Finch's Wing Pullover Jumper Knitting Pattern

Finch's Wing Pullover in Juniper Moon Findley Dappled

What Is Being Made

The Finch's Wing Pullover is a knitted sweater designed by Caroline Fryar using Juniper Moon Farm Findley Dappled yarn. This pullover is available in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large, with finished bust measurements ranging from 36 inches to 54 inches (90 to 135 centimeters). The sweater is designed to be worn with 4 inches of positive ease for a comfortable, relaxed fit. The body length is a standard 16 inches (40 centimeters), making this a versatile piece suitable for various body types and style preferences.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pullover employs advanced circular knitting techniques, worked primarily in the round using circular needles. The construction utilizes a yoke-based design, with the pattern notes indicating that Medium and Large sizes share the same bust measurement but differ in yoke depth and sleeve width, allowing for customized fit proportions. The sweater incorporates intricate lace patterning throughout, requiring careful attention to stitch manipulation and yarn-over placement. Specialized techniques include dropping stitches intentionally across multiple rounds to create the signature lace effects, casting on stitches mid-row, and working under dropped strands—all advanced maneuvers that add visual interest and textural complexity to the finished garment.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Finch's Wing Pullover features two primary decorative stitch patterns:

• Honeybee Lace (14-stitch repeat): This complex lace pattern spans six rounds and creates the distinctive winged motif referenced in the sweater's name. The pattern involves progressive yarn-overs that build across rounds 1 through 4, creating increasingly larger loops. Round 5 features the signature technique of knitting under dropped yarn-over strands, which produces the delicate, feathered appearance characteristic of honeybee wings. The pattern uses fundamental decreases (k2tog and ssk) balanced with yarn-overs to maintain stitch count while creating the lace openwork. A special abbreviation, m5 sts in one, is used to work five stitches from the large loop created by the triple yarn-over, worked as (k1, p1) twice, k1.
• Fan Shell Lace (13-stitch repeat): This secondary lace pattern begins with three rounds of knit stitches before introducing the shell motif, providing visual variation and structural interest within the overall design.

The patterns are presented both in charted form and detailed written instructions, with the designer noting that certain stitchwork in the Honeybee Lace pattern cannot be accurately represented in chart form and must be followed from the written directions.

Materials: Yarn, Needles, and Notions

The Finch's Wing Pullover is knitted using Juniper Moon Farm Findley Dappled yarn in color #02 Summerfield. Yardage requirements vary by size: Small requires 1 ball, Medium and Large each require 2 balls, and Extra Large requires 3 balls of this yarn.

The pattern calls for multiple needle sizes to achieve proper gauge and construction:

• US 5 (3.75mm) circular needles in both 24-inch (60-centimeter) and 32-inch (80-centimeter) lengths for the ribbed sections and main body work
• US 7 (4.5mm) circular needles in both 24-inch and 32-inch lengths for the lace pattern sections, allowing the lace to open and bloom properly
• US 5 (3.75mm) double-pointed needles or 16-inch (40-centimeter) circular needle for working the smaller circumference sections, such as the sleeve caps

Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, waste yarn for holding stitches, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming if necessary. The pattern recommends adjusting needle sizes as needed to obtain the correct gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in the lace pattern after blocking, ensuring proper drape and fit of the finished sweater.