Lana Grossa Crochet Jacket Pattern

Lana Grossa Crochet Jacket in Cool Wool Lace Hand Dyed

What Is Being Made

This is a crochet cardigan jacket designed by Lana Grossa, available in two sizes: 36–38/40 and 40–42/44. The garment features a sophisticated construction with hand-dyed colorwork that creates visual interest through carefully planned color repeats across multiple skeins. The jacket is constructed using a side-to-side working method for the body pieces, allowing for seamless integration of the hand-dyed color variations throughout the design.

Construction Techniques

The jacket employs a seamed, worked flat construction method. The body is worked in one continuous piece from side to side, beginning at the left front edge. This technique allows the crocheter to work across the width of the garment rather than building it vertically, which is particularly effective for incorporating hand-dyed color repeats. The sleeves are also worked side to side, with shaping increases and decreases worked at the edges to create the proper sleeve cap and cuff proportions. Assembly involves seaming the finished pieces together to complete the jacket.

Crochet Stitches and Pattern

The primary stitch pattern used throughout this design is a simple yet effective two-row repeat. Row 1 consists of single crochet stitches worked into each chain across the foundation. Row 2 is worked as chain 1 followed by single crochet stitches worked into the back loop only of each stitch across. This back-loop-only technique creates a subtle textured appearance while maintaining the lace quality of the yarn. The pattern repeat is straightforward, making it accessible to intermediate crocheters while the hand-dyed yarn provides the visual complexity.

Yarn and Materials

The jacket is crafted using Lana Grossa Cool Wool Lace hand-dyed yarn in the colorway Sajra (color 811). This yarn is composed of 100% Merino wool with a generous yardage of 800 meters per 100 grams, providing excellent drape and fluidity ideal for a lace-weight cardigan. The project requires 400 grams total of yarn, distributed across four separate skeins to showcase different hand-dyed color repeats: Yellow/Ochre, Smokey Blue, and additional coordinating repeats. The hand-dyed nature of the yarn means each garment will be unique, with natural color variations that enhance the artisanal quality of the finished piece.

Tools and Gauge

A size 3 mm crochet hook is used throughout the project. The construction begins with two strands of yarn held together, which are then reduced to a single strand after the initial foundation chain, creating a gradual transition in fabric density. The gauge for this project is 22.5 stitches and 29 rows measuring 10 x 10 centimeters when worked in the crochet pattern with the size 3 mm hook. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements, as the jacket is designed to measure 62 centimeters (for the smaller size) or 66 centimeters (for the larger size) from the beginning to the center back.

Design Details

The jacket features strategic shaping through increases and decreases worked at the edges. For the sleeves, increases are created by chaining stitches at the edge every alternate row, with varying numbers of chains depending on the size being made. The smaller size requires chaining 10 stitches every alternate row six times, followed by a single chain of 32 stitches. The sleeve is then worked even for 30 centimeters before decreasing is introduced, with stitches left unworked at the edge to shape the sleeve cap. This structured approach to shaping ensures a well-fitted garment that drapes elegantly while maintaining the integrity of the lace-weight construction.