Debbie Bliss Sideways Cable Top Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Sideways Cable Top

What is Being Made

The Sideways Cable Top is a sophisticated knitted garment designed to be worked horizontally from side to side. This advanced-level pattern creates a fitted top with prominent cable detailing, available in eight size options ranging from chest 76-81cm (30-32 inches) to 137-142cm (54-56 inches). The finished garment features a length to shoulder that varies by size from 49cm to 55cm (19¼ to 21¾ inches), with corresponding finished chest measurements from 100cm to 160cm (39¼ to 63 inches).

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques suited to advanced crafters:

• Sideways construction: The top is worked flat in a horizontal direction rather than the traditional bottom-up approach, requiring careful shaping and increases to achieve the proper garment dimensions
• Cable work: Multiple cable crosses are integrated throughout the design, including C8B (8-stitch back cable), C8F (8-stitch front cable), C12B (12-stitch back cable), and C12F (12-stitch front cable) techniques
• Seaming: The garment pieces are seamed together after completion, requiring precision in finishing for a polished appearance
• Stocking stitch: The base fabric is worked in stocking stitch (stockinette stitch in US terminology), providing a smooth, classic knit surface

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates fundamental knitting stitches combined with cable techniques to create visual interest and texture:

• Knit (k): The primary stitch forming the fabric base and cable columns
• Purl (p): Used to create reverse stockinette stitch sections that frame and define the cable panels
• Cable crosses: Four-stitch and six-stitch cables worked both to the back (B) and front (F) of the work, creating the signature twisted rope effect
• Make one increase (m1): Used to shape the garment by picking up the loop between stitches and working into the back of it
• Through back loop (tbl): A technique for creating twisted stitches when needed for shaping

The cable pattern repeats every 12 rows, with the 7th row featuring the main cable crosses: P1, k4, [p2, k6, C12B, p2, k4] 3 times, p1, establishing a rhythmic, repeating motif across the width of the garment.

Materials and Tools

This pattern requires specific materials to achieve the intended finished fabric:

• Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in Baby Pink 603, with quantities ranging from 9 to 16 balls depending on size. Each ball contains 50g (1¾oz) of yarn
• Needles: A pair of 4.5mm (US 7) knitting needles and a pair of 5mm (US 8) knitting needles for working at different gauges
• Cable needle: Required for holding stitches during cable cross maneuvers
• Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows over stocking stitch, and 28 stitches and 24 rows over cable pattern, measured over a 10cm (4-inch) square using 5mm (US 8) needles. Achieving accurate gauge is essential for proper fit, particularly important in a sideways-constructed garment

The Cashmerino Aran yarn blend provides a luxurious, soft hand while maintaining the structure needed for well-defined cables. The pattern is presented as a downloadable PDF format, making it accessible for digital reference during knitting.