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Sally elville

photography by
Alexis Xena is
 CHAP TER FOUR

EINSTEIN COAT
I love this coat ... enough to have made two of them for
myself! It is, truly, one of my favorite pieces of knitting. And
it's not just me. The elegance of its construction seems to
have universal appeal.

My friend, Heather, made herself one. She wore it while

traveling, and a customs agent-not trained to be the most
friendly person on the planet-gushed over it. This is a pretty
momentous event in the life of a true beginner knitter-to
have your work noticed, to have it admired, to be asked ifyou
had knit it yourself, to be complimented on your knitting'

It's called the Einstein Coat because you feel like a genius
when it's done: the fabric sits in your lap while you knit and
turn the pieces as directed (without necessarily
understanding why you do so) ... and then you work two
small seams ... and voila, a coat'

I also think this piece illustrates the elegant and simple

aesthetic that Einstein thought to be a core feature of
our universe.

After knitting the woman's version, it seemed to me that the

guys and the kid ought to have their own. I don't know how
the young boy felt about his garment, but the male model
offered to buy his!

An adult coat may stretch Y in length with wearing.

Here's how!
There is a slip stitch at the edges of all garment
pieces. This treatment makes the garment hang
and assemble nicely. Failure to work these slip
stitches will make the garment look sloppy. To
learn ,t to imbed it in your memory, I suggest you
practice it in your gauge swatch.
50, here are special directions for your gauge swatch.
• Cast on 75 stitches (sts). (Any cast-on is fine, but
you could practice the crochet cast-on, page 74.)
• Work garter st with slip-stitch (sl-st) edge:
with yarn in front (yr, page 76), slip first st
purl-wise (sl 7 p-wise, page 78), take yarn to
back (yb), k to end.
Women's M: 11 balls ISTEX lopi in color #9118

• THE K N T T N G E X PER NeE

•
 _______K_N_ITI_IN_G_I_N_A_L_L_D_IR_E_C_T_IO_N_S_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2·'i'j;'~fj''''';

EXPERI ENCE
• Repeat this row to 73 garter ridges. Begin buttonholes for Child's: Next RS row Yf, 51 1

I
• very easy
• Bind off. p-wise, yb, k2 (2, 6), knit two together (k2tog, page
• lots of kn itting
• m inimal finishing
• Piece should measure 4/1 x 4/1, without 57), yarn over (yo, page 77), k8 (9, 8), k2tog, yo, k to

including sl sts, cast-on, or bind-off end. Two buttonholes made.

_c_

-~--:.=>
Begin buttonholes for Adult's: Next RS row Yf, 51 1

1 LOWER BODY PIECE p-wise, yb, k6, knit two together (k2tog, page 57),
BI <:
With crochet cast-on and larger needle, cast on 29 yarn over (yo, page 77), k12, k2tog, yo, k to end. Two
OVERSIZED FIT
(32,38) sts for Child's, buttonholes made.

Childls 2-4 (6--8, 10-12)

44 sts for Man's, End buttonholes for Both: Next row Working WS
A 30 (34,42)"

56 sts for Woman's. row as usual, k through back (B, page 77) of yo's (to
B 76 (78, 21 '12 )"

C 79'11 (22'11, 21'12 )"

SHORTEN OR LENGTHEN HERE. tighten them).

Adult's S (M, L, XL, XXL)

To shorten by 7/1, cast on 3 fewer sts. To lengthen Continue garter st with sl-st edge for 1 more ridge,

A 46 (50, 54, 58, 62)"

by 7/1, cast on 3 more sts. ending with WS row.
for adult's sizes
Work garter st with sl-st edge for 1 right-side (RS) row.
Bind off.
B 26'h (21, 21'11, 28,28'11
for men's sizes
Turn work. Hang marker to designate wrong side (WS).
30'11 (37,37 '12,32,321,2 )'
Move marker up piece as needed.
2 UPPER RIGHT FRONT for wom en's sizes

C 33" for men's sizes

Continue garter st with sl-st edge, ending with WS row

With RS facing and larger needle, pick up and k 1 st 29'1," for wom en's sizes

to 100 (112,136) ridges for Child's,

in cast-on row of Lower Body Piece and then in the
to 152 (164, 176, 188,200) ridges for Adult's.
back of 51 sts (page 98)
10cm/4"
This is a large number of ridges, because it is an to 28 (31, 37) sts on needle for Child's,
oversized garment and you're knitting the entire to 41 (44,47, 50, 53) sts on needle for Adult's. 13 m ~
circumference. To make life easier, hang some­ Turn work. 13
thing-a piece of yarn, a paper clip-every 50 Work garter st with sl-st edge, ending with WS row • over garter stitches and ri~
ridges, so you don't have to re-count. to 21 (24,30) ridges for Child's, • with larger needles
• after blocking
The buttonholes are on the male side. to 37 (38, 39, 40, 41) ridges for Adult's.
Bind off.
Woman's You'll need

~
. - 18 (17, 16, 15, 14}" -----<>
0----
8"
__

Ne(k
3 UPPER BACK 123416
Seam ~ With RS facing and larger needle, and beginning in
t'"
.,;

~
Il .,
'
RSleeve

. .,
oe,r,
..... eases
, ,
+-­
-'<

"""
'"
§­
Bind-aff

Upper
RFronr
Bind-aff

Upper
LFronr
;'!
~
.-
~
,....,
same 51st as last st of pick-up row for Upper Right
Front, pick up and k 1 st in the back of 51 sts
to 50 (56, 68) sts on needle for Child's,
• bulky weight
• 450 (550, 800) yds for
children'S sizes
• 1100 (1200, 1300, 1400
...
~
,
,•
10/0'>
~
. Pick up and k
t t Pick up and k to 76 (82, 88, 94, 100) sts on needle for Adult's.
Turn work.
1500) yds for women's sizf
• men's sizes may take
50-100 yds less

'Ile

-
• wool or wool blend
Work garter st with sl-st edge, ending with WS row
Lower
RBody
Lower
LBody
to 21 (24,30) ridges for Child's,
to 37 (38, 39, 40, 41) ridges for Adult's.
Bind off.
•
• 1/1 buttons
Four (four, five) for childrer
sizes, Six for adult's
(without collar, one less)
4 UPPER lEFT FRONT
With RS facing and larger needle, and beginning in I used
same 51st as last st of pick-up row for Upper Back
and ending in bind-off row of Lower Body Piece,
X
• 6mmiUS 10
pick up and k 1 st in the back of remaining 51 sts • 5mmiUS 8
1m (1 2Yl, 13 ~, 14~, 1% )"
=
• 5-6mm1US H-G

• E X P E R N C T H K N T T N G
•
 _______K_N_ITI_IN_G_I_N_A_L_L_D_IR_E_C_T_I_O_N_S___ ______----'_24'OiU"'.''''.

EXP ERIENCE
• Repeat this row to 73 garter ridges. Begin buttonholes for Child's: Next RS row Yf, sl 1
• very easy
• Bind off. p-wise, yb, k2 (2, 6), knit two together (k2tog, page
• lots of knitting
• minimal finishi ng
• Piece should measure 4 " x 4", without
57), yarn over (yo, page 77), k8 (9, 8), k2tog, yo, k to

including sl sts, cast-on, or bind-off

end. Two buttonholes made.

Begin buttonholes for Adult's: Next RS row Yf, sl 1

-'­
1 LOWER BODY PIECE p-wise, yb, k6, knit two together (k 2tog, page 57),
BI co- _L-=
With crochet cast-on and larger needle, cast on 29 yarn over (yo, page 77), k12, k2tog, yo, k to end. Two
OVERSIZED FIT
(32,38) sts for Child 's, buttonholes made.

Child's 2-4 (6-8, 10-12)

44 sts for Man's, End buttonholes for Both: Next row Working WS
A 30 (34, 42)'

56 sts for Woman's. row as usual , k through back (B, page 77) of yo's (to
816 (18, 21'12)"
SHORTEN OR LENGTHEN HERE. tighten them).
C 19'12 (22 'h, 27'h )"
Adult's S (M, L, XL, XXL)

To shorten by 7", cast on 3 fewer sts. To lengthen Continue garter st with sl-st edge for 1 more ridge,

A 46 (50, 54, 58, 62)"

by 1 /~ cast on 3 more sts. ending with WS row.

for adult's sizes

Work garter st with sl-st edge for 1 right-side (RS) row.

Bind off.
8 26!!2 (27, 27 'h, 28, 28'1,)"

for men's sizes

Turn work. Hang marker to designate wrong side (WS).

30!!2 (31, 31'h, 32, ]2'h)"

Move marker up piece as needed .

2 UPPER RIGHT FRONT for women's sizes

C 33" for men's sizes

Continue garter st with sl-st edge, ending with WS row

With RS facing and larger needle, pick up and k 1 st 2 9'h" for women 's sizes

to 100 (112 ,136) ridges for Child 's,

in cast-on row of Lower Body Piece and then in the
to 152 (164, 176, 188, 200) ridges for Adult's.
back of sl sts (page 98)
10cm/4"
This is a large number of ridges, because it is an to 28 (31, 37) sts on needle for Ch i Id's,
oversized garment and you're knitting the entire to 41 (44, 47, 50, 53) sts on needle for Adult's. 13 B ~s
circumference. To make life easier, hang some­ Turn work. 13
thing-a piece of yarn, a paper clip-every 50 Work garter st with sl-st edge, ending with WS row • over garter stitches and ridges
ridges, so you don 't have to re-count. to 21 (24, 30) ridges for Child's, • with larger needles
• after blocking
The buttonholes are on the male side. to 37 (38, 39, 40, 41) ridges for Adult's.
Bind off.
Woman's You'll need
>--18 (17, 16, 15,14)" ~ 8"
Ne(k
3 UPPER BACK 123406
Seam ~ With RS facing and larger needle, and beginning in
Bind-off Bind·off
+-­ ~ same sl st as last st of pick-up row for Upper Right • bulky weight

RSleeve • 450 (550, 800) yds for

~
-"<

'"<>to Upper Upper Front, pick up and k 1 st in the back of 51 sts children'S sizes

Oe(r~ RFront Lfront ~

,.
.... V'ses §­ • 1100 (1200, 1300, 1400,

to 50 (56, 68) sts on needle for Child's,

' ~
, ~ ~ t t Pi(kup andk to 76 (82, 88, 94, 100) sts on needle for Adult's.
1500) yds for women's sizes

Pi(k upandk • men's sizes may take

,.cOld/' .: Turn work. 50-100 yds less

'11"

Lower
RBody
Lower
[Body
- Work garter st with sl-st edge, ending with WS row
to 21 (2 4,30) ridges for Child 's,
to 37 (38,39,40,41) ridges for Adult's.
• wool or wool blend

• 1" buttons

Bind off. Four (four, five) for children's

sizes, Six for adulrs

(without col/ar, one less)

4 UPPER LEFT FRONT

With RS facing and larger needle, and beginning in I used
same sl st as last st of pick-up row for Upper Back
and ending in bind-off row of Lower Body Piece,
X
• 6mmi US 10
pick up and k 1 st in the back of remaining 51 sts • 5mmiUS 8
11h (12h, 13h , 14h , 1%)"

• 5-6mm1US H-G

• x PER ENe E THE K N T T N G

•
 EINSTEI COAT

to 28 (31 , 37 ) sts on needle for Child 's,

5 RIGHT SLEEVE
to 41 (44, 7« 50, 53) sts on needle for Adult's.
With RS facing and larger needle, pick up and k 1 st
Turn work. ­ in bind -off row of Upper Right Front and then in the
Work garter st with sl-st edge­
back of every sl st down side of Upper Right Front
to 5 (6, 2) ridges for Child's,
22 (25, 31 ) sts on needle for Child 's,
to 6 ridges for Adult's.
38 (39, 40,41 , 42 ) sts on needle for Adult's.
Begin buttonhole: Next RS row Yf, sl 1 p-wise, yb, k to
Place marker to designate center of sleeve.
5 sts remaining, k2tog, yo, k3. One buttonhole made.
Working up side of Upper Back, pick up and k 1
End buttonhole: Next row Working WS row as
st in the back of every sl st, ending in bind-off row left slw'e
usual, k through B of yo.
of Upper Back
Continue garter st with sl-st edge
44 (50, 62 ) sts on needle for Child 's, 5
to 13 (15 , 11) ridges from beginning for Child 's,
76 (78, 80, 82, 84) sts on needle for Adult's.
to 19 ridges from beginning for Adult's.
*Turn work.
Make buttonhole over next 2 rows as above .
Continue garter st with sl-st edge RighI sleeve
Continue garter st with sl-st edge
to 6 ridges from beginning for Child 's,
to 21 (24, 20) ridges from beginning for Child's,
to 6 (3, 1, 1, 1) ridges from beginning for Adult's.
to 32 ridges from beginning for Adult's .

For Child's 2-4 (6-8) Bind off.

For all other sizes Make buttonhole over next 2

Next (decrease) row (RS) Work to 3 sts from center

marker, slip 1, knit 1, pass slip stitch over (SKP, page
79), k2, k2tog, k to end .
4
[[J Upper/eft fronl
rows as above.
Work 3 more rows.
Continue garter st with sl-st edge
Repeat these last 4 rows, working decreases on
to 30 ridges from beginning for Child's 10- 12,
either side of center of sleeve each 4th row 3
to 37 (38, 39, 40, 41) ridges from beginning for Adult's.
to 24 sts remaining for Child's,
Bind off.
to 30 (30,34,36,36) sts remaining OR to 16 (15,
14, 13 , 12)" from beginning for Woman's (whichever Upper back
occurs fi rstl ,
2

Man's Uppel right hant

21 11 (2011, 19Y1 , 1811, 17YlI"

~ Seam
- 8" ­
~ . 1 -I
~
, ~
~: ; RSI~e -~
Bind-off Bind-off
Upper Upper ~ Low/!! body pi
~
..: "" . 0.
.... ~ ..... f("reoses
§
§-
RFrom LFlT){1t g
..... !... ~
' ;:;, 0" "'- P·/(k upon dk
t f ~
'­
~
oij~;·~'--~--~------~I ~
I
...­
I '" I.oWl!r lower '" I
Io§ RBody LBody :.§I 1:

I::' ~I ;!
lei: "'I

Righi, Man's L: 12 balls ISTEX

Lopi in color #9367
Child's 6-8: 5 balls ISTEX Lopi
color #0085

• T H K N T T N G E X PER C E
•

PATTERNS FO UR
CHAPTER FOUR

E X NeE
•
 KN_ln_-I_NG_I_NA_L_L_DI_RE_CT_IO_N_S__________~. . . . .
_________

EI STEIN COAT

to 30 (30, 34, 36, 36) sts remaining OR to 191/2 (18 1/2, Reinforce stitching at end of seam (on
17112, 16112, 15112)" from beginning for Man's W5) because there will be a lot of
(whichever occurs first). strain on the garment at this corner.
For Adult's SHORTEN OR LENGTHEN HERE . Beginning at Left Cuff, sew Left
For Child's Continue garter st with sl-st edge to 10 Sleeve and Shoulder in same manner.
(12, 15)" from beginning. SHORTEN OR LENGTHEN Sew buttons to Right Front to corre­
HERE. Change to smaller needles and continue spond to buttonholes .
sleeve to 12 (14, 17)". Bind off. Collar (for Woman 's)
For Adult's If there are 30 (30, 34, 36, 36) sts remain­ With RS faCing and larger needle,
ing but sleeve is not yet required length, discontinue and beginning at neck opening of
decreases, and work to length. Right Front, pick up and k 1 st in the
If sleeve is required length and there are more than this back of remaining 17 bound-off sts
number of sts remaining, work 1 RS row as follows: along Right Front Neck. Pick up and
Change to smaller needles and work across, decreasing k 1 st in corner- 18 sts on needle.
sts evenly (page 99) to 30 (30, 34, 36, 36) sts. Pick up and k 1 st in the back of all
On smaller needles, continue garter st with sl-st edge bound-off sts along open Back
for 6 ridges . Neck-46 to 48 sts on needle. Pick up and k 1 st in
Bind off. corner. Pick up and k 1 st in the back of remaining
17 bound-p ff sts along Left Front Neck-64 to 66 sts
6 LEFT SLEEVE on needle. '
With RS faCing and larger needle, pick up and k 1 st Turn work.
in bind-off row of Upper Back and then in the back Work garter st with sl-st edge to 2 ridges from beginning.
of every sl st down the side of Upper Back Begin buttonhole: Next row (RS) Yf, sl 1 p-wise, yb, k
22 (25, 31) sts on needle for Chi Id's, to 5 sts remaining, k2tog, yo, k3.
38 (39, 40, 41, 42) sts on needle for Adult's. End buttonhole: Next row Working WS row as usual,
Place marker to designate center of sleeve. Working up k through back of yo. Continue garter st with sl-st
side of Upper Left Front, pick up and k 1 st in the back edge to 11 ridges from beginning.
of every sl st, ending in bind-off row of Upper Left Front Bind off.
44 (50, 62) sts on needle for Chi Id's,
76 (78, 80, 82, 84) sts on needle for Adult's.
Continue with directions for Right Sleeve from* to end. O1l1d's
12 (14, 17)" _lYll'-­
Neck
FINISHING Bind-off Bind·o~
If your yarn tears too easily, it is not appropriate Upper Upper
for seaming. Use something stronger in a similar Rfront lfront
color. Tapestry yarn works well.
Beginning at Right Cuff, sew sl sts together (page 98)
up Sleeve, then sew Right Front/Back bou nd-off sts
together in same manner across Shoulder. I", Lower Lower
Ic§ RBody LBody
Leave 13 bound-off sts unsewn on Upper Right Front ~
I.:i:.
(for neck opening) for Child's;
1
leave 17 bound-off sts unsewn on Upper Right Front
(for neck opening) for Adult's.
0-71'1 (SJ'l, 101'1.

• E X PER N C THE K N T T ,"\( G

 KNITilNG IN ALL DIRECTIONS

EINSTEIN COAT

(30,34,36,36) sts remaining OR to 19'/2 (18 1/2, Reinforce stitching at end of seam (on
16 112, 15'/2)" from beginning for Man's
W5) because there will be a lot of
occurs first).
strain on the garment at this corner.
SHORTEN OR LENGTHEN HERE.
Beginning at Left Cuff, sew Left

Continue garter st with sl-st edge to 10

Sleeve and Shoulder in same manner.

5)" from beginning. SHORTEN OR LENGTH EN

Sew buttons to Right Front to corre­

Change to smaller needles and continue

spond to buttonholes.

to 12 (14,17)". Bind off.

Collar (for Woman 's)

's If there are 30 (30 , 34, 36, 36) sts remain- With RS facing and larger needle,

sleeve is not yet required length, discontinue and beginning at neck opening of

and work to length. Right Front, pick up and k 1 st in the

is required length and there are more than this back of remaining 17 bound-off sts

ler of sts remaining, work 1 RS row as follows: along Right Front Neck. Pick up and

ge to smaller needles and work across, decreasing k 1 st in corner- 18 sts on needle.

'enly (page 99) to 30 (30, 34, 36, 36) sts. Pick up and k 1 st in the back of all

mail er needles, continue garter st with sl-st edge
ridges.
off.
LEEVE
RS facing and larger needle, pick up and k 1 st
ld-off row of Upper Back and then in the back
ery sl st down the side of Upper Back
5,31 ) sts on needle for Child's,
ISTEX Lopi in color 11<)718
9,40,41 , 42 ) sts on needle for Adult's.
bound-off sts along open Back
Neck-46 to 48 sts on needle. Pick up and k 1 st in
corner. Pick up and k 1 st in the back of remaining
17 bound-p ff sts along Left Front l~eck-64 to 66 sts
on needle.
Turn work.
Work garter st with sl-st edge to 2 ridges from beginning.
Begin buttonhole: Next row (RS) Yf, sl 1 p-wise, yb, k Left, Women's M; 11 balls
to 5 sts remaining, k2tog, yo, k3 .
End buttonhole: Next row Working WS row as usual,

, marker to deSignate center of sleeve. Working up k through back of yo. Continue garter st with sl-st

)f Upper Left Front, pick up and k 1 st in the back edge to 11 ridges from beginning.

~ry sl st, ending in bind-off row of Upper Left Front Bind off.

0,62) sts on needle for Child's,

8,80,82,84) sts on needle for Adult's.
inue with directions for Right Sleeve from* to end. Child's
~1l(14, 17)" - -0 7Y2"
Seam Neck
ING Bind·off Bind-off
our ya rn tears too easily, it is not appropriate Upper Upper
seaming. Use something stronger in a similar flFront LFront
or. Tapestry yarn works well.
ming at Right Cuff, sew sl sts together (page 98)

eeve, th en sew Right Front/Back bound-off sts

1

-­
1 _
her in same manner across Shoulder.
' ", l.nwer l.nwer
'0.% RBody [Body '"
.S.I N
? 13 bound-off sts unsewn on Upper Right Front
I~ ~I :;..
leck opening) for Child's;
1"­ .1:, ~
1
, 17 bound-off sts unsewn on Upper Right Front

leck opening) for Adult's.

• E X P [ R E Ne T H K N T T I" G •