Some of my most treasured possessions are those that connect me to loved ones who are no longer with us. My paternal Grandmother Clara knitted a pair of sweet, embroidered jackets for my twin sister and me. I don’t actually remember her doing so—I was about 2 years old at the time!—but I still feel connected to her when I knit things for little ones. Now, in her honor, I am recreating my jacket with a few updates.

The original jacket has a unique construction, knit from the bottom up in pieces to the yoke, then knit in one piece with raglan decreases. My sweater is knit in one piece for the body, with separate sleeves knit flat and then joined into a seamless yoke. The original jacket is quite feminine, so I have designed an additional dragonfly motif that is more gender-neutral as an option. My grandmother used a crochet-covered button; I am substituting Dorset buttons for a similar effect, but you could purchase ready-made buttons if you wish.