Daisy - Cardigan Knitting Pattern for Women in Debbie Bliss Cotton Denim DK & Debbie Bliss Rialto DK - Downloadable PDF

Daisy Cardigan Knitting Pattern for Women – Debbie Bliss Cotton Denim DK & Rialto DK

The Daisy cardigan is a beautifully detailed women's knitting pattern designed by Debbie Bliss and published in 2020. This intermediate-level project produces a seamed, colourwork cardigan worked flat from the bottom up, featuring a striking floral daisy motif rendered in stranded colourwork. It is an ideal project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and are ready to explore the rewarding world of stranded colourwork across multiple colours.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a women's cardigan worked in three sizes to fit bust measurements of 87–97 cm (34–38 in), 102–112 cm (40–44 in), and 117–127 cm (46–50 in). The finished bust measurements are 123 cm (48½ in), 139 cm (54¾ in), and 155 cm (61 in) respectively, giving a relaxed, comfortable fit. The length to shoulder ranges from 54 cm to 64 cm (21¼ in to 25¼ in) depending on size, and the sleeve length is a consistent 44 cm (17¼ in) across all sizes. The cardigan is a seamed construction, meaning individual pieces — front panels, back, and sleeves — are knitted separately and then joined together, producing a structured, tailored finish.

Construction Techniques

• Bottom-up construction: The cardigan pieces begin at the lower edge and are worked upward toward the shoulder, following a familiar and logical sequence for shaping armholes, necklines, and sleeve caps.
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted back and forth on straight or circular needles rather than in the round, which is well suited to a seamed garment and makes it straightforward to follow the colourwork charts row by row.
• Seamed finishing: Once all pieces are complete, they are joined using seaming techniques, adding structure and durability to the finished cardigan.
• Stranded colourwork: The daisy motif is worked using the stranded technique, in which multiple yarn colours are carried across the back of the fabric simultaneously. Charts are read from right to left on right-side rows and from left to right on wrong-side rows, a standard approach for flat colourwork knitting.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (st st): The main fabric of the cardigan, creating a smooth knit surface on the right side that showcases the colourwork motifs clearly.
• Garter stitch (g st): Used for borders or edging sections, garter stitch adds texture and lies flat without curling, making it a practical choice for cardigan edges.
• Make one (m1): An increase stitch worked by picking up and knitting into the back of the loop lying between the stitch just worked and the next stitch, used for shaping.
• Skpo (sl 1, k1, pass slipped stitch over): A left-leaning decrease used in shaping sections such as armholes and necklines.
• Knit (k) and purl (p): The foundational stitches forming the fabric throughout.

Materials – Yarn

This pattern calls for two distinct DK weight yarns from the Debbie Bliss range, used together to create the colourwork palette:

• Debbie Bliss Cotton Denim DK in True Blue 03 (Colour A): The primary background yarn, requiring 8 (9:10) 100g balls. This yarn provides the main body of the cardigan with its characteristic cotton-denim blend.
• Debbie Bliss Rialto DK in Duck Egg 19: Two 50g balls are required for this accent colour used within the colourwork design.
• Debbie Bliss Rialto DK in Burnt Orange 43, Sea Green 81, Mustard 99, White 01, Earth 37, and Apple 09: One 50g ball of each of these six shades is required