Debbie Bliss Flora Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Flora Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Flora Cardigan is a classic knitted cardigan top designed by Debbie Bliss. This garment is worked in a fitted silhouette with seven-button front closure and features decorative colorwork motifs. The cardigan is available in seven sizes ranging from bust 83cm (32¾ inches) to 117cm (46 inches), with a length to shoulder measurement between 44–50cm (17¼–19¾ inches). The design includes a hemmed lower edge created with an eyelet row, providing a refined finish to this intermediate-level knitting project.

Techniques Used

The Flora Cardigan employs several key knitting techniques suitable for intermediate crafters. The garment is worked flat on straight needles, meaning pieces are constructed individually and then seamed together rather than worked in the round. The most distinctive technique featured is stranded colorwork, which creates the decorative floral motifs throughout the design. The pattern provides two options for executing the colorwork: the intarsia method using small amounts of yarn for each colored area, or alternatively, Swiss darning (also called duplicate stitch) applied after the pieces are completed. This flexibility allows knitters to choose the method that best suits their skill level and preferences.

Stitches Used

The Flora Cardigan primarily utilizes fundamental knitting stitches. Stocking stitch forms the main fabric throughout the garment, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. Additional stitch techniques include make one (m1) for increases, skpo (slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over) for decreases, and yarn forward (yf) stitches that create the decorative eyelet row detail at the hem. The eyelet row is worked with a yarn forward followed by a knit two together decrease, producing a delicate openwork effect that allows the hemmed edge to fold neatly.

Materials and Specifications

The Flora Cardigan is designed to be knitted with Debbie Bliss Rialto 4ply yarn, a lightweight four-ply weight yarn. The color palette consists of four distinct shades: White 01 as the main color (M), with accent colors in Bright Pink 59 (A), Blush 34 (B), and Jade 50 (C). Yarn requirements vary by size, ranging from 4 balls of the main color White 01 for smaller sizes up to 6 balls for the largest size, with one 50g ball each of the three accent colors required for all sizes.

The pattern calls for two pairs of 3mm (US 2-3) knitting needles for the ribbed cuff sections and initial rows, and a pair of 3.25mm (US 3) knitting needles for the main body fabric. A 3.25mm (US 3) circular needle is also required, likely for working the button bands and neckline. The gauge is established at 28 stitches and 36 rows to a 10cm (4 inch) square over stocking stitch using 3.25mm needles, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements. The cardigan is completed with seven buttons for the front closure.