Isobel - Cardigan Knitting Pattern For Women in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino by Debbie Bliss

Isobel Women's Cardigan Knitting Pattern by Debbie Bliss in Baby Cashmerino

The Isobel is a beautifully crafted women's cardigan knitting pattern designed by Debbie Bliss, worked in her signature Baby Cashmerino yarn. This is an advanced-level pattern that rewards experienced knitters with a polished, structured garment featuring intricate cable detailing and a classic seamed construction. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is exclusively available through LoveCrafts.

What Is Being Made

The Isobel is a women's fitted cardigan worked in six sizes, designed to fit chest measurements ranging from 77–82 cm (30–32 in) up to 127–132 cm (50–52 in). The finished chest measurements span from 102 cm (40 in) to 157 cm (61¾ in), offering generous positive ease across all sizes. The finished length ranges from 51 cm (20 in) to 61 cm (24 in) depending on the size, with a consistent sleeve length of 45 cm (17¾ in). The cardigan features a front button band fastened with 9 small buttons, making it a practical yet elegant everyday garment.

Construction and Techniques

The Isobel cardigan is worked flat in separate pieces that are subsequently seamed together, following a traditional construction method that produces a structured, tailored finish. This approach — knitting the back, fronts, and sleeves individually before joining — gives the finished garment excellent shape retention and a professional drape. Knitters working the larger sizes will require circular needles to accommodate the greater stitch counts comfortably, though the fabric is still worked back and forth in rows rather than in the round.

Key construction techniques used throughout the pattern include:

• Cables — multiple cable variations are used, creating the signature textural interest of the Isobel design
• Buttonholes — worked into the front band to accommodate 9 small buttons
• Seaming — pieces are joined after completion for a neat, structured silhouette
• Flat knitting — all sections are worked back and forth in rows

Stitches Used

The Isobel pattern draws on a rich vocabulary of knitting stitches and techniques, making it well suited to advanced knitters comfortable with reading cable charts and working complex stitch patterns. The stitches and methods referenced in the pattern include:

• Stocking stitch (st st) — the foundational fabric stitch used throughout
• Reverse stocking stitch (rev st st) — used to offset and frame cable panels
• Garter stitch (g-st) — used for borders or edging sections
• C4B — Cable 4 Back: slip 2 stitches to cable needle held at back, knit 2, then knit 2 from cable needle; creates a right-leaning cable cross
• C4R — slip 3 stitches to cable needle held at back, knit 1, then knit 3 from cable needle
• C4L — slip 1 stitch to cable needle held at front, knit 3, then knit 1 from cable needle; creates a left-leaning cross
• Tw4R — Twist 4 Right: slip 1 stitch to cable needle held at back, work k1tbl, p1, k1tbl, then knit 1 from cable needle
• Tw4L — Twist 4 Left: slip 3 stitches to cable needle held at front, knit 1, then work k1tbl, p1, k1tbl from cable needle
• mb (make bobble) — [k1, yf, k1, yf, k1] all into the next stitch, turn, purl 5, turn, knit 3, k2tog, then pass the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th stitches over the 1st; adds a decorative bobble accent
• m1 (make one)