Lana Grossa 17 Jacket Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Lana Grossa 17 Jacket in Alta Moda Cotolana

What is Being Made

The Lana Grossa 17 is a knitted cardigan jacket designed in three sizes: 36/38, 40/42, and 44. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a fitted jacket with a shaped neckline, structured shoulders, and fitted sleeves. The garment is constructed using a combination of ribbed and lace pattern sections, making it a sophisticated layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

This jacket employs several essential knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate crafters. The construction involves decreasing stitches to shape the neckline progressively over 32 rows on the right side, creating a refined neck opening. Shoulder shaping is worked simultaneously with neck shaping to create proper garment structure. Sleeve cap shaping is achieved through strategic decreases at each end of rows. The pattern uses chart-based colorwork or stitch pattern following, requiring the knitter to work from written instructions while maintaining pattern repeats across the width of the piece. Selvage stitches are maintained throughout for clean, finished edges.

Stitches Used

The Lana Grossa 17 incorporates two primary stitch patterns. The rib pattern features a multiple of 2 plus 1, worked over 2 selvage stitches, alternating knit and purl through the front loop to create texture and elasticity. The pattern rows alternate between a wrong-side row working knit 1, purl through back loop in sequence, and a right-side row working purl 1, knit through back loop in sequence. The lace pattern is worked according to a provided chart with a multiple of 8 plus 3 stitches, plus 2 selvage stitches. This lace pattern creates an openwork design element throughout the jacket body and sleeves, adding visual interest and drape to the finished garment.

Materials and Tools

The Lana Grossa 17 Jacket requires 500 grams (550g or 600g for larger sizes) of Lana Grossa Alta Moda Cotolana yarn in the colorway Pastel Green (color 35). This yarn is composed of 45% Merino wool, 45% Pima cotton, and 10% polyamide, providing a blend of breathability, durability, and elasticity. The yarn yields 150 meters per 50-gram ball, making it a worsted-weight yarn suitable for structured garments. Knitters will need size 3.5 mm and 4 mm knitting needles to work the various sections of the jacket, with the smaller needles used for ribbed edgings and the larger needles for the main pattern sections. Additionally, a size 3.5 mm crochet hook is required, likely for finishing edges or button bands. The jacket is finished with three 18 mm mother-of-pearl buttons by UNION KNOPF (item 37604, color 12), providing an elegant closure.

Construction Details

The back piece is cast on and worked in rib pattern before transitioning to the lace pattern chart. The body is worked to a length of 27 to 29 centimeters (depending on size) from the cast-on edge before armhole shaping begins. The front pieces are worked separately with progressive neck decreases—1 stitch decreased at the end of each right-side row for 32 rows—creating a gradual, shaped neckline. Shoulder shaping is coordinated with neck shaping to ensure proper fit. The sleeves are cast on with 133 stitches and worked in the same lace pattern as the body, with decreases at each end to create a fitted sleeve cap. All pieces maintain selvage stitches throughout for clean finishing.