Inspired by the swing silhouettes seen on many of the runways this season, I designed this hip length trapeze jacket with three-quarter length bell sleeves.

It uses a simple slip stitch pattern to create a dramatic fabric with two coordinating colors.  The yarn is doubled throughout making the design both quick to knit and insulating to wear.

Worked in a grey on grey color scheme you’ll create a classic to wear for many seasons.

Sizes

Finished bust size 36(40, 44, 48, 52)” to fit bust  32(36, 40, 44, 48)”

Yarn

Color A: Caron International’s Simply Soft Heather (100% acrylic; 250 yards [228 meters]/5 oz [142 g]): #9508 Charcoal (A), 6(6, 7, 7, 8) skeins
Color B: Caron International’s Simply Soft Heather (100% acrylic; 315 yards [288 meters]/6 oz [170 g]): #9742 Grey (A), 5(5, 6, 6, 7) skeins

Needles

US#10 (6 mm): 24” circular

Gauge

In slip stitch pattern working with two strands of yarn together on size 10 needles:
15 st and 30 rows = 4″

Notions

Stitch holders; tapestry needle.

Pattern Notes

Work all decs 1 st from the edge unless otherwise indicated

Simple Slip Stitch worked back and forth in rows on circular needles as follows:
Row 1 (RS) with A: *K1, sl1 wyib. rep from * to end. Do not turn. Slide sts back to opposite end of needle.
Row 2: (RS) with B: *K1, sl1 wyib, rep from * to end.
Row 3: (WS) with A: *P1, sl1 wyif, rep from * to end. Do not turn. Slide sts back to opposite end of needle.
Row 4: (WS) with B: *P1, sl1 wyif, rep from * to end.
Repeat rows 1 – 4

Back

Hem: With color A, CO 78(84, 92, 98, 106) sts on size 10 needles. Work in garter stitch for 1.5”.

Change to Simple Slip Stitch. Work even until piece measures .5″ not including hem.

Begin A-line Shaping

Dec Row (RS): K1, ssk, *slip 1 wyib, k1, rep from * until 3 sts rem, k2tog, k1.
Rep dec row every 32rd row 3 times; 70(76, 84, 90, 98) sts rem.
Work even until piece is 13.5(14, 14.25, 14.5, 14.75)” (not including hem)

Armhole Shaping

BO 4 sts at beg of next row. Work 1 row even, BO 4 sts at beg of next row; 4 sts bound off at each armhole.  Work Dec Row every other row for 4(5, 6, 7, 8) rows; 54(58, 64, 68, 74) sts rem.

Work even until armhole measures 8(8.75, 9, 9.25, 9.5)”

Shoulder Shaping

BO 7(8, 9, 10, 11) sts at beg of next 4 rows. Place remaining 26(26, 28, 28, 30) sts on holder.

Front (right side)

Hem: With color A, CO 40(44, 46, 50, 54) sts. Work in garter stitch for 1.5”

Change to Simple Slip Stitch.
Work even until piece measures .5″ (not including hem)

Begin A-line Shaping

With WS facing dec 1 st at side seam edge of next row, then every 32rd row 3 times; 36(40, 42, 46, 50) sts rem.

Work even until piece measures 13.5(14, 14.25, 14.5, 14.75) (not including hem)

Armhole

With WS facing BO 4 sts at beg of next row.  Work Dec Row every other row for 4(5, 6, 7, 8) rows; 28(31, 32, 35, 38) sts rem . Work even until armhole measures 5.25(5.5, 5.75, 5.75, 6)”.

Shape Neck

With WS of work facing., work 21(23, 23, 25, 27) sts. Slip last 7(8, 9, 10, 11) sts to holder.

Next row: Dec 1 st at neck edge every other row 7 (7, 5, 5, 5)  times; 14(16, 18, 20, 22) sts rem.

Work even until armhole measures 8(8.75, 9, 9.25, 9.5)”/ 20(22, 23, 23.5, 24) cm

Shoulder Shaping

BO 7(8, 9, 10, 11) sts at beg of next 2 WS rows

Front (left side)

Hem: With color A, CO 40(44, 46, 50, 54) sts. Work in garter stitch for 1.5”

Change to Simple Slip Stitch.
Work even until piece measures .5″ (not including hem)

Begin A-line Shaping

With RS facing dec 1 st at side seam edge of next row, then every 32rd row 3 times; 36(40, 42, 46, 50) sts rem.

Work even until piece measures 13.5(14, 14.25, 14.5, 14.75) (not including hem)

Armhole

With RS facing BO 4 sts at beg of next row.  Work Dec Row every other row for 4(5, 6, 7, 8) rows; 28(31, 32, 35, 38) sts rem . Work even until armhole measures 5.25(5.5, 5.75, 5.75, 6)”;.

Shape Neck

With RS of work facing., work 21(23, 23, 25, 27) sts. Slip last 7(8, 9, 10, 11) sts to holder.

Next row. Dec 1 st at neck edge every other row 7 (7, 5, 5, 5)  times; 14(16, 18, 20, 22) sts rem.

Work even until armhole measures 8(8.75, 9, 9.25, 9.5)”/ 20(22, 23, 23.5, 24) cm

Shoulder Shaping

BO 7(8, 9, 10, 11) sts at beg of next 2 RS rows

Sleeves

Hem: With color A, cast on 76(80, 82, 86, 90) st on size 10 needles. Work in garter stitch for 1.5”.

Begin working Simple Slip Stitch pattern.

Work Dec Row as for back every 4th row 9 times, then every 8th row twice; 54(58, 60, 64, 68) sts rem.

Work even until sleeve measures 10.5(11, 11.5, 11.5, 12)“ (not including hem).

Shape Cap

BO 4 sts at beg of next row.  Work 1 row even.  BO 4 sts at beg of next row (4 sts bound off each edge); 46(50, 52, 56, 60) sts rem.

Dec 1 st at both ends of every other row 18(22, 23, 19, 21) times.

BO rem sts loosely.

Finishing

Shoulder seams: Sew front to back along shoulder seams.

Front neck band: With color A and RS of work facing, pick up and work:
7(8, 9, 10, 11) sts from right front neck holder,
15(16, 16, 17, 17) sts from right front neck edge,
26(26, 28, 28, 30) sts from back neck holder,
15(16, 16, 17, 17) sts from left front neck edge, and
7(8, 9, 10, 11)  sts from left front neck holder;
70(74, 78, 82, 86) sts on needle.

Work 1″ in K1P1 ribbing.

BO loosely in patt.

Sew sleeve tops to armholes, easing to fit. Sew side and sleeve seams.

Sew zipper to front edges.

Weave in loose ends.