Debbie Bliss Eira Jumper Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Eira Jumper

What Is Being Made

The Debbie Bliss Eira Jumper is a knitted sweater designed to fit bust sizes ranging from 81-86 cm (32-34 in) through 112-117 cm (44-46 in). The finished garment features bust measurements of 99 cm (39 in) to 131 cm (51½ in) with a length to shoulder varying from 54 cm (21¼ in) to 60 cm (23½ in) depending on size. Sleeve length measures approximately 34-35 cm (13½-13¾ in) across all sizes. This intermediate-level project creates a classic pullover sweater with structured shaping and decorative cable work.

Techniques Used

The Eira Jumper is constructed using several key knitting techniques that define its structure and appearance:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The sweater is worked from the hem upward, allowing for easy fitting adjustments and a traditional building method.
• Worked Flat: Pieces are knitted flat on straight needles rather than in the round, creating separate front, back, and sleeve components.
• Seamed Assembly: Individual pieces are sewn together after completion, creating clean finished seams.
• Cable Work: Decorative cable patterns are integrated throughout the design, requiring the use of a cable needle to create twisted stitch columns.
• Shaped Hem: The pattern includes special shaping techniques at the hem using wrapped stitches. When working back across wrapped stitches, the wrapping loop is picked up and worked together with the wrapped stitch to create an invisible wrap on the right side, resulting in a professional finished appearance.

Stitches Used

The Eira Jumper employs a variety of fundamental and decorative stitches to create its finished fabric:

• Stocking Stitch (St St): The primary stitch used throughout most of the garment, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric with a flat appearance on the right side.
• Ribbing: Used for structure and elasticity, particularly in fitted areas.
• Cable Stitches: Two main cable crosses are used:
  • C6B (Cable 6 Back): Slip the next 3 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the back of work, knit 3 stitches, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle, creating a cable that twists toward the back.
  • C6F (Cable 6 Front): Slip the next 3 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the front of work, knit 3 stitches, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle, creating a cable that twists toward the front.
• Increases: M1 (make 1) and m1p (make 1 purl) techniques are used to add stitches by picking up loops between stitches and working into them, creating nearly invisible increases.
• Decreases: Standard decreasing methods are employed to shape the garment.

Materials and Gauge

The Debbie Bliss Eira Jumper requires 6 to 8 hanks of Debbie Bliss Falkland Aran yarn in Ecru 01, depending on the size being knitted. The Falkland Aran is a worsted-weight yarn that provides structure and definition to cable work.

Two pairs of knitting needles are required: 4.5mm (US 7) and 5mm (US 8), allowing for proper gauge control between ribbed and main fabric sections. A cable needle is essential for executing the cable stitches throughout the design.

Gauge specifications: The pattern calls for 19 stitches and 28 rows to measure 10 cm (4 in) over stocking stitch using 5mm (US 8) needles. Over cable pattern, 22 stitches measure 10 cm (4 in), and over ribbing, 23 stitches measure 10 cm (4 in), both measured using 5mm (US 8) needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements.

Construction Details

The back and front pieces are shaped using a wrap-and-turn technique to create gentle shaping at the hem. The pattern specifies wr