Lourdes Rib Sweater - Jumper Knitting Pattern for Women in Debbie Bliss Saphia

Lourdes Rib Sweater – Knitting Pattern for Women by Debbie Bliss in Saphia Yarn

The Lourdes Rib Sweater is a women's pullover jumper knitting pattern designed by Debbie Bliss, worked in her luxurious Saphia yarn. This is a beginner-friendly pattern that produces a classic, textured ribbed sweater with a relaxed, comfortable silhouette. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, making it instantly accessible for knitters who want to cast on right away.

Sizing and Fit

The Lourdes Rib Sweater is designed to fit a wide range of chest measurements, offering seven sizes to suit a broad spectrum of body types:

• 81–86 cm (32–34 in)
• 92–97 cm (36–38 in)
• 102–107 cm (40–42 in)
• 112–117 cm (44–46 in)
• 122–127 cm (48–50 in)
• 132–137 cm (52–54 in)
• 142–147 cm (56–58 in)

This generous size range makes the Lourdes an inclusive pattern suitable for a wide variety of knitters and wearers.

Techniques and Construction

The Lourdes Rib Sweater is constructed using a seamed, worked-flat method. This means the individual pieces — typically the front, back, and sleeves — are knitted flat on straight or circular needles and then joined together using seaming techniques. This traditional approach to sweater construction is well-suited to beginner knitters, as it breaks the project into manageable sections and allows for easy blocking of individual pieces before assembly.

Worked Flat

Working flat means the knitting is worked back and forth in rows rather than in the round. Each row is worked from one end of the needle to the other, turning the work at the end of each row. This is a foundational technique in hand knitting and is ideal for those new to garment construction.

Seamed Construction

Once all pieces are complete, they are sewn together using seaming. Common seaming methods in knitting include mattress stitch for side and sleeve seams, which creates a nearly invisible join on the right side of the fabric. Seamed garments often have excellent structure and durability, and the seams themselves can add a subtle stability to the finished sweater.

Stitches Used

As the name suggests, the Lourdes Rib Sweater features a rib pattern as its primary stitch pattern. Ribbing is created by alternating knit and purl stitches across the row, producing a fabric with vertical columns that has natural elasticity and a beautifully textured appearance. The pattern abbreviations listed confirm the use of the following stitches and techniques:

• Knit (k) – the most fundamental knitting stitch, forming the smooth "V" side of the fabric
• Purl (p) – the reverse of the knit stitch, used in combination with knit stitches to create rib texture
• K2tog (knit two stitches together) – a basic right-leaning decrease used for shaping
• Skpo (slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over) – a left-leaning decrease used for shaping, often paired with k2tog for symmetrical reductions
• Slip (sl) – slipping a stitch without working it, used as part of decrease techniques

The combination of these stitches creates the ribbed fabric and allows for neat, shaped edges at armholes, necklines, and sleeve caps.

Tension and Gauge

The pattern specifies a tension of 12 stitches and 17 rows to 10 cm / 4 in square over the rib pattern using 8mm (US 11) needles. Achieving the correct tension is important for ensuring the finished sweater matches the intended measurements, so knitters are encouraged to work a tension swatch before beginning.

Materials –