Debbie Bliss Mara Sweater Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Mara Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Mara Sweater is a sophisticated knitted pullover sweater designed to fit bust sizes ranging from 81-86 cm (32-34 inches) up to 122-127 cm (48-50 inches). This advanced-level garment features a finished bust measurement between 110 cm and 147 cm (43¼ to 58 inches) depending on size selection, with a consistent length to shoulder of approximately 62-64 cm (24½ to 25¼ inches) and sleeve length of 45 cm (17¾ inches).

Techniques Used

The Mara Sweater is constructed using a bottom-up approach, meaning the garment is knitted starting from the lower edges and working upward toward the shoulders. The sweater is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, and pieces are subsequently seamed together to create the finished garment. The design incorporates cable techniques as a primary decorative and textural element, creating dimensional patterns across the fabric. Additionally, the pattern employs intarsia colorwork, which involves changing yarn colors at specific points to create a patterned design. The instructions note that yarns must be twisted when changing colors during intarsia work to prevent holes from forming in the fabric.

Stitches Used

This pattern utilizes several fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches:

• Stocking stitch (st st) – the primary fabric stitch, created by alternating knit and purl rows to produce a smooth, flat surface
• Cable stitches – specifically C4F (cable 4 front), which involves slipping 2 stitches onto a cable needle, holding it at the front of the work, knitting the next 2 stitches, then knitting the 2 stitches from the cable needle to create twisted rope-like textures
• Decreases – including skpo (slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over) on the back piece and K2tog (knit 2 together) on the front piece, strategically placed at color changes to ensure decreases slope toward the appropriate color section
• Increases – used to shape the garment as needed
• Slipped stitches – used in various techniques throughout the pattern

Materials

The Mara Sweater is knitted using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran yarn, a luxury blend combining cashmere, merino wool, and microfiber for softness and durability. The pattern requires two coordinating colorways: Silver 202 (A) and Ecru 101 (B). Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 9 to 14 balls of color A and 6 to 10 balls of color B, with each ball weighing 50 grams.

The needle requirements include 4.50mm (US 7) and 5mm (US 8) straight knitting needles for the main fabric, a 4mm (US 6) circular knitting needle measuring 40 cm (16 inches) long for ribbed edges, a cable needle for executing cable stitches, and 2 stitch holders for holding stitches during construction. The gauge is 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over stocking stitch using 5mm needles, and 26 stitches to 10 cm over cable pattern with the pattern slightly opened out.