The Nostalgic Sweater Coat


The air is crisp. The low afternoon sunlight illuminates the branches of the tree-lined street. From an open window somewhere in the distance you can hear a familiar song. And you hum along to the tune as you stroll - hands in pockets and oblivious to the chill, with the turned-up collar of your fabulous sweater coat…


With stylistic influences from the 1970s and ‘90s, this classic garment can be worn as outerwear, or as a layering piece under an overcoat. Worked seamlessly from the top down, the vintage-inspired design features a tall ribbed collar - which can be worn buttoned up like a funnel-neck, or open for dramatic effect.

The pattern offers several length options, from cropped, to lower hip, to below-the-knee. The bodice can be worked straight, with A-line shaping, or to a fit & flare shape. Detailed instructions are provided for working the optional belt and pockets.

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MATERIALS & INFORMATION

SIZE 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
measures as follows around chest circumference -
87.5cm/ 35” (93.5cm/ 37.5”, 100cm/ 40”, 108.5cm/ 43.25”, 
119cm/ 47.5”, 127.5cm/ 51”, 136cm/ 54.25”, 144cm/ 57.75”, 
152.5cm/ 61”, 161cm/ 64.5”)

Fit Recommendation
This garment is intended to be worn with approximately, but no less than, 10cm/4” of ease around the chest.

Note that if you find yourself in between sizes, the pattern describes how to work half-sizes by slightly altering gauge.

YARN

suitable for DK to Aran weight yarns,
approximately 160-200m/ 175-220y per 100g/ 3.5oz

project requires approximately:

6 (6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9) 100g/3.5oz skeins for cropped

7 (7, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 9, 9, 10) 100g/3.5oz skeins for mid fit & flare
8 (8, 9, 9, 9, 10, 10, 10, 11, 11) 100g/3.5oz skeins full length fit & flare
The optional belt and pockets will require an additional 100g/ 3.5oz skein. 


GAUGE
19 sts x 25 rows = 10cm x 10cm in stockinette for main fabric

23 sts x 30 rows = 10cm x 10cm in 2x2 rib for edgings


NEEDLES
Needle A: circular needle, 4mm (US 6) in diameter, or as needed to meet gauge for main fabric


Needle B: circular needle, 3mm (US 3) in diameter, or as needed to meet gauge for edgings and optional features


NOTIONS
removable stitch markers, measuring tape, scrap yarn, tapestry needle, sewing needle, sewing thread, buttons (10-14, depending on length; 20mm/ 0.75” in diameter);
optional (for belt loops): crochet hook same size as Needle B - but note that bare hands can be used instead; optional (for pockets and belt loops): pins - but note that removable st markers can be used instead.

SPECIAL TECHNIQUES
provisional cast-on, short rows;
optional (for belt loops): crochet chain

CONSTRUCTION
Worked seamlessly, from the top down, with short row neckline shaping, raglan construction, and integrated buttonbands. Several length and shaping options are provided for the Bodice: cropped (low waist/ high hip), mid (below the hips), and full length (below the knees). The bodice can be worked straight, A-Line, or with a fit & flare shape.

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SAMPLE INFO
knitted with Höner och Eir Nutiden, held double
(Omnia & Rå held together)

sample shown is a Size 3, full-length, fit & flare
modelled with 10cm/4” of ease around the chest 

Note: If using Nutiden, other unspun wool, or similar - approximately 100g/ 3.5oz less yarn will be required than the quantities stated above.



NOTES ON STYLE POSSIBILITIES
While this sweater-coat can have a vintage-inspired look, you can also opt for a more contemporary ‘Scandi’ or ‘coatigan’ aesthetic by working the bodice straight, or with A-Line shaping (depending on your figure). Choosing the cropped option is another interesting stylistic possibility that will result in a ‘bomber jacket’ type look.

NOTES ON YARN SELECTION
Choosing a yarn toward the DK end of the weight range will result in a more airy, open fabric (a woollen spun yarn that can be worked above gauge is recommended if opting for this). Choosing a yarn toward the Aran end of the weight range will result in a denser, firmer fabric.

Note that a fingering to sportweight yarn held double can likewise be used to achieve a DK-Aran weight equivalent. Fingering-weight yarn held together with lace-weight mohair will also work with the gauge, and is a particularly good option for the full length as it keeps the garment lightweight. Using fine yarns held together (as opposed to a single heavier yarn) offers the additional possibility of creating your own marled colour ways, as I did in the pattern sample (sky blue + olive brown).

More notes on yarn selection, and ‘knitting above gauge,’ on my blog!

IF YOU NOTICE DISCREPANCIES IN EARLY PROJECTS…
You might notice that some of the early projects (made in the ‘pre-knitting’ stage) refer to this pattern as Fada. This was the original name, but I later renamed it. I have also made some minor changes to the pattern since I initially wrote it in 2020/2021, so if you notice discrepancies in button spacing and pocket design, that is why! The pattern photos shown here reflect the finalised version of the design.