Zarah - Cardigan Knitting Pattern For Women in Debbie Bliss Piper

Zarah Cardigan Knitting Pattern for Women – Debbie Bliss Piper

The Zarah cardigan is an elegant, lace-detailed women's knitting pattern designed by Debbie Bliss, worked in her Piper DK-weight yarn. This is a seamed, flat-knitted cardigan constructed from the bottom up, featuring a sophisticated lace panel and fan stitch detailing that give it a refined, feminine character. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated as an advanced project, making it best suited to experienced knitters who are comfortable with lace techniques, multiple stitch patterns, and garment shaping.

Sizing and Finished Measurements

The Zarah cardigan is designed to fit a wide range of bust sizes, offering seven size options to suit many body types:

• To fit bust: 81, 86, 92, 97, 102, 107, and 112 cm (32–44 in)
• Finished bust measurement: 88, 93, 98, 103, 108, 113, and 118 cm (35¾–47¾ in), providing a comfortable ease allowance
• Length to shoulder: 55–61 cm (21¾–24 in), graduating across sizes
• Sleeve length: 35 cm / 13¾ in, consistent across all sizes

The graduated sizing and consistent sleeve length make this pattern accessible across a broad range of figures while keeping construction manageable.

Materials Required

This pattern is specifically designed for Debbie Bliss Piper yarn, a DK-weight yarn. The colourway shown in the pattern is Lilac 14. The quantity required depends on size:

• Yarn: 6 (6:7:7:7:8:8) x 100g balls of Debbie Bliss Piper in Lilac 14
• Circular needles: 3.25mm (US 3) and 4mm (US 6) circular needles, used for working flat in rows
• Straight needles: A pair of 3.25mm (US 3) and a pair of 4mm (US 6) knitting needles
• Buttons: 10 buttons for the front opening

The use of circular needles for the body sections is a practical choice for managing the larger stitch counts involved in flat knitting, particularly when working the back and joined front sections.

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is essential for this garment to fit as intended. The stated tension is 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm / 4 in, measured over stocking stitch using 4mm (US 6) needles. Knitters are strongly advised to work a tension swatch before beginning and to adjust needle size if necessary.

Construction Method

The Zarah cardigan is worked flat, in separate pieces, and then seamed together — a traditional construction approach that produces neat, structured edges and allows for precise shaping. The garment is built bottom up, beginning at the cast-on edge and working upward toward the shoulders. This method gives knitters clear progress milestones and makes it straightforward to check length and fit as the work progresses.

The back and fronts are cast on and worked upward, with the body sections beginning on 3.25mm (US 3) needles before switching to 4mm (US 6) needles for the main fabric. Sleeves are worked separately and seamed in. The finished cardigan features a front button band accommodating 10 buttons.

Stitch Patterns and Techniques

The Zarah cardigan incorporates several distinct stitch patterns, which is part of what makes it an advanced-level project. Knitters will need to be comfortable reading and working from both written row-by-row instructions and understanding how multiple stitch patterns interact across the same piece.

Fan Pattern

The lower body of the back and fronts begins with a fan pattern, worked over a repeat that combines knit and purl stitches in a structured arrangement. This