A classic vintage men’s cricket sweater with long sleeves, textured cable panels and a striped V-neck band, accompanied by a coordinating ribbed scarf.
This pattern has been rewritten using clearer modern knitting terminology while retaining the construction, stitch pattern, shaping and proportions of the original Teddy Wools design.
Men’s Cable Cricket Sweater
Size
To fit chest: 38–40 in (96.5–101.5 cm)
For a 36–38 in (91.5–96.5 cm) chest, the original pattern recommends using needles one size smaller.
Materials
- 20 oz white 2-ply sportswear knitting wool
- 1 oz blue
- 1 oz scarlet
- Pair of No. 7 knitting needles
- Pair of No. 6 knitting needles
- Cable needle
Any preferred colour combination may be substituted.
The original pattern states that if using 3-ply yarn, it should be used doubled.
Gauge
21 sts = 3½ in on No. 6 needles.
Approximately 24 sts = 4 in / 10 cm.
Check your gauge before beginning and adjust needle size if necessary.
Abbreviations
K — knit
P — purl
st(s) — stitch(es)
rep — repeat
tog — together
CN — cable needle
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
Back
Using No. 7 needles and white yarn, cast on 86 sts.
Work in K1, P1 rib for 3½ in.
Change to No. 6 needles.
Purl across the next row, increasing 12 sts evenly across the row.
98 sts.
Cable Pattern
Row 1: *P3, K8, P3, K1, (P1, K1) 3 times; rep from * to last 14 sts, P3, K8, P3.
Row 2: *K3, P8, K3, P1, (K1, P1) 3 times; rep from * to last 14 sts, K3, P8, K3.
Row 3: As Row 1.
Row 4: As Row 2.
Row 5: *P3, slip next 2 sts onto CN and hold at front of work, K2, K2 from CN, slip next 2 sts onto CN and hold at back of work, K2, K2 from CN, P3, K1, (P1, K1) 3 times; rep from * to last 14 sts, P3, slip next 2 sts onto CN and hold at front of work, K2, K2 from CN, slip next 2 sts onto CN and hold at back of work, K2, K2 from CN, P3.
Row 6: As Row 2.
Repeat Rows 1–6 until the work measures 15 in, or desired length, from the cast-on edge.
Armholes
Keeping the cable pattern correct, cast off 6 sts at the beginning of each of the next 2 rows.
86 sts remain.
Decrease 1 st at each end of the next row, then at each end of every alternate row until 78 sts remain.
Continue in pattern without further shaping until the armhole measures 8½ in, measured straight up from the cast-off edge.
Shoulders
Cast off 9 sts at the beginning of each of the next 4 rows.
Cast off 8 sts at the beginning of each of the next 2 rows.
Place the remaining 26 sts on a stitch holder.
Front
Using No. 7 needles and white yarn, cast on 86 sts.
Work as for the Back until the armholes are reached.
Armholes and Neck Shaping
With RS facing, cast off 6 sts at the beginning of the next row.
Work in pattern across the next 43 sts.
Place the remaining 49 sts on a stitch holder.
Continue working in pattern over these 43 sts.
Decrease 1 st at the armhole edge on every second row until 4 armhole decreases have been worked.
At the same time, decrease 1 st at the neck edge on the next row, then on every third row until 26 sts remain.
Continue without further shaping until the armhole measures the same as the Back.
First Shoulder
From the armhole edge, cast off at the beginning of the next row and the following alternate rows:
9 sts, 9 sts, 8 sts.
Fasten off.
Second Side of Front
Return the 49 held sts to the needle.
Work in pattern to the end of the row.
Work this side to correspond with the first side, reversing all shaping.
Neck Band
Join the shoulder seams.
Using No. 7 needles and scarlet yarn, beginning at the left side of the front neck, pick up and knit 40 sts along the left side of the neck.
Knit across the 26 held back-neck sts.
Pick up and knit 40 sts along the right side of the neck.
106 sts.
Knit 2 rows in scarlet.
Change to white and work in K1, P1 rib, decreasing 1 st at each end of every alternate row.
Work the following colour sequence:
4 rows white
4 rows scarlet
4 rows blue
2 rows white
Cast off loosely.
Sleeves
Using No. 7 needles and white yarn, cast on 48 sts.
Work in K1, P1 rib for 3½ in.
Change to No. 6 needles.
Purl across the next row, increasing 8 sts evenly across the row.
56 sts.
Work 6 rows in the cable pattern as established for the Back.
Keeping the cable pattern correct, increase 1 st at each end of the next row, then at each end of every following 8th row until there are 80 sts.
Continue without further increases until the sleeve measures 20, 21, 22 or 23 in, or the required length.
Shape Sleeve Top
Cast off 6 sts at the beginning of each of the next 2 rows.
68 sts remain.
Cast off 1 st at the beginning of every row until 58 sts remain.
Cast off 4 sts at the beginning of every row until 34 sts remain.
Cast off the remaining 34 sts.
Make the second sleeve to match.
Making Up
Block the pieces gently to the required measurements using a blocking method suitable for your chosen yarn.
Sew the side and sleeve seams.
Set the sleeves into the armholes and sew securely in place.
Matching Striped Scarf
Finished Measurements
Approximately:
72 in (183 cm) long × 9 in (23 cm) wide
Materials
- 11 oz white yarn
- Small amount of blue yarn
- Small amount of scarlet yarn
- Pair of No. 7 knitting needles
Gauge
6½ sts = 1 in measured over K1, P1 rib.
Approximately 26 sts = 4 in / 10 cm.
Scarf Pattern
Using No. 7 needles and white yarn, cast on 66 sts.
Work throughout in K1, P1 rib.
Work the first stripe sequence as follows:
28 rows white
6 rows blue
10 rows white
2 rows scarlet
2 rows white
2 rows scarlet
2 rows white
2 rows scarlet
10 rows white
6 rows blue
Using white yarn, continue in K1, P1 rib until the scarf measures 60 in, or the desired length, from the cast-on edge.
Work the second stripe sequence as follows:
6 rows blue
10 rows white
2 rows scarlet
2 rows white
2 rows scarlet
2 rows white
2 rows scarlet
10 rows white
6 rows blue
28 rows white
Cast off in rib.
Pattern Notes
This is a restored vintage knitting pattern. Vintage yarn weights and needle numbering do not always correspond directly with modern yarn and needle classifications.
For the best result, choose your modern yarn and needle size according to the stated gauge rather than relying solely on the vintage yarn description.
The original sweater gauge is approximately 24 sts per 4 in / 10 cm, while the scarf gauge is approximately 26 sts per 4 in / 10 cm in K1, P1 rib.
Always knit a gauge swatch before beginning the sweater.
About This Vintage Pattern
This classic men’s cricket sweater features repeating cable panels separated by narrow ribbed sections, long sleeves and a contrasting striped neckband. The matching scarf uses simple K1, P1 rib with coordinated white, blue and scarlet stripes.
The combination gives the set the traditional sporting look associated with vintage cricket knitwear while allowing the colours to be changed to suit a favourite team, school or personal colour scheme.
