Kara Slipover in Juniper Moon Farm Herriot - Downloadable PDF

Kara Slipover in Juniper Moon Farm Herriot — Pattern Summary

The Kara Slipover is a sophisticated, sleeveless pullover designed by Claudia Wersing as part of The Winter Breeze Collection. Worked in Juniper Moon Farm Herriot DK-weight yarn, this intermediate-level knitting pattern produces a stylish, relaxed-fit slipover with a striking diagonal cable detail that travels from the bottom right to the top left of the front panel. The two-color construction gives the garment a bold, graphic quality that makes it stand out as a wearable art piece.

What Is Being Made

The Kara Slipover is a sleeveless, over-the-head garment — a slipover — intended to be worn as a layering piece or on its own. It is available in three size groupings: Small/Medium, Large/X-Large, and 2X-Large/3X-Large, fitting busts ranging from approximately 33 inches to 52¾ inches (84–134 cm). The finished length to the shoulder measures between 23¾ and 31½ inches (60–80 cm) depending on the size chosen. The front and back panels are worked separately and then seamed together, with the finished width after sewing ranging from 45½ to 61½ inches (116–156 cm).

Design Details and Construction

One of the most distinctive design elements of the Kara Slipover is its diagonal cable panel, which runs from the bottom right to the top left across the front of the garment. This directional cable creates a dynamic, asymmetrical visual movement that is both modern and elegant. The two-color approach — using color 1035 Aqua Pura (A) and color 09 Travertine (B) — reinforces the graphic impact of the cable, as the contrasting hues highlight the twist and interplay of the stitches.

The construction begins with a small cast-on of just 10 stitches, alternating colors in a [1B, 1A] sequence, and then expands through a series of increases worked on every row. This shaping technique creates the diagonal angle of the cable panel as the piece grows outward. Increases are worked using both M1K (Make 1 Knitwise) and M1P (Make 1 Purlwise) methods, carefully integrated into the color pattern so that the two-color sequence is maintained throughout.

Techniques Used

• Two-color knitting: The entire garment is worked in two colors of Juniper Moon Farm Herriot, with colors alternated and maintained consistently across both knit and purl rows. Yarn management and color discipline are essential throughout.
• Cable knitting: The signature C8F cable is the central technique of this pattern. It involves slipping 4 stitches onto a cable needle and holding them at the front of the work, knitting the next 4 stitches in the colors as set, then knitting the held 4 stitches from the cable needle — also in colors as set. This 8-stitch front-cross cable is repeated on row 9 and then every 18th row thereafter, creating a bold, rope-like twist that travels diagonally across the fabric.
• Directional shaping with increases: The diagonal panel is shaped through consistent row-by-row increases on both edges, using M1K and M1P increases that are integrated into the color sequence. This is a more advanced shaping technique that requires careful attention to maintaining pattern continuity.
• Seaming: The front and back panels are worked separately and joined by sewing, a traditional construction method that gives the finished garment a clean, structured silhouette.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch: The primary fabric of the slipover is Stockinette stitch, worked in alternating knit and purl rows. The gauge for this pattern is set at 18 stitches and 24 rows over a 4-inch (10 cm) square in Stockinette using US 7 / 4.5mm needles.
• C8F (Cable 8 Front): An 8-stitch front-cross cable that forms the diagonal decorative panel. Worked in the two-color sequence as established.
• M1K (Make 1 Knitwise)