Juniper Moon Farm Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Juniper Moon Farm Abigail Jacket

What is Being Made

The Abigail is a knitted cardigan jacket designed by Melissa Leapman as part of the Aspen Collection. This garment is a button-front cardigan available in six sizes ranging from Small through 3X-Large, with a finished circumference of 35 to 56½ inches and a finished length of 24 inches. The jacket features a classic fitted silhouette with shaped shoulders and neck shaping, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions and body types.

Techniques Used

The Abigail is constructed using several key knitting techniques that create both structure and visual interest. The garment is worked flat, meaning it is knitted on straight needles in separate pieces rather than in the round. It is seamed together after completion, allowing for precise construction and professional finishing. The cardigan is worked bottom-up, beginning with cast-on stitches at the lower edge and progressing upward toward the shoulders and neckline. Lace patterning is incorporated throughout the design, adding an elegant, openwork element to the fabric. The construction includes strategic shaping at the armholes, neck, and shoulders to create a fitted, tailored fit across multiple size ranges.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches including knit and purl stitches, which form the foundation of the fabric. Yarn over stitches are used to create the lace pattern elements, producing decorative eyelet holes characteristic of lace knitting. The pattern utilizes decreases and increases to shape the garment at the neckline, armholes, and shoulders. Stitch manipulation techniques such as slipping stitches are employed for finishing details. The gauge is established at 11 stitches and 15 rows per 4 inches when worked in the pattern stitch and blocked, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements across all size variations.

Materials

The Abigail is knitted using Juniper Moon Farm Mallow yarn in color 104 Pearl. The yardage requirement ranges from 4 to 6 balls of 75-gram weight depending on the size selected, providing sufficient yarn for the complete garment. Construction requires US Size 11 (8mm) circular needles measuring 32 inches in length, or the appropriate needle size needed to obtain the specified gauge. The circular needle format allows for comfortable handling of the flat-worked pieces. Additional notions include buttons for the cardigan front closure, though the specific quantity and style are referenced in the full pattern instructions.