"Hattie" - Cardigan Knitting Pattern Women in Debbie Bliss Merion by Debbie Bliss

Hattie Cardigan Knitting Pattern by Debbie Bliss in Merion Yarn

The Hattie Cardigan is a women's knitting pattern designed by Debbie Bliss, worked in her chunky-weight Merion yarn. This relaxed, cosy cardigan is an excellent choice for beginner knitters looking to build confidence with a straightforward, satisfying project. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and includes instructions across five size ranges, making it accessible to a wide range of knitters.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

The Hattie Cardigan is written to fit the following bust measurements:

• 81–86 cm (32–34 in)
• 92–97 cm (36–38 in)
• 101–107 cm (40–42 in)
• 112–117 cm (44–46 in)
• 122–127 cm (48–50 in)

The finished bust measurements range from 115 cm (45¼ in) up to 158 cm (62 in), reflecting a generous, relaxed ease throughout. The length to the centre back neck ranges from 70 cm (27½ in) to 78 cm (30¾ in) depending on size, and the sleeve length is a consistent 29 cm (11½ in) across all sizes, giving the garment a cropped, casual sleeve silhouette.

What Is Being Made

The Hattie is a women's cardigan — an open-front knitted jacket with shaped shoulders and sleeves. Its chunky construction and moss stitch fabric give it a beautifully textured, rustic appearance that is both stylish and practical. The generous finished measurements suggest a comfortable, oversized fit that works well as a layering piece.

Construction and Techniques

The Hattie Cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up, worked flat approach, meaning the knitting begins at the lower edge and progresses upward toward the shoulders and neckline. The garment is seamed, so individual pieces are joined together after knitting is complete — a traditional method that produces a structured, durable finish.

One of the most interesting construction details is that the back and fronts are worked in one piece, starting at the lower back. This reduces the number of seams required while still maintaining the flat, back-and-forth knitting technique throughout. Knitters will find this approach both efficient and beginner-friendly.

Shoulder shaping is achieved using a short-row technique with wrap-and-turn (wrap 1). This method involves wrapping yarn around a slipped stitch at a turning point to prevent holes or gaps, then working the wrapped stitch together with its wrapping loop on the following row. The pattern provides clear instructions for working wrap 1 on a right side row and wrap 1 on a wrong side row, making this an excellent introduction to short-row shaping for beginner and near-beginner knitters. Shoulder lines are marked with coloured threads to assist with assembly.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch used throughout the Hattie Cardigan is moss stitch (also known as seed stitch in some regions). Moss stitch is created by alternating knit and purl stitches across each row, with the stitches offset on every subsequent row so that knits sit above purls and purls sit above knits. The result is a dense, non-curling, highly textured fabric that lies flat without the need for blocking — ideal for a cardigan front that needs to remain open and tidy. The stitch pattern is simple to memorise and forgiving for beginners.

• Moss stitch — the main body and sleeve fabric
• Knit (k) and purl (p) — the foundational stitches used throughout
• Wrap and turn (wrap 1) — used for short-row shoulder shaping

Tension / Gauge

The stated tension for this pattern is 11 stitches and 19 rows to 10 cm (4 in) measured over moss stitch using 8mm (US 11) needles. Achieving