Plum blossom

Plum Blossom Cardigan by JustJussi

Garment Overview

Plum Blossom is an original knitwear design by Justine Turner, created as a simple button-up cardigan for children with charming embroidered details. This intermediate-level knitting project features sweet floral embroidery to delight young wearers, combining straightforward construction with decorative embellishment for visual interest.

Size Range and Measurements

The pattern is available in an extensive size range accommodating children from 3 months through 10 years of age. The actual chest measurements range from 40.5 cm (16 inches) for the smallest size up to 70 cm (27.5 inches) for the largest size, with graduated sizing at 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 months, 3T, 4T, 5, 6, 8, and 10 years.

Construction Technique

The cardigan is worked using an efficient one-piece construction method up to the underarms, which minimizes seaming and simplifies the building process. The gently puffed sleeves are picked up at the armhole and worked from the top down, a technique that allows for easy fitting adjustments and creates the characteristic silhouette. The only seams required are the sleeve seams, significantly reducing finishing work.

Stitches and Embroidery Details

While specific stitch abbreviations are not detailed in the pattern summary, the design incorporates embroidery as a key decorative element. The embroidery features plum blossoms and branches worked in coordinating colors, adding botanical charm to the finished garment.

Yarn and Materials

• Main Yarn: Sublime Organic Merino Wool DK weight, 100% organic merino wool. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 2 to 8 balls of yarn. Each ball contains 113 yards (103 meters) per 50 grams (1.76 ounces).
• Embroidery Yarn: 4 ply (fingering) weight yarn in pale pink for blossoms, with small amounts of brown and rose pink for branches and buds.
• Buttons: Four to eight 12mm (1/2 inch) buttons in colors coordinating with the main yarn, depending on size. Two additional buttons coordinate with the yarn used for blossom embroidery.

Yarn Weight and Difficulty

This pattern uses DK weight yarn, a versatile mid-weight that works well for children's garments, offering good stitch definition for both the main fabric and embroidered details. The project is rated at intermediate difficulty level, suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle shaping, sleeve pickup, and decorative embroidery techniques.

Pattern Format

Plum Blossom is provided as a downloadable PDF pattern, including full charts for the embroidery design to guide color placement and stitch positioning throughout the project.