Debbie Bliss Cropped Cardigan With Deep Rib Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Cropped Cardigan With Deep Rib

What is Being Made

This is a cropped cardigan pattern designed by Debbie Bliss, featuring a fitted silhouette with a deep ribbed construction. The garment is worked in a classic cardigan style with button closures and is available in multiple sizes ranging from 30-32 inches to 54-56 inches chest measurement. The finished length ranges from 20½ inches to 26½ inches, making it a true cropped style suitable for layering. The cardigan is designed to be worn buttoned, with seven buttons securing the front opening.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques that create visual interest and structure:

• Cable Work: The cardigan features cable panels that measure 5.5cm (2¼ inches) across. Multiple cable stitches are used throughout, including C4B (cable 4 back), C4F (cable 4 front), C3B (cable 3 back), C3F (cable 3 front), T3R (twist 3 right), and T3L (twist 3 left). These techniques involve slipping stitches onto a cable needle and holding them at the front or back of the work before knitting or purling them in sequence, creating the characteristic twisted rope-like texture.
• Seamed Construction: The cardigan is worked flat on straight needles and then seamed together, allowing for precise shaping and professional finishing.
• Buttonholes: Seven buttonholes are incorporated into the design to accommodate the button closures, requiring careful placement and execution.
• Increases and Decreases: The pattern uses make 1 increases (m1 and m1p) worked by picking up loops between stitches and knitting or purling into the back of the loop, allowing for seamless shaping without visible holes.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is block pattern worked over stocking stitch (knit on right side rows, purl on wrong side rows), which provides a smooth base for the cable and twisted cable details. The deep rib construction mentioned in the title is created using combinations of knit and purl stitches that create vertical lines of texture. Cable stitches form the decorative panels, while twisted cable stitches (T3R and T3L) add additional visual complexity. Standard abbreviations include k (knit), p (purl), inc (increase), and rep (repeat), with the pattern using both written instructions and abbreviations throughout.

Materials

This pattern calls for Debbie Bliss British Wool Aran yarn in Cream 01, with yardage requirements ranging from 11 to 19 balls of 50g (1¾oz) depending on the finished size. The yarn is worked on 4mm (US 6) knitting needles for ribbing and 5mm (US 8) knitting needles for the main fabric. A cable needle is essential for executing the cable and twisted cable stitches. The gauge is 18 stitches and 26 rows to 10cm (4 inches) over block pattern using 5mm needles after blocking. Seven buttons measuring 18 stitches across the cable panel width (5.5cm or 2¼ inches) are required to complete the cardigan.