Three Colour Cardigan - Knitting Pattern For Women in Debbie Bliss Nell by Debbie Bliss

Three Colour Cardigan – Knitting Pattern for Women in Debbie Bliss Nell by Debbie Bliss

This Three Colour Cardigan is a women's knitting pattern designed by Debbie Bliss, worked in the chunky-weight yarn Debbie Bliss Nell. The design features a classic, relaxed cardigan silhouette constructed in three carefully chosen coordinating shades, creating a striking colour-blocked or striped effect that makes it a standout wardrobe piece. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it a satisfying project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping techniques and are ready to manage multiple yarn colours.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a full women's cardigan with set-in or structured sleeves, worked in separate pieces and seamed together. It is offered in seven sizes, fitting chest measurements from 77–82 cm (30–32 in) up to 137–142 cm (54–56 in), with finished chest measurements ranging from 99 cm (39 in) to 167 cm (66 in). The length to shoulder ranges from 49 cm (19¼ in) to 61 cm (24 in) depending on size, while the sleeve length is a consistent 44 cm (17¼ in) across all sizes. The cardigan is fastened with 6 buttons, giving it a neat, tailored front opening.

Construction Techniques

The cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up, worked flat, seamed method. This is a traditional approach to garment knitting in which each main section — the back, left front, right front, and sleeves — is knitted separately as flat pieces, beginning at the lower edge and working upward toward the shoulders. Once all pieces are complete, they are joined together using seaming techniques such as mattress stitch or backstitch, creating neat, structured seams that add stability and shape to the finished garment.

Working flat means that the knitter works back and forth in rows rather than in the round, so both knit and purl rows are used to create the fabric. This is a well-established construction method that many intermediate knitters find approachable, as each piece is manageable in size and can be blocked individually before assembly. The three-colour design is achieved by working different sections or stripes in each of the three chosen shades, requiring the knitter to join and carry or cut yarns at colour change points.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (st st) – The primary fabric stitch, formed by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic surface.
• Knit (k) – The fundamental knitting stitch used throughout the pattern.
• Make one (m1) – An increase stitch worked by picking up and knitting into the back of the loop lying between two stitches, used for shaping the sleeves and body.
• Increase (inc) – General shaping increases used at key points in the construction.

Tension

The stated tension is 14 stitches and 20 rows to 10 cm / 4 in measured over stocking stitch using 6mm (US 10) needles. Achieving the correct tension swatch before beginning is essential, particularly in a garment with seven size options, as even a small difference in gauge can significantly affect the finished measurements.

Materials Required

The pattern calls for Debbie Bliss Nell, a chunky-weight yarn available exclusively at lovecrafts.com, in three colourways:

• Corn 12 (Colour A) – the main colour, requiring 4 (4:5:5:6:6:7) × 50g / 1¾oz balls
• Sunset 11 (Colour B) – requiring 2 (2:2:3:3:3:3) × 50g / 1¾oz balls
• Rose 09 (Colour C) – requiring 2 (2:2:3:3:3:3) × 50g / 1¾oz balls

In addition to the yarn, the following materials are needed: