Debbie Bliss Bridgitte Jumper Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Bridgitte Jumper

What is Being Made

The Debbie Bliss Bridgitte Jumper is a classic knitted sweater designed to fit bust sizes from 81cm to 112cm (32 to 44 inches). This intermediate-level project creates a finished garment with bust measurements ranging from 86cm to 122cm (34 to 48 inches) and a length to shoulder between 52cm and 59cm (20½ to 23¾ inches). The design features set-in sleeves with a finished sleeve length of 2cm/¾in, making this a versatile everyday sweater suitable for various body sizes.

Techniques Used

The Bridgitte Jumper is constructed using seamed construction methods, with all major pieces worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round. This approach allows for precise shaping and straightforward assembly. The garment incorporates several key shaping techniques:

• Raglan shaping at the armholes, created by casting off stitches at the beginning of rows and then working decreases on subsequent rows to form the characteristic diagonal raglan seams
• Make one (m1) increases worked by picking up and working into the back of the loop lying between stitches, used strategically for body shaping
• Decrease techniques including skpo (slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over) and k2tog (knit 2 together) for tailored shaping
• Ribbed edgings at the neckline and cuffs, worked in a 2x2 rib pattern (k2, p2) for elasticity and a finished appearance

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the Bridgitte Jumper is stocking stitch (stockinette stitch), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with knit stitches on the right side and purl stitches on the wrong side. This fundamental stitch is combined with complementary techniques:

• Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches as the foundation of all stitch work
• 2x2 ribbing (alternating k2, p2) for the collar, cuff, and hem ribbing, providing stretch and recovery
• Decreases and increases integrated throughout for shaping the body, armholes, and raglan seams

Materials and Gauge

The Debbie Bliss Bridgitte Jumper is knitted using Debbie Bliss Sita yarn in Ruby, requiring 6 to 9 balls of 50g weight depending on the finished size selected. Three different needle sizes are used throughout the construction process:

• 4mm (US 6) knitting needles for initial ribbing
• 5mm (US 8) knitting needles for secondary ribbing sections
• 5.5mm (US 9) knitting needles for the main body and sleeves worked in stocking stitch

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 20 stitches and 30 rows to 10cm/4in square over stocking stitch using 5.5mm (US 9) needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements specified in the pattern across all seven size options.