Roaring meg

Roaring Meg Cardigan by JustJussi

What is Being Made

Roaring Meg is an original knitwear cardigan design by independent designer Justine Turner, available in multiple sizes to fit children from newborn through 12 years old. The garment is designed as a classic cardigan suitable for everyday wear, with sizing options ranging from 40.5 cm chest circumference for the smallest size up to 76 cm for the largest size. This downloadable PDF pattern provides complete instructions for knitting a child's cardigan across nine different size options.

Yarn and Materials

The Roaring Meg pattern accommodates two different yarn weight options depending on the child's age. For the smallest sizes (ages 0, 6, and 12 months), the pattern calls for DK weight yarn (8ply), with yardage requirements of 75 grams for newborn, 100 grams for 6-month size, and 125 grams for the 12-month size. For larger sizes (ages 2 through 12 years), the pattern uses bulky weight yarn (12ply), which creates a quicker-knitting garment suitable for older children. Knitters will need appropriate needles sized for their chosen yarn weight to achieve proper gauge.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level knitting project employs fundamental knitting techniques and stitches that create a well-constructed cardigan. The primary stitch used throughout the garment is stocking stitch (also called stockinette stitch), which creates the smooth, classic fabric appearance typical of traditional knitwear. Garter stitch (knitting every row) is also incorporated into the design, likely used for edgings, borders, or textural elements.

The pattern includes several essential knitting techniques that intermediate knitters should be comfortable executing:

• Casting on and casting off – The pattern provides instructions for both standard cast-off methods and variations including knitwise and purlwise cast-off techniques to finish edges securely
• Make 1 stitch (M1) – An increase technique performed by picking up the loop below the last stitch on the right-hand needle and knitting it, used for shaping the garment
• Knit and purl stitches – The fundamental stitches that form the basis of all stocking stitch and garter stitch sections
• Slipping stitches – Moving stitches from the left-hand needle to the right-hand needle without knitting them, commonly used for edge treatments and stitch manipulation
• Repeating stitch patterns – Following row-by-row instructions with abbreviations and repeat sequences to build the cardigan sections

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations including k (knit), p (purl), st (stitch), rep (repeat), rem (remaining), beg (beginning), RS (right side), and WS (wrong side) to provide clear, concise instructions throughout the downloadable PDF.

Pattern Details and Sizing

The comprehensive sizing chart accommodates nine different chest measurements: 40.5, 45, 48, 53, 57.5, 62.5, 66, 70, and 76 centimeters, ensuring a proper fit across the full age range from newborn through 12 years. Each size includes specific measurements and yardage requirements, allowing knitters to select the appropriate size based on the child's measurements rather than age alone.