Natsu Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Natsu Cardigan in Juniper Moon Farm Zooey

What is Being Made

The Natsu cardigan is a lightweight summer cardigan designed by Mari Chiba as part of the Summer Collection. This garment is inspired by the layering traditions of Japanese women who wear outer layers to protect fair skin while managing heat and humidity. The Natsu cardigan serves as a perfect lightweight outer layer to provide coverage and keep the chill off during warm weather, making it an ideal transitional piece for summer wardrobes.

Garment Specifications

This knit cardigan is available in seven sizes ranging from XS to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 30 inches (76 cm) in the smallest size to 54 inches (137 cm) in the largest size. The length varies from 25¾ inches (65.5 cm) for size XS to 33¼ inches (84.5 cm) for size 3X, providing options for different body types and preferred fit lengths.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques to create its structure and shaping:

• Top-down construction: The cardigan is knit from the neck down, allowing for easy customization and fitting adjustments as you work
• Circular knitting: The body is worked in the round using circular needles, which creates seamless fabric and reduces finishing work
• Wrap and turn (W&T) shaping: This short-row technique is used to create shaped sections, particularly around the neckline and body shaping, allowing for contoured fit without seams
• Increases and decreases: Strategic placement of make 1 left (M1L) and make 1 right (M1R) increases, along with knit two together (k2tog) and purl two together (p2tog) decreases, creates the cardigan's silhouette and shaping
• Stitch markers: Multiple markers are used throughout to denote pattern sections and aid in tracking increases

Stitches Used

The Natsu cardigan is primarily constructed using fundamental knit stitches:

• Stockinette stitch (St st): The main fabric stitch, created by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side when working flat, or knitting every round when working in the round. This stitch creates the smooth, classic knit fabric appearance
• Garter stitch: Used for the cast-on edge and ribbing sections, created by knitting every row (or every round), producing a textured, elastic edge
• Knit and purl stitches: Basic knit (k) and purl (p) stitches form the foundation of all stitch patterns in this design
• Shaping stitches: Knit into front and back (kfb) for increases, along with k2tog and p2tog for decreases, create the necessary shaping throughout the garment

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Natsu cardigan is designed to be worked with Juniper Moon Farm Zooey, a linen yarn that provides the lightweight, breathable qualities essential for a summer cardigan. The pattern calls for the main color (MC) in Juniper Moon Farm Zooey color #5 Cumin, with quantities ranging from 4 balls for size XS to 10 balls for size 3X. A contrasting color (CC) in Juniper Moon Farm Zooey color #9 Cocoa is used for accent details, requiring 1 to 2 balls depending on size.

The pattern is worked on US 5 (3.75 mm) needles: double-point needles are used for smaller circumference sections such as the neckline and sleeves, while a 32-inch (81 cm) circular needle is used for the body. The specified gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch worked in the round, which is typical for linen yarn and creates a fabric with good drape suitable for summer wear.

Additional Notions and Tools

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers for tracking pattern sections and increases, and scrap yarn or a stitch holder for temporarily holding stitches during construction.