A beautiful vintage baby matinee coat knitting pattern from Patons, originally published in 1984. Patons 7536 gives knitters a classic little baby cardigan with a full gathered shape, round yoke and a choice of four different lace and textured stitch designs.
About the Pattern
The matinee coat is knitted with a generous skirt-like body leading into a shaped yoke, with long sleeves and three small button fastenings at the neck.
One of the nicest things about this vintage pattern is the choice of stitch design. The booklet provides four alternatives, originally shown as white, yellow, pink and blue coats, so you can knit the same basic baby jacket with a different lace or textured finish.
Pattern Details
- Pattern: Patons 7536 Matinee Coats
- Published: 1984
- Style: Vintage baby matinee coat / baby cardigan
- To fit chest: Approx. 46cm (18in)
- Finished back length: Approx. 25cm (10in)
- Sleeve seam: Approx. 13cm (5in)
- Original yarn: Patons Fairytale 3 ply
- Construction: Body and fronts worked together to the armholes, with separate sleeves and a shaped yoke
- Stitch options: Four different lace and textured patterns
- Fastening: Three buttons
Knitting Bee Notes
This is a lovely choice if you’re searching for a traditional baby matinee coat knitting pattern rather than a modern, close-fitting baby cardigan. The fuller body, delicate patterned fabric and gathered yoke give it the unmistakable look of vintage baby knitwear.
The original Patons Fairytale 3 ply yarn is a vintage yarn, so modern knitters will need to choose a suitable substitute carefully. Rather than relying only on the yarn label, look for a yarn that allows you to achieve the tension specified in the original pattern.
The pattern uses some older British knitting terminology and abbreviations, but experienced knitters should find the construction familiar.
The complete original instructions are available in the scanned Patons booklet: Patons 7536 Matinee Coats at Internet Archive