Willow & Lark Ginnie Jumper Knitting Pattern

Willow & Lark Ginnie Jumper: Colour Fade Roll Neck Sweater

What Is Being Made

The Ginnie Jumper is a vibrant, multi-coloured roll neck jumper designed by Francesca Hughes as part of the Best of British Collection. This is a fun and playful knit inspired by the classic gobstopper sweet, featuring deep stripes created by layering multiple colours throughout the design. The jumper offers a riot of colour combinations that shift unpredictably as you work, making each finished garment unique. Available in six sizes ranging from 81cm to 107cm bust measurements, the jumper has a finished length of 47cm to the shoulder with sleeve seams measuring between 44cm and 46cm depending on size.

Techniques Used

The Ginnie Jumper is constructed using bottom-up seamed construction, meaning pieces are knitted from the cuff upward and then sewn together at the seams. The garment employs stranded colourwork throughout, a technique where multiple yarn colours are carried across the back of the work to create the intricate colour fade pattern. The jumper is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, with the exception of the roll neck which is worked on a circular needle. This advanced-level project requires careful colour management and tension control to achieve the intended striped effect.

Stitches and Stitch Details

While the full stitch pattern is not detailed in the provided content, the pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and involves working with multiple colours simultaneously using the stranded colourwork method. The roll neck is worked in the round using a circular needle, creating a seamless tubular collar. The construction method involves knitting individual pieces (front, back, and sleeves) that are later seamed together, requiring attention to seam placement and finishing techniques appropriate for stranded colourwork garments.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Ginnie Jumper is designed to be knitted using Willow & Lark Nest, a luxury DK-weight yarn comprising 69% wool, 11% cashmere, and 20% Tencel. Each ball weighs 50g and yields approximately 1¾ ounces. The pattern requires nine different colours, with each colour requiring between 2 and 4 balls depending on the finished size. The recommended colourway uses Sapphire, Garnet, Ice Blue, Baby Pink, Hunter, Fondant Pink, Peashoot Green, Sun Beam, and additional shades for depth.

The pattern specifies two sizes of knitting needles: 3.25mm (UK 10, US 3) needles for ribbing and cuffs, and 4.00mm (UK 8, US 6) needles for the main body of the garment. A 3.25mm circular needle measuring 40cm (16 inches) is required for working the roll neck in the round. The designer emphasizes using Willow & Lark Nest yarn specifically, as the fibre composition, weight, twist, and overall characteristics of this yarn directly impact the finished appearance of the garment.

Difficulty Level

This is an advanced-level knitting project. The combination of stranded colourwork, multiple colour changes, seamed construction, and the need to manage tension across different colours makes this pattern suitable for experienced knitters. Knitters should be comfortable with colour work techniques, reading complex patterns, and executing neat seams before attempting this design.