Debbie Bliss Embroidered Flowers Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Embroidered Flowers Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Debbie Bliss Embroidered Cardigan is a classic knitted cardigan featuring decorative embroidered floral details. This garment is designed as a button-front cardigan with set-in sleeves and is available in seven size options ranging from 30-32 inches to 54-56 inches chest measurement. The finished cardigan lengths range from 21 inches to 24¾ inches, with sleeve lengths between 17¼ and 18½ inches, making it a versatile piece suitable for various body types and style preferences.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to create a polished, professional-looking garment. The cardigan is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for easier construction and modification. The pattern incorporates cable stitches as structural and decorative elements throughout the design. Buttonholes are carefully placed along the front opening to accommodate the button closure system. The various pieces—front panels, back, and sleeves—are seamed together using traditional knitting seaming methods to create clean, durable joins. The embroidered flowers are worked after the main knitting is complete, adding dimensional detail and visual interest to the finished piece.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes a range of fundamental and decorative knitting stitches. Stocking stitch (also called stockinette stitch) forms the primary fabric base, creating a smooth, classic appearance. The pattern includes specialized cable techniques such as T2R (twist 2 right), T2RP (twist 2 right purl), T2L (twist 2 left), and T2LP (twist 2 left purl), which create the cable textures. Make bobble (MB) stitches are incorporated to add three-dimensional texture, particularly in the embroidered flower sections. Standard decreases like skpo (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over) and p2tog (purl two together) are used for shaping. The pattern also employs yarn forward (yf) and yarn round needle (yrn) techniques for creating decorative elements and managing stitch counts throughout construction.

Materials

The Debbie Bliss Embroidered Cardigan is knitted using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK yarn, a luxury blend offering softness and durability. Yarn quantities vary by size, with the largest size requiring approximately 17 balls total. The color palette includes Midnight (color A) as the primary shade, comprising 10 to 17 balls depending on size; Fuchsia (color B) for accent details, requiring 1 to 2 balls; and Leaf (color C) for additional embroidered embellishments, requiring 1 ball. The project requires two pairs of knitting needles: 3.25mm (US 3) needles for ribbed edgings and 4mm (US 6) needles for the main fabric. The gauge is 22 stitches and 30 rows over 10 centimeters (4 inches) in stocking stitch using the 4mm needles. Additionally, 8 buttons are needed for the front closure, and a fine blunt-tipped wool or tapestry needle is essential for seaming pieces together and working the embroidered flower details.