The Design

“In 6 sizes.”

The vest you've been asking for. And asking for! The slightly high V-neck has a modern look, the ribbed arm bands extend just to the shoulder's edge, and the easily-adapted length is designed for hands-in-pockets ease. Equally right for business or casual, it fits perfectly over a dress shirt or T-shirt. Whether your shirts are 'trim' cut or 'traditional', you'll find a perfectly comfortable size.

Tips for choosing the right fit and photo tutorials for both picking up stitches and bind off techniques will give you confidence as you knit a timeless garment with just the right amount of tailoring.

The Details

FINISHED SIZES
Finished chest: 40 (43, 46, 49, 52, 55)"/102 (109, 117, 124, 132, 140)cm circumference, after seaming and blocking.
Finished length: 26¾ (26¾, 27, 27¼, 27¾, 28)"/68 (68, 68.5, 69, 70, 71)cm, from high-shoulder point (where shoulder meets neck, excluding ribbed neck band) to hem.

YARN
Approx. 820 (875, 950, 1015, 1085, 1160) yds/750 (800, 870, 930, 995, 1060)m of a DK-weight yarn that typically knits as 21-22 sts to 4"/10cm.

Shown in black in Rowan Tweed DK (129 yds/118m each), Color 595. Model is wearing 43"/109cm finished size with 2½"/6.5cm of ease.

Shown in brown in Rowan Pure Wool Superwash DK (137 yds/125m each), Color 110. Model is wearing 49"/124cm finished size with 4½"/11.5cm of ease.

NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US 6 (4mm) needles, or size to obtain gauge.
US 4 (3.5mm) 16-24"/40-60cm circular needle, or 2 US sizes/.5mm smaller than gauge needle.
Stitch markers; 1 locking marker.
Stitch holder.
Darning needle to finish.

GAUGE
21 sts/30 rows = 4"/10cm in stockinette stitch on gauge needle, after blocking.

KNITTER'S NOTES

Garment is knit in pieces and seamed using mattress stitch. Neck and arm bands are picked up and knit in the round.

When designing this vest, we really wanted the center V to be, well, centered! Take a peek at the close up picture of the front V-neck and you'll see a single stitch wide column of knit stitches directly in the center. At this point in our pattern, something really neat happens - we think you'll love it as much as we do!

Test knitters appreciated our finishing instructions and tutorial support for binding off and picking up stitches - we hope the teaching sections included in this pattern will become a skills library of sorts for use on future garments.