Minty Short sleeved Cropped Cardi in Juniper Moon Moonshine

Minty Short-Sleeved Cropped Cardi in Juniper Moon Moonshine

What is Being Made

The Minty is a swingy short-sleeved cropped cardigan designed by Pamela Wynne as part of the Viroquia Collection. This garment functions as an ideal layering piece for summer dresses and offers a versatile wardrobe addition. The cardigan is available in nine sizes ranging from XXS to 4X, with finished bust measurements from 28 inches (71 cm) to 60 inches (152.5 cm), ensuring accessibility for diverse body types.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project created using the Juniper Moon Farm brand's Moonshine yarn. The pattern employs fundamental knitting construction methods including circular knitting for the body and seamless shaping techniques. The design incorporates strategic increases and decreases to create the cropped silhouette and proper garment shaping. Decorative yarn-over elements are integrated into the design, adding visual interest through lace-like detailing in the ribbing sections.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch used throughout the body of the cardigan, creating a smooth, classic fabric texture
• Garter Stitch: Employed for ribbed edging and structural sections, providing elasticity and definition
• Yarn-Over (yo) and Knit Two Together (k2tog): Combined to create decorative lace elements and eyelet details
• Decreases: Slip, slip, knit (ssk) and slip, slip, purl (ssp) techniques used for shaping the neckline and armholes
• Increases: Make one left (M1L) and make one right (M1R) increases for gradual shaping
• Bind Off (BO): Used to secure stitches and finish edges

Materials and Gauge

The Minty requires Juniper Moon Farm Moonshine yarn in color #22 Cotton Candy Blue, with yardage varying by size: 2 hanks for XXS through 5 hanks for the largest sizes (4X). This efficient yardage requirement makes the project accessible for crafters with limited yarn stashes.

Needles required include US 7 (4.5 mm) and US 6 (4 mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches (60 cm), along with corresponding double-pointed needles for smaller circumferences. The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch using the larger needles, which is essential for achieving proper finished measurements.

Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers for tracking pattern sections, scrap yarn or a stitch holder for managing live stitches, and one 7/8-inch (21 mm) round button for the front closure.