Hugo Jacket - Knitting Pattern in Willow & Lark Nest

Hugo Jacket Knitting Pattern by Willow & Lark – Moss Stitch Children's Jacket in Nest DK Yarn

The Hugo Jacket is a charming, textured children's jacket from Willow & Lark's Fledgling Collection, designed to be knitted in Willow & Lark Nest DK yarn. Described as a "moss stitch jacket," it brings a classic, country-inspired aesthetic to children's knitwear, featuring a structured collar and all-over texture that elevates it beyond an everyday cardigan. This is an intermediate-level knitting pattern available as a downloadable PDF, making it a rewarding project for knitters who are comfortable with basic shaping and are ready to explore a more polished, seamed garment construction.

What Is Being Made

The Hugo Jacket is a collared, textured jacket for children, sized to fit ages 2–3, 4–5, 6–7, and 8–9 years. It is designed with a country-gentleman aesthetic — smart enough for special occasions yet cosy and practical for everyday wear. The finished jacket features set-in or structured sleeves, a neat collar, and button fastenings, with 5 or 6 buttons depending on the size chosen. It is a true jacket silhouette rather than a simple cardigan, with a more tailored, structured look achieved through seamed construction.

Size and Fit Information

• Ages: 2–3, 4–5, 6–7, and 8–9 years
• To fit chest: 56, 61, 66, and 71 cm (22, 24, 26, and 28 in)
• Actual chest measurement: 63, 68, 74, and 79 cm (24¾, 26¾, 29¼, and 31 in)
• Length to shoulder: 35, 40, 44, and 48 cm (13¾, 15¾, 17¼, and 19 in)
• Sleeve seam: 23, 27, 31, and 35 cm (9, 10¾, 12¼, and 13¾ in)

Techniques Used

The Hugo Jacket is constructed using a bottom-up, worked-flat, seamed method. This means the individual pieces — typically the back, two fronts, and sleeves — are each knitted flat on a pair of straight needles from the cast-on edge upward, then joined together using seaming techniques to create the finished garment. This traditional construction method is well-suited to intermediate knitters and produces a neat, structured result with clean seam lines that help the jacket hold its shape.

• Bottom-up construction: Each piece begins at the lower hem and is worked upward toward the shoulders, allowing shaping to be introduced gradually for armholes, necklines, and sleeve caps.
• Worked flat: The fabric is knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round, which is the traditional approach for garments that open at the front, such as jackets and cardigans.
• Seamed finishing: The completed pieces are sewn together, a technique that adds structure and durability to the finished jacket and gives it a more tailored, professional appearance.

Stitches Used

The defining stitch of the Hugo Jacket is Irish moss stitch, used throughout the entire garment. Irish moss stitch is a classic textured stitch pattern that creates a dense, slightly raised fabric with a subtle, repeating seed-like texture. It is closely related to seed stitch but worked over a four-row repeat rather than alternating on every stitch and every row, giving it a more pronounced, regular texture. This stitch is both decorative and practical — it lies flat without curling, making it ideal for jacket fronts and collars, and it adds visual interest without requiring complex colourwork or cable techniques.

• Irish moss stitch: The primary stitch pattern used throughout the body, sleeves, and collar of the jacket, creating an all-over textured fabric.
• Stocking stitch: Referenced in the tension swatch instructions (22 sts and 30 rows to 10 cm over stocking stitch using 4.00mm needles), used as the basis for achieving correct gauge before beginning the project.

The collar is a