Debbie Bliss Trench Coat Knitting Pattern

Debbie Bliss Trench Coat

What is Being Made

The Debbie Bliss Trench Coat is a classic children's knitted coat designed for ages 3-4 through 9-10 years. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a structured, tailored outerwear piece featuring a traditional trench coat silhouette with button closures. The coat is available in four graduated sizes with finished chest measurements ranging from 75cm (29½in) to 92cm (36in) and length to shoulder measurements from 52cm (20½in) to 70cm (27½in).

Techniques Used

This knitting pattern employs several essential garment construction techniques appropriate for intermediate knitters. The coat is worked in separate pieces—including left front, right front, back, and sleeves—which are subsequently joined together. The pattern incorporates shaping methods including armhole decreases, shoulder shaping through cast-off rows, and structured increases and decreases to create the fitted silhouette characteristic of a trench coat design. The joining row technique is used to connect the front and back pieces seamlessly. Tension control is critical for this project, requiring 22 stitches and 40 rows to measure 10cm (4in) square.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern throughout the Debbie Bliss Trench Coat is moss stitch, a fundamental textured stitch created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a regular pattern. The moss stitch row is worked as K1, [p1, k1] to end, and this row is repeated to form the overall fabric texture. This classic stitch choice provides a neat, professional finish suitable for a tailored coat while remaining accessible for intermediate-level knitters.

Materials

• Yarn: 12 (13, 14, 16) x 50g balls of Debbie Bliss Rialto DK in White 01. Rialto DK is a double knitting weight yarn, making it appropriate for structured garments with good stitch definition.
• Needles: Pair of 4mm (US 6) knitting needles, or the size required to obtain the specified tension of 22 stitches and 40 rows to 10cm (4in) square over moss stitch.
• Notions: 12 buttons for the front closure of the coat.

Pattern Details and Construction

The back piece is cast on and worked straight in moss stitch until it reaches the specified length from cast-on edge before armhole shaping begins. Armhole shaping is achieved by casting off 6 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows, followed by decreasing one stitch at each end of the next row and 5 following right-side rows. The front pieces follow a similar construction method, with the left front and right front worked separately to accommodate the button band and front opening. After all pieces are completed, they are joined using a joining row technique that connects the front and back sections. Sleeve length varies by size from 24cm (9½in) for the smallest size to 38cm (15in) for the largest size, allowing the coat to grow with the child.