Don’t worry, no wyverns were harmed to create this jacket! Instead, the “Dragon Skin” pattern from Barbara Walker’s 2nd Treasury of Knitting Patterns embellishes a simple wrap with a tie closure. The fronts (including sleeves and front edging) are worked from hem to shoulders, then joined with cast-on stitches at the back of the neck, and from there, back plus sleeves are worked in one piece to the hem. Finishing: edge the back neck, seam sides and underarms, and add ties and snap (for the inner wrap edge) at the waist. The kimono-style sleeves do not taper, so directions for Dramatic (full-length or longer), Practical (just above wrist length) and ¾-length sleeves are included. (Recommended: Practical or 3/4-length, unless you have strong diva-like tendencies.) Measured ease is standard (2-4”), but may seem greater when worn, due to the wrap style; those who prefer a more fitted look may want to make one size smaller than usual. Length is just above the hip (though length from waist to hem is easily altered), and side decreases and increases gently shape the waist.
Difficulty is intermediate; skills include chart reading, casting on mid-row, modified I-cord ties, and keeping accurate track of row #s.
Sizes/Garment Measurements
XS S M L 1X 2X 3X
Bust/hips 32 36 40 44 48 52 56 inches
81 91 102 112 122 132 142 cm
Waist 29 33 37 41 45 49 53 inches
74 84 94 104 114 124 135 cm
Length 21 22 22 22.5 23 23 23 inches
53 56 56 57 58 58 58 cm
Sleeve circ 15 16.5 16.5 18 19.5 19.5 21 inches
38 42 42 46 50 50 53 cm
Sleeve length (from body side seam, not necessarily from underarm):
Dramatic 18 19 18 19.5 18.5 19.5 18.5 inches
46 48 46 50 47 50 47 cm
Practical 13.5 15 14 15 14 15 14 inches
34 38 36 38 36 38 36 cm
3/4 length 9 11 10 11 10 11 10 inches
23 28 25 28 25 28 25 cm
Shown in Size S with Practical Sleeves and with 3” ease at bust.
Gauge
24 sts and 32 rows = 4” in Dragon Skin patt st; count rows along 2-st strip of st st between panels of “scales.” Check gauge on blocked swatch.
Yarn
DK-weight yarn (approx 22 sts/28 rows to 4” in st st on U.S. Size 6 (4 mm) needles). With Dramatic sleeves: 1500 [1800, 1800, 2100, 2250, 2400, 2550] yds. With Practical sleeves: 1350 [1650, 1650, 1950, 2100, 2250, 2250] yds. With 3/4-length sleeves: 1200 [1500, 1500, 1800, 1950, 2100, 2100] yds. Pictured in RYC Silk Wool DK (50% merino wool, 50% silk; 109 yds [100 m]/50 gm), color #SH 305 Clay.
Needles
U.S. Size 6 (4mm) circular needle, 40-60” long depending on size worked (total of sleeves + back = 34-65”!). Optional: 2nd circular for working Right Front (at least 24” long); straight needles for working front and back without sleeves. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions
Stitch markers; row counter; stitch holders or waste yarn; tapestry needle; med or large snap closure.
Suggested Yarn Substitutions*
*Substitute at your own risk!
Kollage Yarns Yummy (80% bamboo, 20% merino wool; 150 yd [137 m]/70 gm). RYC Cashsoft DK (merino wool/ microfiber/ cashmere; 142 yd [130 m]/50 gm). Classic Elite Wool Bam Boo (wool/bamboo; 118 yds [108 m]/50 gm).
Yarn Weight
Take note of yarn weight, in this case meaning actual weight (yds/m per gm), not thickness (DK). Sleeves are wide and will be quite heavy in a heavier yarn (compare RYC Silk Wool DK at 109 yds/50 gm to RYC Cashsoft DK at 142 yds/50 gm). If you choose a heavier yarn, 3/4 or at most Practical sleeves are recommended.
If you have already purchased this pattern, I will be emailing you the updated version: no need to contact me unless you don't receive it within the next 2 days. If you are already partway through the original pattern, I do NOT recommend you switch to the newer version; the order of some instructions has been changed and could be confusing, and there are no errata in addition to those already published back in February 2008.
Click here to purchase pattern (price: $6.50). After payment, the pattern will be emailed to you in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format.
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it is so so gorgeous! thank you for the pictures -
Posted by: Alley | July 29, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Amazing !
Posted by: melusine_tricote | July 29, 2008 at 06:51 PM
That is so gorgeous. Definitely will be making this one!
Posted by: Christine | July 29, 2008 at 11:38 PM
Thank you! I received my update yesterday and am looking forward to starting it. The dragon skin stitch has always been one of my favourites but I've never made anything more complicated than a baby blanket with it.
Posted by: Misty the Kneedler | July 30, 2008 at 11:37 AM
The grey looks so perfect in this sweater!!
and...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Hope you have many more happy knitting birthdays!!
Posted by: Mrs. C. | July 31, 2008 at 12:39 AM