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BRAIDS OF GRASS
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I designed this sweater some time ago, for a friend who loves cables and hates to purl. One day we 
were looking through a book of elaborately cabled knitting patterns. ‘If only it were possible to knit a 
cable sweater without purling,’ she sighed. I thought about it. And actually… why not? I jotted down instructions and a purl-free cabled sweater was born.

The design proved popular among friends, and 
after knitting a few of these over the years I finally wrote up a proper pattern. The name is a nod to my friend’s love of Walt Whitman. 

True to the original intent of the design, Braids of Grass is a circular yoke pullover featuring cables that 
are constructed entirely out of knit stitches. All edgings are likewise finished with knit-only cables, keeping them from curling while adding visual and textural interest. The result is a sweater that looks exuberant, 
but is simple to knit. No purling required!

There are now 2 versions of the Braids of Grass pattern included with your purchase: the original DK-Aran weight version, and a new fingering-sport weight version.



The latter version, (Braids of Grass ‘de-Lite’) includes 
options for additional details at the cuffs and hem.

This pattern includes a cable chart, as well as written instructions.

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MATERIALS & INFORMATION



SIZING
Size 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
garment measures as follows around chest circumference:
87cm/ 34.75” (95cm/ 38”, 102cm/ 40.75”, 109cm/ 43.5”, 115cm/ 46”, 123cm/ 49.25”, 133cm/ 53.25”, 143cm/ 57.25”, 153cm/ 61.5”)

DK-Aran Version


Yarn
suitable for DK to Aran weight yarns, 

approximately 150-200m/ 165-220y per 100g/3.5oz
project requires 5 (6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9) 100g/ 3.5oz skeins 



Gauge
18 sts x 25 rows = 10cm x 10cm/ 4” x 4”
in stockinette

Needles

circular needle, 4.5mm (US 7) in diameter,

or as needed to meet gauge

FINGERING-SPORTWEIGHT VERSION

Yarn
suitable for fingering to sport-weight yarns
approximately 350-400m per 100g
project requires
350g (375g, 400g, 425g, 450g, 475g, 500g, 525g)

Gauge
24 sts x 32 rounds = 10cm/ 4” x 10cm/ 4”
in stockinette

Needles

3.25 mm in diameter,
or as needed to meet gauge

Notions 

stitch markers, cable needle, tapestry needle, 
scrap yarn, measuring tape

Special Techniques
basic cables, provisional cast-on

Garment Construction

Worked top-down in the round with circular yoke construction. Both the plain and the cabled sections are worked entirely in stockinette.

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SAMPLE INFO

grey/beige sample
knitted with Folklore Yarns Banbha
Size 4, modelled with 20cm/ 8” ease

green sample
knitted with Studio Donegal Aran Tweed
Size 2, modelled with 5cm/2” ease

white sample
knitted with Kerry Woollen Mills undyed Aran
Size 4, modelled with 10cm/4” ease