"Garter Stitch Jacket and Hat" - Jacket Knitting Pattern For Babies in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran

Garter Stitch Jacket and Hat – Baby Knitting Pattern in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran

This Debbie Bliss pattern, published in 2018, provides instructions for two coordinating baby knits: a Garter Stitch Jacket and a Garter Stitch Hat. Both pieces are worked in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran, a luxuriously soft yarn that blends merino wool and cashmere, making it an ideal choice for garments worn close to a baby's delicate skin. The pattern is rated as beginner-friendly, making it an excellent project for knitters who are new to garment construction but ready to move beyond simple squares and scarves.

The Garter Stitch Jacket

What Is Being Made

The jacket is a classic baby cardigan designed to fit ages 3–6 months, 6–9 months, and 9–12 months. Finished chest measurements range from 56 cm (22 in) to 66 cm (26 in), with a length to shoulder of 26–30 cm (10¼–12 in) and sleeve lengths of 16–20 cm (6¼–8 in) depending on the size. The design features a front pocket, set-in style sleeves, and a shaped neckline, giving it a neat, structured finish despite its beginner-level construction.

Construction and Techniques

One of the most interesting construction details of this jacket is that it is worked in one piece from the lower edge of the back, which significantly reduces the number of seams required. The knitter begins at the back hem, works upward through the body, then divides for the left and right fronts. Sleeves are shaped by casting on stitches at the beginning of rows — a technique that creates an integrated sleeve rather than a separately knitted and sewn-in one. This all-in-one approach is particularly helpful for beginners who may find sleeve setting intimidating.

The jacket is described as seamed and worked flat, meaning it is knitted back and forth on straight needles rather than in the round. Once the main body and sleeves are complete, the pieces are joined using seaming techniques. Working flat is a foundational knitting method that many beginners find more intuitive than circular knitting, as it allows the knitter to see the right side of the work clearly at every other row.

A pocket opening is created mid-front by slipping stitches onto a holder and casting on replacement stitches on the following row — a clean and simple method for creating an inset pocket without complex construction. The pocket stitches held on the holder can later be worked to form the pocket lining.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the jacket is garter stitch, which is achieved by knitting every row when working flat. Garter stitch produces a squishy, ridged fabric that lies flat without curling at the edges — a particularly practical quality for baby garments, as it eliminates the need for separate borders or ribbing to keep edges neat. It is also one of the most beginner-friendly stitch patterns, requiring only the knit stitch.

• Garter stitch (knit every row) — used throughout the body, sleeves, and fronts
• Casting on mid-row — used for sleeve shaping and pocket reconstruction
• Casting off — used for sleeve shaping and finishing
• Increases — worked at the neck edge of the right front to shape the neckline
• Slip stitch to holder — used to create the pocket opening

Materials for the Jacket

• Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in Stone 27 (A) — 4 balls for size 3–6 months, 5 balls for 6–9 months, 6 balls for 9–12 months (50g balls); plus one ball of Cowslip 64 (B) for contrast details
• Needles: A pair of 5mm (US 8) knitting needles
• Tension: 18 stitches and 36 rows to a 10 cm / 4 in square