Are you looking for a cardigan that does things a little differently?
Maybe you’re looking for a sweater project that isn’t your usual top-down or bottom-up options.
Well, let me introduce you to a sleeve first cardigan. Yes, I did say, sleeve first!
Say Goodbye to Sleeve Island
If you’ve ever been stuck on sleeve island, Scealla is a cardigan that needs to be on your to-be-knit pile.
The upper body and sleeves are finished before you ever begin on the body, keeping you on your toes. I’ve used this construction style before in the Camira cardigan many years ago and I really enjoyed using it to create my final design for the Celtic Knits Club 2025.
Sculptural Texture Meets Clever Cardigan Construction
The deeply textural cables in Scealla create a satisfying cardigan to knit and wear.
The back panel is knit from the top down. Each of the upper yoke sections is knit from side-to-side and then the body is knit from the top down. There are underarm gussets for a comfortable fit and A-line shaping for an easy-to-wear cardigan.
I know. It’s hard to visualise, so I’ve added this diagram to help you see how this design comes to life:
Knitting a Comfortable Fit – Underarm Gussets and A-Line Shaping
Work begins with the central back panel, worked from the neck to the bottom of the upper body. These stitches are then held for later. Then stitches for the right front are cast on and worked to the neck edge, which are joined with stitches picked up from the side of the back panel. This forms the right side of the upper body, and it is worked flat to the armhole with shoulder decreases.
At the armhole, the knitting is joined in the round, and the sleeve is worked from the top down with decreases. You’ll notice that the Honeycomb stitches is continued down each side of the sleeve. Plus the sleeve decreases are a little unusual, they happen at the top instead of the bottom of the sleeve!
Now, this is repeated for the left side. Finally, the stitches for the body are picked up from the bottom of the work, and the body is worked from the top down.
Blasta Yarn and Cables – A Match Made for Stitch Definition
Some cables fade into the fabric. These don’t.
There’s a depth to them that feels almost carved. The Lattice and Honeycomb stitches create strong, structured panels with real weight behind them. That’s what gives this cardigan its shape and presence.
Blasta yarn holds every detail. It has a rustic texture that grips the stitches just enough to keep them clear and defined. The result is a fabric that feels solid without being heavy. Clean lines, crisp edges, and a rhythm you can see as well as feel.
To me, it looks like stonework. Each repeat sits firmly in place, giving the cables a sculptural quality. The kind of texture that works hard and wears well.
If you want cables that don’t get lost in the background, this yarn brings them forward. It shows every twist, every shift in direction. It’s why I chose it and I know you’ll love working with it too.
Scealla Pattern Details and Yarn Requirements
SIZES
To Fit Actual Bust Circumference Up To: 32 (35.25, 38.25, 41.5, 44.5, 47.5, 50.5, 54.25, 57.5, 61.5)” / 81.5 (89.5, 97, 105.5, 113, 120.5, 128.5, 138, 146, 156) cm.
2 – 4″ / 5 – 10 cm positive ease recommended.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust Circumference: 34 (37.25, 40.25, 43.5, 46.5, 49.5, 52.5, 56.25, 59.5, 63.5)” / 86.5 (94.5, 102, 110.5, 118, 125.5, 133.5, 143, 151, 161.5) cm
37.25″ / 94.5 cm modelled with 2″ / 5 cm of positive ease.
Length From Back of Neck: 22.75 (23.5, 24.25, 24.75, 25.25, 25.75, 26.25, 27, 27.25, 28)” / 58 (59.5, 61.5, 63, 64, 65.5, 66.5, 68.5, 69, 71) cm
YARN
Stolen Stitches ‘Blasta’ (60% Irish wool, 40% New Zealand wool; 232 yds / 212 m per 3.6 oz / 100g); Colour: Lough; 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7, 8, 8, 9, 9) skeins
Approximate Yardage: 1023 (1154, 1274, 1374, 1470, 1567, 1667, 1820, 1910, 2051) yds / 936 (1055, 1164, 1256, 1343, 1432, 1523, 1663, 1745, 1874) m
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US size 6 / 4 mm circular needles, 40″/ 100 cm
Set of US size 6 / 4 mm dpns (if not using magic loop for sleeves)
Always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed, as every knitter’s gauge is unique.
Tapestry needle, stitch markers, waste yarn or Barber Cord, 8 (8, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9) buttons approx. 0.89″ / 22 mm diameter.
GAUGE
19 sts and 28 rows = 4″ / 10 cm in St St & Reverse St St
27 sts and 28 rows = 4″ / 10 cm in Honeycomb Stitch
32 sts and 28 rows = 4″/ 10 cm in Lattice Stitch
14 st Offset Cables measures 1.5” / 4 cm across
Where to Get the Scealla Cardigan Pattern – Join the Celtic Knits Club 2025
This sweater is currently part of our 2025 Celtic Knits Club.
The digital version of this club is available here.
Curious to learn more about the Celtic Knits Club?
You can explore the first pattern reveal or second pattern reveal, peek behind the scenes of the design process, or read more about the exclusive yarns we’ve chosen for this year’s club.
Each post will take you through how the club came together, this year’s theme and we’d love for you to follow along.