Vintage Crochet Suit Jacket and Skirt – FREE Crochet Pattern
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Crochet Suit Jacket and Skirt
This is a vintage crochet suit jacket and skirt originally published in “Knit and Crochet Style Parade” in 1954 by Coats & Clark. I have re-written the pattern using modern terms and made the pattern more reader friendly. Enjoy!
Crochet Suit Jacket and Skirt Pattern
Material Requirements
Bust Measurement (inches)
32
34
36
38
40
42
Black Yarn (skeins)
12
13
14
15
16
16
White Yarn (skeins)
2 skeins for all sizes
Back Instructions
Cast On and Ribbing
Size
Cast On Stitches
Increase Stitches (last row)
Total Stitches After Increase
12
132
10
142
14
140
10
150
16
148
10
158
18
156
10
166
20
164
10
174
42
172
10
182
Work in stockinette stitch (k1 row, p1 row) for 3 3/4 inches, ending with a knit row.
Hemline and Pattern
Hemline: Knit across all stitches.
Begin Pattern (4-row repeat):
Row 1: K2, *P2, K2; repeat from * across.
Row 2: P2, *K2, P2; repeat from * across.
Row 3: Repeat Row 2.
Row 4: Repeat Row 1.
Repeat these 4 rows until the piece measures 1 inch from the hemline.
Shaping the Waist
Size
Rows to Decrease
Remaining Stitches After Decrease
12
Every 5th row
112
14
Every 5th row
120
16
Every 5th row
126
18
Every 5th row
134
20
Every 6th row
144
42
Every 6th row
152
Decrease 1 stitch at each end of the specified rows. Work evenly in pattern until the piece measures 8 (8, 8 1/2, 8 1/2, 9, 9) inches from the hemline.
Shaping the Armholes
Size
Bind Off (rows)
Remaining Stitches After Armhole Shaping
12
Bind off 9 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows, then 2 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows
106
14
Bind off 9 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows, then 2 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows
110
16
Bind off 9 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows, then 2 sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows
114
18
Bind off 10 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows, then 2 sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows
118
20
Bind off 10 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows, then 2 sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows
122
42
Bind off 12 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows, then 2 sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows
126
Work evenly in pattern until the piece measures 6 1/2 (7, 7 1/2, 7 1/2, 8, 8) inches from the first row of armhole shaping.
Shaping the Shoulders
Size
Bind Off Stitches (rows)
Remaining Stitches for Neckline
12
Bind off 10 sts for 6 rows
46
14
Bind off 8 sts for 8 rows
46
16
Bind off 8 sts for 6 rows, then 9 sts for 2 rows
48
18
Bind off 9 sts for 6 rows
48
20
Bind off 9 sts for 8 rows
50
42
Bind off 10 sts for 6 rows, then 8 sts for 2 rows
50
Bind off the remaining stitches to finish the shoulder.
Left Front
Cast On and Ribbing
Size
Cast On Stitches
Increase Stitches (last row)
Total Stitches After Increase
12
70
4
74
14
74
4
78
16
78
4
82
18
82
4
86
20
86
4
90
42
90
4
94
Cast on the appropriate number of stitches for your size using Black.
Work in stockinette stitch (k1 row, p1 row) for 3 3/4 inches, increasing 4 stitches evenly across the last row.
End with a knit row.
Hemline and Pattern
Hemline Row: Knit across all stitches.
Work in the pattern as for the Back until the piece measures 1 inch from the hemline, ending with an even row.
Shaping the Waist
Size
Rows for Decreasing
Remaining Stitches After Decrease
12
Every 5th row
59
14
Every 5th row
63
16
Every 5th row
66
18
Every 5th row
70
20
Every 6th row
75
42
Every 6th row
79
Decrease 1 stitch at the side edge (beginning of row) and then every specified row until you reach the remaining stitches for your size.
Work without decreasing until the piece measures:
Size 12, 14, 16: 8 inches
Size 18: 8 1/2 inches
Size 20, 42: 9 inches
Shaping the Bust
Size
Rows for Increasing
Total Stitches After Increase
12
Every 6th row
71
14
Every 6th row
75
16
Every 6th row
79
18
Every 6th row
83
20
Every 6th row
88
42
Every 6th row
92
Increase 1 stitch at the side edge (beginning of row) and then every 6th row until you reach the total stitches for your size.
Work without increasing until the piece measures:
Size 12, 14: 15 inches
Size 16, 18: 16 inches
Size 20, 42: 17 inches
Shaping the Armhole
Size
Bind Off Stitches (next row)
Bind Off Stitches (every other row)
12
9
2 for 1 row
14
9
2 for 1 row
16
9
2 for 2 rows
18
10
2 for 2 rows
20
10
2 for 2 rows
42
12
2 for 2 rows
Bind off stitches at the beginning of the specified rows to shape the armhole.
End at the front edge.
Shaping the Neck
Size
Bind Off Stitches for Neck
Neck Decreases (every other row)
Armhole Edge Decreases (every other row)
12
21
5
4
14
21
5
6
16
21
6
6
18
21
6
7
20
21
7
10
42
21
7
10
Bind off 21 stitches at the neck edge on the next row.
Decrease 1 stitch at the neck edge every other row for the specified number of times.
At the same time, decrease 1 stitch at the armhole edge every other row for the specified number of times.
Final Shaping
Work evenly without decreasing until the piece measures:
Size 12: 6 inches
Size 14, 16: 7 1/2 inches
Size 18, 20, 42: 8 inches …from the first row of armhole shaping, ending at the armhole edge.
Left Front: To Shape Shoulder
Size
Bind Off Stitches (per row)
Times to Bind Off
Extra Row
12
10
3
No
14
8
4
No
16
8
3
Yes
18
9
3
Yes
20
9
4
No
42
10
3
Yes
Bind off the specified number of stitches at the beginning of the next row and every other row, for the indicated number of times.
For Sizes 16, 18, and 42, work one additional row before binding off the remaining stitches.
Button Placement
Use pins to mark the position of 4 buttons on the Left Front:
Place the first button at the waistline.
Place the last button 1 inch down from the neck opening.
Distribute the remaining button placements evenly between the first and last buttons.
The 5th buttonhole will align with the buttonholes on the dickey.
Right Front
Work the Right Front exactly as the Left Front, but reverse all shaping.
Add Buttonholes:
Create a buttonhole opposite each pin mark.
Buttonhole Instructions:
On the buttonhole row, bind off 3 stitches starting 3 stitches in from the front edge.
On the next row, cast on 3 stitches to replace those bound off.
Sleeves
Cast On and Ribbing
Size
Cast On Stitches
Increase Stitches (last row)
Total Stitches After Increase
12
64
6
70
14
68
6
74
16
72
6
78
18
76
6
82
20
80
6
86
42
84
6
90
Cast on the specified number of stitches in Black.
Work in stockinette stitch (k1 row, p1 row) for 3 3/4 inches, increasing 6 stitches evenly across the last row.
End with a knit row.
Sleeve Pattern
Hemline Row: Knit across all stitches.
Begin working in the pattern as for the Back.
Shaping the Sleeve
Size
Increase 1 Stitch at Both Ends (every 11th row)
Total Stitches After Increases
12
Continue until there are 102 sts
102
14
Continue until there are 106 sts
106
16
Continue until there are 110 sts
110
18
Continue until there are 114 sts
114
20
Continue until there are 118 sts
118
42
Continue until there are 122 sts
122
Increase 1 stitch at both ends of every 11th row until the total stitches for your size are reached.
Work evenly in pattern until the sleeve measures:
Size 12: 17 inches
Size 14: 17 1/2 inches
Size 16: 18 inches
Size 18: 18 inches
Size 20, 42: 18 1/2 inches
To Shape the Top of the Sleeve
Size
Bind Off Stitches (next row)
Bind Off Stitches (rows following)
Decrease 1 Stitch at Both Ends (every 4th row)
Decrease 1 Stitch at Both Ends (every other row)
12
9
2 stitches for 2 rows
6 times
Until 44 sts remain
14
9
2 stitches for 2 rows
7 times
Until 44 sts remain
16
9
2 stitches for 4 rows
9 times
Until 44 sts remain
18
10
2 stitches for 4 rows
8 times
Until 44 sts remain
20
10
2 stitches for 4 rows
9 times
Until 44 sts remain
42
12
2 stitches for 4 rows
9 times
Until 44 sts remain
Bind off the specified number of stitches at the beginning of the next row.
Bind off additional stitches as indicated in the table.
Decrease 1 stitch at both ends every 4th row for the specified number of times.
Continue decreasing 1 stitch at both ends every other row until 44 stitches remain.
Final Shaping
Bind off 2 stitches at the beginning of the next 10 rows.
Bind off the remaining 24 stitches to finish the sleeve.
Pocket (Make 2)
Pocket Flap (Black):
Cast On: 22 stitches.
Work in the pattern as for the Back, increasing 1 stitch at both ends of every other row until there are 50 stitches on the needle.
Continue in the pattern without increasing until the piece measures 5 1/4 inches from the last increase row.
Bind off in pattern.
Cuff (Make 2)
Size
Cast On Stitches
12
78
14
82
16
86
18
90
20
94
42
98
Inner Edge (White):
Cast on the appropriate number of stitches for your size.
Work in the pattern as for the Back until the piece measures 1 3/4 inches.
Bind off in pattern.
Dickey
Left Side (White)
Cast On: 38 stitches.
Work in the pattern as for the Back until the piece measures:
Size 12: 7 inches
Size 14: 7 1/2 inches
Size 16, 18: 8 inches
Size 20, 42: 8 1/2 inches
Shape Shoulder:
Bind off 12 stitches at the beginning of the next row.
Continue working over the remaining 26 stitches until the piece is long enough to reach the center back of the neck.
Bind off.
Mark the position of the 5th buttonhole to correspond with the buttonholes on the Jacket.
Right Side (White)
Work exactly as for the Left Side, but create a buttonhole opposite the pin mark for the 5th buttonhole.
Finishing Instructions
Block:
Block all pieces to the specified measurements.
Sew Seams:
Sew side, shoulder, and sleeve seams.
Hems:
Turn under all hems and sew securely.
Soutache Braid:
Sew soutache braid along the outer edges of the Jacket.
Turn back the flaps on the pockets and sew braid along the outer edges of the flaps.
Pockets:
Sew the pockets in place on the Jacket.
Cuffs:
Sew braid along the bound-off edges of the cuffs.
Attach the cuffs to the lower edges of the sleeves, aligning the cast-on edge of the cuffs with the sleeve hems.
Dickey:
Sew the bound-off edges of the dickey together to form a collar.
Sew braid along the outer edges of the dickey.
Stitch the dickey securely in place.
Buttons:
Sew on buttons to correspond with all buttonholes.
Materials
Yarn: Chadwick’s Red Heart Sock & Sweater Yarn, 3 Ply
Cast On: Using the circular knitting needle, cast on the following stitches: SizeStitches 12 216 14 228 16 240 18 252 20 276 42 288Join to Work in the Round: Be careful not to twist the stitches.Pattern for the Waistband:Round 1: *Knit 6, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2; repeat from * around.Repeat this round until the piece measures 1 inch.
Increase Rounds and Body
First Increase Round:
*Knit 2, increase 1 stitch in the next stitch, knit 3, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2; repeat from * around.
Work Evenly: Continue without increasing for 11 inches.Second Increase Round:*Knit 4, increase 1 stitch in the next stitch, (knit 2, purl 2) twice; repeat from * around.Continue Increasing:
Increase 1 stitch in the stockinette panel every 1 1/4 inches, being careful that increases do not align with previous increases, until the following stitch counts are reached: SizeFinal Stitches 12 468 14 494 16 520 18 546 20 598 42 624
Work Evenly: Continue without increasing until the skirt reaches the desired length (approximately 29–30 inches).Bind Off: Bind off all stitches.
Edging
With the crochet hook and right side facing, attach yarn to any stitch at the base of the skirt’s lower edge.Round 1: *Chain 5, skip 1/2 inch, single crochet (sc) closely around the lower edge; repeat from * around. Join with a slip stitch (sl st).Round 2: With wrong side facing, sc into the next stitch, *chain 5, skip 1/4 inch, single crochet into the next stitch; repeat from * around. Join and fasten off.
Casing for Elastic
With right side facing, attach yarn and work a single crochet (sc) round around the waistband edge.Create a casing for the elastic by working 1 more single crochet round, leaving a small gap to insert the elastic.Elastic: Insert the 1/2-inch-wide elastic through the casing, sew the ends together securely, and close the gap.
Finishing
Block: Block the skirt to the specified measurements.Hem: Turn under the hem and stitch neatly for a polished look.
