Debbie Bliss Beryl Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Beryl Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Debbie Bliss Beryl is an advanced-level knitted cardigan designed for babies and young children. This seamed, flat-worked garment features decorative cable and twisted stitch patterning throughout. The cardigan is available in four sizes to fit bust measurements ranging from 82–87 cm (32–34 inches) up to 112–117 cm (44–46 inches), with finished bust measurements of 88 cm to 117 cm and lengths between 51–57 cm. The garment is fastened with nine small buttons and includes long sleeves with a finished length of 46 cm (18 inches).

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate to advanced knitting techniques. The cardigan is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, meaning pieces are knitted as separate flat sections and later joined together through seaming. The primary construction method involves cable work and twisted stitch manipulations that create textured patterning across the main body and sleeves. The pattern incorporates a 30-row repeat panel that forms the basis of the garment's visual design, combining cables with twisted stitches and bobble details to create dimensional texture.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The Beryl cardigan utilizes a range of fundamental and decorative stitches to achieve its finished appearance:

• Stocking stitch (st st) — the primary base stitch used throughout most of the garment, providing a smooth, classic knit fabric
• Twisted stitches — including T2LP (twist 2 left purl), T2RP (twist 2 right purl), Tw2R (twist 2 right), and Tw2L (twist 2 left), which create diagonal crossed stitch effects that form the cable-like pattern
• Bobble stitch (MB) — a decorative raised bump created by knitting into the front and back of a stitch multiple times, turning, purling, turning again, and then knitting all stitches together; bobbles are strategically placed within the pattern panel for textural interest
• Decrease stitches — including p2tog (purl two together) used for shaping
• Make one (m1) — an increase method created by picking up and working into the back of the loop lying between stitches, used for gradual shaping
• Skpo (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over) — a left-leaning decrease used for garment shaping

The pattern is grounded in a 30-row repeat that combines these stitches into a cohesive panel. Gauge is critical for this design: 25 stitches and 34 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch using 3.25 mm needles, and 26 stitches and 34 rows to 10 cm over the main pattern using the same needle size.

Materials and Tools

The Debbie Bliss Beryl is knitted using Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn, a luxury blend ideal for baby garments. The pattern requires 9–12 balls of 50g each, depending on size, primarily in the Silver colorway (shade 12). Accent colors include Wasabi (shade 313), Lilac (shade 10), and Rose Pink (shade 94), with one 50g ball of each used for contrast details. The yarn is worked on 2.75 mm (US 2) and 3.25 mm (US 3) knitting needles — the smaller needles are used for ribbed edgings, while the larger needles accommodate the main stitch patterns and body. A cable needle is required to manipulate stitches during twisted stitch and cable work. The cardigan is finished with nine small buttons for closure.