This is the perfect knit tailored suit jacket for both the office and the more elegant evening out. The flirty bottom peplum adds a bit of femininity, as does the subtle eyelet edging on the body and the cuffs. The peplum gently cuts in as it approaches the waist to create a slenderizing effect.

The front edges are faced for an immaculate finish, as well as allowing the neck edge to be folded over as for a shawl collar, if desired. For a more pronounced shawl collar, see my Shawl Collar Peplum Cardigan. Buttons are optional, but the fronts meet at the center front, so there is no extra fabric at the front if buttons are not chosen. Back neck shaping ensures that shoulder seams do not slip to the backside or hike up the front edge.

The best fitting garments are those which fit at the shoulders. Detailed instructions include measurements which allow for any fine-tuning of the overall fit. This flirty knit business jacket pattern is also an excellent candidate for employing bust darts for a perfect tailored fit. Contouring with short rows and/or vertical bust darts can create the ultimate in fitted knit apparel. Refer to my Knitting Bust Darts Tutorial at http://www.conniehester.com/knitting-bust-darts.htm .

Living in Texas, where it is hot and humid much of the year, I normally choose to knit lightweight cotton jackets and cardigans in 3/2 perle cotton (Size 3 perle; 1260 yds per lb; 18 wraps per inch) like the brown jacket illustrated; otherwise I may not have the opportunity to wear knitwear much during some years. However, any sock or fingering-weight yarn which produces gauge will work for this knitted jacket, including any combination of finer yarns which together constitute a somewhat fingering-weight. The raspberry pink sample here was knitted from a cotton-rayon-flax slub blend which I stripped and hand-dyed. I have knit 5 Flirty Business Jackets with 3/2 perle cotton. They all produced the same gauge.

Knit gauge in Stockinette Stitch is 7 stitches and 10 rows per inch on Size 3 US needles, producing a stable but nicely draping gauge which will not sag, stretch, or distort.