Phillipa Cable Yoke Sweater - Free Jumper Knitting Pattern for Women in Debbie Bliss Saphia

Phillipa Cable Yoke Sweater – Free Knitting Pattern by Debbie Bliss in Saphia Yarn

The Phillipa Cable Yoke Sweater is a beautifully structured women's pullover knitting pattern designed by Debbie Bliss and worked in her luxurious chunky-weight Saphia yarn. This free, downloadable PDF pattern produces a classic, cosy jumper featuring a striking cable yoke as its centrepiece, making it a rewarding project for intermediate knitters who want to develop or showcase their cable-work skills. The sweater is sized to fit a wide range of chest measurements, from 81–86 cm (32–34 in) up to 142–147 cm (56–58 in), spanning seven sizes for excellent inclusivity.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a women's cable yoke sweater — a pullover jumper in which the upper body and shoulder area are decorated with an intricate diamond cable pattern, while the lower body is worked in smooth stocking stitch. The contrast between the textured yoke and the clean lower sections gives the garment a sophisticated, contemporary feel while remaining timeless in its silhouette. The finished piece is a seamed construction, meaning the individual pieces — front, back, and sleeves — are knitted flat and then joined together, giving the sweater a neat, structured finish with well-defined edges.

Yarn and Materials

The pattern is written specifically for Debbie Bliss Saphia, a chunky-weight yarn sold in 100g / 3½oz hanks. The colourway used in the pattern is Smoke 14, a sophisticated neutral shade. Yarn quantities vary by size:

• 8 hanks – sizes 81–86 cm and 92–97 cm
• 9 hanks – sizes 102–107 cm and 112–117 cm
• 10 hanks – sizes 122–127 cm and 132–137 cm
• 11 hanks – size 142–147 cm

As noted in the pattern, yarn quantities are based on average requirements and are therefore approximate, so it is always wise to purchase a small amount of extra yarn as a precaution.

In addition to yarn, the following tools are required:

• Pair of 7mm (US 10½) knitting needles – used for ribbing and edging sections
• Pair of 8mm (US 11) knitting needles – used for the main body and yoke
• Cable needle – essential for working the cable crossings throughout the yoke

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct tension is especially important in this pattern, as two different tension measurements apply depending on the stitch pattern being worked:

• 12 stitches and 16 rows to 10 cm / 4 in over stocking stitch using 8mm (US 11) needles
• 14 stitches and 16 rows to 10 cm / 4 in over the diamond cable pattern using 8mm (US 11) needles

The tighter stitch count over the diamond pattern is typical of cable knitting, where the crossing of stitches draws the fabric inward horizontally. Knitters should swatch both stitch patterns before casting on to ensure accurate sizing across the full garment.

Techniques Used

The Phillipa Cable Yoke Sweater is worked using a seamed, flat construction method. Each section of the garment is knitted back and forth in rows on straight needles and then seamed together at the end. This traditional approach is well-suited to heavier yarns like Saphia and results in stable, durable seams that help the garment hold its shape over time.

The primary decorative technique is cable knitting, which forms the defining visual feature of the yoke. Cables are created by temporarily placing stitches onto a cable needle, holding them either to the front or the back of the work, knitting the next stitches from the main needle, and then knitting the held stitches. This crossing action twists