Henry Garter Stitch Jacket

Henry Garter Stitch Jacket by Daisy

What is Being Made

The Henry Garter Stitch Jacket is a knitted baby jacket designed for infants sized 3 to 6 months. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a charming striped jacket featuring a classic garter stitch construction throughout, finished with four buttons for closure. The design combines simplicity with visual interest through its multi-color striped pattern.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project classified at intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic techniques. The pattern employs several key techniques to achieve its finished effect:

• Garter Stitch as the primary stitch structure throughout the entire garment, creating a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges
• Striped Pattern Work using a repeating sequence of 2 rows in contrast color followed by 4 rows in the main color
• Color Carrying technique where the main color is carried up the side of the work between color changes to minimize weaving in ends
• Increases and Decreases for shaping the jacket to fit a baby's proportions
• Button Band Construction with four buttons integrated into the design for fastening

Stitches Used

The Henry Garter Stitch Jacket relies on fundamental knitting stitches executed with precision:

• Garter Stitch – the foundation stitch used throughout, created by knitting every row to produce a bumpy, textured fabric that looks identical on both sides
• Increases (inc) – used to add stitches for shaping
• Decreases (dec) – used to reduce stitches for fitted sections
• Yarn Forward (yf) – creates decorative eyelet holes, likely used in button placement areas
• Pass Slip Stitch Over (psso) – a decrease technique for refined shaping

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This pattern uses DK weight yarn, a lightweight option ideal for baby garments. The designer specifies Paintbox Simply DK, a 100% acrylic yarn available in multiple colors:

• 1 × 100g ball for the main color
• 8 × 10g balls in assorted colors for the striped contrast sections
• Total yardage accommodates the 3 to 6 month size

Needles and Tools

The pattern calls for 3.5mm (US 4) needles used throughout the entire project. The designer notes that while 4mm needles are typically standard for DK weight yarn, the smaller 3.5mm needle size was deliberately chosen to create a slightly firmer fabric with better structure, while still maintaining the soft hand feel appropriate for a baby garment. Additional tools required include a bodkin or tapestry needle for weaving in ends and sewing on the four buttons.

Gauge and Tension

Achieving the correct tension is essential for proper fit. The pattern specifies a gauge of 12 stitches and 22 rows to 2 inches (5cm) when worked in garter stitch using 3.5mm (US 4) needles. Checking gauge before beginning ensures the finished jacket will fit a 3 to 6 month old infant as intended.

Design Notes

The designer provides practical guidance for managing the striped colorwork: contrast colors should be cut after each 2-row section rather than carried, with ends woven in at the back of the work as you progress. This method prevents the accumulation of loose ends that would require extensive finishing work later. The main color is carried up the side edge between color changes for efficiency. This approach balances construction ease with a professional finished appearance.