very bottom-right of the page there’s a button that says Reply to Thread. Write out your comment or question and hit the “Post Reply” button and you’re done!
Second, sorry to hear that you’re experiencing some dye transfer! That can happen with super-saturated colors and especially dark reds, blues, and blacks (in my experience). You can use vinegar to help set the dye when you’re washing the final garment. This blog post has some tips, though make a note of the fact that it asks you to heat the water/yarn: https://www.stitchtogetherstudio.com/blogs/news/117182788-tips-and-tricks-tuesday-bleeding-yarn Just adding vinegar to cold water won’t be as effective.
Usually what I do in this instance is take my swatch and soak it in cold water with a woolwash (such as Soak or Eucalan) for about 30 minutes to an hour (sometimes longer if I forget it’s there). Some of the dye stuff will come out when its washed and that’s not a big problem if you’re only using one color. Then I remove the swatch, squeeze out the excess water with a towel, and let it dry and will see how different the final color is from the unwashed color. Usually there’s not much of a noticeable difference, but that will help you determine if you need to go through the process of “cooking” your project with vinegar to help re-set the dye.