The Winter Breeze Collection - Nadya Slipover in Juniper Moon Farm

The Winter Breeze Collection – Nadya Slipover by Claudia Wersing

What Is Being Made

The Nadya slipover is a sleeveless knit garment designed as part of The Winter Breeze Collection from Juniper Moon Farm. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a fitted pullover vest available in five sizes, ranging from Small to 2X-Large, with finished bust measurements from 33 inches to 49 inches (84 to 124 centimeters). The slipover features a classic silhouette with a finished length to shoulder of 24½ inches (62 centimeters), making it suitable for layering during cooler seasons.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques to create visual interest and structure:

• K1 below stitch: A textural technique where the needle is inserted through the center of a stitch one row below, then knit in the usual way while slipping the stitch above off the needle. This creates a distinctive ribbed appearance and adds depth to the fabric.
• Armhole shaping: Accomplished through strategic decreases using slip stitch and knit together methods (K2tog and K3tog), creating a tailored fit at the shoulders.
• Back neck shaping: The pattern includes deliberate cast-off rows to form the neckline, with shaping reversed on each side for symmetry.
• Flat panel construction: The garment is worked in separate pieces (back and front) on straight needles before assembly, a traditional approach to slipover construction.

Stitches Used

The Nadya slipover is constructed using fundamental knitting stitches combined with the signature K1 below technique:

• Knit (K): The primary stitch forming the base fabric structure
• Purl (P): Used in alternating rows to create the textured pattern
• K1 below: The featured stitch that distinguishes the pattern, worked in alternating positions to create a ribbed texture throughout the front and back panels
• Decreases: K2tog (knit two together) and K3tog (knit three together) for armhole shaping, combined with slip stitch and pass slipped stitches over (p2sso) techniques
• Cast on and cast off: Standard edge techniques used to begin and finish the garment pieces

Materials and Gauge

The Nadya slipover is designed to be worked in Juniper Moon Farm Beatrix yarn in the colorway 05 Marble. Pattern requirements vary by size: Small and Medium sizes require 6 balls of 50-gram yarn, Large requires 7 balls, and both X-Large and 2X-Large require 8 balls each. This totals between 300 and 400 grams of yarn depending on the finished size.

The pattern is worked on size US 13/9mm knitting needles, using both straight needles for flat panel construction and a circular needle for finishing details. The recommended gauge is 9 stitches and 22 rows per 4-inch (10-centimeter) square when worked over the pattern using size US 13/9mm needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the proper finished measurements and fit of the garment.

Pattern Overview

The Nadya slipover pattern, designed by Claudia Wersing, provides detailed instructions for creating a textured sleeveless garment with professional shaping. The back panel is cast on with 43 to 61 stitches depending on size and features the K1 below pattern worked in alternating rows until the piece measures 15¾ inches (40 centimeters) from the beginning. Armhole shaping is then introduced through strategic decreases, followed by additional pattern rows until the back measures 23 inches (59 centimeters). Back neck shaping completes the piece with cast-off rows that create a finished neckline. The front is worked using the same techniques, with the pattern continuing to the appropriate length before neck shaping is applied. This intermediate project combines fundamental knitting skills with textural variation to create a sophisticated, wearable garment.