Debbie Bliss Lace Edged Top Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Lace Edged Top

Product Overview

The Debbie Bliss Lace Edged Top is a knitted garment designed for children ages 2 to 6 years. This intermediate-level knitting project features a delicate lace edging worked separately and then incorporated into the main body of the garment. The top is constructed using a seamed, flat-worked method, making it an excellent project for knitters looking to develop their lace-working and garment assembly skills.

Garment Specifications

Available Sizes: The pattern includes four size options to fit ages 2–3, 3–4, 4–5, and 5–6 years.

• Chest measurements: 60cm (23½in), 64cm (25in), 68cm (27in), and 72cm (28½in)
• Length to shoulder: 26cm (10¼in), 28cm (11in), 30cm (12in), and 32cm (12½in)
• Sleeve length including edging: 6cm (2¼in)

Materials Required

This project uses Debbie Bliss Angel yarn, a lightweight option ideal for children's garments. Yarn requirements vary by size:

• 2 balls (2–3 balls for the largest size) of 25g/⅞oz balls in Mint 11 colorway
• Pair of 3.25mm (US 3) knitting needles for the lace edging
• Pair of 4.5mm (US 7) knitting needles for the main garment body

Gauge and Tension

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit. The pattern specifies 18 stitches and 34 rows to a 10cm (4in) square over garter stitch using 4.5mm (US 7) needles. Knitters should swatch before beginning to ensure their tension matches these specifications.

Knitting Techniques

This intermediate project incorporates several important knitting techniques that develop core skills:

• Lace Work: The edging features a 14-row lace pattern repeat using yarn forward (yf) and knit two together (k2tog) decreases to create openwork details. This repeating pattern is worked until the edging reaches the required length of 30–36cm depending on size.
• Garter Stitch: The main body of the garment is worked in garter stitch, a fundamental texture created by knitting every row. This produces a dense, reversible fabric suitable for children's wear.
• Flat Knitting: Both the back and front pieces are worked flat on straight needles, then seamed together, rather than being worked in the round.
• Picked-Up Stitches: After completing the lace edging, stitches are picked up and knitted along the straight edge to form the main garment body. The pattern specifies picking up 54–66 stitches evenly along the edging edge, depending on size.
• Seaming: Once all pieces are complete, they are sewn together using a seaming technique appropriate for garter stitch, creating a finished garment.

Stitch Abbreviations and Techniques

The pattern uses standard UK knitting abbreviations. Key stitches employed include:

• k – knit
• p – purl
• k2tog – knit two stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
• skpo – slip one stitch, knit one stitch, pass slipped stitch over (left-leaning decrease)
• yf – yarn forward (creates a lace hole)
• yrn – yarn round needle (alternative yarn over method)
• k3tog – knit three stitches together (double decrease)

Pattern Construction

The garment is constructed in distinct sections. The edging is worked first using the smaller 3.25mm needles, beginning with 10 cast-on stitches and following a 14-row lace pattern repeat. The stitch count fluctuates