This gorgeous cabled gansey - aptly named the January Gansey for one of the coldest, darkest months of the year - is a nod to my seafaring ancestors, and to my mad love for the sea.

About the sweater:

My January Gansey features gorgeous stair-step cables, with a traditional boat neck, and underarm/shoulder gussets for a comfortable fit around the arms and shoulders for any gender. This design brings you time-honored style with a modern fit (you’ll have three gauge options to choose from - 24, 25 or 26 st in 4 in/10 cm), so you can adjust your fit based on the yarn you’ve selected). The pattern recommends sport or DK weight knit at a dense gauge - you can decide whether to go with natural wool for a traditional style, or a blend of fibers, superwash or non-superwash, depending on your preference. It’s a very versatile style - use what you love!

Needles
US Size 3/3.25mm 32-40 in/80-100 cm(stockinette/hip area)
US Size 4/3.5mm 32-40 in/80-100 cm (cables/main body)
US Size 2/2.75mm 16 in/40 cm(neck ribbing)
US Size 4/3.5mm DPNs (or same size used for cable section)
--You will also need a crochet hook the same size or smaller (in mm) than the knitting needle size you use for your cables.

Or as needed to establish gauge appropriate to your yarn, and to create a relatively dense fabric

Yarn
Sport or DK Weight knit at a dense gauge. Sample used Abundant Earth Romney Wool (non-superwash) 240 yards in 100g. Despite the smaller gauge, do not be tempted to substitute a fingering weight yarn – it will not have the proper density for this design. Additional caution: Do not use “suggested gauge” listed on yarn band as a guide – it does not apply here.

Sizes
32 (34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52) in / 80 (85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130) cm chest/bust

(Ease will vary based on your choice of gauge and size - you can select very little ease or extra ease, as you prefer.)

Yardage Estimate: 1246 (1345, 1454, 1540, 1655, 1749, 1847, 1952, 2063, 2181, 2256) yards/ 1139 (1229, 1329, 1408, 1513, 1599, 1688, 1784, 1886, 1994, 2062) meters

Gauge
In stockinette stitch (blocked):
26 st in 4 in/10 cm
25 st in 4 in/10 cm
24 st in 4 in/10 cm