Chevron Zipped Jacket - Knitting Pattern For Men in Debbie Bliss Rialto DK

Chevron Zipped Jacket – Knitting Pattern for Men in Debbie Bliss Rialto DK

This intermediate-level knitting pattern from Debbie Bliss (© 2019) produces a striking men's zipped jacket featuring a bold chevron colourwork design. The jacket is worked flat in separate pieces and seamed together, making it an excellent project for knitters who are comfortable with shaping, colourwork, and finishing techniques. A zip fastening gives the finished garment a clean, contemporary look that is both practical and stylish.

What Is Being Made

The finished garment is a full-sized men's zipped jacket with raglan armhole shaping, long sleeves, and a structured ribbed hem and cuffs. It is designed to fit chest sizes ranging from 91–97 cm (36–38 in) up to 122–127 cm (48–50 in), with finished chest measurements spanning 102 cm (40¼ in) to 135 cm (53¼ in). The length to the back neck measures between 72 cm (28¼ in) and 78 cm (30¾ in) depending on the size, and the sleeve length is a consistent 50 cm (20 in) across all sizes.

Design and Colourwork

The jacket's most distinctive feature is its chevron stripe pattern, worked using three colours of Debbie Bliss Rialto DK. The colourwork is introduced in a structured sequence across the body and sleeves, with each colour playing a defined role in building the chevron effect. The three shades used are:

• Black 03 – referred to in the pattern as M (Main colour)
• Scarlet 12 – referred to as A
• Ocean 72 – referred to as B

Colours are joined and broken off at specific points during the raglan shaping, creating clean transitions between the chevron bands. This approach to colourwork does not require stranding or intarsia; instead, each colour section is worked in sequence, keeping the technique accessible for intermediate knitters.

Techniques Used

• Worked flat – All pieces (back, left front, right front, and sleeves) are knitted back and forth in rows on straight needles.
• Seamed construction – The finished pieces are joined using seaming, a traditional method that produces a structured, durable garment with neat edges.
• Raglan armhole shaping – Stitches are decreased at regular intervals on both sides of the armhole to create the characteristic raglan line, which runs diagonally from the underarm to the neckline.
• Zip insertion – A zip is sewn into the centre front opening to fasten the jacket. The pattern instructs knitters to use a zip to fit, and finishing this neatly is an important part of the making process.
• Ribbing – A k2, p2 rib is used at the hem and cuffs, worked on smaller needles to create a firm, elastic border that helps the garment hold its shape.
• Raglan decreases – The pattern uses skpo (slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over) and k2tog to create neat, mirrored decreases on either side of the raglan lines.
• Make one increase (m1) – Used during sleeve shaping to add stitches evenly and maintain the correct silhouette.
• Stitch holder – Live stitches are placed on a holder at the top of each piece for later neckband construction.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (st st) – The main body fabric is worked in stocking stitch, knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows, producing a smooth, classic surface that showcases the chevron colourwork clearly.
• 2x2 Rib (k2, p2) – Used for the welts, cuffs, and front bands, providing stretch and structure at the garment's edges.