Hillcrest Coat

Hillcrest Coat by Amy Miller

Project Overview

The Hillcrest Coat is a top-down cabled cardigan designed by Amy Miller as an advanced knitting project. This downloadable PDF pattern creates an easy-to-wear, fun-to-knit coat ideal for keeping warm during cold, blustery winter days. The garment features cable detailing throughout and is constructed using a top-down methodology, allowing knitters to try on the piece as they work and customize the finished length.

Finished Sizes and Fit

The Hillcrest Coat is available in nine sizes with finished bust circumferences ranging from 32¾ inches to 50¾ inches. The cardigan shown in the pattern measures 32¾ inches and is modeled with little to no ease, providing a close, tailored fit. This range of sizes accommodates a wide variety of body types and allows knitters to select the most appropriate size for their desired fit.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This advanced-level pattern incorporates several key knitting techniques:

• Cable Stitches: The coat features cable work throughout, utilizing two primary cable techniques. The 4 st RC (Right Cable) is worked by slipping 2 stitches onto a cable needle and holding in back, knitting the next 2 stitches, then knitting the 2 stitches from the cable needle. The 4 st LC (Left Cable) reverses this process by holding the cable needle in front, creating the characteristic twisted rope effect cables are known for.
• Top-Down Construction: The coat is knit from the top down, beginning at the neckline and working downward toward the hem. This method allows for in-progress fitting and the ability to adjust length before binding off.
• Increases and Decreases: The pattern employs strategic increases and decreases (abbreviated as inc/inc'd and dec/dec'd) to shape the body and sleeve caps, creating a well-fitted silhouette.
• Ribbing: Ribbed sections provide structure and elasticity, particularly at cuffs and hems.
• Knit Stitch Variations: The pattern uses standard knit stitches (k) and knit-two-together decreases (k2tog) as foundational techniques.

Materials and Needles

The Hillcrest Coat pattern specifies Cascade 128 Superwash yarn, which is composed of 100% superwash merino fiber. This yarn is available in colorway #875 and features a yardage of 128 yards per 100-gram skein (3.5 ounces). Yarn quantities range from 8 to 13 skeins depending on the selected size, with smaller sizes requiring 8–10 skeins and larger sizes requiring 11–13 skeins.

The pattern requires two different needle sizes to achieve proper gauge:

• Ribbing: Size 7 (4.5 mm) needles, including a 29-inch circular needle and a set of double-pointed needles (dpns)
• Body and Sleeves: Size 10 (6.0 mm) needles, including a 29-inch circular needle and a set of double-pointed needles (dpns)

Knitters are advised to adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge, ensuring the finished garment matches the intended dimensions and drape.

Additional Notions and Tools

Beyond yarn and needles, the Hillcrest Coat pattern requires several additional notions and tools: stitch markers (m) for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, stitch holders or waste yarn for temporarily holding stitches (such as underarm stitches during sleeve separation), a cable needle for managing cable stitches, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming if necessary.

Yarn Weight and Knitting Characteristics

The Hillcrest Coat is worked in chunky weight yarn, which creates a fabric with excellent drape, warmth, and visual impact. Chunky yarn allows the cable details to stand out prominently and enables relatively quick project completion compared to lighter yarn weights. The superwash merino fiber provides softness, breathability, and easy care—the yarn can be machine washed, making this coat practical for regular wear and maintenance.

Difficulty Level

Classified as an advancedknitting project