Debbie Bliss Maya Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Maya Cardigan

What Is Being Made

The Debbie Bliss Maya Cardigan is a knitted cardigan designed to be worked from the bottom up. This garment features a classic cardigan construction with separate back and front pieces that are worked flat on needles. The cardigan includes button closures and buttonholes, making it a functional layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Craft and Construction Method

This is a knitting project worked using the bottom-up construction method. The garment pieces—back and fronts—are worked flat rather than in the round, meaning you will knit back and forth on straight needles to create each section. This approach allows for easier shaping and placement of design elements. The cardigan features buttonholes and buttons as functional closures, requiring careful attention to buttonhole placement and finishing.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level project employs several essential knitting techniques:

• Tension gauge work—creating a tension square before beginning is essential to ensure proper fit and drape
• Increasing and decreasing stitches for shaping the body, armholes, and neckline
• Buttonhole construction integrated into the front bands
• Stocking stitch as the primary fabric structure
• Slip stitches and various decrease methods for refined edges and shaping

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches including:

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch)—the main fabric creating a smooth, classic appearance
• Knit and purl stitches—the foundation of all knitted fabric
• Yarn overs and yarn round needle—used for buttonhole creation and decorative increases
• Decrease stitches such as knit two together (k2tog), slip slip knit (ssk), and slip knit pass slipped stitch over (skpo)—essential for shaping
• Make one increases (m1)—for seamless shaping
• Knit into front and back (kfb) and purl into front and back (pfb)—alternative increase methods

Materials

The Debbie Bliss Maya Cardigan is designed to be worked in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Tonals yarn. You will need knitting needles appropriate to the yarn weight and your tension gauge, as well as buttons for closure. The pattern is provided in multiple sizes with varying yardage requirements based on the finished dimensions. Always refer to the yarn ball band for specific washing and pressing instructions to maintain the finished garment's quality and appearance.

Pattern Notes

The pattern instructions are written with the smallest size given as the main instruction, with larger sizes provided in round brackets. Yarn quantities are approximate and based on average requirements. It is critical to work to the stated tension and always knit a tension square before starting your project. If your tension square shows too many stitches to 10cm/4in, your tension is tight and you should change to a larger needle. If there are too few stitches, your tension is loose and you should change to a smaller needle. The pattern cannot be guaranteed if any yarn other than the specified Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Tonals is substituted.