Bell Jacket

Bell Jacket by Linda Marveng

Garment Overview

The Bell Jacket is a sophisticated knitted cardigan featuring the distinctive Canterbury Bells stitch pattern as its primary design element. This straight-cut jacket combines elegant v-neck shaping with short sleeves and a sculptural aesthetic. The garment is framed by a wide frontband in stockinette stitch that hangs loose for added visual interest and movement. The Bell Jacket is designed to be a statement piece that showcases advanced stitch work and innovative construction techniques.

Stitch Pattern and Technique

The Canterbury Bells stitch pattern is the signature element of this design. The pattern is created through a strategic approach to cast-on and decrease shaping: extra stitches are cast on and then systematically decreased to form the characteristic bell shapes with their voluminous, shadowed appearance. This method creates a naturally stretchy fabric that requires loose knitting to achieve the intended sculptural effect. The contrast between the textured bell pattern and the smooth stockinette stitch frontband creates visual depth and dimension.

The construction technique involves knitting two strands of yarn held together throughout the entire project. This two-color melange approach adds subtle visual complexity while maintaining a cohesive design. The frontband is worked in plain stockinette stitch, providing a clean frame that allows the intricate bell pattern to remain the focal point.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Bell Jacket is knitted using Valley Yarns Tencel 8/2, a lace-weight yarn composed of 100% Lyocell fiber. Each skein contains 454 grams (1 pound) with 3072 meters (3360 yards) of yardage. The sample garment shown is knitted by holding one strand each of Sienna and Pompeii together to create the melange coloring. The Tencel fiber provides a silk-like appearance and drape, contributing to the elegant finished aesthetic.

Sizing and Finished Measurements

• Available Sizes: S (M, L, XL)
• Bust Measurement (including frontbands): 96 (104, 112, 120) cm / 37.75 (41, 44, 47) inches
• Length: 53 (53, 56, 56) cm / 21 (21, 22, 22) inches
• Sleeve Length: 22 cm / 8.5 inches

Skill Level and Difficulty

The Bell Jacket is rated as an Experienced level project, suitable for intermediate to advanced knitters. The Canterbury Bells stitch pattern requires careful attention to shaping and stitch manipulation. Knitters should be comfortable with reading complex stitch patterns, managing multiple decreases, and understanding how tension affects the final sculptural appearance of the bells.

Design Details

The v-neck shaping provides a flattering neckline that draws attention to the upper body and the intricate stitch work. The short sleeves keep the design lightweight and versatile, making it suitable for layering or wearing on its own during transitional seasons. The straight jacket silhouette offers a modern, minimalist shape that allows the Canterbury Bells pattern to be the primary visual statement.