Debbie Bliss Cabled Sweater Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Cabled Sweater

What is Being Made

The Debbie Bliss Cabled Sweater is an advanced-level knitted pullover garment designed to fit chest measurements from 81–86cm up to 112–117cm (32–34 inches to 44–46 inches). The finished sweater features a chest width of 90–126cm (36–49½ inches) with a length to back neck ranging from 52–58cm (20½–23¾ inches). The sleeve seam length is consistent at 47cm (18½ inches) across all sizes, making this a versatile design suitable for multiple fit ranges.

Techniques Used

This sweater is constructed using the bottom-up method, meaning the body and sleeves are knitted starting from the lower edges and working upward toward the shoulders. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, which allows for detailed stitch pattern work and shaping. The pieces are then seamed together using a sewing technique to join the shoulders, sides, and sleeves, creating a finished garment with visible seams that contribute to the structured appearance typical of advanced knitwear.

Stitches and Cable Work

The Debbie Bliss Cabled Sweater showcases intricate cable stitches as its primary decorative feature. The pattern employs multiple cable techniques that create textured, three-dimensional patterns across the fabric:

• C3BP (Cable 3 Back Purl): Slip one stitch onto a cable needle and hold at the back of work, knit two stitches, then purl one stitch from the cable needle
• C3FP (Cable 3 Front Purl): Slip two stitches onto a cable needle and hold to the front of work, purl one stitch, then knit two stitches from the cable needle
• C4B (Cable 4 Back): Slip two stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the back of work, knit two stitches, then knit two stitches from the cable needle
• C4F (Cable 4 Front): Slip two stitches onto a cable needle and hold to the front of work, knit two stitches, then knit two stitches from the cable needle
• C4BP (Cable 4 Back Purl): Slip two stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the back of work, knit two stitches, then purl two stitches from the cable needle
• C4FP (Cable 4 Front Purl): Slip two stitches onto a cable needle and hold to the front of work, purl two stitches, then knit two stitches from the cable needle
• T5L (Twist 5 Left): Slip three stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the back of work, knit two stitches, then purl one and knit two stitches from the cable needle

The pattern also incorporates stockinette stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows) as the background fabric, combined with reverse stockinette sections (purl on right-side rows) to frame and enhance the cable motifs. Ribbed sections using alternating knit and purl stitches provide structure and elasticity, particularly around cuffs and edges.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Debbie Bliss Cabled Sweater is designed to be knitted with Debbie Bliss Fine Donegal yarn in the Strawberry colorway. Yarn quantities are approximate and based on average requirements: 500g (500:500:600g) depending on the size being knitted, with larger sizes requiring the full 600g.

Two pairs of knitting needles are required for this project:

• 2.75mm (US 2) knitting needles for ribbed edgings and cuffs, which create a tighter gauge for elastic finishes
• 3.25mm (US 3) knitting needles for the main body and cable pattern work

Additionally, a cable needle is essential for executing the cable stitches that define this sweater's appearance. The recommended tension is 26 stitches and 38 rows to a 10cm square over stockin