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Archive entry for October 2016

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October 2016

Little Lumber Jacket

LittleLumberJacket.jpg

A delightful little child's jacket from the 1950s. Beryl knitted it for her grandson and it looks lovely on him - see pictures at the end. [She also gives useful feedback on the sizing].

Instructions:

Two sizes are given - see notes on sizing with the photos at the end. Larger size is shown in brackets, and where only one number is shown it applies to both sizes.

Pocket Flaps (make 2)

Using No 8 (4mm) needles cast on 13 stitches.

1st row: Purl.
2nd row: * K1, p1; repeat from * to the last stitch, k1.
3rd row: K2, (p1, k1) twice, wf, k2tog, (p1, k1) twice, k1.
4th row: Knit.
5th row: K2, * p1, k1; repeat from * to the last stitch, k1.
6th row: * K1, p1; repeat from * to the last stitch, k1.

Break off wool and leave stitches on a spare needle or stitch holder.

Right Front

Using No 10 (3¼mm) needles cast on 33[35] stitches.

1st row: K2, * p1, k1; repeat from * to the last stitch, k1. .
2nd row: * K1, p1; repeat from * to the last stitch, k1.

Work these two rows 8[9] times more, increasing one stitch the beginning of the last row on the larger size only. {33[36] sts}.

††
Change to No 8 (4mm) needles and, knitting the first stitch on every row, work in stocking stitch until work measures 8½[10] inches from the beginning, finishing at the side edge.

Shape armhole by casting off 3[3] stitches the the beginning of the next row. Decrease 1 stitch the the armhole edge on every row until 26[28] stitches remain.
††

Work 3[4] rows in stocking stitch thus finishing at the side edge.

Place pocket flap:
Next row: P5[7]; cast off 13, purl to the last stitch, k1.

Proceed in yoke pattern as follows:

1st row (right side of work facing): P8[8]; slip 13 pocket flap stitches on to left-hand needle, purl across these stitches; purl to end.
2nd and 3rd rows: * P1, k1; repeat from * to end.
4th row: Knit.
5th and 6th rows: * P1, k1; repeat from * to end.

††
Keeping yoke pattern correct as on last 6 rows,
[Editor's Note: the 1st row in the 6 row pattern is always purl all stitches.]
continue until work measures 12[14] inches from the beginning, finishing at the front edge.

Keeping yoke pattern correct, shape neck by casting off 5[6] stitches at the beginning of the next row. Decrease 1 stitch at the neck edge on every row until 17[18] stitches remain.

Continue on these stitches until work measures 5[]inches from the beginning of the armhole shaping, finishing at the armhole edge.

Shape shoulder:
1st row: Cast off 8[9] stitches, pattern to end.
2nd row: Pattern across all stitches.
Cast off.

Left Front

Using No 10 (3¼mm) needles cast on 33[35] stitches. Work rows 1 and 2 of rib as on Right Front 9[10] times, increasing one stitch the end of the last row on the larger size only. {33[36] sts}

Work as for Right Front from †† to ††.
Work 4[5] rows in stocking stitch thus finishing at the front edge.

Place pocket flap:
Next row: P8[8]; cast off 13, purl to end.

Proceed in yoke pattern as follows:

1st row (right side of work facing): P5[7]; slip 13 pocket flap stitches on to left-hand needle, purl across these stitches; purl to end.
2nd and 3rd rows: * K1, p1; repeat from * to end.
4th row: Knit.
5th and 6th rows: * K1, p1; repeat from * to end.

Complete as for right Front working from ††to end.

Back:

Using No 10 (3¼mm) needles cast on 65[71] stitches. Work rows 1 and 2 of rib as on Right Front 9[10] times.

Change to No 8 (4mm) needles and proceed in stocking stitch until work measures same as fronts up to the armhole shaping, finishing at the end of a purl row.

Shape armholes by casting off 3[3] stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows. Decrease 1 stitch at both ends of every row until 51[55] stitches remain.
Work 4[5] rows in stocking stitch thus finishing at the end of a purl row.

Proceed in yoke pattern as follows:

1st row (right side of work facing): Purl.
2nd row: K2, * p1, k1; repeat from * to the last stitch, k1.
3rd row: * K1, p1; repeat from * to the last stitch, k1.
4th row: Knit.
5th rows: * K1, p1; repeat from * to the last stitch, k1.
6th row: K2, * p1, k1; repeat from * to the last stitch, k1.

Continue in yoke pattern as on these 6 rows until work measures same as fronts up to shoulder shaping.

Shape shoulder by casting off 8[9] stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows, 9[9] stitches at the beginning of the following 2 rows.
Cast off.

Sleeves (both alike):

With No 10 (3¼mm) needles, cast on 32[34] stitches and

Work 2¼[] inches in k1, p1 rib.

Next row: Rib 1[2], (increase in next stitch, rib 3) 7 times; increase in next stitch, rib to end. {40[42] sts}.

Change to No 8 (4mm) needles and proceed in stocking stitch, increasing 1 stitch at each end of the 7th and every following 10th[10th] row until there are 50[54] stitches.

Continue on these stitches until work measures 10½[12] inches from the beginning.

Shape top by casting off 3[3] stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows. Decrease 1 stitch at each end of the next and every alternate row until 14[16] stitches remain.

Cast off.

Collar:

Using No 10 (3¼mm) needles, cast on 85[89] stitches.

1st row: K2, * p1, k1; repeat from * to the last stitch, k1..
2nd row: * K1, p1; repeat from * to the last stitch, k1.
3rd row: K1, k2togtbl, * k1, p1; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k1, k2tog, k1.
4th row: K1, p1, * p1, k1; repeat from * to last 3 stitches, p2, k1.
5th rows: K1, k2togtbl, * p1, k1; repeat from * to last 4 stitches, p1, k2tog, k1.

Work rows 2-5 inclusive 3 times more, then the 2nd row once.

Cast off 9 stitches at the beginning of the next 6 rows.
Cast off.

Pockets (make 2):

Using No 8 (4mm) needles, cast on 13 stitches.
Work in stocking stitch for 2½[] inches.
Cast off.

Making Up

Omitting the ribbing, with wrong side facing, block each piece by pinning out round edges. Omitting ribbing, press each piece carefully using a warm iron and a damp cloth.
Using back stitch, join shoulder, side and sleeve seams.
Insert Sleeves.
Stitch Pockets into position on wrong side, stitching top of Pockets along inside of Pocket Flaps.
Stitch on Collar.
Attach buttons to correspond with buttonholes.
Stitch zip into position.
Press all seams.

Materials

7 [9] oz Double Knitting Yarn.

A pair each No 8 (4mm) and No 10 (3¼mm) needles.

12[14] inch open ended zip.
Two buttons.

Tension

22 sts and 30 rows to 4 inches on No 8 (4mm) needles in stocking stitch.

Size matters

To fit 23½[25½] inch chest.
Length from top of shoulders: 13½[15½] inches.
Sleeve seam: 10½[12] inches.

Abbreviations:

yf: yarn forward; makes an extra stitch which forms a small pattern hole when knitted on the next row.
k2tog: knit 2 sts together to decrease a stitch.
k2togtbl: knit 2 sts together through back loops (aka "ssk" - slip slip knit, - slip 2 stitches knitwise then knit them together).
stocking stitch: 1 row knit, 1 row purl.

A word on the wool

Original called for Patons Moorland, Double Quick, or Totem DK.
Easily to find modern double knitting yarns but you will need to review the quantities.
Beryl used 2½ x 50g balls of Sirdar Snuggly - a synthetic yarn with a very good yardage (165m per ball). The original pure wools required 4-5 x 50g balls (which is consistent with my own "rule of thumb" of around 100 yards per 50g ball for pure wools).

Disclaimer
(well...almost)

In transposing any pattern it is always a risk that errors will be introduced, in spite of dedicated proof reading.
If you have any problems with this pattern, please and I will try and assist.

LittleLumberJacket3.jpg

And here is a picture of the cardigan knitted by Beryl in a modern yarn: 2½ balls of Sirdar Snuggly Double Knitting:

LittleLumberJacket2.jpg

Beryl had some notes on the sizing. The original pattern was for 4-7 year olds; her grandson was only 20 months old and she left the length as it was written - she says: "he is a chunky littel chap" and previous feedback for the Little Raglan Reefer suggested the lengths of these old patterns works up a bit short for modern taste. The sleeves could have been shortened (for a 20 month old) as you can see the cuffs are turned back. Beryl found the zip a challenge and ended up using the sewing machine.
Her conclusion is that if the knitter does the length longer and leaves the sleeves as they are it would be more suitable for a 2-3 year old.

Beryl said: "I love the jacket on my grandson and I have recently found a picture of my brother wearing the same cardigan that my Mum made for him!"

Doug.jpg

[And needless to say this one is my personal favourite - how is it that all our brothers from that era have such wonderful cheeky grins? All of them "Just William".]

© Christina Coutts 2007

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