Rafaela Wrapover Cardigan - Knitting Pattern for Women in Debbie Bliss Paloma

Rafaela Wrapover Cardigan – Knitting Pattern for Women by Debbie Bliss

The Rafaela Wrapover Cardigan is a beautifully relaxed, wrapover-style women's cardigan designed by Debbie Bliss and knitted in the luxuriously soft super-chunky yarn Debbie Bliss Paloma. The wrapover silhouette creates an elegant, draped front opening that flatters a wide range of body shapes, making this a versatile and stylish addition to any handknit wardrobe. The pattern is rated advanced beginner, meaning it is accessible to knitters who have moved beyond the very basics but do not yet consider themselves fully experienced — an ideal next project for those looking to build confidence with a larger, more satisfying garment.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a wrapover cardigan — a cosy, oversized-feeling outer layer with a crossover front that ties or folds to close, rather than using buttons or a zip. The wrap style is a classic design element in knitwear that lends the finished garment a relaxed, contemporary feel while remaining practical and warm. Because it is worked in super-chunky weight yarn, the Rafaela Wrapover Cardigan knits up quickly, making it a satisfying project that delivers impressive results in a relatively short time compared to finer-weight garments.

The pattern is sized generously to fit a wide range of bodies, covering seven sizes from a 81–86 cm (32–34 in) chest up to a 142–147 cm (56–58 in) chest, ensuring an inclusive fit across UK and US sizing conventions.

Yarn and Materials

The specified yarn for this pattern is Debbie Bliss Paloma, a super-chunky weight yarn sold in 50g / 1¾oz hanks. The colourway used in the pattern is Pebble 2, a neutral, earthy tone that gives the cardigan a timeless, wearable quality. Yarn quantities range from 14 hanks for the smallest size up to 25 hanks for the largest size, reflecting the generous, substantial nature of the finished garment. As noted in the pattern, yarn quantities are based on average requirements and are therefore approximate.

• Yarn: Debbie Bliss Paloma, super-chunky weight, 50g/1¾oz hanks
• Colourway: Pebble 2
• Yarn quantity: 14–25 hanks depending on size
• Needles: A pair of 9mm (US 13) knitting needles and a pair of 10mm (US 15) knitting needles

Two needle sizes are called for, which is typical of garment patterns where a smaller needle is used for ribbing or edging details to create a neater, firmer finish, while the larger needle is used for the main body fabric to achieve the correct tension and a softer drape.

Tension

The pattern specifies a tension of 12 stitches and 18 rows to 10cm / 4in square over stocking stitch using 10mm (US 15) needles. Achieving the correct tension is especially important in a garment pattern like this, as even small variations can significantly affect the finished chest measurement and overall fit. Knitters are strongly encouraged to work a tension swatch before casting on.

Techniques and Stitches Used

The Rafaela Wrapover Cardigan is constructed using a focused set of classic knitting techniques, making it well-suited to the advanced beginner skill level. The primary fabric is worked in stocking stitch (st st) — the most fundamental of knitted fabrics, created by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side. This produces a smooth, flat fabric on the right side that is ideal for showcasing the texture and softness of a premium yarn like Paloma.

Key Stitches and Abbreviations Used

• k – knit
• p – purl
• st st – stocking stitch, the main fabric of the garment