Willow & Lark Arthur Jumper Knitting Pattern

Willow & Lark Arthur Jumper: Striped Cable Jumper

What Is Being Made

The Arthur Jumper is a children's striped cable sweater designed as part of the Fledgling Collection by Willow & Lark. This playful and modern jumper features an intricate trellis-like cable pattern that weaves around the body, creating a distinctive design enhanced by bold colour blocking. Available in four children's sizes to fit ages 2–3, 4–5, 6–7, and 8–9 years, with chest measurements ranging from 56 cm to 71 cm, the Arthur is described as a keeper garment that combines classic cable work with contemporary styling.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Arthur Jumper employs several advanced knitting techniques to achieve its signature look:

• Cable Work: The jumper features an intricate trellis-like cable pattern that forms the primary design element. Cable knitting involves crossing groups of stitches over one another using a cable needle to create raised, twisted textures that add depth and visual interest to the fabric.
• Bottom-Up Construction: The garment is worked from the bottom edge upward, allowing the knitter to try on the piece as it progresses and make adjustments to length as needed.
• Flat Knitting: The Arthur is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, meaning pieces are knitted as individual flat panels that are later seamed together.
• Seaming: Individual pieces—front, back, and sleeves—are sewn together using a seaming technique to create the finished jumper, requiring careful finishing for a professional appearance.
• Colour Blocking: The design incorporates multiple yarn colours worked in stripes, with the cable pattern showcased against contrasting solid-colour sections to emphasize the trellis design.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern requires proficiency with cable stitches, which form the core of the Arthur's design. The trellis-like cable pattern creates a complex, interlocking visual effect that demands attention to stitch placement and cable crossing sequences. The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations including increases, decreases, and continuation stitches to shape the garment pieces. Knitters must be comfortable reading cable charts and executing cable crosses with a cable needle at regular intervals throughout the body and sleeves.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The Arthur Jumper is designed specifically for Willow & Lark Nest yarn, a DK-weight blend composed of 69% wool, 11% cashmere, and 20% tencel. This luxurious fibre combination provides warmth, softness, and drape. The pattern recommends using Nest yarn to achieve the finished appearance shown in the design photographs. Yarn quantities are approximate and based on average requirements; the smallest size requires 2 balls each of four colours and 1 ball of a fifth colour (approximately 450 grams total). Larger sizes require up to 2 balls of the fifth colour.

Colour Options: The primary colourway features Night Sky (A), Shadow Grey (B), Baby Blue (C), Snowdrop (D), and Owl Grey (E). An alternative colourway option uses Rhubarb Pink (A), Rose (B), Milk (C), Buttercup (D), and Fondant Pink (E).

Needles and Tools: The pattern requires two pairs of knitting needles—one pair in 3.25 mm (UK 10 / US 3) for ribbed edgings and one pair in 4.00 mm (UK 8 / US 6) for the main fabric. A cable needle is essential for executing the cable crosses that form the pattern's distinctive trellis design.

Difficulty Level

The Arthur Jumper is classified as an advanced knitting project. The complexity stems from the intricate cable pattern, the need to manage multiple yarn colours, the precision required for seaming multiple pieces, and the overall garment construction. This project is best suited for experienced knitters who are comfortable with cable techniques, reading detailed charts, and executing a fully seamed garment from individual flat pieces.