Debbie Bliss Cabled Tank Top Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Cabled Tank Top

What is Being Made

The Debbie Bliss Cabled Tank Top is a sleeveless pullover garment designed as a classic slipover style. This knitted tank top features prominent cable stitch detailing and is worked in a cream colorway using British Wool Aran yarn. The finished garment is available in eight size options, with chest measurements ranging from 76-81cm (30-32 inches) up to 147-152cm (58-60 inches), making it suitable for a wide range of body types.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key construction techniques. The tank top is worked flat, meaning the pieces are knitted on straight needles in flat rows rather than in the round, allowing for greater control over shaping and stitch placement. The garment is then seamed together, with individual pieces joined using mattress stitch or similar seaming methods to create clean, professional-looking seams. The cable work requires careful manipulation of stitches using cable needles to create the dimensional, twisted rope-like patterns that define the visual interest of this design.

Stitches Used

The Debbie Bliss Cabled Tank Top incorporates multiple stitch types to achieve its finished appearance. Reverse stockinette stitch (rev st st) is used as a foundational stitch, creating a smooth, flat base fabric. The primary decorative element is the honeycomb cable pattern, which is achieved through a series of cable stitches that twist and cross over one another. Specific cable abbreviations used in this pattern include C3L (slip 1 stitch to cable needle and hold in front, knit the next 2 stitches, then knit the stitch from the cable needle), C3R (slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit 1 stitch, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle), C4B (slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle), T5L, T5R, T6L, and T6R variations that combine knit and purl stitches for textured cable twists. These cables create the honeycomb effect characteristic of this design.

Materials

This project requires Debbie Bliss British Wool Aran yarn in the Cream 01 colorway. Yarn quantities are approximate and based on average requirements, ranging from 11 balls (50g/1¾oz each) for the smallest size to 16 balls for the largest size. Knitters will need a pair of 5mm (US 8) knitting needles as the primary tool, along with a cable needle for manipulating stitches during cable work. The pattern specifies gauge requirements: 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10cm/4in square over reverse stockinette stitch, and 25 stitches and 29 rows to 10cm/4in square over the honeycomb cable pattern, both using 5mm needles.