This garter stitch jacket is done in modules, with very little sewing required. Almost any combination of yarns is possible, but for this pattern I will endeavor to make it simple while at the same time encouraging experimentation.
To begin, choose two worsted, aran or dk weight yarns that will compliment each other. The two need not be of the same weight or fiber. For most sizes 500-700 yards of each yarn is needed.
Using needles sized 7, 8 or 9, begin by making the first triangle. The long edge will determine the size of the finished garment, so this may be a swatch that gets adjusted by needle size or stitch count.
Note: always slip the first stitch of
each row, to ensure easier picking up of stitches. I have written the start of each row as k1, but after joining the second yarn initially, it is best to slip that first stitch rather than knitting it.
Note: Two rows equal one ridge.
Make the first
triangle, center back, at the hem. Cast on 71 sts.
(For most sizes (36-42") 71st is enough, as there is plenty of ease, but for larger hips use 75.)
Row 1. Use main color. Row one is the cast on row.
Row 2. K
Row 3. (right side) Using contrasting color, k1, k2tog, knit to center three stitches, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k to last three stitches, k2 tog, k1.
Row 4. K
Row 5, with main color, repeat rows three and four
Continue decreases at each side and center until five stitches remain, bind off.
Measure the long edge of this triangle and that will determine the width of the back times two. In other words, if it measures 12", then the back width will be 24" and the finished jacket will be 48".
#1 is the
triangle at the bottom center of the body. The bound off stitches are facing the bottom.
The
diamonds ( #2,4,5,6,and 8) are made with 71 sts,
Diamond #2:
Row 1. With contrast yarn, pick up 36 stitches along the edge of triangle #1, and cast on 35 more stitches. 71 stitches.
Row 2. K.
Row 3. With main color, knit to center three stitches, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k to end of row.
Continue to decrease on the right side until only three stitches remain. K 3 together, but do not break yarn.
Triangle #3:
Row 1. Pick up 36 stitches along the edge of diamond #2.
Row 2. K
Row 3. With contrasting yarn, knit to the last three stitches, k1, k2tog, k.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until 2 stitches remain. K2tog, pull yarn through last loop and break yarn.
Diamond #4:
Cast on 36 stitches and pick up 35 along the edge of triangle #1. Make this diamond the same way as Diamond #2.
Diamond #5:
Pick up 71 stitches between Diamonds #4 and #2. Again make the diamond the same way as previous diamonds.
Diamond #6:
Pick up 71 stitches between Diamond #5 and Triangle #3. Make diamond the same way as previous diamonds.
Triangle #7:
Pick up 36 stitches along the edge of Diamond #4.
Row 2. K
Row 3. k1, k2tog, k to end of row.
Continue until 2 stitches remain, k2tog, do not break yarn.
Diamond #8:
Pick up 71 sts. along the edges of triangle #7 and diamond #5. Make diamond the same way as previous diamonds.
Triangle #9: This triangle is made similarly to triangle #1.
Pick up 71 stitches along the edges of diamonds #8 and #6.
Row 2. K
Row 3. k1, k2tog, knit to center three stitches, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k to last three stitches, k2 tog, k1.
Row 4. K
Row 5, with main color, repeat rows three and four
Continue decreases at each side and center until five stitches remain, bind off.
The back is finished!
Now for the fronts. Both are made exactly the same.
Diamond #1
Row 1: Cast on 71 stitches
Row 2. K
Row 3. K to center 3 stitches, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k to end of row.
Continue to decrease on the right side until only three stitches remain. K 3 together, but do not break yarn.
Triangle #2
Row 1. Pick up 36 stitches along the edge of diamond #1.
Row 2. K
Row 3. With contrasting yarn, knit to the last three stitches, k1, k2tog, k.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until 2 stitches remain. K2tog, pull yarn through last loop and break yarn.
Triangle #3:
Pick up 36 stitches along the edge of Diamond #1.
Row 2. K
Row 3. k1, k2tog, k to end of row.
Continue until 2 stitches remain, k2tog, do not break yarn.
Diamond #4:
Pick up 71 stitches between triangles #2 and #1. Again make the diamond the same way as previous diamonds. One front is done. Now make a second one just like the first.
Center front triangles:
These can be knit now or at the very end. They are picked up along the inside edge of the center fronts.
Row 1. Pick up 36 stitches along the edge of the right side
Row 2. k
Row 3. k1, k2tog, k until the last three stitched, k2tog, k1.
Continue until 2 sts remain, k2tog, pull yarn through, break yarn. Repeat for the left side.
The
Neckline is next:
Decide which is the left front and which is the right front. It really doesn't matter, but if you can match colors or stripes, it might look nicer. Or not.
Row 1. Along the neckline edge pick up 36 stitches.
Row 2. k
Row 3. k1, k2tog, k to the last three stitches, k2tog, k1.
Continue decreases on the two edges, front side only, until 21 stitches remain (or 7 ridges), ending with an uneven ridge. This means that the row back to the beginning is not completed. Place stitches on waste yarn or stitch holder. Break yarn.
Repeat on the other front neckline side.
The two fronts are pinned up shoulder point to shoulder point. Then the inside knitting pictured there is the beginning of the neckline which will become the base of the collar.
Sew the fronts to the back as pictured.
Begin the collar by picking up the live stitches on the inside of the left front stitch holder. This is counter intuitive, but necessary, as we will be soon changing direction of the right side to the wrong side so that the collar will fold over and show the right side.
Are you following me? This is the only tricky part.
Pick up stitches along the back neck from the right side of the back so the loops look neatest. Try to pick up a stitch for each row, but don't fuss as we will be doing ribbing and that will gather up the neckline and make it fit properly. After the stitches of the back neck have been picked up, knit the remaining live stitches from the second stitch holder. Breathe!
Under collar:
Begin knitting with a rib stitch, k1,p1, alternating yarns as previously. Knit in ribbing for about two rows and then make a buttonhole on the right front side.
Buttonhole: k1,p1, yo, k or p 2 together. The important thing is to keep in the ribbing stitch. On the return row, k the yarn over and then return to garter stitch for the upper collar. This will be a small buttonhole,
Upper collar:
Begin garter so that the right side is your first row of all knit stitches. Alternately one could purl a whole row so that there is a defined fold line of the collar. Do whatever you feel looks the best. Knit in garter, alternating yarns for two or more inches or 12-15 ridges. Again, do whatever you feel looks the best. Bind off. Cut yarn.
Next the shoulder triangles:
With the collar finished. and the fronts sewn to the back, the shoulder triangles are ready to be knit. Pick up 71 stitches along the edge of the front and back diamonds and knit as
Triangle #1. Repeat for the opposite shoulder.
Next the sleeves. For easiest knitting, these directions are written to knit the sleeves flat. Of course you can knit them in the round, if you are confident and experienced.
Sleeve:
Pick up 65 stitches along the edge of the front, shoulder and back. To make this easier, count about 5-7 ridges along the
side triangle, and begin to pick up stitches there. Find the center of the shoulder triangle and count half the stitches, and remove or add to make the correct number.
Knit 6 ridges and decrease at each edge as follows:
K1, k2tog, k to last three stitched, k2tog, k1.
Decrease every six ridges until desired length is achieved, usually about 45 stitches remain. Try on the jacket for sleeve length.
If a gathered cuff is desired, begin cuff two inches before desired finished length. Decrease stitches by k2tog every 6 stitches. Then finish in k1,p1 ribbing. Bind off and repeat for second sleeve.
Sew side seams and sleeve seams.
Ta da! You are finished.
You are welcome to use this pattern, for your own use or to sell. And I welcome questions.
Email me.
Several requests have come in asking about how I mount these quilts on the wooden panel. I refer them to this post. The paint I use is acrylic craft paint in those small bottles, like Americana.
