Kelso - Sweater Knitting Pattern for Women in Debbie Bliss Rialto DK - Downloadable PDF

Kelso Sweater – Women's Cable Knitting Pattern in Debbie Bliss Rialto DK

The Kelso Sweater is a beautifully structured women's pullover knitting pattern published by Debbie Bliss in 2020 and available as a downloadable PDF. Designed for the advanced knitter, this garment showcases elegant cable detailing worked in Debbie Bliss Rialto DK yarn, resulting in a polished, fitted jumper with timeless appeal. The pattern is sized to fit bust measurements ranging from 86 cm to 107 cm (34 in to 42 in), with finished bust measurements spanning 91 cm to 120 cm (35¾ in to 47¼ in), offering a comfortable, slightly relaxed fit across five sizes.

Finished Measurements

• Bust: 91 (98, 105, 113, 120) cm / 35¾ (38½, 41¼, 44½, 47¼) in
• Length to shoulder: 56 (57, 59, 61, 63) cm / 22 (22½, 23¼, 24, 24¾) in
• Sleeve length: 45 (45, 46, 47, 47) cm / 17¾ (17¾, 18, 18½, 18½) in

Construction and Techniques

The Kelso Sweater is constructed bottom-up and worked flat in separate pieces that are subsequently seamed together. This traditional construction method — working the front, back, and sleeves as individual flat panels before joining — is well suited to knitters who prefer a structured, methodical approach and appreciate the neat, professional finish that seaming provides. Seamed garments also tend to hold their shape particularly well over time, making this an excellent choice for a wardrobe staple.

The defining feature of the Kelso Sweater is its cable knitting. Cables are created by temporarily placing stitches onto a cable needle and crossing them over one another to produce twisted rope-like or braided textures on the fabric surface. Two specific cable manoeuvres are used in this pattern:

• C6B (Cable 6 Back): Slip the next 3 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the back of the work, knit 3 stitches, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle. This creates a right-leaning six-stitch cable twist.
• C3F (Cable 3 Front): Slip the next stitch onto a cable needle and hold at the front of the work, knit 2 stitches, then knit the stitch from the cable needle. This produces a left-leaning three-stitch cross, adding textural variety and detail to the cable panels.

The combination of these two cable crossings creates a rich, dimensional fabric with visual interest and depth, characteristic of classic British knitwear design.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k) and purl (p) — the foundational stitches forming the fabric base and cable background
• C6B — six-stitch back cable cross
• C3F — three-stitch front cable cross
• Skpo (slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over) — a left-leaning single decrease used for shaping
• M1 (make one) — an increase worked by picking up and knitting into the back of the loop lying between stitches, used for sleeve and body shaping
• Standard decrease (dec) and increase (inc) techniques for garment shaping throughout

Materials Required

The pattern calls for Debbie Bliss Rialto DK yarn in Mint 54, a fresh and versatile shade that complements the textural cable work beautifully. You will need 11 (12, 13, 14, 15) × 50g balls