Debbie Bliss Cable Entrelac Sweater Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Cable Entrelac Sweater

What is Being Made

The Debbie Bliss Cable Entrelac Sweater is an advanced-level knitted pullover garment featuring a distinctive entrelac construction combined with cable detailing. This sweater is worked flat on needles and seamed together, making it a structured project suitable for experienced knitters. The design incorporates interlocking blocks created through the entrelac technique, with each block measuring 11cm (4 1/4 inches), creating a sophisticated geometric pattern across the garment.

Finished Measurements

The sweater is available in four sizes to fit chest measurements of 77-86cm (30-34 inches), 91-101cm (36-40 inches), 107-122cm (42-48 inches), and 127-142cm (50-56 inches). Finished chest measurements range from 108cm (42 1/2 inches) to 174cm (68 1/2 inches). The length varies from 66cm (26 inches) to 72cm (28 1/4 inches) depending on size, with sleeve length ranging from 44cm (17 1/4 inches) to 46cm (18 inches).

Techniques Used

This project employs several advanced knitting techniques that define its construction:

• Entrelac Construction: The sweater uses the entrelac method, which creates interlocking blocks that form a woven appearance. This technique requires picking up stitches between blocks and working triangular sections to build the fabric structure.
• Cable Work: Cable stitches are integrated into the design, requiring the use of a cable needle to create twisted rope-like patterns. The pattern includes specific cable abbreviations such as C6B (cable 6 back) and C6BP (cable 6 back purl), which involve slipping stitches onto a cable needle, holding them at the back or front of the work, and then knitting or purling them in a specific sequence.
• Seamed Construction: The garment pieces are worked separately on flat needles and then sewn together, allowing for precise shaping and a professional finish.
• Flat Knitting: Rather than working in the round, this sweater is constructed by working back and forth on straight needles, which is typical for garments requiring seaming and shaping.

Stitches Used

The Cable Entrelac Sweater incorporates a variety of fundamental and decorative stitches:

• Double Moss Stitch: Used as the primary stitch pattern, creating a textured fabric. The tension is measured over double moss stitch at 18 stitches and 24 rows per 10cm (4-inch) square.
• Garter Stitch: Employed for base triangles in the entrelac sections, providing a stable foundation for the interlocking blocks.
• Stockinette Stitch: Referenced in the pattern abbreviations, likely used in sections between or within the entrelac blocks.
• Cable Stitches: Specifically C6B (cable 6 back) and C6BP (cable 6 back purl) are used, where six stitches are crossed over each other to create the characteristic twisted cable effect.
• Increase and Decrease Stitches: The pattern uses kfb (knit into front and back), m1 (make 1 stitch), and ssk (slip, slip, knit) techniques to shape the garment and manage stitch counts within the entrelac blocks.

Materials Required

The Debbie Bliss Cable Entrelac Sweater is worked in Debbie Bliss British Wool Aran, a medium-weight yarn. Yarn quantities are approximate and based on average requirements, ranging from 14 balls (50g/1 3/4oz each) in the smallest size to 22 balls in the largest size. The colorway specified is Cream 01.

Two pairs of knitting needles are required: 4mm (US 6) needles for ribbing or edging and 5mm (US 8) needles for the main fabric. A cable needle is essential for working the cable stitches throughout the design. The gauge is measured at 18 stitches and 24 rows to a 10cm (4-inch) square over double moss stitch using the 5mm (US 8) needles.

Pattern Notes