Juniper Moon Farm Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Juniper Moon Farm Dakota Cardigan by Melissa Leapman

What is Being Made

The Dakota cardigan is a unisex button-front cardigan designed by Melissa Leapman as part of the Aspen Collection. This garment is available in both woman's and man's versions, with finished bust/chest measurements ranging from 34 inches to 58 inches, accommodating sizes Small through 3X. The cardigan features a classic length of approximately 25½ to 26½ inches, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various body types and style preferences.

Construction Techniques

The Dakota cardigan is constructed using a bottom-up, seamless, worked-flat approach. This method allows knitters to build the garment from the lower edge upward without requiring seaming, while working on flat needles rather than in the round. The bottom-up construction provides flexibility for adjusting length during the knitting process, and the seamless design creates a more polished, professional finish without visible seams along the sides or sleeves.

The pattern includes detailed shaping instructions for armholes, neck, and shoulders. Armhole shaping is achieved through strategic bind-offs at the beginning of rows, while neck and shoulder shaping is accomplished through a division row that allows for simultaneous working of both front sections. This structured approach ensures proper fit and garment proportions across all six size options.

Pattern Stitches

The Dakota cardigan features multiple stitch patterns that provide visual interest and texture:

• 1x1 Rib: Used for the ribbed border at the lower edge, this fundamental stitch alternates knit and purl stitches. The ribbed section measures 2 inches in length and creates an elastic, fitted edge that helps the cardigan sit neatly against the body. The 1x1 rib is worked over any number of stitches and maintains its pattern by working stitches as they present themselves in subsequent rows—knitting the knit stitches and purling the purl stitches.
• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch for the body, creating a smooth, classic fabric suitable for showcasing the yarn's qualities.
• Textured Patterns: The pattern includes four optional textured stitch patterns (referenced as Patts 1-4 via charts) that work over a multiple of 6 stitches plus 2 additional stitches. These patterns allow knitters to customize the visual appearance of their cardigan while maintaining consistent gauge and fit. Knitters may choose their preferred textured pattern or work in stockinette stitch for a simpler construction.

Materials and Gauge

The Dakota cardigan is designed to be knitted with Juniper Moon Farm Bluefaced Leicester yarn in color 08 Mulberry. Bluefaced Leicester is a premium wool known for its softness, luster, and excellent stitch definition. The woman's version requires 7 to 9 skeins of 100g weight depending on size, while the man's version requires 7 to 9 skeins. This yarn weight and fiber choice creates a garment with beautiful drape and durability.

Knitting is worked on US Size 5 (3.75mm) circular needles measuring 32 inches long, or the size needed to obtain proper gauge. The specified gauge is 20 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches in the pattern of your choice, blocked. Achieving accurate gauge is essential for proper fit across all sizes, as the finished measurements are directly dependent on gauge consistency.

Additional notions required include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, stitch holders for managing live stitches during neck and shoulder shaping, and five buttons measuring ⁷⁄8 inch (22.5mm) in diameter for the front closure. These buttons serve both functional and aesthetic purposes, defining the cardigan's classic buttoned front design.