Joining Bees and Things

Joining Bees and Things Cardigan by Bunnymuff

What is Being Made

Joining Bees and Things is a knitted cardigan pattern designed by Mona Zillah under the bunnymuff label. This intermediate-level cardigan project celebrates the philosophy of participating in nature rather than controlling it, drawing inspiration from the observation of bees interacting with planted flowers. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and accommodates multiple sizes.

Craft and Techniques

This project is worked entirely in knitting. The pattern employs several foundational and intermediate knitting techniques:

• Backwards loop cast-on - A hand-worked cast-on method where loops are placed directly onto the right hand needle by working yarn over the index finger from back to front, then slipping the created stitch onto the needle. This technique creates a flexible foundation edge.
• Bind-off - The pattern recommends the Miraculous Elastic Bind Off, a specialized finishing technique that creates a stretchy, flexible edge suitable for garment closures.
• Multi-color knitting using main color (MC) and two contrast colors (CC1 and CC2), allowing for decorative colorwork elements throughout the cardigan.

Yarn and Materials

The cardigan is designed to be worked in 2 Ply Jumper Weight yarn by Jamieson & Smith, a 100% Shetland wool fiber. The yarn weight specification is listed as 4 ply in the pattern system, though the actual yarn used is 2 Ply Jumper Weight. Approximate yardage requirements vary by size:

• Main Color (MC): 72 to 24 balls depending on size (ranging from 8 to 24 balls across the size range)
• Contrast Color 1 (CC1): 2 to 5 balls across sizes
• Contrast Color 2 (CC2): 2 to 5 balls across sizes
• Each ball contains 125 yards (115 meters) per 25 grams

Knitting needles appropriate for 2 Ply Jumper Weight yarn are required, though specific needle size recommendations are referenced in the complete pattern documentation.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern assumes knitters have foundational skills and are ready to work with techniques such as backwards loop cast-on, multi-color knitting, and specialized bind-off methods. The multiple size options and color work elements add complexity beyond beginner projects.