Queensland Collection Juniper Hoodie Knitting Pattern

Queensland Collection Juniper Hoodie

What Is Being Made

The Juniper Hoodie is a knitted pullover garment designed by Cheryl Murray. This downloadable knitting pattern provides instructions for creating a fitted hoodie available in six sizes ranging from Small to XXX-Large. The finished bust measurements span from 39 inches (99 cm) for the smallest size to 58 inches (147 cm) for the largest, with corresponding length measurements between 20½ and 24 inches (52.5 to 61 cm). The upper arm circumference ranges from 16 to 21 inches (41 to 53 cm) across the size range.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs several fundamental and intermediate techniques. The garment is constructed using circular knitting, worked in the round on circular needles to create seamless fabric. The pattern incorporates yarn over decreases and increases to form the decorative mesh stitch pattern. Stitch markers are used to track the beginning of rounds and pattern repeats. The construction method involves casting on stitches, joining for circular knitting while maintaining careful attention to avoid twisting, and working consecutive rounds. The pattern includes shaping through strategic increases and decreases to achieve proper fit across the bust and upper arm areas.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern featured in the Juniper Hoodie is the Mesh Stripe, which creates an openwork, lacy appearance. The Mesh Stripe pattern is worked over a 10-row repeat and uses the following key stitches:

• Knit (k) — the fundamental stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl (p) — used to create texture variation and pattern definition
• Yarn over (yo) — creates deliberate holes in the fabric for the mesh effect
• SKP — slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over; a left-leaning decrease
• K2tog — knit two stitches together; a right-leaning decrease
• M1L and M1R — make one left and make one right increases, created by lifting the strand between stitches and knitting into the back or front loop to create a twisted stitch

The Mesh Stripe pattern alternates between knit and purl rows to create visual interest and texture. The pattern repeats every 10 rows, with rows 1–4 worked in stockinette stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side) before the mesh decreases and yarn overs are introduced in rows 5–10.

Materials

The Juniper Hoodie pattern specifies Queensland Collection Kathmandu DK yarn in shade 26 Peridot. Yarn requirements range from 5 hanks of 100 grams each for the smallest sizes (Small, Medium, and Large) to 7 hanks for the largest sizes (XX-Large and XXX-Large), with Medium and Large requiring 6 hanks. The yarn weight is DK (double knitting), a lightweight yarn suitable for creating drape and definition in lacy stitch patterns.

The pattern calls for two circular needles in size US 6 (4mm): one 16-inch needle for working smaller circumferences such as neckbands or cuffs, and one 32-inch needle for the main body. The gauge is 16 stitches and 36 rows or rounds to 4 inches (10 cm) over the Mesh Stripe pattern using size US 6/4mm needles. Knitters are advised to take time to check gauge before beginning the project to ensure proper fit and finished measurements.

Additional notions required include stitch holders for temporarily securing stitches during construction and stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings throughout the knitting process.