Classic Elite Yarns Junell Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Junell Cardigan

What is Being Made

The Junell is a classic cardigan designed by Susan Mills, originally published in Juna 1801. This garment features a timeless construction with a button-front closure and is available in six sizes ranging from XS to 2XL, with finished bust measurements from 33 inches to 53 inches and lengths from 22½ inches to 25 inches.

Construction Techniques

The Junell cardigan is worked flat in pieces using a bottom-up construction method. The back and front pieces are knitted separately and then seamed together to create the finished garment. A distinctive feature of this design is the incorporation of lace edge patterning that is worked simultaneously as the front pieces are constructed, creating decorative sawtooth edges along the front openings.

The lace edge patterns are worked from charts provided in the pattern, with separate Left and Right Front Edge charts. The Left Front Edge chart increases from 9 stitches to 16 stitches over a 12-row repeat, while the Right Front Edge chart increases from 10 stitches to 16 stitches over the same 12-row repeat. These charted lace sections are worked on alternate rows depending on whether you are working a right-side or wrong-side row, requiring careful attention to row direction.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch: The primary stitch throughout the cardigan, creating a textured, reversible fabric that forms the main body of the back and fronts
• Yarn Overs (yo): Used in the lace edge charts to create decorative eyelets
• Knit Stitches (k): Worked on right-side rows in garter stitch sections
• Purl Stitches (p): Worked on wrong-side rows in garter stitch sections
• Knit Two Together (k2tog): Decreases used in the lace edge patterns
• Bind Off (BO): Used to shape shoulders and finish edges

Materials

The Junell is designed to be knitted with Juna by Classic Elite Yarns, a premium yarn blend consisting of 80% merino wool and 20% superfine alpaca. This yarn is available in 100-gram skeins with approximately 439 yards per skein. The specific needle size is not listed in the provided pattern content, though the intermediate skill level and garter stitch construction suggest standard needles appropriate for the yarn weight would be used.

Design Details

The cardigan features optional buttons for closure. The pattern notes that the sample shown includes five buttons, with the eyelets created by yarn overs in the lace edge pattern serving as functional buttonholes. This design choice eliminates the need for separate buttonhole shaping while adding decorative interest to the front edges.

Pattern construction notes emphasize keeping center front edges neat by joining yarn at the side or armhole edge rather than at the center front, ensuring a clean, professional appearance. The sawtooth edges created by the lace patterning are worked as you go, meaning they are incorporated into the piece during the initial knitting rather than added afterward.