Debbie Bliss Lace With Bobble Sweater Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Lace With Bobble Sweater

What is Being Made

The Debbie Bliss Lace With Bobble Sweater is a knitted pullover garment designed to fit chest sizes ranging from 81-86cm (32-34 inches) up to 142-147cm (56-58 inches). This intermediate-level project features decorative lace panels combined with textured bobble elements, creating visual interest across the body. The finished sweater measures between 110cm and 173cm at the chest, with a consistent length to shoulder of approximately 57-60cm and sleeve lengths of 47-48cm, making it suitable for various body types and proportions.

Techniques Used

This sweater is constructed using seamed, flat knitting techniques, meaning the front, back, and sleeves are knitted separately on straight needles and then sewn together. The pattern incorporates lace work combined with bobble embellishments, which are three-dimensional textured elements created by working multiple stitches into a single stitch and then decreasing them back down. The bobble technique adds dimensional detail to the lace panels, creating a sophisticated aesthetic. The garment is worked primarily in moss stitch (also known as seed stitch), a fundamental textured stitch that creates a bumpy, woven appearance by alternating knit and purl stitches.

Stitches Used

• Moss Stitch: The primary stitch throughout most of the garment, created by alternating knit and purl stitches to produce a dense, textured fabric
• Lace Stitches: Including yarn overs (yon, yfwd, yfrn) and decreases (k2tog, ssk) that create openwork patterns within the lace panels
• Make Bobble (MB): A specialized technique where five stitches are worked into one stitch (p1, k1, p1, k1, p1), then turned and worked back and forth before decreasing all stitches back to one, creating a raised knot-like embellishment
• Decrease Stitches: Knit two together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk) techniques used to shape the garment and create lace openings
• Basic Stitches: Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches form the foundation of all pattern work

Materials Required

This project uses Debbie Bliss Dulcie yarn in the Duck Egg colorway. The yardage requirement varies by size, ranging from 13 balls (50g/1¾oz each) for the smallest size up to 27 balls for the largest size, providing flexibility for different garment dimensions. Two pairs of knitting needles are required: 6mm (US 10) needles and 7mm (US 10.5) needles. The 7mm needles are used for the main fabric, while the 6mm needles are typically used for ribbed edges and cuffs to create a tighter, more elastic finish. The gauge is 14 stitches and 22 rows to 10cm over moss stitch using 7mm needles, and the lace bobble pattern panel measures 16cm across using 7mm needles, ensuring proper fit and drape when gauge is matched.