Cathedral by Rachel Illsley

Cathedral

Knitting
October 2025
both are used in this pattern
Worsted (9 wpi) ?
22 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette / stranded colourwork
US 6 - 4.0 mm
US 3 - 3.25 mm
4.0 mm (G)
1183 - 2223 yards (1082 - 2033 m)
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9)
English
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Cathedral is an all-over colourwork cardigan or V-neck sweater, featuring a stranded colourwork pattern inspired by the stained-glass windows of cathedrals.

CONSTRUCTION
This garment is worked top-down, with a modified raglan construction used to shape the yoke. The pattern includes instructions to work either a cardigan or V-neck sweater.

Stranded colourwork is worked throughout the yoke, body and sleeves. The yoke can be worked either flat or in the round with a steek. For the cardigan, the body can also be worked flat or in the round with a steek; for the V-neck sweater, the body is worked in the round. Sleeves are worked in the round. Waistband and cuffs are worked in 2x2 ribbing. The neckband is worked either in 2x2 ribbing or double knit.

SIZING GUIDE
This garment is graded into sizes 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9). Recommended positive ease is 4+” / 10+ cm at the chest circumference.
Finished Garment Chest Circumference:
32.75 (37, 41.5, 45.75, 50.25) (54.5, 59, 63.25, 67.75)“
82 (92.5, 103.5, 114.5, 125.5) (136.5, 147.5, 158, 169) cm

GAUGE
Using 4 mm / US size 6 needles, or needle size required to meet gauge, 22 stitches over 24 row / rounds in both stockinette stitch and colourwork, wet blocked, creates a 4x4” / 10x10 cm square.

YARN
The sample has been worked using Cascade Yarns’ 220 Superwash (100% Superwash Wool; 200 m / 220 yds per 100 g) in colourway Chocolate (#819) as the Main Colour and the 220 Superwash Wave in colourway Camo (#101) as the Contrast Colour.

YARDAGE (includes ~10% excess)
Main Colour:
629 (703, 791, 851, 893) (983, 1018, 1062, 1145) metres
689 (769, 865, 931, 977) (1076, 1114, 1161, 1253) yards
315 (351, 395, 425, 446) (492, 509, 531, 573) grams

Contrast Colour:
453 (517, 593, 648, 678) (761, 786, 817, 888) metres
495 (566, 649, 709, 741) (833, 860, 893, 972) yards
226 (259, 297, 324, 339) (381, 393, 408, 444) grams

TOOLS & NOTIONS
3.25 mm / US size 3 circular needles (to work ribbing neckband, cuffs and waistband; varying cable lengths would be helpful)
4 mm / US size 6 circular needles (to work yoke, body and sleeves; varying cable lengths would be helpful)
4 mm / size G / 6 crochet hook (if using a steek)
Scissors (if using a steek)
5 markers
scrap yarn
tapestry needle to weave in ends
3-5 buttons (depending on size) of 1-2” / 2.5-5 cm diameter
Recommended but optional: sewing machine (if using a steek)

SKILLS REQUIRED
-long tail cast on
-joining and working in the round OR working flat
-working make one left and right increases
-reading colourwork charts
-working stranded colourwork with two colours
-long tail cast on with two colours
-working a repeating pattern of decreases
-decreasing using K2tog and SSK
-standard bind off
-picking up stitches
-tubular cast on
-German short row shaping
-tubular bind off

Optional, if steeking:
-reinforcing a steek using crochet chains (and, optionally, a sewing machine)
-cutting a steek