Debbie Bliss Cora Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Cora Knitted Sweater

What is Being Made

The Debbie Bliss Cora is an intermediate-level knitted sweater designed to fit bust measurements ranging from 81-86 cm (32-34 in) through to 122-127 cm (48-50 in). This garment features a finished bust measurement that ranges from 89 cm (35 in) in the smallest size to 138 cm (54¼ in) in the largest size. The length to back neck measures between 55-63 cm (21¾-24¾ in) depending on size, with sleeve length set at 46 cm (18 in) across all sizes.

Techniques Used

The Cora sweater is constructed using a bottom-up seamed construction method, meaning the pieces are knitted from the lower edges upward and then sewn together. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, requiring assembly of separate front, back, and sleeve pieces. Lace detailing is incorporated throughout the design, adding visual interest and texture to the finished piece. The construction involves shaping techniques including decreases and increases strategically placed to create a fitted silhouette.

Stitches Used

This pattern employs a range of fundamental and decorative knitting stitches:

• Stocking stitch (st st) – the primary stitch throughout most of the garment, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric
• Ribbing – used at the lower edges for elasticity and a neat finish, worked as alternating knit and purl stitches
• Yarn forward (yfwd) – creates the openwork lace pattern by deliberately increasing stitches
• Slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (skpo) – a left-leaning decrease used in lace motifs
• Slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over (sk2po) – a double decrease that forms the central decreases in the lace pattern
• Make 1 (m1) – an invisible increase worked between stitches for shaping
• Knit (k) and purl (p) – the foundational stitches

Materials and Tools

The Cora sweater is knitted using Debbie Bliss Rialto 4 ply yarn in Ecru 002. The quantity required varies by size, ranging from 8 balls (50g each) for the smallest size up to 12 balls for the largest size, totaling between 400g and 600g of yarn depending on the finished garment size. Two pairs of straight knitting needles are required: 2.75mm (US 2) needles for the ribbed edgings and 3.25mm (US 3) needles for the main body and lace sections. The pattern specifies a gauge of 28 stitches and 36 rows to 10cm (4 in) square over stocking stitch using 3.25mm (US 3) needles, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.

Pattern Structure

The pattern is organized as a downloadable PDF document containing six pages of instructions. It includes detailed abbreviations, finished measurements across five size options, materials list, gauge information, and row-by-row instructions for constructing the back, front, sleeves, and frill details. The lace pattern is worked over specific rows with clear directional instructions, including wrong-side rows that maintain the stocking stitch base while right-side rows introduce the decorative yarn-forward and decrease sequences that create the lace effect.