Ella Rae Bigglesby Sweater Jumper Knitting Pattern

Ella Rae Bigglesby Sweater

What is Being Made

The Ella Rae Bigglesby Sweater is a knitted children's cardigan or pullover designed for infants and young children, available in five size options ranging from 6-12 months through 6-7 years. The garment features a chest measurement range of 51 to 71 centimeters (20 to 28 inches), making it suitable for growing babies and toddlers. This classic knit sweater combines comfort with decorative cable work, offering both functionality and visual interest for everyday wear.

Techniques Used

The Bigglesby Sweater is constructed using the bottom-up method, meaning the knitter begins at the lower edge and works upward toward the neckline. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, requiring seaming at the sides and underarms once all pieces are completed. The most prominent technique featured throughout this design is cable work, which creates raised, twisted rope-like patterns across the fabric. Cable techniques employed include Cr4R (cross right) and Cr4L (cross left) maneuvers, where stitches are slipped onto a cable needle, held at the front or back of the work, and then worked in a specific sequence to create the characteristic twisted effect. The pattern also incorporates bind off techniques as part of the cable construction process, where six stitches are bound off and then slipped back onto the needle with yarn wrapped around them to maintain stitch integrity.

Stitches Used

The Bigglesby Sweater utilizes several fundamental knitting stitches to create its finished fabric. Ribbing forms the foundation and edging of the garment, created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a 2x2 pattern (two knit stitches followed by two purl stitches). This elastic ribbing provides stretch and helps the sweater conform to the wearer's body. Stockinette stitch (alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side) forms the background fabric between cable panels, creating a smooth, classic knit surface. The cable pattern itself is a 20-row repeat that features multiple cable crosses worked over 8 stitches, interspersed with knit stitches that frame and separate the cable motifs. The cables create a three-dimensional texture that adds visual depth and sophistication to the simple sweater silhouette.

Materials

The Bigglesby Sweater is knitted using Ella Rae Cashmereno Aran yarn in color number 1018. The yarn quantity required varies by size: 3 balls for the smallest size (6-12 months), increasing to 5 balls for the largest size (6-7 years), with each ball weighing 100 grams. This aran-weight yarn provides excellent stitch definition for cable work while remaining soft and comfortable against a child's skin. Two pairs of needles are required: 4.50mm (US 7) needles for the ribbed edging and 5mm (US 8) needles for the main cable pattern and stockinette sections. A cable needle is essential for manipulating stitches during cable crosses. The pattern specifies tension requirements of 25½ stitches and 25 rows per 10 centimeters (4 inches) when working the cable pattern with 5mm needles, and 18 stitches and 24 rows per 10 centimeters for stockinette stitch, ensuring proper fit across all size options.