The Coco Chanel tweed blazer is a classic look straight out of the 1950s but that still looks modern today. The original design is boxy, with slim sleeves and four pockets with buttons. Braided trim was often found on the cuffs, edges of the pockets and in place of button bands.
Zanete Knits has taken this classic look and turned it into a great knitting pattern, called The Blazer.
The Blazer is worked in one piece from the top down in garter stitch to mimic the tweedy look of the original. Beginning at the back neckline, you work shoulder shaping and down to the armholes, then pick up stitches to create the fronts. Below the underarms the pieces are joined and worked together in one piece.
This version uses buttons, and the buttonholes are incorporated into the design as you knit rather than being a separate band. There’s an option to add waist shaping and the bottom uses a folded hem. The sleeves are shaped with short rows and also have a folded hem at the end.
The fringe and two faux pockets are optional additions that make the pattern’s inspiration a little more obvious. I actually like it both ways but if I were knitting it for myself I’d probably leave off the fringe thanks to my yarn-loving cats.
The pattern comes in nine sizes with a finished bust circumference ranging from 35 to 67 inches, or 87 to 167 cm. It’s intended to be work with 4-6 inches/10-15 cm or positive ease around the chest. It calls for sport weight yarn and is rated for intermediate knitters thanks to some of the techniques involved.
There are so many great projects on the Ravelry page (where you can buy it, or visit the Zanete Knits website) that you’ll want to go check it out to decide whether you want to knit it in a striping yarn, a solid, and with or without the extras. The pattern is available in English, Danish, Dutch, French, German and Spanish.
[Photo: Zanete Knits]
