Sirdar Jacket Knitting Pattern

Sirdar Smudge Jacket

What is Being Made

The Sirdar Smudge Jacket is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan-style jacket designed for a range of sizes from 32/34 inches to 52/54 inches bust measurement. This garment features adjustable sleeve length and includes larger sizing options, making it accessible for various body types. The jacket is constructed with a structured fit and professional finishing details including button closures.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs several intermediate techniques to create visual interest and texture. The primary construction method involves working with cable stitches and twisted stitches, which are essential skills for intermediate knitters. The pattern requires working cable needle techniques to create dimensional effects throughout the garment. Additionally, the pattern incorporates yarn overs and yarn round needle increases to shape the fabric and create patterned sections. The jacket demonstrates shaping and decreasing techniques to achieve proper fit across the bust, waist, and armholes. Knitters will also practice tension control and pattern matching to ensure the design elements align properly across front, back, and sleeve sections.

Stitches Used

The Sirdar Smudge Jacket utilizes a combination of fundamental and intermediate stitches to create its distinctive appearance:

• Knit and Purl stitches form the foundation of the fabric
• Trellis pattern creates a decorative lattice-like texture
• Ridge pattern adds horizontal definition and visual interest
• Cable stitches including C2B (cable 2 back) and C2F (cable 2 front) for dimensional rope-like effects
• Twisted stitches including T2B (twist 2 back) and T2F (twist 2 front) for subtle texture variation
• Yarn overs (yon, yfrwd) and yarn round needle (yrn, y2rn) techniques for creating openwork elements and increases
• Slip stitches for seamless transitions and edge finishing

Materials Required

The Sirdar Smudge Jacket is worked in Sirdar Smudge yarn in shade 013, with yardage requirements varying by size. Smaller sizes (32/34 to 40/42 inches) require 6 to 8 balls of 100g yarn, while larger sizes (44/46 to 52/54 inches) require 9 to 10 balls of 100g yarn. The pattern specifies two needle sizes: 6mm (UK size 4, USA size 10) knitting needles for the main fabric and 5mm (UK size 6, USA size 8) knitting needles for ribbed edgings and cuffs. A cable needle is essential for executing the cable and twisted stitch techniques. The jacket requires 3 to 4 buttons depending on the size being made, serving as functional closures for the cardigan front.

Tension and Finishing Details

Achieving the correct tension is critical for this project's success. The pattern specifies 12 stitches and 15 rows to 10 centimeters (4 inches) over the Trellis and Ridge patterns when working on 6mm needles. Knitters should check their tension swatch before beginning the main garment, adjusting needle size if necessary—using thinner needles if achieving more stitches than specified, or thicker needles if achieving fewer stitches. The jacket features adjustable sleeve length, allowing customization for individual proportions, with base sleeve length of 46 to 48 centimeters (18 to 19 inches) depending on size. Full length ranges from 68 to 81 centimeters (26¾ to 32 inches) across the size range, with actual bust measurements from 92 to 142 centimeters (36¼ to 56 inches).