Cropped Cardigan with Deep Rib - Knitting Pattern for Women in Debbie Bliss British Wool Aran by Debbie Bliss

Cropped Cardigan with Deep Rib – Knitting Pattern for Women by Debbie Bliss in British Wool Aran

This Cropped Cardigan with Deep Rib is a beautifully structured women's knitting pattern designed by Debbie Bliss, worked in her signature Debbie Bliss British Wool Aran yarn. The design combines a flattering cropped silhouette with a deep ribbed hem and intricate cable detailing, making it a rewarding project for intermediate knitters who want to expand their skills while creating a wearable, timeless garment.

What Is Being Made

The finished piece is a cropped women's cardigan featuring a deep ribbed hem and cuffs, cable panel detailing, and a button band closure fastened with 7 buttons. The cardigan is available in seven sizes, fitting chest measurements from 77–82 cm (30–32 in) up to 137–142 cm (54–56 in), with finished chest measurements ranging from 102 cm (40 in) to 169 cm (66½ in). The finished length ranges from 52 cm (20½ in) to 67 cm (26½ in) depending on size, and the sleeve length is 45 cm (17¾ in) across all sizes. This is a seamed, worked-flat construction, meaning the individual pieces — front panels, back, and sleeves — are knitted separately and then joined together.

Techniques Used

• Cables: The pattern features a prominent 14-stitch cable panel measuring 5.5 cm (2¼ in) wide, worked using a variety of cable crossings. Cables are a classic knitting technique where stitches are temporarily held on a cable needle and then worked out of order to create twisted, rope-like or braided textures on the fabric surface.
• Seamed construction: All pieces are worked flat and then seamed together, a traditional approach that adds structure and durability to the finished garment.
• Buttonholes: Worked into the button band to accommodate the 7 buttons, buttonholes are a practical finishing technique requiring precise stitch placement for a neat result.
• Ribbing: The deep rib is a key design feature, typically worked in a knit-purl combination that creates an elasticated, textured fabric ideal for hems and cuffs.
• Increases: The pattern uses make 1 (m1) and make 1 purlwise (m1p) increases, picking up the loop between stitches and working into the back to avoid holes — a clean, nearly invisible method of shaping.

Stitches Used

• Block pattern – the main body fabric, worked over 18 stitches and 26 rows to a 10 cm (4 in) square after blocking using 5mm needles
• Cable stitches including:
  • C4B – slip 2 sts to cable needle, hold at back, k2, then k2 from cable needle
  • C4F – slip 2 sts to cable needle, hold at front, k2, then k2 from cable needle
  • C3B – slip 1 st to cable needle, hold at back, k2, then k1 from cable needle
  • C3F – slip 2 sts to cable needle, hold at front, k1, then k2 from cable needle
  • T3R – slip 1 st to cable needle, hold at back, k2, then p1 from cable needle (twist right)
  • T3L – slip 2 sts to cable needle, hold at front, p1, then k2 from cable needle (twist left)
• Stocking stitch (st st) – knit on right side, purl on wrong side, used for smooth background sections
• Rib stitch – alternating knit and purl columns forming the deep hem and cuffs
• skpo – slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped st