Fitted Jacket

Fitted Jacket by Sian Brown

Project Overview

This is a knitted fitted jacket designed by Sian Brown as part of a cardigan collection. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is suitable for beginner-level knitters. The jacket features a tailored silhouette achieved through strategic shaping at the waist and bust.

What Is Being Made

A fitted cardigan jacket with a classic construction. The garment is designed to fit bust measurements ranging from 82cm to 112cm (32 to 44 inches), with actual finished bust measurements from 89cm to 119cm (35 to 47 inches). The jacket includes a back panel, front panels, and sleeves. The length to shoulder measures between 45cm and 51cm (17¾ to 20 inches), with sleeves measuring 47cm (18½ inches) in length. The fitted design is created through decreasing and increasing rows that shape the waist and create a tailored appearance.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for beginner knitters:

• Stockinette stitch as the primary fabric, creating a smooth, classic appearance
• Decreasing using skpo (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over) and k2tog (knit two together) to shape the waist and create a fitted silhouette
• Increasing using m1 (make one stitch) to add fullness at the hips and bust areas
• Garter stitch for the cast-on edge (3 rows of knit stitches)
• Needle gauge changes from 4mm to 5mm needles to transition from ribbing to main fabric

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and stitches including:

• k (knit stitch)
• p (purl stitch)
• st/sts (stitch/stitches)
• m1 (make one stitch for increases)
• skpo (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over for left-leaning decreases)
• k2tog (knit two together for right-leaning decreases)
• st st (stockinette stitch)

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Fitted Jacket is designed to be worked in Rowan Summer Tweed, an aran-weight yarn. The pattern requires:

• Main color (M): Rowan Summer Tweed in shade Summer Berries 61, requiring 7 to 10 hanks of 50g depending on size
• Contrast color (C): Rowan Summer Tweed in shade Brilliant 28, requiring one hank

Needles and Gauge

The pattern calls for two pairs of knitting needles: 4mm (US size 6) and 5mm (US size 8). The working tension is 16 stitches and 23 rows to a 10cm (4 inch) square over stockinette stitch using the 5mm (US 8) needles. Achieving correct gauge is essential for proper fit across the bust and length measurements.

Construction Method

The jacket is constructed using a traditional flat knitting method, beginning with the back panel. The back is cast on using the smaller 4mm needles with a garter stitch edge, then switched to the larger 5mm needles to work the main stockinette stitch fabric. The shaping sequence involves decreasing rows worked at regular intervals to create the fitted waist, followed by increasing rows to add fullness through the hip and bust areas. This structured approach to shaping creates a garment with a defined silhouette suitable for a fitted jacket style.