Noro Open Front Jacket Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Noro Open Front Jacket

Project Overview

The Noro Open Front Jacket is an experienced-level knitting project designed as a sophisticated cardigan-style outerwear piece. This garment features a contemporary open front design that creates an elegant, layered silhouette suitable for transitional seasons or as a versatile layering piece.

What Is Being Made

This is a tailored open-front jacket available in three sizes: Small (bust 34 inches/86 cm), Medium (bust 38 inches/96.5 cm), and Large (bust 42 inches/106.5 cm). The finished length ranges from 18¼ inches (46.5 cm) in the Small size to 22 inches (56 cm) in the Large size, with upper arm measurements between 16 and 18 inches (40.5 to 45.5 cm). The open front construction allows the jacket to be worn unbuttoned as a statement piece or closed for added warmth and structure.

Construction Techniques

The Noro Open Front Jacket is constructed using a bottom-up knitting method, meaning the garment is worked from the lower edge upward toward the shoulders and neckline. The pieces are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, which is the traditional approach for structured jacket construction. All pieces are subsequently seamed together, creating clean, professional-looking joins that contribute to the garment's polished appearance. The design incorporates horizontal stripes created through the strategic use of two complementary yarn colors, adding visual interest and depth to the finished piece.

Stitches and Techniques Used

This experienced-level project employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques:

• Knitwise and purlwise stitching: The pattern uses standard knit and purl stitches worked in both directions to create texture and structure.
• Make one increases: Both knitwise and purlwise make one increases are utilized to add stitches strategically throughout the pattern, allowing for shaping at the bust, waist, and sleeve cap.
• Slip, slip, knit/purl decreases: This double-stitch decrease technique (abbreviated SSK or SSP) is employed to decrease stitches while maintaining consistent stitch tension and creating neat decreases, particularly important in shaping the armholes and neckline.
• Slip stitches: Edge stitches are slipped rather than worked to create clean selvage edges that facilitate easier seaming of the finished pieces.
• Pick up and knit/purl: This technique is used to add new stitches along finished edges, commonly applied when adding ribbing, edgings, or collar bands to the jacket.
• Stitch markers and stitch holders: These tools help track pattern repeats and temporarily hold stitches during construction.

Materials Required

The Noro Open Front Jacket calls for specific yarn quantities and needle specifications to achieve the intended finished measurements and drape:

• Main color yarn: 4 (5, 5) x 50g balls of Noro Silk Garden in colorway #373 (MC)
• Contrast color yarn: 2 (3, 3) x 100g skeins of Noro Silk Garden Sock Solo in colorway #3 (CC)
• Needles: One pair of US size 9 (5.5mm) needles or size needed to obtain gauge
• Notions: Stitch holders and stitch markers for tracking progress

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 15 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch when worked on US size 9 (5.5mm) needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements listed and ensuring proper fit. Knitters should always knit a gauge swatch before beginning the project and adjust needle size if necessary to match the specified gauge.

Yarn Characteristics

The Noro brand yarns selected for this project offer distinct qualities. Noro Silk Garden is a premium blended yarn known for its beautiful color variations and luxurious fiber content, creating a sophisticated fabric suitable for refined garment construction. The Noro Silk Garden Sock Solo used for the contrast color provides a coordinating accent that works in harmony with the main color yarn, creating the horizontal stripe pattern that defines this jacket's visual appeal.