Pattern Description from Heirloom Knitting: “This project makes a traditional jacket to fit a newborn to 3 months old baby and is an ideal way to ‘fine’ down your knitting from ordinary double-knitting to the Shetland 2 and 1 ply (remember, these equate to classic 4 ply and 2 ply respectively). In the book, the jacket is shown with a narrow, knitted edging as a final touch; it could just as well be left plain, or a picot crochet finish worked instead. A variation of this jacket with a lace pattern and a picot crochet edging is also given.”

Materials:

• 2 x 1/2 ozs of Shetland Cobweb 1 ply (28g) or 2 x 1 ozs (56g) of Shetland Lace-weight 2 ply; wound into balls ready for knitting. If using the Cobweb 1 ply, you will only need a little from the second ball to finish off the second front. Enough should be left over to make a bonnet or bootees, and there is a bootee pattern with this project.
• 2.75 mm Circular needle - (British size 12), 40cm long or equivalent knitting needles
• Blunt tapestry needle or similar, for sewing up
• Small button
• 2.5 mm Crochet hook

Finished Size: When made up and dressed, the jacket is a 20 inch (50cm) chest exactly and the back measures 9 incehs (22.5cm) from nape to hem. In practice, the knitting and the wool are most elastic, which together with the button-at-the-neck style means this jacket easily fits a new baby. This pattern is based on a 1913 baby vest and has a narrow back and overlapping fronts.

Tension: “My personal working tension is 8 stitches and 16 rows to the square inch/2.5cm, using above needles and the Shetland 1 ply. This is measured over undressed knitting gently spread - i.e. knitting still on the pin, not washed and stretched. If you tension is near this and you are comfortable, don’t worry too much - the finished jacket will fit one baby or another. If you tension is much tighter and you have more titches and rows to an inch (2.5cm), use a size larger set of knitting needles.”

Pages 234-236.

Pattern from the book Heirloom Knitting by Sharon Miller. Book available from the Web site. Designed for a baby jacket out of cobweb yarn, but can change the size by using heavier yarn and different needles. Gauge and yardage, therefore, are variable. Also, crochet edging is optional. She has a pattern for a nice optional scalloped lace edging included with the design.