Pattern Description from A Fine Fleece: “Designing a relatively simple cabled sweater can frequently pose more challenges for me than a more complex Aran consisting of many different cables. I surmise that part of my difficulty lies in the swatching phase, where I’m playing with cables in smaller pieces yet I’m supposed to be visualizing the entire garment. Cables can seem too small and insignificant but become more grandiose when the garment is complete and multiple repeats of the cables cover the surface. Such was the dilemma when I designed Portland, with its wider cable panels that left little room for additional, or secondary, cables. It was difficult for me to limit this design to these simple elements, feeling the overall design was lacking. But once all was said and done, I loved the design and felt it has exactly the right amount of cabled activity. I did add one little bit of unusual detail in the mitered neckband. If a square neckline doesn’t appeal to you, it’s easy enough to simply work the neckband without the decreases for a traditional rounded neck. Portland’s name is derived from the organic yarn from Maine sheep produced by Green Mountain Spinnery and a weekend spent in Portland, Maine, with fiber friends. The shorter length lends a feminine and delicate air to this rugged sweater. The indigo colored handspun Romney along with a longer body length makes a far more masculine version.”

Skill Level: Experienced

Finished Measurements:

• Chest 40 (44, 48, 52)“ (101.5 112, 122, 132cm)
• Length 23 (24.5, 26.75, 27.25)“ (58.5 61.5, 68, 69cm)

Yarn: #4 medium

• 1350 (1450, 1650, 1850) yds (1235 1326, 1509, 1692m) heavy worsted weight
• 6 (6, 7, 8) skeins Green Mountain Spinnery Maine Organic, 4 oz (113.5g) skeins, each approximately 250 yds (229m), 100% certified Maine organic wool, Creamy White

Needles and Notions:

• US size 5 (3.75mm) knitting needles
• US size 7 (4.5mm) knitting needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
• US size 5 (3.75mm) circular needle, 16” (40cm) long
• Cable needle
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle

Note: Length from shoulder can be varied by 3” (7.5cm) by working more or fewer repeats of the pattern charts. (20 rows is approximately 3” 7.5cm.) Please allow extra yardage for additional length.