Floral Lace Jacket Knitting Pattern

Floral Lace Jacket Knitting Pattern by Nicky Epstein

Project Overview

The Floral Lace Jacket is an advanced beginner knitting pattern designed by Nicky Epstein for Cascade Yarns. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a sophisticated lace jacket constructed from modular floral blocks that are sewn together to form the body, sleeves, and finishing details. The finished garment features an elegant construction method that breaks down the project into manageable components, making it accessible to knitters developing intermediate skills.

Garment Construction and Design

This jacket uses a unique block-based construction technique where twelve individual floral fantasy blocks are knitted separately and then assembled. The pattern pieces are organized as follows: four blocks form the back panel, two blocks create the left front, and two blocks create the right front. Two additional blocks are sewn together to create each sleeve. This modular approach allows knitters to work on smaller, more portable sections before joining them into the complete garment.

The finished jacket measures approximately 45 3/4 inches around the circumference without the front trim and 23 inches in length without the bottom trim. The sleeves measure 23 inches from the neck edge and match the body circumference. The jacket features a collar that measures 4 inches when completed and is secured with a decorative Nicky Epstein Petite Leaf clasp.

Stitches and Techniques

The pattern employs several essential knitting techniques suited to an advanced beginner level. The primary stitch used throughout the ribbed sections is a 3x3 ribbed pattern, which alternates knit and purl stitches in a repeating sequence. This ribbing appears on the sleeve cuffs, bottom edge band, front band, and collar, providing structure and elasticity to the finished edges.

The floral blocks themselves utilize a Make Bobble (MB) stitch, a special stitch technique that creates dimensional texture and decorative elements within the lace pattern. Bobbles are three-dimensional knit embellishments that add visual interest and depth to the floral design. The pattern is worked in stockinette stitch as the base fabric, which provides a smooth canvas for the lace and bobble elements to stand out.

Key techniques required include picking up stitches along edges (used for the sleeve cuffs, bottom band, and front band), binding off, seaming blocks together, and setting sleeves into armholes. The pattern also involves working in the round conceptually when picking up stitches for the collar and front band sections.

Materials and Yarn

This pattern is designed to be worked with Cascade Ultra Pima yarn, a 100% Pima cotton fiber. The yarn is supplied in five balls, with each ball containing 3 1/2 ounces and 220 yards (200 meters) of yardage. The specific colorway referenced in the pattern is #3720. Pima cotton is a premium natural fiber known for its softness, durability, and breathability, making it an excellent choice for a lace jacket intended for warmer seasons or layering.

The pattern calls for Size 6 needles for working the main fabric. The gauge is established at 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches when worked in stockinette stitch on Size 6 needles. This gauge is critical for achieving the correct finished dimensions, as each floral block will measure approximately 11 1/2 inches square based on this gauge specification.

Finishing Details

The jacket is completed with several finishing elements that enhance both structure and aesthetics. A Nicky Epstein Petite Leaf clasp (item #04047) is attached to the front of the jacket, serving as both a functional closure and decorative accent. This specialty clasp can be sourced through local yarn stores or directly from nickyepstein.com.

The finishing process involves seaming the blocks together according to a provided diagram, sewing shoulder seams across the top of the blocks, setting sleeves into the armholes, and sewing side and sleeve seams. The ribbed edgings are picked up and worked perpendicular to the block edges, creating neat, finished borders around the sleeves, bottom, and front opening.

Skill Level and Pattern Suitability

Classified as advanced beginner difficulty, this pattern is suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and simple garment construction but are ready to tackle more complex shaping and specialty techniques. The modular block construction provides a confidence-building approach to garment assembly, while the special bobble stitch and lace elements offer opportunities to develop technical skills in a structured way.