Juniper Sweater

Juniper Sweater by Hush I'm Counting Patterns

What is Being Made

The Juniper Sweater is a cozy knitted sweater designed as part of the Juniper Series, which includes a matching hat. This top-down sweater is constructed seamlessly and features charted colour work, making it an ideal project for knitters seeking a garment with visual interest and minimal finishing work. The pattern is available in four child sizes: 6-12 months, 1-2 years, 3-4 years, and 5-6 years.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Juniper Sweater employs a top-down construction method, which allows knitters to try on the garment as they work and easily adjust the length to fit. This approach eliminates the need for seaming, as the entire sweater is knit in the round using circular needles or double-pointed needles. The pattern incorporates charted colour work, adding visual depth and design complexity to the finished piece. This technique requires knitters to follow a chart while working with multiple yarn colours, creating a patterned fabric that distinguishes the sweater from basic solid-colour designs.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a flat appearance on the right side and bumpy texture on the wrong side. The neckband is cast on with 60, 64, 64, or 68 stitches depending on size, establishing the foundation for the top-down construction. The pattern includes a neckband section worked in the round, and the charted colour work sections integrate additional stitches and colour changes to create the patterned design elements.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Juniper Sweater is designed to be worked in DK weight yarn, with the recommended yarn being Drops Lima in 50-gram balls (100 metres or 109 yards per ball). The colour palette consists of three coordinating shades:

• Beige Mix (0619) – Colour 1: 2 (2, 3, 3) balls depending on size
• Grey Mix (0519) – Colour 2: 2 (2, 3, 3) balls depending on size
• Off White (0100) – Colour 3: 1 (1, 1, 1) ball for all sizes

This three-colour combination creates a sophisticated, muted palette suitable for children's wear.

Needles and Tools

Knitters will need 3.5mm (US4) needles or the size required to obtain the specified gauge. The pattern accommodates various needle preferences for knitting in the round, including double-pointed needles (DPNs), 40-centimetre circular needles, 60-centimetre circular needles, or flexible needles. Additional tools required include a stitch marker for tracking rounds, waste yarn or a circular stitch holder for holding stitches, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows in stockinette stitch over a 10-centimetre (4-inch) square. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit, particularly in children's garments where sizing is size-specific. The four available sizes provide options for infants through young children, with finished measurements detailed on page 4 of the pattern.

Pattern Details

The Juniper Sweater pattern begins with casting on stitches for the neckband using Colour 1, establishing the foundation for the top-down construction. The downloadable PDF format includes complete instructions, abbreviations, finished measurements, and notes to guide knitters through each stage of the project. The pattern is designed by independent designer Hush I'm Counting Patterns and is available through multiple platforms including Ravelry, Etsy, and LoveCrafts.