Inspired by classic cables, this design celebrates the beauty of tradition with the calm satisfaction of a mindful knit. As always, I’ve worked and reworked swatches to create a cable pattern that’s simple to follow, easy to memorise and deeply enjoyable to knit.

Once you get to know the rhythm of the repeats, you can relax into it – knowing instinctively when to cable and when to knit or purl. Each cable pattern follows the same row repeat, so your hands soon find their flow.

The square neckline gives this tank top a timeless feel, while avoiding any tricky decreasing over cables. It’s a design that looks intricate but feels wonderfully achievable.

I love a good cable – and this one was especially fun to knit. I hope you find it just as rewarding.

CONSTRUCTION
The back and front are knitted flat from the bottom up in separate pieces and joined together. The neck and armhole edges are picked up and knitted.

TECHNIQUES USED
Cast on, knit, purl, decreasing at the armhole and neck shaping, four simple cables, cast off. Joining seams. Optional but recommended to create the feeling of joy when joining your pieces: mattress stitch and three needle cast off.

YARN
5(5:6:6:7) 100g hanks of P &J Yorkshire Yarn Bluefaced Leicester DK.
100% British Bluefaced Leicester wool 230m/251yds per 100g.

SUGGESTED KNITTING NEEDLES
3.75mm & 4mm.

NOTIONS
Cable needle.

GAUGE (tension)
32 stitches and 34 rows to 10cm/4ins square over centre cable pattern. I obtained this gauge with 4mm needles.
It is important to obtain gauge so do swatch and change your needle size to achieve the correct gauge if you need to.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
I recommend a positive ease of 1-4ins/2-10cm at the chest.

Size
1 2 3 4 5

Actual Chest Circumference
89 100 112 124 134 cm
35 39¼ 44 48¾ 52¾ ins

Length (from top of shoulder to cast on edge)
52 54 57 60 63 cm
20½ 21¼ 22½ 23½ 24¾ ins

NEED HELP?
I am here for you! Pop into the Skipton studio, send an email, or check out the Purl &Jane YouTube channel for tips, inspiration and guidance including handy resources like gauge (tension) guides and how to tutorials.