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Jimmigan cardi is a cosy, circular-yoke cardigan that sees you through those transitional months where you need a bit of warmth but maybe not a full coat.

Jimmigan is full of clever details – like the picked-up neckline which gives structure and helps prevent stretching, the optional full bust adjustment for a perfect fit, and short row shaping to help the crew neckline sit comfortably.

The colourwork detail may look fancy, but it’s simple as can be – worked with slip stiches, there are no floats to worry about, and it’s as straightforward to work on the wrong side as the right – meaning there’s no steeking, fiddling about, or other faff.

Key information
The Jimmigan cardi is work from the top down, seamlessly. It begins at the top of the yoke with short rows to shape neckline, before working back and forth in rows with a series of increase rows.

There’s an optional bust adjustment which adds 5cm/2in or 10cm/4in to the front section of the cardigan, before the slip stitch colourwork motif is worked. The sleeve stitches are then placed on hold, and the body is worked down to the bottom hem, before returning to work sleeves in the round.

Finally, stitches are picked up from neckline for ribbing, and button bands are picked up and worked in ribbing.

The Jimmigan cardi is written in 9 sizes, to fit a full bust of 28in – 66in / 70cm – 165cm (including the optional bust adjustment). Where numbers vary, instructions are written as 1 (2, 3, 4, 5) 6, 7, 8, 9.

Recommended yarn:
The Jimmigan is designed for aran weight yarn, but you can use any yarn that meets gauge. I’ve used wool for my sample to give it a bit more structure.

The white sample is worked in World of Wool Isle Aran in Skerries (175m/191yd per 100g, 80% Shetland wool, 20% Bluefaced Leicester wool) as the main colour, with some of my handspun as a contrast.
 
Yarn requirements:
Main colour: 755 (860, 945, 1050, 1175) 1280, 1420, 1570, 1660 m / 830 (940, 1035, 1150, 1285) 1400, 1555, 1720, 1820 yds.
Contrast colour: 95 (105, 135, 145, 160) 200, 215, 235, 280 m / 105 (115, 150, 160, 175) 220, 235, 260, 310 yds.

Gauge: 18 sts and 24 rows to 10cm/4in square, measured over stocking stitch on 4.5mm (US 7) needles. The colourwork will work to a tighter gauge, but this is accounted for by using 5mm needles for this section.

Suggested needles and notions:
• 4.5mm (US 7) long circular (at least 32in/80cm) needle, plus 4.5mm needles suitable for short circumference knitting
• 4mm (US 6) circular needle (at least 24in/60cm) for ribbing, plus 4mm needles suitable for short circumference knitting
• 5mm (US 8) long circular (at least 32in/80cm) needle for colourwork
• 4 stitch markers
• Scrap yarn
• Tapestry needle.
• 8, (8, 8, 8, 8) 8, 8, 8, 8] buttons, approx. 10mm / 13/32in (I recommend choosing your buttons after completing the project).

Sizing and schematic:
The Jimmigan cardi is designed to fit with 4-6in / 10-20cm of positive ease at the full bust. See the schematic and sizing table in the photos for full details.

As the Jimmigan has fit options, the best way to get the right fit is to start with your actual upper bust measurement and pick the size closest to that. This is taken under the armpits, above your full bust, and gives a truer reflection of your overall frame than a full bust measurement.

Compare the finished chest circumference of this size with your full bust measurement to determine whether or not to work the optional bust adjustment; you can add either 2in / 5cm or 4in / 10cm to the bust of your cardigan by working this adjustment.