Jasmine - babies 8ply lace jacket

Jasmine - Babies 8ply Lace Jacket by Jennifer Lee

What is Being Made

The Jasmine is a delicate babies lace jacket designed by Jennifer Lee, crafted in a beautiful lace stitch pattern. This cardigan-style garment features a round neckline, set-in sleeves, and ribbed bands for a polished finish. The jacket is available in four sizes ranging from newborn (0 months) through 12 months, with the pattern photographed on a 3-month size. The actual chest measurements range from 41cm (16 inches) for the smallest size to 58cm (23 inches) for the largest, with corresponding lengths from 21cm (8¼ inches) to 32cm (12½ inches).

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques essential to creating a well-constructed babies jacket. The garment is constructed using set-in sleeves, which require careful shaping and seaming for a professional appearance. The pattern incorporates lace stitch work throughout, which creates an open, decorative texture characteristic of lace knitting. The designer emphasizes the importance of careful shaping when working with lace, requiring knitters to maintain the balance between yarn forward increases and corresponding decreases. The jacket features ribbed bands at the edges, which provide elasticity and structure. Assembly involves seaming using a wool needle, and the pattern includes a button band suitable for a cardigan closure.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the Jasmine jacket is a lace stitch pattern, which combines knit stitches with yarn forwards (yfwd) for creating decorative holes and increases. The pattern utilizes yarn forward increases paired with corresponding decreases such as slip 1, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, psso) and knit 2 together (K2tog) to maintain stitch count while creating the lace effect. The designer notes that care must be taken to work these increases and decreases in corresponding pairs—a yarn forward should only be worked if the matching decrease can also be worked in that row, and vice versa. Ribbing is used for the bands, typically combining knit and purl stitches in alternating patterns to create elasticity.

Materials and Specifications

The Jasmine jacket is designed to be worked in 8ply yarn (also known as DK weight), specifically photographed in Lincraft Superwash 8ply. The yarn requirement is 2 balls (2-2-3 balls depending on size), with each 100g ball providing approximately 190 meters of yardage. Knitters should note that quantities may vary between individual knitters and different yarn types. The pattern calls for 4.00mm knitting needles (UK size 8, US size 6) for the main fabric. The recommended tension is 20.5 stitches and 30 rows to 10cm (4 inches) over the lace pattern using 4.00mm needles, making accurate gauge essential for proper fit. Additional requirements include a stitch holder for managing stitches during construction, a wool needle for seaming, and 4 (5-5-6) buttons depending on the size being made.

Pattern Details

The Jasmine pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle lace work and garment construction. The downloadable PDF format provides complete instructions across six pages. The pattern includes detailed sizing information and is designed to accommodate growth through the first year of a baby's life, with options for 0, 3, 6, and 12-month sizes. The lace stitch creates an elegant, breathable fabric perfect for a delicate babies garment, while the ribbed bands and button closure provide practical functionality for dressing and undressing an infant.