A decorative loopy edging adds excitement to this very simple fitted jacket, knitted in a lightweight, but chunky, yarn.
ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE
Including finishing and working the loop-stitch edging, the 1st size jacket took 15 hours to make.
SIZES
To fit bust 32 to 34[36 to 38:40 to 42:44 to 46] in. (81 to 86[91 to 97: 101.5 to 107:112 to 117] cm).
Actual measurements: bust 39¼[43¼:48¼:53] in. (100[110:123:135] cm); length 24¼[25:26:27] in. (62[63.5:66:68.5] cm); sleeve 16½[18:18:19] in. (42[46:46:48.5] cm). Figures in square brackets refer to larger sizes; where there is one figure, it refers to all sizes.
YOU WILL NEED
• 9(10:11:12) x 100 g balls (approx. 31½[35:38½:42] oz.) of Sirdar Bigga in Blue Horizon, shade 673
• pair of size US 19 (15 mm) knitting needles
• size US 17 (12 mm) circular needle
GAUGE
6 sts and 9 rows to 4 in. (10 cm) over st-st on size US 19 (15 mm) needles. Change needle size, if necessary, to obtain this gauge.
ABBREVIATIONS
beg = beginning; cont = continue; dec = decrease; foll = following; inc = increase; k = knit; kfb = k into front and back of st; p = purl; RS = right side; skpo = slip one, k1, pass slipped st over; st(s) = stitch(es); st-st = stockinette st; tog = together; WS = wrong side.
NOTES
• Do not join in yarn at front edges.
• The circular needle is used to work back and forth in the usual way.
JACKET
BACK
Using size US 19 (15 mm) needles, cast on 30(33:36:39) sts. Beg k row, st-st 4 rows.
Dec row (RS) K3, k2tog, k to last
5 sts, skpo, k3.
Cont in st-st, dec in this way at each end of 2 foll 6th rows. 24(27:30:33) sts. St-st 5 rows.
Inc row (RS) K2, kfb, k to last 4 sts, kfb, k3.
Cont in st-st, inc in this way at each end of 2 foll 4th rows. 30(33:36:39) sts. St-st 7 rows.
Shape armholes. Bind off 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows.
Dec row (RS) K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, skpo, k1.
Cont in st-st, dec in this way at each end of next 1(1:2:2) RS rows. 22(25:26:27) sts.
St-st 13(15:15:17) rows.
Bind off purlwise.
LEFT FRONT
Using size US 19 (15 mm) needles, cast on 15(17:19:21) sts.
Row 1 (RS) K.
Row 2 K1, p to end.
These 2 rows form st-st with k1 at front edge. Work 2 more rows.
Dec row (RS) K3, k2tog, k to end. Cont in st-st, dec in this way at beg of 2 foll 6th rows. 12(14:16:18) sts. St-st 5 rows.
Inc row (RS) K2, kfb, k to end. Cont in st-st, inc in this way at beg of 2 foll 4th rows. 15(17:19:21) sts.
Work 7 rows.
Shape armhole and neck. Bind off 2 sts at beg of next row. 13(15:17:19) sts.
P 1 row.
Dec row (RS) K1, k2tog, k to last
4 sts, skpo, k2.
Dec in this way at each end of next 1(1:2:2) RS rows. 9(11:11:13) sts. Dec at neck edge only on foll 4(5:4:5) RS rows.
5(6:7:8) sts.
Work 5(5:7:7) rows.
Bind off.
RIGHT FRONT
Using size US 19 (15 mm) needles, cast on 15(17:19:21) sts.
Row 1 (RS) K.
Row 2 P to last st, k1.
These 2 rows form st-st with k1 at front edge. Work 2 more rows.
Dec row (RS) K to last 5 sts, skpo, k3. 14(16:18:20) sts.
Dec in this way at end of 2 foll 6th rows. 12(14:16:18) sts.
Work 5 rows.
Inc row (RS) K to last 4 sts, kfb, k3. 13(15:17:19) sts.
Inc in this way at end of 2 foll 4th rows. 15(17:19:21) sts.
Work 8 rows, ending with a RS row.
Shape armhole and neck. Bind off 2 sts at beg of next row.
Dec row (RS) K2, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, skpo, k1.
Dec in this way at each end of next 1(1:2:2) RS rows. 9(11:11:13) sts.
Dec at neck edge only on foll 4(5:4:5) RS rows. 5(6:7:8) sts. Work 5(5:7:7) rows. Bind off.
SLEEVES
Using size US 19 (15 mm) needles, cast on 16(17:18:19) sts. Beg k row, st-st 4(4:4:2) rows.
Inc row (RS) K2, kfb, k to last 4 sts, kfb, k3. 18(19:20:21) sts.
Cont in st-st, inc in this way at each end of 3(4:4:5) foll 8th rows. 24(27:28:31) sts. St-st 9(5:5:1) rows.
Shape top. Bind off 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows.
Dec row (RS) K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, skpo, k1.
Cont in st-st, dec in this way at each end of next 4 RS rows. 10(13:14:17) sts.
P 1 row.
Next row (RS) Bind off 2 sts, k to last 2 sts, skpo.
Next row Bind off 2 sts, p to last 2 sts, p2tog. 4(7:8:11) sts. Bind off.
EDGING
Matching sts, join shoulders. Using circular needle, pick up 49(50:52:53) sts up right front to shoulder, 12 sts across back neck, and 49(50:52:53) sts down left front to lower edge. 110(112:116:118) sts. K 1 row.
Next row (RS) K into front of first st but leave st on left needle, bring yarn forward between needles; take it around left thumb and back between needles, leaving a loop of yarn held by thumb on RS; k into back of first st and allow st to drop off left needle; remove thumb from loop, lift first st over 2nd st and off right needle; k each st in this way to end.
Bind off knitwise.
TO FINISH
Set in sleeves. Taking a half stitch from each side, join side and sleeve seams.
ABOUT THIS YARN
Bigga is a super-thick 50% wool, 50% acrylic yarn that’s surprisingly light-weight. It has approx. 44 yds. (40 m) to a 100 g ball (approx. 3½ oz.).
TIPS
• If you don’t have a circular needle, use straight size 17 (12 mm) needles and pick up and work the loop-stitch edging in three sections: right front, back neck, and left front. Join the sections at the shoulders.
• Even if you’ve never picked up stitches before, you’ll find it easy to see where to place the needle to hook the stitch through because of the knit stitch at the front edges. Simply go between the knit stitch and the first stitch in stockinette stitch. To pick up the stitches evenly on each front, skip approximately every 8th row end.
• When shaping the sleeve top, you’ll get a smoother line if you slip the first stitch each time you bind off stitches.
This loop-edged jacket is a perfect topper for your favorite pair of jeans.
