Jody Long Valentina Jacket with Belt Knitting Pattern

Jody Long Valentina Jacket with Belt

What is Being Made

The Valentina Jacket is a striped cardigan from the Ciao Collection, designed to fit bust measurements ranging from 81–86 cm (32–34 in) through 122–127 cm (48–50 in). This garment features a structured silhouette with a coordinating belt, offering a sophisticated layering piece suitable for various occasions. The jacket is available in five sizes: S, M, L, XL, and XXL, with full lengths ranging from 70 to 78 cm (27½ to 30¾ in) and sleeve lengths of 46–48 cm (18–19 in).

Techniques Used

The Valentina Jacket is constructed using bottom-up knitting methodology, meaning the body is worked from the cast-on edge upward to the armholes. The garment is worked flat on needles rather than in the round, and pieces are subsequently seamed together to create the finished jacket. A distinctive design feature is the inclusion of stripes throughout, created by alternating between two yarn colors in a carefully planned stripe sequence. The pattern incorporates a fringe detail created by casting on using the thumb method, with loose yarn ends left at color changes to form part of the decorative fringe.

Stitches Used

The Valentina Jacket employs two primary stitch patterns. The main fabric is worked in moss stitch (also called seed stitch), which creates a textured, reversible fabric with excellent drape and visual interest. Stockinette stitch is used strategically at the edges—specifically 5 stitches at each end of the rows—to create selvage edges that will later form the fringe detail. The stripe sequence is established over 60 rows, creating a repeating pattern that alternates between yarn A (Alabaster 002) and yarn B (Marine 008) in a structured progression: single rows, pairs of rows, and longer blocks of rows work together to build a sophisticated striped effect.

Materials

The pattern calls for Jody Long Ciao yarn, a 50g weight yarn. Yarn requirements vary by size: yarn A (Alabaster 002) ranges from 12 x 50g for size S to 16 x 50g for size XXL, while yarn B (Marine 008) ranges from 8 x 50g for size S to 12 x 50g for size XXL. Knitting is worked on 4 mm (US 6) needles, including a pair of straight needles and a 4 mm circular needle. The recommended tension is 21 stitches and 37 rows to 10 cm (4 in) when measured over moss stitch using 4 mm needles, ensuring proper garment sizing and drape.