Tahki Yarns Sailboat Colorblock Jacket Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Sailboat Colorblock Jacket

What Is Being Made

The Sailboat Colorblock Jacket is a knitted cardigan designed by Pam Grushkin, available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X. This garment features a colorblock design created through strategic use of two coordinating yarn colors. The finished bust measurements span from 39 inches (Small) to 58 inches (3X), with length measurements ranging from 24½ to 27 inches, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various body types and proportions.

Techniques Used

This jacket is constructed using seamed construction and is worked flat, meaning the pieces are knitted back and forth on needles rather than in the round. The pattern involves joining multiple flat pieces together at the seams to create the finished garment. The construction method includes placing stitches on waste yarn during the building process, allowing for strategic placement of pattern elements and color changes. Armholes are created through bind-offs, and fronts are divided from the back piece at a specific measurement point to accommodate the jacket's opening.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The primary stitch used throughout this jacket is Stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric with characteristic V-shaped columns on the right side. The pattern incorporates several essential knitting abbreviations and techniques:

• K2tog (Knit 2 together) – A right-leaning decrease used to shape the garment
• M1L and M1 (Make 1 left) – Increases created by lifting the strand between stitches and working through the back loop to prevent holes
• M1R and M1Rp (Make 1 right) – Right-leaning increases worked similarly to prevent visible holes
• Ssk and ssp (Slip, slip, knit or purl) – Left-leaning decreases created by slipping stitches and working them together

The garter stitch edging (created by knitting every row) is worked on the front bands, providing a finished, non-curling border. The colorblock effect is achieved through strategic color changes using the main color and contrast color at designated points in the pattern.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This pattern uses Tahki Donegal Tweed, a 100% wool yarn that provides structure and durability. The yardage requirements vary by size: 4 skeins (Small) through 7 skeins (3X) of the main color #872 embers are needed, with 2 skeins of the contrast color #863 dark red required for all sizes. Each skein contains 3.5 ounces and provides 183 yards of yardage, allowing crafters to calculate total yardage needs based on their chosen size.

Needles and Tools

The pattern calls for size 9 (5.5 mm) circular needles in two lengths: a 40-inch needle for working the joined pieces and a 24-inch needle for smaller sections. Circular needles are used here for their versatility in managing larger stitch counts, even though the work is done flat. Additional supplies include waste yarn for holding stitches, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and a yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends.

Gauge and Difficulty Level

The pattern specifies a gauge of 15 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches in Stockinette stitch, making accurate gauge checking essential for proper fit. This is a beginner-level project, making it accessible to knitters new to garment construction while still offering the satisfaction of creating a wearable, colorblocked jacket. The straightforward Stockinette stitch base and seamed construction method provide a manageable introduction to garment assembly without complex stitch patterns or advanced shaping techniques.