Cascading Shoulders by Martha Emily

Cascading Shoulders

Knitting
September 2026
Worsted (9 wpi) ?
18 stitches and 27 rows = 4 inches
in Stockinette804
US 8 - 5.0 mm
804 - 2 yards (735 - 2 m)
XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
English
This pattern is available for free.

The Cascading Shoulder sweater was born out of an experiment with using short rows to create neck and shoulder shaping. The effect was exciting to play with, as it created fun diagonal lines across the shoulders. Then came the challenge: how to transition the cascading stitches over the shoulders and down the arms. The answer, a continuation of the diagonal lines wrapping around the back of the arm. This resulted in a poof at the end of the sleeve without adding any stitches, and the decision was made to make this a cropped sweater to balance out the sleeves. The result is a unique, comfortable fit that is perfect for color blocking!

SIZE
Women’s XSS, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X
shown in size S with 7 inches/17.5 cm of ease at largest part of chest

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest/Bust: 3740.5, 44, 48, 51.5, 55, 60.5, 64, 67.5 inches/ 94.5103.5, 112.5, 121.5, 131, 140, 151, 162.5, 171.7 cm
Length: 18.518.5, 19, 19, 19.5, 19.5, 20, 20, 20.5 inches 4747, 28, 48, 49.5, 49.5, 50.5, 50.5, 53 cm

MATERIALS
Yarn
Kelbourne Woolens Cozy 70% Superwash Merino Wool, 30% Easy Wash Alpaca; 201 yd/183 m per 100g skein;
spacer MC Eggplant; 34, 4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 7, 8 skeins
spacer CC Robin’s Egg Blue; 11, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4 skeins

The sample shown uses a DK-weight 3-ply merino blended with Alpaca, giving it a bit of extra drape, softness, and warmth. A yarn with just a bit of a relaxed fiber blended in gives the boxy shape more drape while allowing you to still be able to push up the sleeves without them immediately falling back down.