Elena Sweater & Tank Top - Knitting Pattern for Women in Debbie Bliss Railto DK

Elena Sweater & Tank Top – Knitting Pattern for Women by Debbie Bliss

The Elena Sweater & Tank Top is an advanced-level knitting pattern by Debbie Bliss, offering two distinct garment designs in a single downloadable PDF: a long-sleeved sweater and a sleeveless tank top. Both pieces are worked in Debbie Bliss Rialto DK yarn and showcase a sophisticated combination of cables, colourwork stripes, and textured stitch patterns, making this an excellent project for experienced knitters looking to expand their skills.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

The pattern is graded across seven sizes, designed to fit chest measurements ranging from 81–86 cm (32–34 in) up to 142–147 cm (56–58 in). Finished chest measurements span from 96 cm (37¾ in) to 159 cm (62½ in), providing generous positive ease across all sizes. The sweater's length to back neck ranges from 52 cm to 68 cm, and sleeve length ranges from 46 cm to 49 cm, depending on size.

The Elena Sweater

The sweater is the more substantial of the two designs, featuring long set-in sleeves and a richly textured body. It is constructed using a bottom-up, worked-flat (seamed) method, meaning the front, back, and sleeves are knitted as separate flat pieces and then joined using traditional seaming techniques. This classic construction approach gives the finished garment excellent structure and shape retention.

Techniques and Stitches – Sweater

• Cable stitches are central to the design. The pattern uses c4b (slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold at back, k2, then k2 from cable needle) and c4f (slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold at front, k2, then k2 from cable needle) to create classic four-stitch rope cables.
• Colour crossing cables add an extra dimension: cr4l (slip 2 stitches to cable needle at front, p2 in yarn B, k2 in yarn D from cable needle) and cr4r (slip 2 stitches to cable needle at back, k2 in yarn D, p2 in yarn B from cable needle) create elegant interlocking colour effects between yarns.
• Reverse stocking stitch (purl on the right side, knit on the wrong side) forms the background texture, setting off the cable panels beautifully.
• Stocking stitch (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side) is also used in designated sections.
• Stripe sequences are incorporated using multiple yarn colours, adding visual interest and a contemporary feel to the traditional cable structure.
• Shaping techniques include m1 increases (picking up the loop between stitches and knitting into the back of it), skpo decreases (slip 1, k1, pass slipped stitch over), and standard k2tog decreases.

Materials – Sweater

• Debbie Bliss Rialto DK, 50g/1¾oz balls, in four colours:
  • Plum 61 (A): 3(3:3:4:4:5:5) balls
  • Silver 103 (B): 5(5:5:6:7:7:8) balls
  • Rose 76 (C): 5(5:6:6:7:7:8) balls
  • Ocean 72 (D): 2(2:3:3:4:4:5) balls
• Pair of 4mm (US 6) knitting needles – used for the main fabric sections worked in reverse stocking stitch
• Pair of 5mm (US 8) knitting needles – used for additional sections as specified in the pattern
• Cable needle – essential