The English Spencer is a cropped, military-style jacket much favoured by Regency ladies, whose love of sheer, flimsy dress fabrics necessitated protection from even the mildest British weather. The singular styling of this garment renders it as useful and stylish today as when Jane Austen wrote to her beloved niece of autumn walks, wearing her new Kerseymere (cashmere) spencer.

The body is worked back and forth in one piece together with the contrast edging. The set-in sleeves are worked in the round to the sleeve cap,and flat thereafter. The epaulettes and collar are picked up and knit on. The frog and button closures are worked in purled i-cord and sewn in position.

Photographic sample was worked in madelinetosh pashmina (75% merino wool, 15% silk, 10% cashmere), 3 (4, 4, 5, 5) skeins of Sugar Plum (MC) and 1 skein of Venetian (CC).

Required Items
Circular needles, 40 to 60 inches (101.6 to 152.4 cm), depending on size made, and set of double pointed needles
Markers
Locking marker
Stitch holders
Crochet hook, size D/3 (3.25 mm)
Tapestry needle
Hook and eye fastener