Debbie Bliss Ethan Sweater Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Ethan Sweater

What is Being Made

The Debbie Bliss Ethan Sweater is a children's knitted pullover designed to fit ages 2 through 6 years. This advanced-level garment features sophisticated cable work throughout and is constructed using a seamed, flat-worked construction method. Available in four size options, the sweater offers finished chest measurements ranging from 67cm (26½ inches) for the smallest size up to 85cm (33½ inches) for the largest, with corresponding length and sleeve adjustments for proper fit across the age range.

Techniques Used

This sweater employs advanced knitting techniques centered on decorative cable work. The construction is worked flat, meaning the pieces are knitted in separate flat sections rather than in the round, and then seamed together to form the finished garment. The cable work is extensive and intricate, utilizing multiple cable crossing techniques to create dimensional, textured patterns across the body and sleeves.

Cable techniques featured in the pattern include:

• C4B (Cable 4 Back) – slip 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at back of work, knit 2, then knit 2 from cable needle
• C4F (Cable 4 Front) – slip 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at front of work, knit 2, then knit 2 from cable needle
• Cr4L (Cross 4 Left) – slip 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at front of work, purl 2, then knit 2 from cable needle
• Cr4R (Cross 4 Right) – slip 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at back of work, knit 2, then purl 2 from cable needle
• CF (Cross Front) – slip 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at front of work, purl 1, then knit 2 from cable needle
• CB (Cross Back) – slip 1 stitch onto a cable needle and hold at back of work, knit 2, then purl 1 from cable needle

The pattern also incorporates a Make Knot (MK) stitch, which creates decorative textural elements by working multiple stitches into a single stitch and then passing stitches over to create a knotted effect.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch used throughout this sweater is stocking stitch (stockinette stitch), which creates the smooth, classic knitted fabric base. Stocking stitch is formed by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing the characteristic V-pattern texture familiar in traditional knitwear.

The cable patterns are worked in combination with stocking stitch and reverse stocking stitch (purl stitches on the right side), which makes the cables visually prominent and three-dimensional. The pattern repeats over 40 rows, creating complex, interlocking cable designs that form the visual focus of the garment.

Materials

The Debbie Bliss Ethan Sweater is knitted using Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino yarn in the colorway Acid Yellow 91. This luxury yarn blend is soft and suitable for children's garments. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 7 balls for the smallest size (age 2-3) up to 10 balls for the largest size (age 5-6), with each ball weighing 50 grams.

The pattern requires two pairs of knitting needles in metric sizing: 3mm (US 2-3) needles and 3.25mm (US 3) needles, with the 3.25mm needles used for the main fabric. A cable needle is essential for manipulating the stitches during cable crossings. The gauge is 25 stitches and 34 rows over a 10cm (4-inch) square in stocking stitch using the 3.25mm needles, which is important to achieve the correct finished measurements.