A simple aran weight cowl neck sweater that’s perfect for relaxed wear. The lace pattern looks complicated but it’s actually just a clever combination of easy to work stitches. There’s a choice of three different body lengths, two cowl lengths and advice on customising the sleeves too. This is the sweater version of my Lochnagar Top – a laceweight, sleeveless top perfect for summer. Now you can enjoy the design year round!

Lochnagar is a beautiful and famous mountain near one of my favourite holiday destinations of all time – the bothy at Loch Callater. Bothies are huts in remote places that hikers can stay in for free. I first stayed in this bothy when I was still at school and have returned many times since.

We work from the top down using a simple construction. We cast on stitches at the shoulder and work down the back to the underarm, working the lace pattern and a little short row shaping as we go. Stitches are picked up at each shoulder, with a long cast on in the middle forming the cowl neck and worked down the front to the underarm, with more short row shaping to match the back. All stitches are joined in the round and worked straight down to the hem, with a further band of lace and three options for body length. We pick up stitches round each armhole for the sleeves and work them down to the cuffs. Edges are finished with neat twisted 1x1 ribbing.

 
Suggested Yarn: Zakami Yarns Cashmere Aran (70% Baby Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere) 166 m/100 yds per 100 g skein
Colourway: Manga

We recommend yarn with good drape for this pattern - maybe a cotton, linen, alpaca or silk blend.

Full Length Version:
Meterage (770, 850, 980) [1260, 1350, 1450] {1750, 1850, 1960} m
Yardage (840, 930, 1070) [1370, 1480, 1580] {1910, 2020, 2140} yds

Long Crop Version:
Meterage (630, 690, 790) [960, 1030, 1110] {1260, 1340, 1420} m
Yardage (690, 760, 870) [1050, 1130, 1210] {1380, 1460, 1550} yds

Short Crop Version:
Meterage (580, 640, 740) [890, 960, 1040] {1170, 1250, 1310} m
Yardage (635, 705, 815) [975, 1055, 1145] {1305, 1385, 1475} yds

Dimensions (Metric):
Designed to fit Chest Circ Approx: (70, 80, 90) [100, 110, 120] {130, 140, 150}
Garment Chest Circ: (80, 89, 101) [114, 122, 131] {140, 149, 157} cm
Length Underarm to Hem (Cropped): (32.5, 32.5, 32.5) [35, 35, 35] {37.5, 37.5, 37.5} cm
Length Underarm to Hem (Full Length): (40, 40, 40) [42.5, 42.5, 42.5] {45, 45 ,45} cm
Sleeve Circ: (35, 36.5, 40) [41.5, 41.5, 43.5] {46.5, 48.5,
51.5} cm
Sleeve Length: 39 cm

Dimensions (Imperial):
Designed to fit Chest Circ Approx: (28, 32, 36) [40, 44, 48] {52, 56, 60}”
Garment Chest Circ: (32, 35½, 40½) [45½, 49, 52½] {56, 59½, 63}”
Length Underarm to Hem (Cropped): (13, 13, 13) [14, 14, 14] {15, 15, 15}”
Length Underarm to Hem (Full Length): (16, 16, 16) [17, 17, 17] {18, 18, 18}”
Sleeve Circ: (14, 14½, 16) [16½, 16½, 17½] {18½, 19½, 20½}”
Sleeve Length: 15½”

Needles: 5.5 mm/US 9 80 cm/32” circular needle or as required to achieve correct gauge

Gauge: 14 sts and 20 rows = 10 cm/4” in stocking stitch after blocking

Extras: Tapestry needle for weaving in loose ends, two clip on stitch markers, waste yarn or spare circular needle for holding stitches, you may find a row counter useful

Many thanks to my amazing tech editor, Alittlebitsheepish and to fabulous test knitters Ratstuff, LShostak, alisonj, wearingwool, dkelemen, janastich, Pikafan, andidaxluxe, Mughain, fifiri, Jollytoadstool and Craftyci.