Lana Grossa Jacket Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Lana Grossa Jacket in Slow Wool Canapa

What is Being Made

This is a knitted cardigan jacket designed as Design 31 from Filati Classici 17. The garment is constructed in a classic cardigan silhouette with front button closure, worked in a refined knit and purl pattern. The jacket is available in three sizes: 36/38, 40, and 42/44, making it suitable for a range of body measurements.

Techniques Used

The Lana Grossa Jacket employs bottom-up construction, meaning the pieces are knitted from the cast-on edge upward toward the shoulders. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional front and back pieces that are later seamed together. This approach provides excellent control over shaping and patterning throughout the garment.

The jacket incorporates several shaping techniques including armhole shaping accomplished through strategic bind-offs at the beginning of right-side rows, and neck shaping achieved through paired decreases that create a gradual neckline. Shoulder shaping is worked using bind-offs to create structured shoulder lines. A front band is integrated into the pattern, worked simultaneously with the main body to create a finished edge for button placement.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is a knit and purl combination worked over a multiple of 4 stitches plus 2 selvage stitches. The main pattern alternates between knit and purl rows:

• Row 1 (Right Side): Selvage stitch, knit 1, then repeat *purl 2, knit 2* across, ending with purl 2, knit 1, and selvage stitch
• Row 2 (Wrong Side): Selvage stitch, purl across entire row, selvage stitch

This creates a textured rib-like pattern that provides elasticity and visual interest. The left front band pattern is worked separately over 8 stitches and includes techniques such as knit through the back loop (k1tbl), slip stitches purlwise (sl 1 pwise), and slip stitches with yarn in back (wyib) or yarn in front (wyif), which create a neat, finished edge. Purl two together (p2tog) decreases are used for neck shaping to maintain pattern continuity.

Materials

The jacket requires 700 to 800 grams of yarn depending on size, using Lana Grossa Slow Wool Canapa. This yarn is composed of 90% superwash Merino wool and 10% hemp, offering a blend of softness, durability, and natural fiber properties. The hemp content adds subtle texture and breathability to the finished garment. The yarn is worked in the colorway Ink (color 18), a sophisticated neutral tone.

Three sizes of needles are required: size 5 mm, 5.5 mm, and 6 mm, allowing for gauge adjustments and pattern transitions throughout the garment construction. The jacket is finished with 22 mm buttons in blue/grey by Union Knopf (item 452933), providing a coordinated closure that complements the yarn color.