Billy Jacket and Buddy Bear - Knitting Pattern in Debbie Bliss Rialto DK & Baby Cashmerino

Billy Jacket and Buddy Bear – Knitting Pattern in Debbie Bliss Rialto DK & Baby Cashmerino

This charming downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Debbie Bliss contains instructions for two delightful projects designed to coordinate: the Billy Jacket, a children's colour-block jacket worked in Debbie Bliss Rialto DK, and the Buddy Bear, a stuffed toy bear complete with its own miniature matching jacket, knitted in Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. Together they make a wonderfully cohesive gift set or wardrobe addition for young children.

Billy Jacket

What Is Being Made

The Billy Jacket is a children's knitted jacket designed to fit ages 1–2, 3–4, 5–6, and 7–8 years, with finished chest measurements ranging from 72 cm (28¼ in) to 84 cm (32¾ in) and lengths to shoulder from 37 cm (14½ in) to 52 cm (20½ in). The sleeve length, with the cuff turned back, ranges from 22 cm (8½ in) to 30 cm (11¾ in). The jacket features a colour-work design using three coordinating shades and is finished with eight poppers and buttons.

Materials

• Debbie Bliss Rialto DK in Ocean 72 (Colour A): 3(4:4:5) × 50g balls
• Debbie Bliss Rialto DK in Ecru 02 (Colour B): 3(3:4:4) × 50g balls
• Debbie Bliss Rialto DK in Mallard 82 (Colour C): 2 × 50g balls
• Pair of 3.75mm (US 5) knitting needles
• Pair of 4mm (US 6) knitting needles
• 3.25mm (US 3) circular needle
• Eight poppers and buttons for fastening

Tension

22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 cm / 4 in over stocking stitch using 4mm (US 6) needles and Debbie Bliss Rialto DK. Achieving correct tension is especially important for sizing accuracy across the four age ranges.

Techniques and Construction

The Billy Jacket is worked flat (back and forth in rows) and then seamed together, making it a traditionally constructed garment. The colour-work involves switching between the three shades — Ocean, Ecru, and Mallard — with yarn broken and rejoined as required. Ribbed borders and cuffs are worked in rib stitch, with the cuffs designed to be turned back for a neat, decorative finish.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (st st) – the primary fabric stitch throughout the jacket body and sleeves
• Rib stitch – used for borders, cuffs, and edgings
• m1 (make one) – a standard increase worked by picking up and knitting into the back of the loop between stitches, used for shaping
• skpo (sl 1, k1, psso) – a left-leaning single decrease used in shaping
• p2togtbl – purl two stitches together through the back loop, a decrease used for shaping
• Buttonhole technique – worked into the button band to accommodate the eight fastenings

Difficulty

This pattern is rated advanced, making it most suitable for experienced knitters comfortable with multi-colour work, garment shaping, seaming,