How to Crochet a Jacket

The beginning of the jacket is the foundation chain.

Once your crochet skills and confidence take you beyond beanies, afghans, scarves and other simpler projects, tackle a jacket. This project uses a larger crochet hook, meaning the jacket grows quickly. This garment is suitable for winter wear when it is done. To crochet this project, you should be comfortable crocheting items with irregular dimensions, marking a beginning point, crocheting in rounds as well as in rows, and joining and whip stitching individual pieces together.

Things You'll Need

• Bulky yarn
• Crochet hook, size N/15
• Stitch marker
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle

Instructions

Jacket Body

1. Crochet 76 chain stitches for a foundation chain, which begins the bottom of the jacket. Work one single crochet into the second chain from the hook, then one single crochet in each remaining chain stitch across. You should have 75 single crochet stitches for row one. Turn the work.

2. Begin row two by crocheting one chain stitch into the first stitch. Use this pattern across to the end of row two: work one chain stitch, skip the next stitch and single crochet into the next stitch. You should have 38 chain-1 spaces. Turn the work.

3. Work one chain stitch, then one single crochet in the first stitch for row three. Use this pattern across to the end of the row: single crochet into the next chain-1 space, then single crochet into the next single crochet. You should have 75 single crochet for this row. Turn the work.

4. Repeat rows two and three, alternating for rows four through 25. Repeat row two for row 26. Place a stitch marker into the third stitch of row 26.

First Front Panel

1. Crochet one chain stitch for the first row of one front panel. Work one single crochet in the first stitch. Use this pattern across to the end of row one: single crochet in the next chain-1 space, then single crochet into the next single crochet nine times. You should have 19 single crochet. Turn the work.

2. Chain one for row two and single crochet into the first single crochet. Use this pattern across to the end of row two: crochet one chain stitch, skip the next stitch and single crochet into the next stitch, for 10 single crochet and nine chain-1 spaces.

3. Work one chain stitch and single crochet into the first stitch for row three. Use this pattern across to the end of the row: single crochet into the next chain-1 space and single crochet into the next single crochet. Turn the work.

4. Repeat rows two and three for rows four through 21 of the first front panel. Fasten off and cut the yarn with the scissors at the end of the last repetition.

Jacket Back

1. Skip the first chain-1 space in row 26 of the jacket body -- where you placed the stitch marker. Join the yarn with a single crochet into the next stitch. Use this pattern 17 times: single crochet into the next chain-1 space, then single crochet into the next stitch. You should have 35 single crochet stitches. Turn the work.

2. Repeat rows two and three of the first front panel for rows two through 21 of the jacket back.

3. At the end of the last repetition, fasten off and cut the yarn.

Second Front Panel

1. Skipping the next chain-1 space in row 26 of the jacket's body, join the yarn with a single crochet in the next stitch. Use this pattern nine times: single crochet in the next chain-1 space and single crochet into the next stitch. You should have 19 single crochet. Turn the work.

2. Repeat rows two and three of the first front panel for rows two through 21 of the second front panel. At the end of the last repetition, fasten off and cut the yarn.

3. Fold the front panel over the jacket back. Thread the tapestry needle with 36 inches of yarn and whip stitch 10 stitches together. Leave nine stitches unworked. Repeat, whip stitching the second front panel to the opposite side of the jacket back.

4. Working on the right side on the bottom front edge of the jacket, attach the yarn and crochet one chain stitch, then work 127 single crochet evenly up the front of the jacket, around the neck to the neck back and back down the opposite side of the front. Turn the work.

Sleeves

1. Attach the yarn with a single crochet in a skip chain-1 space in row 26 of the jacket body. Work another single crochet into the same space. Working in the row ends, single crochet in each row around. Join in the beginning single crochet for 44 single crochet. Turn the work.

2. Crochet one chain stitch and work a single crochet into the first stitch. Crochet one chain stitch. Use this stitching pattern all around the sleeve: single crochet into the next stitch, chain one and skip the next stitch. Join into the beginning single crochet, for 22 single crochet and 22 chain-1 spaces. Turn the work.

3. Work one chain stitch, then single crochet into each single crochet and each chain-1 space around the sleeve. Join into the beginning single crochet. Turn the work.

4. Repeat rounds two and three alternately for rounds four through 73. At the end of round 73, fasten off and cut the yarn. Weave all ends in throughout the jacket, using the tapestry needle.

Tips & Warnings

• To obtain the correct gauge, you should have 10 single crochet and 12 rows in a 4-inch test swatch.

• This pattern is written for small sizes -- bust sizes 32 to 24.

• Leave the stitch marker in row 26 of the jacket body as you join yarn and begin stitching other parts of the jacket.

References

• "Big-Hook Crochet"; Carol Alexander, ed.; 2007