Waistcoat & Jacket in Hayfield Spirit Chunky - 8252 - Downloadable PDF

Hayfield Spirit Chunky Waistcoat & Jacket – Pattern 8252 Summary

Pattern 8252 from Hayfield is a knitting pattern offering two separate garment designs — a waistcoat and a jacket — both worked in Hayfield Spirit Chunky yarn. Labelled as Easy Knit and suitable for intermediate knitters, this downloadable PDF pattern covers a wide range of sizes, from a 32/34 inch bust right up to a 52/54 inch bust, making it an inclusive choice for a broad range of body types. Both garments share the same chunky-weight construction and needle size, giving them a warm, substantial fabric with a satisfying speed of knitting.

Sizes and Fit

The pattern is written for six sizes with bust measurements to fit 81/86 cm through to 132/137 cm (32/34 in to 52/54 in). Actual finished measurements range from 106 cm (41¾ in) up to 157 cm (62 in), providing a relaxed, comfortable ease across all sizes. Full length (measured from the back of the neck) ranges from 80 cm to 93 cm (31½ in to 36¾ in), and the jacket's sleeve length is given as 40–42 cm (15¾–16½ in) and is noted as adjustable, allowing knitters to customise the fit further.

The Waistcoat

Construction and Design

The waistcoat is a sleeveless, button-front garment worked in one piece from the lower edge up to the armholes, which helps reduce seaming and keeps the fabric smooth and continuous at the sides. At the armhole level, stitches are divided and placed onto stitch holders so that the right front, left front, and back can each be worked separately to completion. This seamless lower-body construction is a practical technique well suited to chunky-weight knitting, as it minimises bulk at side seams.

Techniques and Stitches

• Stocking stitch forms the main fabric of the waistcoat body.
• The thumb method cast-on is specified for starting the work.
• A decorative eyelet buttonhole is created using a k2tog, yfwd combination on a knit row, producing a neat, small hole suited to the three buttons.
• Stitch holders are used to hold the front and back sections while each piece is worked in turn.
• Shaping is achieved through standard decrease (dec) and increase (inc) techniques, as well as s1, k1, psso (slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over) for neat directional decreases.

Materials for the Waistcoat

• Yarn: Hayfield Spirit Chunky in shade 402 — 5 to 8 x 100g balls depending on size.
• Needles: 1 pair of 6½mm (UK3 / USA 10.5) knitting needles.
• Notions: Stitch holders and 3 x Sirdar Elegant Buttons, code BS611-0925.

The Jacket

Construction and Design

The jacket is a longer, sleeved garment that shares the same chunky aesthetic and needle size as the waistcoat. It features set-in or shaped sleeves with a stated sleeve length of 40–42 cm, adjustable to suit the individual knitter. Like the waistcoat, it is fastened with 3 buttons using the same Sirdar Elegant Button code BS611-0925, giving both garments a coordinated look. The jacket's construction follows classic knitted garment techniques, with separate front, back, and sleeve pieces that are seamed together on finishing.

Techniques and Stitches

• Stocking stitch is the primary stitch pattern throughout the jacket body