String Princess Tunic Jumper Knitting Pattern

String Princess Tunic

What Is Being Made

The String Princess Tunic is a children's knitted sweater designed by Julie Turjoman, available in seven sizes ranging from 6-12 months through 10-12 years. This garment features a gathered tunic silhouette with chest measurements from 18½ inches (6-12mo size) up to 30½ inches (10-12yr size). The tunic combines a full skirt section with a fitted bodice and short sleeves, creating a princess-inspired design suitable for young children.

Techniques Used

The String Princess Tunic is constructed using a bottom-up knitting method, meaning the skirt is worked first from the cast-on edge upward toward the bodice. The garment is worked flat for the bodice and sleeve components, which are then seamed together to create the finished piece. The skirt is worked in the round using circular needles, while the bodice pieces are knitted flat on straight needles and later joined to the skirt. Decrease shaping is strategically placed throughout to create the gathered tunic silhouette that tapers from the full skirt into the fitted bodice.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the main body of the tunic, worked as knit every round on the right side when working in the round, and knit on right-side rows when working flat
• Reverse Stockinette Stitch: Used for decorative edging at the hem, short sleeves, and neckline to create textural contrast and frame the garment

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The String Princess Tunic is designed to be knitted with STRING AMALFI yarn, a luxurious blend containing 39% viscose, 25% lambswool, 22% silk, and 14% cashmere. The yarn is supplied in balls of 1.75 ounces (50 grams) with 180 yards (164 meters) per ball. The pattern requires 3 to 5 balls depending on the child's size, with smaller sizes (6-12mo through 4-6yr) requiring 3-4 balls and larger sizes (6-8yr through 10-12yr) requiring 4-5 balls. The recommended color is 728330 sea pink.

Needles and Notions

The pattern calls for multiple needle sizes to achieve proper gauge and construction:

• One size 7 (4.5 mm) 40-inch circular needle for the skirt
• One size 7 (4.5 mm) 24-32 inch circular needle
• One size 6 (4 mm) short needles for the bodice
• One size 6 (4 mm) 16-inch circular needle
• Stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and round beginnings
• A yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends

Gauge Information

Proper gauge is essential for achieving the intended fit and drape of the String Princess Tunic. The pattern specifies two different gauges depending on needle size and stitch: 20 stitches and 26 rows equal 4 inches (10 centimeters) on US size 7 needles in Stockinette stitch, blocked, and 22 stitches and 28 rows equal 4 inches (10 centimeters) on US size 6 needles in Stockinette stitch, blocked. Knitters are strongly advised to take time to check gauge before beginning the project to ensure the finished garment matches the intended measurements.

Construction Details

The String Princess Tunic begins with the skirt section, which is cast on using the larger circular needle and worked in the round. A reverse Stockinette stitch edging is created by purling 3 rounds at the cast-on edge, providing a decorative and finished appearance at the hem. The skirt is then worked in Stockinette stitch until it reaches the appropriate length (4 to 5 inches depending on size), after which strategic decreases are worked to shape the garment. These decreases gradually reduce the stitch count, creating the characteristic gathered effect that transitions the full skirt into the narrower bodice.

The bodice is constructed separately in two identical pieces using smaller needles, worked flat from the sleeve edge to the V-neckline. These bodice pieces are carefully seamed to the top edges of the skirt, with particular attention paid to matching