Debbie Bliss Lydia Jumper Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Lydia Jumper: Advanced Knitted Cable Sweater

What is Being Made

The Debbie Bliss Lydia Jumper is an advanced-level knitted sweater designed to fit bust sizes ranging from 82cm to 117cm (32 to 46 inches). The finished garment features bust measurements from 93cm to 128cm (36½ to 50½ inches) with length to shoulder ranging from 55cm to 63cm (21¾ to 24¾ inches). The sweater includes set-in sleeves with a consistent length of 46cm (18 inches) across all sizes. This is a sophisticated knitwear project that combines traditional cable work with decorative embroidery embellishments.

Techniques Used

The Lydia Jumper employs several advanced knitting techniques that make it suitable for experienced crafters. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, giving the knitter control over shaping and construction. The sweater is constructed using the bottom-up method, meaning the knitter begins with the body and works upward before adding sleeves. All pieces are seamed together after completion, requiring careful finishing work. The design prominently features cable work throughout, incorporating multiple cable stitch variations that create textured, dimensional patterns across the garment.

Beyond the knitting itself, the Lydia Jumper includes decorative embroidery work using oddments of yarn in multiple colors. The embroidery stitches employed include detached chain stitch in ecru and gold, split stitch in gold, French knots in blue, and straight stitches in red, blue, and purple. These embroidered details add visual interest and personalization to the finished sweater.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes a variety of knitting stitches to create its structure and texture:

• Reverse Stockinette Stitch (Rev St St): The primary fabric stitch used throughout the garment, worked over the 3.75mm needles at a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows to a 10cm square
• Cable Stitches: Multiple cable variations are incorporated, including T4L (twist 4 left), T4R (twist 4 right), C4B (cable 4 back), and C6B (cable 6 back), all worked using a cable needle to create crossed stitch patterns
• Knit and Purl Stitches: The foundational stitches that form the basis of all knitted fabric, used in combination to create the cable and textured effects
• Make One (M1): An increase technique used to shape the garment at specific points
• Decreases: Shaping techniques employed to create fitted areas and sleeve caps

The cable stitches are the signature element of this design, with the pattern providing specific instructions for wrapping stitches on both knit and purl side rows, allowing for seamless cable integration into the reverse stockinette background.

Materials

The Lydia Jumper is knitted using Debbie Bliss Erin Tweed yarn in the colorway Juniper Berry (419). The pattern requires 6 to 9 balls of 50g yarn depending on the size being knitted, with larger sizes requiring more yardage. The yarn is worked at a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows per 10cm square using the larger needles.

The project requires two sets of 3.25mm (US 3) knitting needles and two sets of 3.75mm (US 5) knitting needles, available in both straight and circular formats. A cable needle is essential for manipulating the cable stitches throughout the construction. Additionally, oddments of yarn in ecru, gold, blue, red, and purple are needed for the embroidery embellishments that finish the design.