Winter Sage Sweater
WINTER SAGE WAS THE VERY FIRST knitting pattern I published. Since then, I’ve grown so much as a designer—my grading is sharper, my pattern writing is clearer, and my overall eye for construction has evolved. But even with all that growth, I’ve always loved the cable motif on this sweater and knew I wanted to knit myself another version. Reworking it gave me the perfect opportunity to refresh the pattern and bring it up to the standard I hold myself to today.
In this updated version (fully refreshed in December 2025!), you’ll find cleaner neckline shaping (now worked entirely on the right side of the fabric), refined raglan lines on select sizes, and an additional neckline option—you can now choose between the original softly scooped crew neck or a gentle, easy-to-wear V-neck.
Returning to this design also gave me a chance to reflect on my slightly younger self—the one who boldly chose to make her first published pattern a size-inclusive sweater with advanced neckline construction, compound raglan shaping, and cables. I honestly don’t know what she was thinking…but I’m proud of her. She trusted her creativity, took a leap, and learned along the way.
I share that because you may have a younger version of yourself who took a risk, tried something big, or stepped into a new skill before feeling “ready.” Let yourself admire that person. We are often far more capable than we give ourselves credit for—and we deserve to honor the ways we’ve both taken big leaps and also grown.
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Design: The Winter Sage Sweater is a raglan pullover with two neckline options: a softly scooped crew neck or a gentle V-neck, both designed to offer a comfortable, flattering fit. A series of cables in varying widths flow down the center front, creating depth and visual interest, while single cables accent each raglan line. The hem, cuffs, and neckband are knit in classic 2x2 ribbing and finished with a tubular bind-off for a clean and structured edge. Traditional tapered sleeves provide a timeless fit.
Construction: This sweater is knit seamlessly from the top down. Stitches are cast on at the bottom of the neckband. The neck is initially knit flat, and neck shaping is worked simultaneously with the initial raglan increases. Stitches are then cast on for the center front neck, and the piece is joined to work in the round for the remainder of the yoke and body. Once the yoke is complete, sleeve stitches are placed on hold while the body is knit. The sleeves are then returned to the needles and finished in the round. Finally, stitches are picked up to work the neckband.
Fit: This garment is designed to be worn with 1 to 5 in. (2.5 to 10 cm) of positive ease in the body. To determine your ideal size, begin by measuring your upper bust (just under the arms, above the full bust). Then add your desired amount of ease and select the size with a finished chest circumference closest to that total. If you are new to choosing a garment size based on your upper bust, One Wild Designs has an excellent blog post that walks you through the process.
Yarn: The yarn estimates provided in this pattern are approximations, calculated to allow for both a sizable swatch and the sweater, with a small margin of error. Your actual yarn usage may vary based on factors such as your personal gauge, the yarn’s characteristics (e.g., fiber content, ply, thickness), and any modifications you make to the pattern.
Stitch Patterns: Written and charted instructions are included for the cabled stitch pattern so you can choose your preferred method of instructions for knitting these sections!
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SIZES
(1, 2, 3)(4, 5, 6)(7, 8, 9)FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Finished Chest Circumference
(35, 38.75, 43.5)(48, 51.75, 56.5)(59.5, 64, 67.75) in.
(87.5, 97, 109)(120, 129.5, 141.5)(149, 160, 169.5) cmFinished Upper Arm Circumference
(13, 13.75, 14.5)(16, 17.5, 19)(20.5, 22, 23.25) in.
(32.5, 34.5, 36.5)(40, 44, 47.5)(51.5, 55, 58) cmThis sweater is intended to be worn with 1 to 5 in. (2.5 to 12.5 cm) of positive ease.
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YARN
DK weight
(435, 485, 535)(590, 635, 700)(740, 805, 865) g/(1090, 1215, 1345)(1480, 1595, 1755)(1855, 2020, 2170) yds or (995, 1110, 1230)(1355, 1460, 1605)(1695, 1845, 1985) mSUGGESTED YARN
Hedgehog Fibres Tweedy (100 g/251 yds (230 m)) –
50% Falkland Merino Wool, 37.5% Recycled Wool, 12.5% Thread Waste(5, 5, 6)(6, 7, 7)(8, 9, 9) skeins
The cream, v-neck sample sweater is knit in the colorway Original.
The sage green, crew neck sample sweater pictured in this pattern is knit from Purl Soho Season Alpaca
(100 g/218 yds (200 m)) – 100% super baby Alpaca in the colorway Winter Sage. -
Needle A (body & sleeves): US 6 (4 mm)
Needle B (ribbing): US 4 (3.5 mm)For each needle size, you will need circular needles measuring 24 in. (60 cm) to 50 in. (125 cm), depending on the finished chest circumference of your chosen size and your preferred method for smaller circumference knitting (such as magic loop, short circular needles, or double-pointed needles).
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Measure gauge in the round on Needle A , after blocking.
21 sts and 30 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in stockinette
24 sts and 30 rows = 4 in. (10 cm) in cable stitch pattern -
Knitting
Purling
Increasing
Decreasing
Raglan yoke construction
Top-down construction
Knitting flat
Knitting in the round
German twisted cast-on
Neck shaping
Cable knitting
Chart reading
2x2 ribbing
Backwards loop cast-on
Picking up stitches
Tubular bind-off