Jessamine Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Jessamine Cardigan in Noro Viola

What Is Being Made

The Jessamine Cardigan is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan sweater designed in nine size options ranging from X-Small through 5X. This garment is worked flat and features a classic cardigan construction with finished bust measurements from 35 inches (89 cm) for the smallest size up to 70 inches (178 cm) for the largest size. The cardigan length varies by size from 20 inches (51 cm) to 25 inches (63.5 cm), with upper arm width measurements ranging from 11 inches (28 cm) to 19 inches (48 cm).

Techniques Used

This intermediate knitting project employs several essential techniques to construct the garment. The pattern incorporates make one increases worked both knitwise and purlwise to shape the cardigan body and sleeves. Slip, slip, knit and slip, slip, purl decreases are used to create tailored shaping throughout the design. The pattern includes stitch marker placement to help track pattern repeats and shaping points across rows. Pick up and knit or purl stitches are used along edges, a common technique for adding button bands, necklines, or other finishing elements to the completed pieces. Selvage stitches are incorporated at edges to facilitate easier seaming when joining the cardigan pieces together. The pattern also uses no stitch spaces on charts to indicate areas where stitches have been decreased or not yet made, requiring knitters to skip over these shaded spaces and work only the active stitches.

Stitches Used

The Jessamine Cardigan utilizes fundamental knitting stitches as its foundation. Knit stitches form the primary fabric, worked by inserting the needle through stitches as if to knit. Purl stitches are also employed, created by inserting the needle as if to purl and working loops along edges. Slip stitches are used throughout the pattern, where stitches are passed from the left-hand needle to the right-hand needle without being worked, typically executed purlwise. These basic stitches combine with the shaping techniques described above to create the structured cardigan design.

Materials

The Jessamine Cardigan is designed to be worked in Noro Viola yarn in colorway #03. Yardage requirements vary by size, requiring 2 balls of 200-gram weight for X-Small and Small sizes, 3 balls for Medium and Large sizes, and 4 balls for the 3X, 4X, and 5X sizes. The pattern calls for one pair of size US 8 (5mm) needles, or the size required to obtain the specified gauge for the project. Knitters will also need contrasting yarn or purchased stitch markers to track pattern placement throughout construction.