Gudrun Sweater - Knitting Pattern For Women in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran

Gudrun Jumper – Knitting Pattern for Women by Debbie Bliss in Cashmerino Aran

The Gudrun Jumper is a sophisticated, cable-rich women's sweater designed by Debbie Bliss and worked in her luxurious Cashmerino Aran yarn. This advanced-level knitting pattern produces a beautifully structured pullover featuring bold travelling cable panels set against a classic stocking stitch background, all worked in a two-colour scheme that gives the finished garment real visual impact. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated as an advanced project, making it an ideal challenge for experienced knitters looking to develop their cable work further.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a seamed women's jumper — specifically a pullover sweater with set-in or shaped sleeves — sized to fit bust measurements ranging from 82–87 cm (32–34 in) up to 112–117 cm (44–46 in), with four sizes in total. The actual finished bust measurements are generously cut, running from 104 cm (41 in) to 143 cm (56¼ in), providing a relaxed, comfortable fit. The length to back neck ranges from 72 cm to 78 cm depending on size, and the sleeve length is a consistent 37 cm (14½ in) across all sizes, suggesting a three-quarter or cropped sleeve. Both the back and front pieces are worked identically, simplifying construction without sacrificing design interest.

Design and Colourwork Details

The Gudrun Jumper is worked in two colours of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran: the main colour is Stone 27 (M) and the contrast colour is Charcoal 28 (C). The contrast colour is used to cast on and begin the lower section of the body, with the main colour joined in as the pattern progresses. This two-tone approach creates a striking visual division between the lower and upper portions of the garment, adding depth and sophistication to the overall design without requiring stranded colourwork techniques.

Techniques Used

• Cables: The defining technique of this pattern. The Gudrun Jumper features extensive cable panels worked throughout the body. Cables are created by slipping stitches onto a cable needle and holding them either at the front or back of the work before knitting, producing the characteristic twisted rope or braid effect. The pattern uses a range of cable crossings — including C4F, C6F, C8F, C10F, C12F (cables crossed to the front, creating a left-leaning twist) and C4B, C6B, C8B, C10B, C12B (cables crossed to the back, creating a right-leaning twist). The largest cables, such as the C12F and C12B, involve slipping six stitches onto the cable needle, making them substantial and visually bold. These travelling cables shift direction across the fabric, creating dynamic, flowing panels.
• Worked flat (back and forth): Despite the body pieces being cast on using a circular needle, the fabric is worked backwards and forwards in rows rather than in the round. This is a common technique when a circular needle is used simply to accommodate a large stitch count comfortably, rather than to produce a tube of fabric.
• Seamed construction: The garment pieces — back, front, and sleeves — are worked separately and then joined using seams, a traditional approach that produces a structured, tailored finish and allows for easy blocking of individual pieces before assembly.
• Ribbing and textured edging: The lower edges of the body are begun with a rib-style pattern using knit and purl combinations (such as [k2, p2] sequences), which provides elasticity and a neat, professional finish at the hem.
• Shaping decreases: The pattern incorporates decreases such as k2tog (knit two together) and p2tog (purl two together) to shape the garment and to transition between stitch counts as the cable panels develop.
• Make one increase (m1): Increases are worked by picking up and knitting into the back of the loop lying between stitches, a neat method that avoids leaving a hole in the fabric.

Stitches Used

• Stocking