Cabled Jacket Knitting Pattern

Cabled Jacket in Rowan Big Wool

What is Being Made

The Cabled Jacket is a structured knit garment designed to fit chest measurements ranging from 71-76 cm up to 152-157 cm, making it suitable for multiple sizes from children through adults. This intermediate-level project creates a tailored jacket with a classic construction featuring separate back and front panels that are seamed together, with a ribbed neckband finish.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate crafters. Cable work forms the primary decorative and textural element throughout the garment, with charted cable patterns repeated across the back and front pieces. The jacket uses shaping techniques including cast-off decreases at the shoulders and back neck to create proper garment structure and fit. Ribbed edging is incorporated at the lower front bands and neckline to provide elasticity and a finished appearance. The pattern also requires stitch holders to manage stitches during construction, particularly for the back neck opening.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the jacket is reverse stockinette stitch, which serves as the background fabric and allows the cable patterns to stand out prominently. Cables are worked using a cable needle to create the twisted, braided texture characteristic of cable knit designs. Ribbing (alternating knit and purl stitches) is used for the front bands and neckband, providing both structural integrity and visual definition. The pattern utilizes charted instructions for the cable repeats, with rows numbered 1–60 for the back pattern and rows 1–18 for the front pattern, allowing knitters to follow the complex stitch sequences systematically.

Materials and Tools

The Cabled Jacket is knit using Rowan Big Wool, a bulky weight yarn sold in 100-gram balls. The specific colorway shown in the pattern photography is Glum 056. Yarn quantities range from 9 to 13 balls depending on the finished garment size. Construction requires 10mm (US 15) needles—one pair of straight needles for the main pieces and one 10mm circular needle measuring at least 160 cm for the neckband. Additional tools include a cable needle for manipulating stitches during cable work, stitch holders for securing stitches temporarily, and stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping points. The pattern specifies a tension of 9.5 stitches and 13 rows to 10 cm measured over reverse stockinette stitch using the recommended needle size.