Ava Jacket Knitting Pattern

Ava Jacket in Juniper Moon Farm Santa Cruz

What is Being Made

The Ava Jacket is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan jacket designed by Ursula O'Connor as part of the Winter Breeze Collection. This garment is a structured, wearable piece available in four sizes ranging from Small to X-Large, with finished bust widths from 38 to 44 inches (96 to 112 cm). The jacket features a classic cardigan construction with button closures and is designed to provide a comfortable, slightly relaxed fit suitable for layering during cooler seasons.

Techniques Used

The Ava Jacket employs several fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate crafters. Garter stitch forms the primary fabric structure, creating a textured, reversible surface that is both visually interesting and structurally sound. The pattern incorporates shaping techniques including armhole decreases worked over multiple rows to create proper sleeve cap depth and fit. Buttonhole construction is integrated into the right front piece using yarn forward and knit two together decreases to create functional closures. Increase stitches are strategically placed using the make one knitwise method to shape the front edges and create proper garment silhouette. The jacket is knit in separate pieces—back, right front, and left front (implied)—which are later assembled, a standard approach for structured cardigan construction.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch (g st): The dominant stitch throughout the jacket, created by knitting every row on both right-side and wrong-side rows. This produces a thick, textured fabric with horizontal ridges and excellent drape characteristics.
• Stockinette Stitch Elements: The right front pattern incorporates alternating rows of knit and purl stitches in a structured sequence (K1, P1 ribbing pattern), creating visual interest and textural variation against the garter stitch background.
• Make One Knitwise (M1K): Used for increasing stitches by picking up the horizontal loop between stitches and knitting into the back of the loop, creating nearly invisible increases that maintain fabric integrity.
• Yarn Forward (yfwd) and Knit Two Together (K2tog): Combined to create buttonholes, these decreases and yarn overs work together to form functional openings for button placement.
• Cast On and Cast Off: Standard techniques used to establish and finish edges throughout the garment pieces.

Materials and Tools

The Ava Jacket is designed to be knitted using Juniper Moon Farm Santa Cruz yarn in color 116 Saffron. The yarn requirement varies by size: Small requires 5 hanks, Medium and Large each require 6 hanks, and X-Large requires 7 hanks, with each hank weighing 100 grams. Two different sizes of knitting needles are required: size US 6/4mm needles for ribbed or textured sections, and size US 8/5mm needles for the main fabric construction. The gauge is established at 17 stitches and 32 rows per 4-inch (10 cm) square when working over garter stitch using the US 8/5mm needles. Two buttons are required for closure, completing the functional and aesthetic elements of this cardigan jacket.