Justine - Long or short sleeve lace cardigan

Justine Long or Short Sleeve Lace Cardigan by Jennifer Lee

What is Being Made

The Justine is a babies cardigan designed by Jennifer Lee, available in both long and short sleeve options. This knitted garment features a delicate lace stitch pattern that creates a distinctive scalloped edge detail. The cardigan is designed with a round neckline and set-in sleeves, making it a classic and elegant piece for infants. The pattern is sized to fit babies from newborn through 12 months, with chest measurements ranging from 35cm to 50cm (13¾ to 19¾ inches).

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques. The primary focus is working with lace stitch, which creates the beautiful scalloped edge that defines this cardigan's aesthetic. The construction involves set-in sleeves, requiring knitters to shape the armholes and sleeve caps for a fitted, professional finish. The pattern includes a round neckline that requires careful shaping and finishing. Knitters will also need to master button band construction and proper seaming techniques to join the various pieces together, as indicated by the requirement for a wool needle for sewing up.

Stitches Used

The Justine cardigan is primarily constructed using a lace stitch pattern, which is the signature design element. This stitch creates the gorgeous scalloped edge detail mentioned throughout the pattern. The lace work requires attention to yarn overs and decreases to achieve the proper openwork effect. The pattern tension is specified at 22 stitches and 30 rows over 10cm (4 inches) in pattern, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements and ensuring the lace pattern displays properly.

Materials and Tools

• Yarn: Patons 100% Cotton DK weight yarn in 100g balls with 210 meters per ball. For long sleeves, 2 to 3 balls are required depending on size (0-3-6-12 months). For short sleeves, 1 to 2 balls are needed.
• Needles: A pair of 4.00mm knitting needles (UK size 8, US size 6)
• Additional Requirements: A stitch holder for managing stitches during construction, 4 to 6 buttons depending on size, and a wool needle for sewing seams

The use of 100% cotton DK yarn makes this an ideal summer cardigan for babies, offering breathability and comfort. The DK weight provides a nice balance for creating defined lace stitches while remaining manageable for intermediate knitters.