If you love timeless knits with cozy texture and retro appeal, you’ll adore this vintage cable knit turtleneck yoke sweater pattern. With its soft, fluffy finish and elegant cable detailing that radiates from the neckline, this sweater is both flattering and fun to knit.
Whether you’re crafting for a crisp fall day or looking for a stylish winter wardrobe staple, this cozy cable knit turtleneck design offers warmth, style, and classic charm. Plus, the unique circular yoke construction with built-in cables means less shaping and more wow factor.
What Makes This Sweater Special?
This design, originally published in the 1970s, features:
Classic Ribbed Edges – A snug ribbed hem and cuffs balance out the loose drape of the sweater body.
Circular Yoke Construction – Beautiful cables worked in the round create a polished neckline without complicated shaping.
Fluffy Yarn – Knit with Unger’s Fluffy (or substitute with any soft mohair-blend yarn), the finished fabric is light, warm, and cloudlike.
Versatile Fit – Instructions included for sizes Small (6-8), Medium (10-12), and Large (14-16).
Classic Ribbed Edges – A snug ribbed hem and cuffs balance out the loose drape of the sweater body.
Materials Needed:
- 7 (8, 9) balls of Unger’s Fluffy, 1¾ oz.
- Straight knitting needles: Size 4 and Size 6
- Size 6 circular knitting needle
- Size 4 double-pointed needles
- Cable needle
- Stitch markers and holders
Gauge: 5 sts and 7 rows = 1” in stockinette stitch on size 6 needles
Please remember, this is a vintage pattern and that some of the yarn and materials suggested are no longer available. Please ensure you are matching gauge to ensure your piece turns out.
Skill Level: Intermediate
If you’ve tackled basic sweaters before and are ready to experiment with circular yokes and cable panels, this project is a rewarding step up. The stitch patterns are rhythmic, and the shaping is minimal. Just follow the instructions row by row, and you’ll be rewarded with a show-stopping piece!
This sweater is more than just a cold-weather essential—it’s a piece of knitting history. Whether you recreate it in sunshine yellow like the original or pick a modern neutral tone, it’s sure to become a favorite in your handmade wardrobe.
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SIZES: Directions are for Small (6-8). Changes for Medium (10-12) and Large (14-16) are in parentheses.
MATERIALS: Unger’s Fluffy, 1¾ oz. ball—7 (8, 9) balls. Nos. 4 and 6 straight knitting needles, No. 6 circular knitting needle and No. 4 dp needles, OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GIVEN GAUGE.
NOTE: Interchangeable with Roly Poly and Nanette.
GAUGE: Stock. St on No. 6 needles: 5 sts = 1″; 7 rows = 1″.
FINISHED MEASUREMENT AT UNDERARM: Approx. 35 (38, 41)”.
BACK:
With No. 4 straight needles, cast on 83 (89, 95) sts. Work in k 1, p 1 ribbing for 3″, increasing 5 (7, 9) sts evenly across last row—88 (96, 104) sts. Change to No. 6 needles and Stock. St. Work even until 16″ from beg, or desired length to underarm, ending with a p row. Place on a holder.
FRONT:
Work same as for back.
SLEEVES:
Make 2. With No. 4 straight needles, cast on 39 (43, 47) sts. Work in k 1, p 1 ribbing for 3″, increasing 29 sts evenly across last row—68 (72, 76) sts. Change to No. 6 needles and Stock. St. Work even until 16″ from beg, or desired length to underarm, ending with a p row. Place on a holder.
YOKE AND JOINING:
ROW 1: With No. 6 circular needle, k 88 (96, 104) sts from back holder, k 68 (72, 76) sleeve sts, k 88 (96, 104) front sts, k 68 (72, 76) sleeve sts—312 (336, 360) sts. Join and work in rnds.
- Rnd 1: K 311 (333, 355) sts. Mark beg of rnds at this point.
- Rnd 2: P 1 (0, 5), slip next 3 sts to dp needle, hold in back of work, k 3, k 3 from dp needle (cable—C6), * p 6, C6; repeat from *, end p 5 (6, 1)—26 (28, 30) cables around yoke.
- Rnds 3, 4, 5, 6, 7: K the k sts, p the p sts as established. Repeat Rnds 2 through 7 for pattern. Work even until 11 (13, 15) pattern rnds have been completed.
DEC RND 1: Keep continuity of pattern, dec 1 st in center of each p panel—286 (308, 330) sts. Keep continuity of pattern and dec 1 st in center of p panel every 12th (14th, 16th) rnd twice more, then every 11th rnd twice—182 (196, 210) sts, with 1 p remaining between cables. Work even until the 12th (14th, 16th) Rnd 2 (cable twist rnd) is completed. Change to No. 4 dp needles.
DEC RND 1: P 1 (0, 1), (k 2 tog) 3 times, * p 1, (k 2 tog) 3 times; repeat from *, end p 0 (1, 0)—104 (112, 120) sts.
DEC RND 2: For Small and Large only, p first p st and slip one to last dp needle used (all sizes now begin with 3 k sts). For all sizes, * k 2, sl 1, k1, psso; repeat from * around—78 (84, 90) sts. Change to k 1, p 1 ribbing. Work in ribbing for 7″. Bind off loosely in ribbing.
FINISHING:
Sew side and undersleeve seams. DO NOT BLOCK. Wet block (Wet with cold water. Lay on a towel to measurements. Dry away from heat and sun.)
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