There’s nothing like a bit of medative knitting to think over the past year and plan the adventures of the next. Think your afterthoughts while knitting this unusal sweater with (naturally) an afterthought neck technique.

Afterthoughts is a cabled sweater in DK yarn with an unusual construction method. Top down and seamless it features an afterthought neck and a shoulder/sleeve construction that is a hybrid set-in sleeve/raglan. It is the third in my series of top down sweater adventures.

Sizes (chest size):
Sweater is designed to be worn with around 0-+5cm/ 0-+2 in of ease and is shown modelled at 0 ease. Finished chest sizes are as follows:

XS: 76cm/30in
S: 86cm/34 in
M: 96cm/38 in
L: 106cm: 42 in

Yarn and yardage:
I used Jamieson’s Shetland double knitting (100% Shetland wool) in colourway 1020 Nighthawk. You could substitute any DK yarn in wool/acrylic or wool acrylic blends with which you can achieve gauge. I do suggest choosing a colour that will show the cables well - lights and brights will be your best choices.

NB these allowances are based on sweater lengths for an average height of 165cm/5’4”. If you are tall you may wish to allow extra.

XS: 6 balls, 910m /990yds
S: 7 balls, 1010m/1105yds
M: 8 balls, 1135m/1240yds
L: 8 balls, 1275m/1390yds

Notions
cable needle
spare cable/circular needle or waste yarn

Construction, techniques and pattern info
Top down and seamless. Top of sweater is started knit flat and then joined in the round. Sleeves are picked up from the armhole worked down to the cuff in the round with short rows for the sleeve cap shaping. Neck is a slash/boatneck (no neck shaping required). Optional waist shaping instructions are included in the pattern (sample is shown with gentle shaping). A link to a detailed tutorial on working bust darts if required is also included.

Full written instructions for the start of the sweater. There is a small amount of increasing in pattern required (this is not fully written out) Tutorials for bind off and other techniques mentioned are included.