How to Crochet a Vintage-Inspired Jacket (The Emmaline Jacket)
There is something so special about a piece that feels as though it belongs to another time.
The Emmaline Jacket was designed with that feeling in mind. I found myself drawn to creating something that felt quietly nostalgic. A jacket that could have been worn years ago, when handmade garments were part of everyday life, and the time spent making something was part of its value.
I wanted it to feel soft, timeless, and full of gentle detail.
The kind of piece that is worn on slow mornings, passed down between siblings, and tucked away carefully to be kept for the next generation to come.
About the Design
The Emmaline Jacket is a beautifully detailed baby and children’s crochet jacket, designed with both warmth and elegance in mind.
It features a softly structured yoke, a gently flared skirt, and delicate lace edging that adds just the right amount of detail without overwhelming the piece. The addition of a hood makes it both practical and cosy, while still feeling refined.
It is worked in aran weight yarn, giving it a lovely weight and drape that holds the shape of the jacket while still feeling soft and comfortable to wear.
The finished piece feels both classic and wearable. Something that looks special, but is still made to be used and loved.
Construction
The jacket is worked from the top down using a raglan-style construction.
The yoke is broken down into clear sections (front, sleeves, and back), with stitch counts included throughout to help you stay on track as you work.
Once the yoke is complete, the sleeves are separated and the body continues to create a gently flared skirt. A simple ruffle row adds fullness before moving into the lace pattern.
The sleeves and hood are then added, and the piece is finished with delicate lace edging.
Buttons are sewn on at the end, using the natural spaces between stitches rather than traditional buttonholes.
Yarn & Materials
For this design, I used Yarnsmiths Merino Aran in the colours Khaki and Linen.
The colour palette is soft and natural, and the yarn itself has a beautiful drape that works perfectly with the structure of the jacket.
If you are substituting yarn, I would recommend choosing something with a similar weight and softness. Merino wool can be slightly heavier than synthetic yarns, so it is best to match your yarn by metres or yards rather than weight.
You will also need a 5.0 mm crochet hook for the main body and a 6.0 mm hook for the skirt, along with a few buttons, stitch markers, and a tapestry needle.
Sizing
The pattern includes sizes from:
0–6 months
6–12 months
1–2 years
3–4 years
5–6 years
7–9 years
10–12 years
The jacket is designed to be worn with positive ease.
For the best fit, I always recommend choosing your size based on chest measurement rather than age.
| Chest Measurement of Jacket designed to fit with positive ease | Approximate Yarn Requirements yarn requirements are approximate and will vary depending on yarn choice, tension, and any length adjustments. | |||||||
| for best results, choose your size based on the child’s chest measurement. | Main Colour | Contrasting Colour | ||||||
| Sizes | cm | in | meters | yards | grams | meters | yards | grams |
| 0-6 months | 51 | 20 | 675 | 738 | 450 | 150 | 164 | 100 |
| 6-12 months | 53 | 21 | 750 | 821 | 500 | 150 | 164 | 100 |
| 1-2 years | 58 | 23 | 900 | 985 | 600 | 150 | 164 | 100 |
| 3-4 years | 61 | 24 | 1050 | 1149 | 700 | 150 | 164 | 100 |
| 5-6 years | 66 | 26 | 1200 | 1313 | 800 | 225 | 246 | 150 |
| 7-9 years | 74 | 29 | 1350 | 1477 | 900 | 225 | 246 | 150 |
| 10-12 years | 76 | 30 | 1500 | 1641 | 1000 | 300 | 328 | 200 |
Emmaline Jacket Test Pieces
One of my favourite parts of creating a new design is seeing it come to life through other makers.
The Emmaline Jacket was tested by a small group of incredibly talented crocheters, each bringing their own style, yarn choices, and finishing touches to the design. It is always so special to see how a pattern can take on a slightly different feel in each version, while still holding the same overall shape and character.
Above are a few of the beautiful test pieces that were made during the pattern testing process.
Each of these jackets was made using the same pattern, and it is such a lovely reminder of how much variation is possible depending on colour, yarn, and personal touches.
Thank you so much to my wonderful testers for the time, care, and attention you put into this design.
If you make your own Emmaline Jacket, I would absolutely love to see it. You can tag me on Instagram @themoulehole or share it in the Moule Hole Made Facebook group.
Printable PDF Pattern
If you would like the full pattern, including detailed stitch counts for every size, step-by-step instructions, photographs, and video tutorials, you can find the printable PDF here:
Emmaline Jacket Crochet Pattern
The PDF is designed to guide you through each stage of the pattern with clarity and confidence.
A Final Note
This design feels very special to me. Seven years after creating my first crochet pattern, the Magdalena Jacket, I have taken everything I’ve learned along the way and poured it into this piece.
It is not overly complicated, but it holds so much detail within it. The kind of detail that reveals itself slowly as you make it.
I hope you enjoy the process just as much as the finished piece.
And as always, I would absolutely love to see what you make.
Nadia 💛
