Bibi Sweater - Knitting Pattern For Women in Debbie Bliss Piper

Bibi Jumper Knitting Pattern for Women – Debbie Bliss Piper

The Bibi Jumper is a women's pullover sweater knitting pattern designed by Debbie Bliss, worked in her Piper yarn. This is a classic, wearable jumper designed to fit a wide range of bust sizes, making it a versatile addition to any handknitter's wardrobe. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated as intermediate in difficulty, making it well suited to knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and are ready to develop their garment construction skills.

What Is Being Made

The Bibi is a fitted women's jumper (sweater) with set-in or shaped sleeves, knitted in a classic silhouette. It is designed to fit bust measurements ranging from 81 cm to 112 cm (32 in to 44 in), with finished bust measurements spanning 86 cm to 118 cm (34 in to 46½ in), providing a small amount of positive ease across all sizes. The finished length to shoulder ranges from 54 cm to 60 cm (21¼ in to 23¾ in) depending on size, and the sleeve length is a consistent 44 cm (17¼ in). Seven sizes are offered in total, ensuring an excellent fit across a broad spectrum of body types.

Construction Techniques

The Bibi Jumper is constructed using a bottom-up, seamed, worked-flat method. This is a traditional approach to garment knitting with several practical advantages:

• Bottom-up construction means the body and sleeves are each begun at the lower edge and worked upward toward the shoulders, allowing knitters to try on the piece and adjust length before completing the garment.
• Worked flat means the pieces are knitted back and forth in rows on straight or circular needles, producing separate flat panels rather than knitting in the round. This is the classic method for producing a seamed garment.
• Seamed construction means the individual pieces — typically a front, a back, and two sleeves — are joined together using mattress stitch or a similar seaming technique once all knitting is complete. Seams add structure and stability to the finished jumper, helping it hold its shape over time.

Stitches Used

The pattern makes use of several standard knitting stitches and techniques, as referenced in the abbreviations and instructions within the PDF:

• Stocking stitch (st st) – the primary fabric stitch, created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, producing a smooth, classic knitted surface.
• Reverse stocking stitch (rev st st) – the purl side of stocking stitch used as the right side, creating a textured, bumpy fabric surface, often used for contrast panels or borders.
• Garter stitch (g st) – produced by knitting every row, creating a ridged, reversible fabric commonly used for hems, cuffs, or edgings.
• Make one (m1) – an increase stitch worked by picking up and knitting into the back of the horizontal loop lying between two stitches, creating a nearly invisible increase used in shaping.
• Skpo (sl 1, k1, pass slipped stitch over) – a left-leaning decrease stitch used in shaping sections such as armholes, necklines, or sleeve caps.
• Decrease (dec) and increase (inc) shaping techniques are used throughout to shape the body and sleeves.

Materials Required

Yarn

The pattern is written specifically for Debbie Bliss Piper, a DK weight yarn. The colourway used in the pattern sample is Cloud 02. The quantity required ranges from 5 to 7 balls of 100g depending on size — specifically 5(5:6:6:6:7:7) balls — giving knitters a clear guide to purchasing the right amount. Debbie Bliss Piper is a yarn that includes beads or a decorative element, as referenced in the materials section of the PDF, which may contribute a subtle decorative quality to the finished fabric. Approximately