Honey Honey

Honey Honey Jacket by Takako Takiguchi

Garment Overview

Honey Honey is a knitted jacket designed by Takako Takiguchi featuring a distinctive honeycomb stitch pattern throughout. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a thick, warm garment suitable for year-round wear. The jacket is constructed using a top-down method worked flat, with sleeves subsequently worked in the round after the body and sleeves are divided. Cable patterns are incorporated at the side seams and underarm areas, adding visual interest and textural depth to the design.

Construction Technique

The jacket employs a practical top-down construction method, which allows for easy fitting adjustments and seamless sleeve integration. The body is worked flat on circular needles, providing stability for the intricate stitch patterns. Once the body reaches the appropriate length, stitches are divided to separate the body from the sleeves. The sleeves are then worked in the round, creating a continuous tubular fabric that eliminates the need for seaming at the underarm. This hybrid approach combines the benefits of flat and circular knitting, making the construction process efficient and the finishing straightforward.

Stitch Patterns and Techniques

The primary stitch pattern is the honeycomb stitch, a four-row repeat that creates a textured, dimensional fabric. The honeycomb stitch is constructed as follows:

• Row 1: Repeat "RT, LT" across (RT indicates right twist; LT indicates left twist)
• Row 2: Purl all stitches
• Row 3: Repeat "LT, RT" across (reversing the twist direction)
• Row 4: Purl all stitches

This four-row repeat creates the characteristic honeycomb texture that provides both visual appeal and substantial warmth. The twisted stitches (RT and LT) require crossing stitches over one another without using a cable needle, making them accessible to intermediate knitters. Cable patterns are worked at the side seams and underarm areas, adding structural interest and additional texture to these key locations.

Yarn and Materials

Honey Honey is designed to be worked in Cascade Venezia Worsted yarn in color #132 Mouse. Cascade Venezia Worsted is a worsted-weight yarn with a yardage of 199 meters per 100 grams. The yarn requirements vary by size, ranging from 6 skeins for the smallest size (XS) to 8 skeins for the largest sizes (2XL), totaling approximately 1080 to 1500 meters depending on the finished size selected.

The project requires a 4.0mm circular needle for the main construction. The gauge is established at 20 stitches and 24 rows over 10 centimeters when working the honeycomb stitch pattern. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and construction points, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends during finishing.

Size Range and Finished Measurements

Honey Honey is available in six sizes: XS, S/M, L, XL, and 2XL. The finished measurements accommodate a range of body types:

• Back width: 48 to 72 centimeters across the six sizes
• Each front width: 27 to 41 centimeters, allowing for appropriate front closure overlap

These measurements indicate a relaxed, comfortable fit suitable for layering and seasonal versatility.

Yarn Weight and Difficulty Level

This project is constructed using aran and worsted-weight yarn, which provides good stitch definition for the honeycomb and cable patterns while working at a moderate gauge. The intermediate difficulty level reflects the technical requirements of working twisted stitches and cable patterns, as well as managing the top-down construction and sleeve division. Knitters should be comfortable with basic increases, decreases, and stitch manipulation before beginning this project.