Merry Coat Knitting Pattern

Merry Coat by Lisa Richardson

What is Being Made

The Merry Coat is a knitted coat designed by Lisa Richardson, available in multiple sizes to fit bust measurements from 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) up to 152-157 cm (60-62 inches). This intermediate-level knitting project creates a structured coat garment with a front opening, shaped armholes, and a decorative patterned design.

Knitting Techniques Used

This coat employs several essential knitting techniques to achieve its finished structure. The pattern begins with garter stitch ribbing for the lower edge, providing elasticity and a defined border. Make one (M1) increases are strategically placed to shape the garment body and create gradual shaping from the cast-on edge. The coat features charted colorwork patterning worked across the main body, requiring the knitter to follow a 16-row pattern repeat while maintaining proper stitch counts. Cast-off shaping is used at the armhole to create structured sleeve openings, with decreases worked at specific intervals to form the front slope and neckline shaping. The pattern also incorporates border stitches maintained in garter stitch at the front opening edge throughout construction.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch: Creates the textured ribbed borders and edge finishes
• Stockinette stitch: Forms the base fabric for the charted pattern sections
• Make one (M1) increases: Used for shaping increases along the body
• Knit stitches (K): Primary stitch throughout the pattern
• Cast-off (bind-off): Shapes armholes and front edges with decreases of 5, 4, and 3 stitches
• Single stitch decreases: Worked over multiple rows to shape the front slope and neckline

Materials and Specifications

The Merry Coat is designed to be worked in Rowan Alpaca Soft DK, a double-knit weight yarn made from alpaca. The project uses two colorway options: Dark Burgundy (Yarn A) and Autumn Gold (Yarn B). Yarn quantities vary by size, ranging from 230 grams for the smallest size up to 220 grams for larger sizes, with specific yardage requirements listed for each of the nine available sizes.

The pattern requires two needle sizes: 3¼mm (US 3) needles for the initial ribbed edge and a 3¼mm (US 3) circular needle at least 50 cm long for later sections, and 4mm (US 6) needles for the main body fabric. The tension is set at 25 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm measured over pattern using 4mm (US 6) needles, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements. The coat is finished with 2 metal buttons measuring 2.5 cm, which serve as functional closures at the front opening.

Pattern Structure and Construction

The Merry Coat is constructed in pieces, beginning with the left front panel. The left front starts with a cast-on of 72 to 120 stitches depending on size, worked in garter stitch for 7 rows to create a stable edge. Strategic increases are then worked across a wrong-side row to prepare for the patterned sections. The main body transitions to the larger needles and introduces the charted colorwork pattern, which is repeated across 16 rows. A 3-stitch border in garter stitch using the main color is maintained at the front opening edge throughout, creating a neat, finished appearance. Front slope shaping is achieved through a series of cast-offs and decreases, with 5 stitches cast off initially, followed by 4 stitches at alternating rows, then 3 stitches, and finally single-stitch decreases worked over consecutive and alternating rows to create the proper garment silhouette.