Soft Division is an oversized cable knit sweater: chunky garter stitch sleeves, a bold cable running down the front and a high ribbed neckline. In this video we knit the whole thing, from casting on to finishing the collar. It is the ideal project if you want to knit your first statement sweater and pick up cables along the way.
What you’ll be knitting
- Silhouette: oversized, relaxed drape.
- Level: intermediate. You need to cast on, knit and purl, decrease, increase and bind off.
- New techniques: cables worked with a cable needle, and a high ribbed collar.
Materials
Chunky yarn — in the video we use BeMe by The Woolcatcher — circular needles, a cable needle, stitch markers and a tapestry needle. The full natural yarn collection is here.
How the sweater is built
- Body. Cast on at the hem and work in stockinette with the cable centred on the front.
- Cable. Each crossing moves a group of stitches to the cable needle, held in front or behind depending on the direction of the twist.
- Sleeves. Worked in garter stitch, which adds volume and contrasts with the smooth body.
- Collar. High ribbing, bound off in pattern so it keeps its stretch.
- Assembly. Seams with a tapestry needle and all ends woven in.
Common mistakes
- Cables worked too tightly. The crossings pull the fabric in. Work cables loosely, or go up half a needle size for that section only.
- Skipping the swatch. On an oversized piece a tension error multiplies across the whole width. Always knit 10x10 cm first.
- A tight collar bind-off. If it won’t go over your head, the bind-off is the culprit. Bind off in pattern with a larger needle.
Frequently asked questions
How much yarn do I need?
It depends on your size and how much ease you want. Work it out from your swatch and always add a spare skein — on a chunky sweater the margin of error is large.
Can I knit it without knowing cables?
Yes — the cable is explained in the video. You can also practise on something shorter first, like the cable hat.
How is it different from the Moss Theory sweater?
The Moss Theory has a straight, classic silhouette; Soft Division is oversized with garter stitch sleeves.
