Larissa Sweater - Knitting Pattern For Women in Debbie Bliss Rialto DK

Larissa Jumper – Knitting Pattern for Women in Debbie Bliss Rialto DK

The Larissa Jumper is a stunning, advanced-level women's knitting pattern designed by Debbie Bliss and worked in her signature Rialto DK yarn. This beautifully structured pullover sweater combines bold cable panels with classic ribbing and colourwork elements, creating a garment that is both technically rewarding and visually striking. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, making it instantly accessible for knitters ready to take on a sophisticated project.

What Is Being Made

The Larissa is a fitted women's jumper (pullover sweater) featuring set-in sleeves and a richly textured front panel. It is designed to fit bust sizes ranging from 81–86 cm (32–34 in) up to 112–117 cm (44–46 in), with finished bust measurements of 120 cm, 130 cm, 140 cm, or 150 cm depending on the size chosen. The generous ease makes this a comfortable yet polished garment. The finished length to shoulder ranges from 60 cm to 66 cm, and the sleeve length is a consistent 46 cm (18 in) across all sizes.

Design Features and Construction

The Larissa Jumper is a seamed, flat-knit construction, meaning each piece — front, back, and sleeves — is worked separately on straight needles and then joined using traditional seaming techniques. This approach gives the finished garment excellent structure and a professional finish, and is well suited to knitters who are comfortable with assembling garment pieces.

The standout design feature is a dramatic central cable panel running up the body of the sweater. This panel incorporates a rich honeycomb cable pattern worked over 64 stitches, flanked by smaller 4-stitch cable twists on either side. The honeycomb stitch creates a deeply textured, interlocking pattern that is a hallmark of traditional cable knitting, achieved by alternating the direction of cable crosses on successive rows.

The pattern also incorporates a three-colour design, using the main colour alongside two contrast shades, which adds visual depth and interest beyond the cabling alone.

Techniques Used

• Cable knitting – The pattern uses four distinct cable crossings: C4F (cable 4 front), C4B (cable 4 back), C8F (cable 8 front), and C8B (cable 8 back). These are executed using a cable needle to hold stitches temporarily at the front or back of the work while others are knitted, creating the characteristic twisted rope and honeycomb effects.
• Working flat (back and forth) – All pieces are knitted flat on straight needles, using knit and purl rows to build the fabric.
• Seamed construction – Finished pieces are sewn together, requiring knowledge of mattress stitch or similar seaming methods.
• Ribbing – The lower edges and cuffs feature a k2, p2 rib with integrated cable twists, worked on smaller needles to create a neat, elastic border.
• Make One (M1) increases – Stitches are increased using the M1 method (picking up and knitting into the back of the bar between stitches) during the transition from rib to the main body pattern.
• Stocking stitch (stockinette) – Used in sections of the garment alongside the cable and rib patterns.
• Seed/moss stitch elements – Single knit and purl alternations appear at the side edges of the body, adding a subtle textural border.

Stitches Used

• K2, P2 Rib – Forms the welts and cuffs, providing stretch and a tidy edge.
• Stocking Stitch (St st) – The foundational knit fabric used across portions of the garment.
• Honeycomb Cable – A complex, deeply textured cable pattern worked over 64 stitches using alternating C4B and C4F crossings to create an interlocking grid effect.