Rowan Brendalynn Coat Knitting Pattern

Rowan Brendalynn Coat by Sarah Hatton

What is Being Made

The Brendalynn is a structured knitted coat designed to fit bust measurements from 81-86 cm through to 122-127 cm, accommodating five size options from Small to XXL. This garment is a classic coat construction featuring a tailored silhouette with set-in sleeves, front button closures, and functional patch pockets. The design combines both textural and structural elements to create a sophisticated outerwear piece suitable for layering.

Construction Technique

The Brendalynn is worked using a bottom-up seamed construction, meaning pieces are knitted individually from the cast-on edge upward and then assembled together. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for precise shaping at key points including the shoulders, armholes, and neckline. This flat-working method provides excellent control for the structured fit required in coat design.

Stitch Techniques and Patterning

The primary stitch pattern employed throughout the Brendalynn is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, refined fabric surface ideal for a tailored coat. The pattern incorporates cable stitches as a decorative and textural element, with pattern repeats charted across six rows for consistent patterning throughout the garment pieces. Garter stitch is used strategically for the initial four rows of the back, left front, and other edges, providing a stable, non-curling foundation before transitioning to the main patterned sections.

The shaping techniques include strategic cast-offs at the beginning of rows to create armhole and neck shaping, with graduated reductions across the five size options. For example, the back neck shaping involves casting off 4 to 7 stitches depending on size, followed by additional decreases worked over subsequent rows to achieve the proper shoulder slope and neckline depth.

Pocket Construction

The coat features functional patch pockets with separate linings. Two pocket linings are created independently by casting on 26 stitches and working 35 rows in stockinette stitch before being secured on stitch holders. These linings are later integrated into the front pieces, providing both structure and a finished interior appearance.

Materials and Specifications

The Brendalynn requires Rowan Lima yarn in a total of 15 to 22 x 50-gram balls depending on the chosen size. The pattern was photographed in the colorway Titicaca 883. The project calls for two pairs of needles: 5mm (US 8) needles for the ribbed and garter stitch edges, and 5½mm (US 9) needles for the main patterned sections. A stitch holder is essential for managing live stitches during construction, and three 25mm buttons serve as the front closures.

Tension and Gauge

The pattern is designed to achieve a tension of 20 stitches and 26 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over the patterned fabric using the 5½mm (US 9) needles. Achieving this gauge is critical for obtaining the correct finished measurements and ensuring the coat drapes and fits as intended across all five size options.