Debbie Bliss Victoria Jumper Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Victoria Jumper

What Is Being Made

The Victoria Sweater is a knitted jumper designed by Debbie Bliss, available in five size options to fit bust measurements from 82-87cm (32-34 inches) up to 122-127cm (48-50 inches). The finished garment features bust measurements ranging from 95cm (37½ inches) to 139cm (54¾ inches), with length to shoulder varying from 53cm to 60cm (21 to 23¾ inches) depending on size. All sizes feature a consistent sleeve length of 46cm (18 inches).

Techniques Used

The Victoria Sweater is constructed using bottom-up seamed construction, meaning pieces are knitted from the lower edge upward and then sewn together. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for individual front, back, and sleeve pieces that are later joined.

The pattern incorporates wrapped stitches as a shaping technique. Wrapping is performed on both knit and purl side rows: on knit rows, yarn is taken to the front, the next stitch is slipped onto the right needle, yarn is taken to back, and the stitch is slipped back to the left needle; on purl rows, the process reverses with yarn to back first. When working across wrapped stitches on subsequent rows, the wrapped stitch and wrapping loop are worked together as a single stitch. This technique is used during armhole and yoke shaping to create smooth, graduated decreases.

Additional shaping techniques include decreasing using knit two together (k2tog) and slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (skpo) methods at strategic points to form the armholes and yoke structure.

Stitches Used

The Victoria Sweater employs fundamental knitting stitches as its foundation:

• Knit stitch (k) – the primary stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl stitch (p) – used in combination with knit stitches to create the pattern texture
• Slip stitch (sl) – stitches are slipped knitwise to create the distinctive pattern repeat and for wrapping techniques
• Decreases – knit two together (k2tog) and slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (skpo) used for shaping armholes and yoke

The pattern is built on a four-row repeat. The first row uses one color and establishes a knit three, slip one sequence. The second row maintains the same color with yarn forward and yarn back movements around the slipped stitch. The third and fourth rows introduce a contrasting color, repeating the knit and slip pattern. This creates a subtle, textured colorwork effect across the garment.

Materials

The Victoria Sweater is knitted using Debbie Bliss Paloma yarn, a 50g hank weight yarn. The pattern calls for a four-color combination:

• Debbie Bliss Paloma in School 37 (Color A) – 3 to 5 hanks depending on size
• Debbie Bliss Paloma in Claret 38 (Color B) – 6 to 7 hanks depending on size
• Debbie Bliss Paloma in Purple 14 (Color C) – 5 to 7 hanks depending on size
• Debbie Bliss Paloma in Fuchsia 33 (Color D) – 2 to 4 hanks depending on size

Two pairs of knitting needles are required: 9mm (US 13) needles and 10mm (US 15) needles. The 10mm needles are used for the main pattern work, while the 9mm needles are typically used for ribbed edgings or cuffs to create a tighter tension.

The recommended gauge is 14.5 stitches and 26 rows to 10cm (4 inches) measured over the pattern using 10mm (US 15) needles. Achieving correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements specified in the pattern.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty. While the basic stitches are fundamental, the combination of bottom-up