Mottled Fields Free Jacket Knit Pattern

A series of hand-dyed colors blend into coordinating fabrics for a color-block jacket. Each section of the body varies from its neighbor by changing only one of the three colorways. Marilyn H’s Hidden Zipper technique finishes this jacket beautifully.

At beginning of RS rows k1, k2tog.

At end of RS rows SSK, k1.

At beginning of RS rows K1, M1.

At end of RS rows M1, k1.

Work with 3 colors, changing color at beginning of row.

Row 1 (RS) [K1, slip 1 purlwise with yarn at RS of work (sl 1)] to last stitch, k1.

Row 2 Purl.

Row 3 K1, [k1, sl 1] to last 2 stitches, k2.

Row 4 Purl.

On RS rows P1, sl 1, k1, sl 1, p1, place marker (pm), continue in pattern to end.

On WS rows Purl to last 5 stitches, k1, p3, k1.

On RS rows Work to last 5 stitches, pm, p1, continue pattern on next 3 stitches, p1.

On WS rows K1, p3, k1, purl to end.

Right Back

Using colors C, D, E

With larger needle and C, cast on 55 (57, 59, 63, 67, 69, 73, 75, 77, 81). Knit 1 row. Beginning with D and working 1 row with each color, work in Half Linen until piece measures 13 (13.5, 14, 14, 14.5)", end with a WS row.

Shape armhole

Bind off 10 (12, 12, 15, 18) at beginning of next RS row. Dec 1 at beginning of RS rows 6 (8, 4, 8, 10, 12, 9, 11, 8, 12) times—39 (43, 45, 49, 51) stitches. Work even until armhole measures approximately 7 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9)". Place stitches on hold.

Left Back

Using colors B, C, D

Work as for Right Back, EXCEPT cast on with B AND reverse shaping. Bind off for armhole at beginning of WS row and decrease at end of RS rows. Place stitches on hold.

Right Front

Using colors C, D, E

Work as for Right Back, EXCEPT reverse shaping and work Zipper Placket. Bind off for armhole at beginning of WS row and decrease at end of RS rows. Work even until front edge measures 18 (19, 19, 20, 20)", end with a WS row.

Shape neck

At beginning of RS rows, bind off 9 (9, 9, 12, 12) once, then 3 once. Dec 1 at beginning of RS rows 6 (7, 6, 7, 6) times—21 (24, 27, 27, 30) stitches. Work even until armhole measures 9 (9.5, 10, 10.5, 11)". Place stitches on hold.

Left Front

Using colors B, C, D

Work as for Right Front, EXCEPT reverse shaping. Work Zipper Placket and bind off for armhole at beginning of WS rows and decrease at end of RS rows. Shape neck at beginning of RS rows.

Right Sleeve

Using colors D, E, F

With larger needles and D, cast on 59 (63, 67, 71, 75). Knit 1 row. Work even in Half Linen for 10 (6, 18, 16, 14) rows, end with a WS row. [Inc 1 each side of next row, work 9 (9, 7, 7, 7) rows] 14 (15, 16, 17, 18) times—87 (93, 99, 105, 111) stitches. Work even until piece measures approximately 17 (17, 17.5, 18, 18.5)", end with a WS row.

Shape cap

Bind off 10 (12, 12, 15, 18) at beginning of next 2 rows. Dec 1 each side every RS row 16 (14, 14, 10, 8) times, then every 4 rows 5 (7, 8, 10, 12) times—25 (27, 31, 35, 35) stitches. Bind off.

Left Sleeve

Using colors A, B, C

Work same as Right Sleeve.

Finishing

Block pieces. Seam center back.

Shoulders

With RS together and smaller needle, join shoulder using 3-needle bind-off as follows: Join 21 (24, 27, 27, 30) stitches of first shoulder, bind off Right Back neck stitches to last stitch, knit this together with first stitch of Left Back, continue binding off until 21 (24, 27, 27, 30) stitches remain, join second shoulder.

Neckband

With RS facing, smaller needle, and C, pick up and knit around neck to center back at the following rate: 2 stitches for every 3 rows along vertical and diagonal edges and 1 stitch for every bound-off stitch along horizontal edges. At center back, change to B. Turn work and bind off in knit.

Set in sleeves, placing center of sleeve cap 1" in front of shoulder seam. Sew sleeve and side seams. Sew zipper inside placket.

RS: Right Side

WS: Wrong Side

k: Knit

p: Purl

k2tog: Knit 2 together

SSK: Slip, slip, knit

M1: Make 1 (increase)

sl 1: Slip 1 stitch

pwise: Purlwise

pm: Place marker

BO: Bind off

CO: Cast on