Debbie Bliss Stella Jacket Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Stella Jacket: Knitted Cable Jacket Pattern

What is Being Made

The Stella Jacket is an advanced-level knitted garment designed to fit bust sizes 81–86 cm (32–34 inches) through larger dimensions. This is a structured jacket project featuring cable work as a primary design element, created using the Falkland Aran yarn specified by Debbie Bliss. The finished piece is constructed with seamed construction and worked flat on needles, making it suitable for experienced knitters seeking a sophisticated, tailored outerwear piece.

Techniques Used

Cable knitting forms the decorative foundation of this design, requiring knitters to cross stitches over one another to create dimensional, twisted rope-like textures. This technique demands careful stitch management and is characteristic of Aran-weight garment construction.

Seamed construction means individual pieces—including the left back, left front, sleeves, and additional sections—are knitted separately and then joined together using mattress stitch or similar seaming methods. This approach allows for precise shaping and professional finishing.

Flat knitting indicates that pieces are worked back and forth on straight needles rather than in the round, giving the knitter greater control over shaping and stitch placement, particularly important for cable patterns.

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern employs standard knitting abbreviations and techniques including:

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch in US terminology)—the fundamental smooth fabric base
• Moss stitch (seed stitch)—a textured, reversible stitch often used for edges and trims
• Cable crosses using techniques such as slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (skpo) and slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over (sk2togpo)
• Yarn overs (yo, yon, yf, yrn) for creating decorative eyelets or lace elements within the cable design
• Increases and decreases including knit front and back (kfb), purl front and back (pfb), and make one (m1) for shaping
• Yarn round needle (y2rn) for creating multiple yarn overs in a single motion

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This pattern requires Falkland Aran yarn, as specified by Debbie Bliss. Aran-weight yarn is a medium-heavy weight suitable for creating structured, durable garments with excellent stitch definition for cable work. The pattern emphasizes that only the specified yarn should be used to ensure proper finished dimensions and fabric characteristics.

Knitters must work to the stated tension (gauge) before beginning, checking a tension square to verify stitch and row counts per 10 cm (4 inches). Needle size adjustments are necessary if tension is too tight (too many stitches) or too loose (too few stitches). The pattern provides quantities of yarn based on average requirements and notes these are approximate.

Pattern Structure and Sizing

Instructions are given for the smallest size, with larger sizes provided in round brackets throughout. Single figures or instructions without size variations apply to all sizes. The pattern includes directional sections marked within square brackets, indicating the number of times each instruction sequence should be repeated to build the cable pattern and garment shaping.

Finished measurements include specific lengths for the left back and sleeves, left front, and other sections, ensuring proper fit and proportion across the range of bust sizes.

Finishing and Care

The pattern references the yarn ball band for washing and pressing instructions, as Falkland Aran fibers require specific care to maintain their structure and appearance. Proper finishing techniques are essential for achieving a professional result with this advanced project.