Noro Sleeveless Jacket (Hanami) Cardigan Knitting Pattern

Noro Sleeveless Jacket (Hanami) - Knitting Pattern Summary

What Is Being Made

The Noro Sleeveless Jacket is a sophisticated seamed cardigan vest designed to fit bust sizes 34-38 inches (86-96cm). This sleeveless garment features a finished width of 41 inches (104cm) and a length of 21 inches (53cm), making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various seasons and styling occasions.

Construction Method

This jacket is constructed using the bottom-up approach, meaning the knitter begins at the lower edge and works upward toward the shoulders. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for traditional row-by-row construction. Individual pieces are subsequently seamed together to create the finished garment, providing clean, professional-looking joins.

Techniques Used

The Noro Sleeveless Jacket incorporates lace as a primary design element throughout the pattern. The lace motif is created through strategic yarn-forward increases paired with knit-together decreases, generating an elegant openwork design that adds visual interest and breathability to the piece. This technique requires careful attention to stitch counts and pattern repeats to maintain the integrity of the lace structure.

Shoulder shaping is accomplished through sequential cast-off rows, creating a properly fitted armhole and neckline. Back neck shaping is worked concurrently with shoulder shaping, requiring the knitter to manage multiple sections simultaneously during the final stages of the back piece.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) - The fundamental stitch forming the base of the fabric
• Purl (P) - Used to create textured sections and reverse stockinette details
• Yarn Forward (yf) - An increase technique that creates the openings characteristic of the lace pattern
• Knit Two Together (K2tog) - A right-leaning decrease used to balance the yarn-forward increases and shape the lace motif
• Work Two Together (Work 2 tog) - A decrease technique employed during neck shaping
• Cast Off - Used to bind off stitches when shaping shoulders and completing the garment

Pattern Structure

The pattern operates on a 28-row repeat that establishes the lace design. The back piece begins with 103 cast-on stitches and incorporates alternating sections of stockinette stitch with lace patterning. The lace rows feature repeated motifs of double decreases flanked by yarn-forward increases, creating a symmetrical, visually striking openwork design. Between lace rows, the pattern includes reverse stockinette sections that provide contrast and structure to the overall aesthetic.

Materials

This pattern requires 240 grams of Noro Mirai yarn in shade 5, a premium Japanese yarn known for its unique color variations and luxurious fiber content. Knitters will need one pair each of 3¾mm (US 5) and 4mm (US 6) needles - the smaller needles are typically used for ribbing or edge work, while the larger needles are used for the main pattern. The pattern also calls for one button for closure.

Gauge and Fit

The specified gauge is 20 stitches by 25 rows over a 10cm (4-inch) square, measured over the lace pattern using 4mm needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements and ensuring proper fit across the bust.