Debbie Bliss Ella Jacket Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Ella Jacket

What is Being Made

The Ella Jacket is a fitted knitted cardigan jacket designed by Debbie Bliss, available in four sizes to fit bust measurements of 81-86cm (32-34in), 92-97cm (36-38in), 102-107cm (40-42in), and 112-117cm (44-46in). The finished garment features a circumference ranging from 97cm to 127cm (38¼in to 50in) with an approximate length of 49-52cm (19¼-20½in) and consistent sleeve length of 46cm (18in) across all sizes.

Techniques Used

The Ella Jacket is worked flat using traditional knitting construction methods, meaning the pieces are knitted in separate flat sections rather than in the round. This approach allows for precise shaping and cable placement throughout the garment. The jacket features cable knitting as a primary decorative technique, with cables worked into the fabric to create textured, dimensional patterning. The cable work is integrated into the body and front sections of the jacket, creating visual interest and structure to the finished piece.

Stitches Used

The Ella Jacket employs several fundamental knitting stitches to construct the garment:

• Knit stitch (k) – the primary stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl stitch (p) – used to create texture and contrast with knit stitches
• Broken moss stitch – the main stitch pattern used throughout, which alternates knit and purl stitches to create a subtle, textured fabric with a gauge of 23 stitches and 36 rows over 10cm (4in) when worked with 3.75mm needles
• Cable stitches – specifically C6B (cable 6 back) and C6F (cable 6 front), which involve slipping stitches onto a cable needle and crossing them over other stitches to create the characteristic twisted cable effect
• Increases (inc, kfb, m1) – various methods of adding stitches for shaping

Materials

The Ella Jacket requires 18 to 21 hanks of 50g Debbie Bliss Aymara yarn in the Twig 05 colorway, depending on the size being knitted. The yarn quantity ranges from 18 hanks for the smallest size to 21 hanks for the largest size. The project calls for 3.75mm (US 5) knitting needles, including a pair of straight needles and a 3.75mm circular needle in either 80cm (32in) or 100cm (40in) length for certain sections of construction. Additionally, a 3.50mm (US E4) crochet hook is required, likely for finishing details such as edging or seaming.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is classified as advanced, reflecting the complexity of working with cable patterns and the precision required for proper cable crossing and gauge maintenance. Knitters should have solid experience with fundamental techniques before undertaking this project.