Winter is coming jacket

Winter is Coming Jacket by Sugar Lambs

Garment Overview

The Winter is Coming Jacket is a top-down knitted cardigan designed for babies aged 12-18 months. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a complete jacket constructed as a single piece, beginning at the hood and progressing through the raglan yoke, both sleeves, and finally the body. The one-piece construction method eliminates the need to cut yarn between sections, resulting in minimal weaving-in of ends—a significant advantage for finishing work.

Finished Measurements

• Chest circumference: 60cm
• Total length: 28cm
• Width at bottom: 62cm
• Sleeve length: 30cm

Knitting Techniques

This cardigan employs a top-down construction method, which allows knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and easily adjust length without unraveling. The raglan yoke shaping is integrated throughout the knitting process, creating a smooth transition from the hood through the shoulders and into the sleeves. The body features decorative lace diamond motifs with tiny bobbles at their centers, adding visual interest to the lower portion of the jacket.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used throughout most of the jacket is garter stitch, created by knitting every row on both right and wrong sides. This produces a reversible, textured fabric with excellent drape and durability—ideal for baby garments. The body incorporates lace diamonds with bobbles, which require yarn overs and strategic decreases to create the openwork diamond shapes, with bobbles serving as decorative focal points within each motif.

Key abbreviations used in the pattern include: st/sts (stitch/stitches), s (slip), k (knit), p (purl), and yo (yarn over).

Materials and Yarn

The designer used Novita Baby Merino yarn for this project, a 100% merino wool yarn offering softness and breathability suitable for baby garments. Each 50g ball yields 230 meters (252 yards), and approximately 4 balls are required to complete the jacket. Merino wool provides natural temperature regulation and gentle care for delicate baby skin.

Tools Required

• 3.25mm (US 3) circular needles for main knitting
• Stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points
• 3mm crochet hook for finishing details
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming
• 5 buttons for closure

Tension and Gauge

The pattern specifies a working tension of 28 stitches by 36 rows over 10cm (4 inches). Achieving correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements, particularly important for baby garments where proper fit ensures comfort and safety.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this project suits knitters with foundational skills in basic stitches and shaping techniques. Experience with top-down construction, raglan shaping, and lace stitch patterns is beneficial. The one-piece construction method streamlines the building process while the garter stitch base provides forgiving fabric that masks minor tension inconsistencies.