Jacket & Sweater in Stylecraft Jeanie - 9497 - Downloadable PDF

Stylecraft Jeanie Jacket & Sweater – Pattern 9497: Knitting Pattern Summary

Pattern 9497 from Stylecraft is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern featuring two separate garment designs — a lace panel jacket and a lace panel sweater — both worked in Stylecraft Jeanie yarn at aran weight. The pattern is rated as intermediate in difficulty and is described as offering two easy lace designs, making it an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to explore simple lace patterning. Both garments are available in a generous range of sizes, from 81–86 cm (32–34 in) up to 122–127 cm (48–50 in) to fit bust measurement, making this an inclusive pattern that caters to a wide variety of body types.

About Stylecraft Jeanie Yarn

Both designs are specifically written for Stylecraft Jeanie, an aran weight yarn. Aran weight yarn is a medium-heavy yarn that knits up relatively quickly and produces garments with excellent stitch definition, making it well suited to the lace panel detailing featured in these designs. Knitters should always check their tension carefully before beginning, as achieving the correct gauge is essential to ensuring the finished garment matches the stated measurements.

Needles

The pattern specifies 5mm knitting needles for the main body sections of both garments. Knitters may also require a smaller needle size for any ribbed edgings, as is standard practice in aran weight patterns. Stitch markers are also referenced in the pattern instructions to help position the lace panel accurately.

Design One: The Jacket

What Is Being Made

The first design is a knitted jacket worked in Stylecraft Jeanie aran weight yarn. It features a central lace panel set against a plain background, giving it an elegant yet understated finish. The jacket is a substantial garment with a full length ranging from 60 cm (23¾ in) to 71 cm (28 in) depending on size, and an actual bust measurement ranging from 103 cm (40½ in) to 143 cm (56¼ in), reflecting a comfortable, relaxed fit across all sizes. Sleeve length is given as approximately 43–45 cm (17 in) across the size range.

Construction and Structure

The jacket is worked in separate pieces — including a back — which are then seamed together. The back is cast on using 5mm needles, beginning with a 2×1 rib border before transitioning into the lace panel section. The rib border measures 5 cm (2 in) before the lace pattern commences.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• 2×1 Rib: The garment opens with a knit 1, purl 1 rib, worked over two right-side and wrong-side rows to form a neat, stretchy edging. This is a classic technique used to add structure and elasticity to garment hems and cuffs.
• Lace Panel: The central design feature is a lace panel positioned at the centre of the back (and presumably front) using stitch markers to define its placement. The lace is introduced via a foundation row on the right side.
• Yarn Forward (yfwd): This is the key lace-making technique used in the pattern. A yarn forward creates a decorative eyelet hole by bringing the yarn to the front of the work before a knit stitch, producing an extra stitch that forms the characteristic open appearance of lace knitting.
• Slip 1, Knit 1, Pass Slipped Stitch Over (sl1-k1-psso): This is a left-leaning decrease used in conjunction with the yarn forward to maintain the stitch count while creating the lace pattern. It is a fundamental technique in lace knitting, pairing with the eyelet to keep the fabric balanced.
• Stitch Markers: Markers are placed on the needle to clearly delineate the lace panel from the plain stocking stitch or background fabric on either side, helping knitters keep track of pattern placement throughout the work.
• Plain Knit and Purl