Queenie - Cardigan Knitting Pattern for Women in Debbie Bliss Rialto DK

Queenie Cardigan Knitting Pattern by Debbie Bliss – Detailed Pattern Summary

The Queenie is a sophisticated women's cardigan knitting pattern designed by Debbie Bliss, worked in Debbie Bliss Rialto DK yarn. This is a seamed, flat-knit cardigan featuring intricate cable detailing, making it a rewarding project for advanced knitters. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is part of the Debbie Bliss Limited 2024 collection.

What Is Being Made

The Queenie pattern produces a classic women's cardigan with a structured, tailored silhouette. It is designed to fit a wide range of chest sizes, spanning from 81–86 cm up to 142–147 cm (approximately 32–34 inches to 56–58 inches), offering seven size options to accommodate a broad spectrum of body types. The finished garment features a button band fastening with 7 buttons, giving it a polished, elegant finish suited to both casual and dressy occasions.

Techniques Used

• Worked flat: The cardigan pieces are knitted flat, meaning each section — such as the back, fronts, and sleeves — is worked back and forth in rows rather than in the round. This is the traditional construction method for seamed garments.
• Seamed construction: Individual pieces are sewn together after knitting, producing clean, structured seams that give the cardigan its tailored shape and durability.
• Cable knitting: The pattern makes extensive use of cable techniques, which involve crossing groups of stitches over one another using a cable needle to create twisted, rope-like or braided textural motifs on the fabric surface.
• Bobble construction: The pattern includes a specific bobble technique worked as follows: [k1, p1] twice into the next stitch, turn, p4, turn, k4, turn, p4, turn, [k2tog] twice, pass first k2tog over 2nd — creating a compact, three-dimensional raised bobble detail.
• Stitch holder usage: Three stitch holders are required, indicating that stitches are placed on hold at various stages — typically at neckline shaping or armhole construction — and returned to the needles later.
• Stitch markers: Two stitch markers are used to help track pattern repeats or key shaping points throughout the knitting process.

Stitches Used

• C4B (Cable 4 Back): Slip the next 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the back of the work, knit 2 stitches from the left needle, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle. This creates a right-leaning cable twist.
• C4F (Cable 4 Front): Slip the next 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the front of the work, knit 2 stitches from the left needle, then knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle. This creates a left-leaning cable twist.
• Knit (k) and Purl (p): The foundational knit and purl stitches form the base fabric and are used throughout the pattern, including within cable panels and background sections.
• k2tog (knit two together): A standard right-leaning decrease stitch used both in shaping and as part of the bobble finishing technique.
• Bobble stitch: A multi-step increase-and-decrease sequence worked into a single stitch to form a raised, decorative bobble on the fabric surface.

Materials Required

Yarn

• Yarn: Debbie Bliss Rialto DK, a premium DK weight yarn, in shade Ecru 2
• Quantity: 12 (13: 14: 15: 17: 19: 20) balls of 50g / 1¾oz each, depending on size — quantities are approximate and based on average