Debbie Bliss Suki Jumper Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Suki Sweater: Knitted Cable Jumper

What is Being Made

The Debbie Bliss Suki Sweater is an advanced-level knitted jumper (pullover sweater) designed to fit bust sizes ranging from 76-81cm (30-32 inches) through 107-112cm (42-44 inches). The finished garment features a sophisticated yoke construction with finished bust measurements of 96cm, 106cm, 116cm, or 126cm (37¾, 41¾, 45½, or 49½ inches) depending on size. The total length including the saddle shoulder measures between 66-69cm (26-27¼ inches), with consistent sleeve length of 43cm (17 inches) across all sizes.

Techniques Used

This sweater is constructed using several advanced knitting techniques that create visual interest and structural sophistication. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, meaning the pieces are knitted as separate flat sections and later seamed together. The most prominent technique featured is cable work, which appears throughout the design, particularly in the yoke section where cables are integrated into a lace pattern. The yoke features a complex stitch pattern that combines cables with yarn-forward decreases, creating an openwork effect that transitions from the body to the shoulders. This advanced construction requires careful attention to stitch placement and pattern repeats.

Stitches Used

The Suki Sweater employs a range of fundamental and decorative stitches to achieve its design. The foundation of the garment uses stocking stitch (knit on right side rows, purl on wrong side rows), which provides a smooth, classic fabric base. The pattern incorporates cable stitches, specifically a C6B cable cross (slip next 3 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at back of work, knit 3, then knit 3 from the cable needle), which creates the distinctive twisted rope texture. The yoke section features yarn-forward stitches (yf) combined with decrease stitches including skpo (slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over) and k2tog (knit 2 together), as well as the centered decrease sl 1, k2tog, psso (slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over). Ribbing is used for the lower body, incorporating knit and purl stitches in a structured pattern. The pattern also uses make one increases (m1) for shaping.

Materials and Gauge

The Debbie Bliss Suki Sweater is knitted in Debbie Bliss Cotton Denim DK yarn in the colorway Mid Blue 04. The pattern requires 7, 7, 8, or 8 100g balls depending on the size being knitted, providing approximately 700-800 grams of yarn for the complete garment. Three different needle sizes are used throughout construction: 3.25mm (US 3) needles for the initial cast-on and ribbing, 3.75mm (US 5) needles for the main body sections, and 4mm (US 6) needles for the yoke shaping. A cable needle is also required for managing the cable stitches. The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 28 rows to a 10cm (4-inch) square measured over stocking stitch using 4mm (US 6) needles, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.

Construction Details

The back piece is cast on with 3.75mm (US 5) needles using 108, 119, 130, or 141 stitches depending on size. The lower body features ribbed sections alternating with cable pattern rows, with the cable cross (C6B) repeated across the width of the garment. The pattern is worked in 8-row repeats until the back reaches the appropriate length. The yoke section introduces a more complex 8-row pattern that combines yarn-forward decreases with cable stitches, creating an openwork effect. Upper arm shaping is achieved by casting off 5 stitches at the beginning of successive rows. The seamed construction means that after all pieces are knitted separately, they are sewn together to create the finished garment, allowing for precise shaping at the shoulders and underarms.