Vintage Finger Tip Length Coat Knitting Pattern
This classic fingertip-length coat is a timeless addition to your wardrobe, perfect for layering on cooler days. Originally published in Knit and Crochet Style Parade by Coats and Clark in 1954, this vintage pattern has been modernized with clear instructions to make it easier for contemporary knitters. With its bulky look and elegant ribbing, this coat is both stylish and quick to knit. This coat pairs nicely with this Quick and Easy Knit Cap pattern.
Materials
- Yarn: Chadwick’s Red Heart Knitting Worsted, 4 Ply
- Skeins Required (Bust Sizes):
- 30: 28 skeins
- 32: 30 skeins
- 34: 33 skeins
- 36: 35 skeins
- 38: 38 skeins
- 40: 40 skeins
- 42: 43 skeins
- Add 4 skeins for an optional matching cap.
- Needles:
- Clark’s O.N.T. Plastic Knitting Pins No. 4 (5 mm)
- Notions:
- Use yarn double throughout.
- Gauge:
- 4 stitches = 1 inch
- 5 rows = 1 inch
Sizes and Finished Measurements
- Sizes (Bust Measurements): 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 inches
- Key Measurements:
- Back Width (across shoulders): 17 (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23) inches
- Front Width (each side): 9 (10, 10½, 11½, 12, 12½) inches
- Coat Length (from shoulder to lower edge): 24½ (25, 26, 26½, 27, 27½) inches
- Side Seam Length: 17½ (17¾, 18, 18, 18½, 18½) inches
- Sleeve Length: 11 (13, 14, 14, 14, 14) inches
- Upper Arm Width: 14 (15, 16, 17, 17, 18) inches
Back
- Cast On:
- Using double yarn, cast on:
- 30–32: 69 (73) stitches
- 34–36: 77 (81) stitches
- 38–42: 85 (89, 93) stitches
- Work Ribbing:
- Pattern: k1, p1 ribbing for 17½ inches.
- Mark Armhole Start:
- Place markers at both ends of the row to indicate the start of the armhole.
- Continue in ribbing until the piece measures an additional 7–9 inches, depending on size.
- Shape Shoulders:
- Bind off at the beginning of the next:
- 4 (2, 6, 4, 6, 4, 6) rows: 12 (12, 9, 9, 10, 10, 11) stitches
- Bind off the remaining 21 (23, 23, 23, 25, 25, 27) stitches for the back neck.
Left Front
- Cast On:
- Using double yarn, cast on:
- 30–32: 39 (41) stitches
- 34–36: 43 (45) stitches
- 38–42: 47 (49, 51) stitches
- Work Ribbing:
- Follow ribbing pattern as for Back until piece measures 17½ inches.
- Place a marker to indicate armhole start and work an additional 4–4½ inches.
- Shape Neck:
- Decrease 1 stitch at the neck edge every row for 7 rows until 24 (25, 27, 29, 30, 32, 33) stitches remain.
- Shape Shoulder:
- Bind off at the shoulder edge as follows:
- 12 (12, 9, 9, 10, 10, 11) stitches at the beginning of every other row for 2 (1, 3, 2, 3, 2, 3) rows.
- Bind off remaining stitches.
Right Front
- Work as for Left Front, reversing the shaping and positioning of the neck and shoulder decreases.
Sleeves
- Cast On:
- Using double yarn, cast on:
- 30–32: 48 (52) stitches
- 34–36: 56 (60) stitches
- 38–42: 60 (64, 64) stitches
- Work Ribbing:
- Ribbing pattern (k1, p1) for 6 inches.
- Increase for Sleeve Width:
- Increase 1 stitch at both ends of every:
- 30: 5th row
- 32–34: 7th row
- 36–42: 8th row
- Continue increasing until there are:
- 30–32: 56 (60) stitches
- 34–36: 64 (68) stitches
- 38–42: 72 (72) stitches
- Work Without Increasing:
- Continue ribbing until sleeve measures 11–14 inches, depending on size.
- Bind Off:
- Bind off loosely in ribbing.
Collar
- Pick Up Stitches:
- With right side facing, pick up and knit around the neck edge:
- 30–32: 59 (63) stitches
- 34–36: 65 (73) stitches
- 38–42: 83 (83) stitches
- Work Ribbing:
- Ribbing pattern (k1, p1) for 4¼ inches.
- Bind Off:
- Bind off in ribbing.
Finishing
- Block all pieces to measurements.
- Sew shoulder, side, and sleeve seams.
- Sew in sleeves.
- Press collar through a damp cloth for a polished finish.
This gorgeous fingertip-length coat will knit up faster than you’d imagine and will be a staple in your wardrobe for years to come!
Notes
- This Finger tip Length Coat pairs beautifully with this Quick and Easy Knit Cap for a complete vintage look.
