Spirited jacket

Spirited Jacket by JustJussi

What is Being Made

The Spirited jacket is a warm and cosy cardigan designed for infants and toddlers in sizes Newborn, 6 months, 12 months, and 2 years. This cross-over front cardigan fastens with 2 buttons and is engineered to allow freedom of movement for active little ones. The design prioritizes comfort and ease of wear for growing children.

Construction Method

This cardigan is knitted in one piece up to the underarms, which streamlines the knitting process and reduces the number of seams. The cross-over front closure is a practical design feature that fastens securely with 2 buttons measuring 2 cm in diameter. This construction approach makes the Spirited jacket fast to knit, appealing to knitters seeking an efficient project with minimal finishing work.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for intermediate level knitters. Key techniques include:

• Knit and purl stitches as the foundation of the fabric
• Cast-on and cast-off (bind-off) methods, including knitwise and purlwise variations
• 3-needle bind off technique, which joins two sets of stitches together with right sides facing, creating a professional seamed finish without a separate sewing step
• Use of stitch holders or scrap yarn to manage active stitches during construction

Yarn and Materials

The Spirited jacket is designed in sport weight yarn, a lightweight yet durable choice ideal for children's garments. Yardage requirements vary by size: Newborn requires 495 metres, while 6 months and 12 months each require 660 metres, and the 2-year size requires 825 metres. The pattern calls for a 3.5 mm circular needle (or the size needed to achieve proper gauge) and includes 5 stitch holders or scrap yarn for managing stitches. Finishing requires a darning needle and 2 buttons, each 2 cm in diameter.

Design Details

This original knitwear design by Justine Turner (JustJussi) combines practicality with comfort. The cross-over front styling adds visual interest while the button closure ensures the jacket stays securely fastened during active play. The sport weight yarn provides warmth without excessive bulk, making it suitable for layering under other garments or wearing as a standalone layer.