Mulberry Silk Jacket

Mulberry Jacket by Linda Marveng

Project Overview

The Mulberry Jacket is a short sleeve cardigan designed by Linda Marveng for warm weather wear. This intermediate-level knitting project features a refined, delicate aesthetic achieved through the combination of lace weight silk yarn and an elegant shell stitch pattern. The garment is constructed in separate pieces and seamed together to ensure a precise, tailored fit.

What is Being Made

This is a summer cardigan jacket with short sleeves, designed as a versatile layering piece. The cardigan features a front button band with mixed stitch textures and is available in four sizes ranging from Small to Extra Large. The finished bust measurements range from 91 cm (35.75 inches) for size Small to 118 cm (46.5 inches) for size Extra Large, with intentional positive ease of 5–10 cm (2–4 inches) for comfortable wear.

Knitting Techniques

• Piece-by-piece construction: The jacket is knitted in separate components and seamed together, allowing for better shaping and fit control compared to seamless construction methods
• Front band design: The front closure band incorporates both garter stitch and stockinette stitch sections, with the stockinette portion intentionally left to roll for a design detail
• Lace pattern integration: A lucina shell pattern is worked throughout the main fabric, creating an openwork texture characteristic of lace weight yarns

Stitches Used

• Lucina shell pattern: An openwork lace stitch that creates a delicate, shell-like texture
• Garter stitch: Used on portions of the front band for structure and definition
• Stockinette stitch: Incorporated into the front band design, with sections deliberately allowed to curl for aesthetic effect

Materials

The Mulberry Jacket is designed to showcase the qualities of luxury yarn. The recommended yarn is BC Garn Jaipur Silk Fino, a lace weight yarn composed of 100% mulberry silk. Each 50-gram skein provides 300 meters of yarn. Mulberry silk is prized for its lustrous finish, smooth texture, and breathability, making it an ideal choice for summer garments. The lace weight classification allows the yarn to create delicate, open stitchwork while maintaining the drape and fluidity essential for a refined jacket silhouette.

Garment Specifications

• Finished bust measurement (including 3 cm/1.25" front band): 91 (100, 109, 118) cm / 35.75 (39.25, 43, 46.5) inches
• Bottom width: 104.5 (113.5, 122.5, 128.5) cm / 41.25 (44.75, 48.25, 50.5) inches
• Length: 50 (50, 52, 52) cm / 19.75 (19.75, 20.5, 20.5) inches
• Sleeve length: 14 cm / 5.5 inches
• Intended ease: +5–10 cm / 2–4 inches for comfortable fit

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as Intermediate, suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are comfortable working with lace stitches, managing multiple pattern repeats, and seaming garment pieces. The lace weight yarn and openwork pattern require attention to stitch definition and tension control.