Mara - Jumper Knitting Pattern For Women in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran by Debbie Bliss

Mara Sweater Knitting Pattern by Debbie Bliss – A Detailed Overview

The Mara Sweater is a women's jumper knitting pattern designed by Debbie Bliss, worked in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran yarn. This is an advanced-level knitting pattern that combines classic cable detailing with a structured, seamed construction, making it a rewarding project for experienced knitters looking to create a sophisticated, heirloom-quality garment.

What Is Being Made

The Mara is a women's fitted jumper designed to fit bust sizes ranging from 81–86 cm (32–34 in) up to 122–127 cm (48–50 in), with finished bust measurements spanning 110 cm to 147 cm across the five sizes. The garment features a length to shoulder of 62–64 cm depending on size, and a consistent sleeve length of 45 cm (17¾ in). The generous finished measurements relative to the bust sizes suggest a relaxed, comfortable fit with meaningful ease built in.

Design and Construction Techniques

The Mara Sweater is constructed using a combination of well-established knitting techniques that give it both structure and visual interest:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is worked from the cast-on edge upward toward the shoulders, a traditional approach that allows knitters to easily adjust length before joining or shaping.
• Worked flat: Pieces are knitted back and forth on straight needles rather than in the round, producing separate panels for the front, back, and sleeves.
• Seamed finishing: The individual pieces are joined together using seams, which adds durability and helps the garment hold its shape over time — a hallmark of classically constructed knitwear.
• Cable knitting: The pattern features cable detailing, including the C4F (Cable 4 Front) technique, where two stitches are slipped onto a cable needle and held at the front of the work, the next two stitches are knitted, and then the held stitches are knitted from the cable needle. This creates the characteristic twisted rope or plait effect central to the Mara's aesthetic.

Stitches Used

The Mara Sweater draws on a combination of foundational and textural stitches:

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch): Used across body sections, providing a smooth, classic fabric. The tension gauge is set at 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 cm over stocking stitch using 5mm needles.
• Cable pattern: A key feature of the design, with a gauge of 26 stitches to 10 cm over the cable pattern using 5mm needles. Note that the cable pattern is measured with the pattern slightly opened out, reflecting how cables naturally compress the fabric width.
• Rib stitch: Typically used at cuffs, hems, and necklines in Debbie Bliss designs of this style, worked on the smaller needle sizes to create neat, elasticated edges.

Two-Colour Design

One of the most distinctive features of the Mara Sweater is its two-colour construction, using two shades of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran:

• Colour A – Silver 202: Requiring 9 (9:11:12:14) × 50g balls depending on size.
• Colour B – Ecru 101: Requiring 6 (6:7:8:10) × 50g balls depending on size.

The interplay between Silver and Ecru gives the Mara a refined, contemporary palette that complements the texture of the cables beautifully, making it suitable for both casual and smart-casual wear.

Materials Required

To knit the Mara Sweater, the following materials are needed:

• Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in Silver 202 and