Tahki Yarns Chicago Hi-Lo Jacket Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Chicago Hi-Lo Jacket

Project Overview

The Chicago Hi-Lo Jacket is a cardigan pattern designed by Shaina Bilow, created for knitters seeking a versatile layering piece. This garment features a distinctive hi-lo silhouette with seamed construction and a button-front closure. The pattern is available in six sizes ranging from Small through 3X, with finished bust measurements from 36 inches (91.5 cm) to 56 inches (142 cm).

What Is Being Made

This is a knitted cardigan jacket with a hi-lo hemline, meaning the front and back lengths vary to create visual interest and movement. The garment includes a shaped neckline, fitted armholes, and a button front with seven ¾-inch (19 mm) diameter buttons. Back length measurements range from 27 inches (68.5 cm) in the Small size to 32 inches (81.5 cm) in the 3X size, allowing the design to accommodate different proportions across the size range.

Knitting Techniques Used

Bottom-up construction: The Chicago Hi-Lo Jacket is knitted from the bottom upward, a method that allows knitters to try on the garment as it progresses and easily adjust length before binding off. This approach provides flexibility for customization.

Seamed assembly: After individual pieces are completed, they are seamed together using a yarn needle. This technique creates clean, professional-looking seams and allows for precise garment shaping.

Shaping techniques: The pattern employs strategic decreases to create the armhole and neckline shaping. Decreases are worked at the beginning of rows to shape the armhole, with bind-offs followed by gradual single-stitch decreases. Neck shaping includes bind-offs at the beginning of wrong-side rows, followed by decreases worked at the end of right-side rows, creating a sloped neckline.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch throughout the jacket body, created by knitting all stitches on right-side rows and purling all stitches on wrong-side rows. This classic stitch creates a smooth, flat fabric ideal for a fitted cardigan.
• Seed stitch: Used as a textured stitch variation, created by alternating knit and purl stitches within rows, then reversing the pattern on subsequent rows. This creates a bumpy, textured surface.
• Single crochet: Applied as a finishing technique for the slit edging, worked from right to left using a size G-6 (4mm) crochet hook. This creates a neat, finished edge along openings.
• P2tog (purl 2 together): A purl-based decrease worked through the front loops, used for shaping throughout the pattern.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Chicago Hi-Lo Jacket is designed to be knitted with Tahki Yarns ARUBA, a natural fiber blend consisting of 80% cotton and 20% linen. This fiber content creates a breathable, lightweight fabric suitable for warm-weather layering. The yarn is supplied in balls of 1.75 ounces (50 grams), each containing 98 yards (90 meters) of yardage. Total yardage requirements range from 980 yards (10 balls) for the Small size to 1,666 yards (17 balls) for the 3X size.

Needles, Hooks, and Notions

Construction requires one pair of size 8 (5mm) knitting needles, or the size necessary to achieve the specified gauge. A size G-6 (4mm) crochet hook is needed for the slit edging finishing. Additional notions include a yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends, and seven buttons measuring ¾ inch (19 mm) in diameter for the front closure.

Gauge

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 16 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch on the right side. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements specified in the pattern, as variations will affect the final bust circumference and length.