Butterfly Ruffled Sweater Twinset in Juniper Moon Farm Findley Dappled

Butterfly Ruffled Sweater Twinset in Juniper Moon Farm Findley Dappled

What is Being Made

This downloadable knitting pattern creates a coordinated twinset consisting of two complementary sweaters designed by Karen Boykin as part of The Pondicherry Collection. The set includes a delicate ruffle-front sweater paired with a matching crew neck sweater featuring a distinctive quilt pattern. Both pieces are knit using Juniper Moon Farm Findley yarn in a dappled colorway, creating a cohesive and elegant two-piece ensemble. The pattern is available in seven sizes ranging from XS to 3X, with the finished chest measurements for the crew neck sweater ranging from 35¾ inches to 56¾ inches.

Techniques Used

The Butterfly Ruffled Sweater Twinset employs several intermediate knitting techniques to achieve its sophisticated construction. The ruffled sweater is knit side-to-side, a directional construction method that creates the sweater by working horizontally rather than in the traditional top-down or bottom-up approach. This technique allows for seamless integration of the ruffled front detail and creates interesting stitch pattern flow across the garment.

The crew neck sweater features the Royal Quilting Stitch, an intricate textured stitch pattern that creates a quilt-like appearance across the fabric surface. This stitch is worked over a multiple of 6 plus 5 stitches and combines slipped stitches with color work using both main color and contrasting color yarns. The pattern incorporates yarn held double throughout both sweaters, which adds depth, warmth, and structural integrity to the finished garments while creating a more substantial fabric weight.

Additional techniques include m1 increases (make one stitch increases worked by inserting the needle under the strand between stitches) and ssk decreases (slip, slip, knit decreases) for shaping the garments. The construction uses circular needles in multiple sizes for working in the round and flat, allowing for seamless transitions between different sections of the sweaters.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch for much of the construction, providing a smooth, classic fabric surface. Worked at a gauge of 24 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches when yarn is held double.
• Royal Quilting Stitch: A complex textured stitch worked over 6-stitch repeats plus 5 edge stitches, featuring slipped stitches worked with yarn in back (wyib) combined with purl stitches and color changes between main color and contrasting color. This stitch creates the distinctive quilt pattern on the crew neck sweater and is worked at a gauge of 32 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches.
• Ribbing: Used for cuffs, waistbands, and neckline finishing to provide elasticity and a polished edge.
• Make One (m1) Increases: Used for shaping increases throughout the sweaters, creating nearly invisible new stitches.
• Slip, Slip, Knit (ssk) Decreases: Used for shaping decreases that slant to the left and maintain consistent stitch definition.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Butterfly Ruffled Sweater Twinset is designed to be knit with Juniper Moon Farm Findley yarn held double throughout. The main color (MC) requires 5 to 7 balls depending on size, worked in color #119 Greens/yellow, a dappled colorway that provides subtle visual interest. A contrasting color (CC) of 1 ball in color #33 Bright yellow is used for the Royal Quilting Stitch pattern on the crew neck sweater, adding definition and highlighting the quilt pattern texture.

The pattern calls for multiple circular needle sizes to accommodate different stitch gauges and construction methods. US 2 (2.75 mm) needles are used for ribbing to create tight, elastic edges. US 3 (3.25 mm) circular needles in both 24-inch and 32-inch lengths are required for working the Royal Quilting Stitch sections at the proper gauge. US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles in 24-inch length are used for Stockinette stitch sections. US 10 (6.0 mm) circular needles in 24-inch length are used specifically for the ruffle construction, creating a looser