Nina Jacket one color

Nina Jacket by Brigitte Reydams

Overview

The Nina Jacket is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Brigitte Reydams. This downloadable PDF pattern offers a contemporary take on the classic cardigan silhouette, featuring a distinctive chevron stitch pattern throughout. The finished garment is designed with generous ease, featuring a hem that is approximately 20 inches wider than the bust measurement, creating a relaxed, flowing fit ideal for layering.

What is Being Made

This pattern produces a knitted cardigan jacket available in three sizes: Small (finished bust approximately 40 inches), Medium (44 inches), and Large (50 inches). The design emphasizes a structured yet comfortable fit with intentional positive ease built into the construction. The garment is suitable for intermediate knitters who have experience with shaping techniques and stitch pattern repeats.

Techniques Used

• Decreasing: The pattern employs slip-slip-knit (ssk) and knit-two-together (k2tog) decreases to shape the chevron pattern and create fitted sections
• Yarn overs: Yarn overs (yo) are incorporated within the chevron motif to create decorative openwork and maintain stitch count through the decrease-increase sequences
• Stitch marker placement: Strategic marker placement guides the knitter through multiple pattern repeats and helps track shaping sections
• Stockinette stitch foundation: The base fabric is worked in stockinette stitch, providing a smooth, classic background for the chevron pattern
• Modular construction: The back piece is divided into sections using stitch markers, allowing for organized pattern repeats and symmetrical shaping

Stitches Used

• Knit (K): The primary stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl (P): Used on wrong-side rows to create stockinette stitch texture
• Slip-slip-knit (ssk): A left-leaning decrease used in the chevron pattern and shaping
• Knit two together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used in the chevron pattern and shaping
• Yarn over (yo): Creates decorative increases and openwork elements within the chevron motif
• Slip-slip-purl (ssp): A left-leaning decrease worked on wrong-side rows
• Chevron pattern: A multi-row stitch pattern worked over a multiple of 26, 28, or 30 stitches (depending on size) plus 2, creating a distinctive zigzag or V-shaped visual effect through the strategic placement of decreases and yarn overs

Materials and Gauge

Yarn: The pattern calls for 10 (12, 14) skeins of 4-ply weight yarn. Recommended yarn options include Prism Merino Mia, Malabrigo sock yarn, or Madeline Tosh sock yarn. These yarn choices provide excellent stitch definition for showcasing the chevron pattern.

Needles: US size 5 (3.75mm) needles or the size required to achieve proper gauge. Stitch markers are essential for tracking pattern repeats and shaping sections throughout construction.

Gauge: 24 stitches and 28 rows measured over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US size 5 needles. Achieving accurate gauge is critical for obtaining the correct finished measurements and proper drape of the chevron pattern.

Pattern Construction

The back piece begins with a cast-on of 177 (191, 205) stitches and opens with 9 garter stitch rows, providing a stable, textured edge. Stitch markers are then placed strategically to delineate pattern sections, with the markers positioned to create symmetrical repeats of the chevron motif across the width of the garment. This organized approach simplifies tracking the complex stitch pattern and ensures consistent shaping throughout the piece.