Timmy helps me model!
Here's how I made it:This vest is knit in the round from the bottom up. The only seaming is at the shoulder. I think that you could use any texture stitch that you wanted with this vest pattern, as long as the gauge was the same.
5 stitches X 7 rows = 1” on US 5 needles; knit swatch of 20 stitches, 10 knit, 10 purl. Sport weight yarn. (I used Knitpicks Shine sport in blush as the MC, and some Rowan Cotton Glace in a discontinued goldenrod color for CC.)
US 5 and US 4 circular needles
Each checker is 10 stitches X 14 rows.
I used the measurement above my bust (under the armpit) and cast on that number multiplied by 5, but rounded to the nearest multiple of 20. This is necessary so the checker pattern is even. I rounded down for my vest, because I like my knits to be
clingy.
BODY:-Cast on US 4. Join to knit in the round and Knit 3” of 2x2 rib in Contrast Color, placing markers at the beginning of the round and half way if you are doing waist shaping.
-Switch to Main Color and US 5, (K10, P10) repeat to end.
-Continue in checker pattern for 12 more rows. If doing waist shaping, start it on the next row (row 14 of MC); reduce 4 stitches, one on both sides of each marker.
-Reverse pattern, i.e. purl the stitches you had been knitting, knit the stitches you had been purling.
-Continue decreasing for the waist every 7th row while working checker pattern. I decreased 5x. If you desire more decreases than this, you should do them more frequently.
-On the 7th row from the decreases, start your increases with the same frequency.
-On the next to last row of increases, add short row bust shaping in the front half, if desired. I highly recommend this for bustier gals like myself. I did 4” of short rows. Keep following the checker pattern as you short row, it seems like it may look funny, but it looks fine later. Pick up all stitches to knit in the round to finish row, including increases.
-Continue in pattern until work reaches 16”. If you want the garment shorter, start the waist decreases sooner after the ribbing and compensate from there.
-I like to bind off for the arms in a straight shot, so work to the desired place before the half-way marker, bind off desired stitches, removing marker, work to other side and repeat. I bound off 20 stitches (4”), but smaller people will want less than that. Measure under your arm and -2.
-You’ll be working the front and back separately from here on out, but they will be the same.
-Front: WS; work in pattern. RS; work 1 stitch, work 2 tog (k or p as appropriate), work to 3 before end, work 2 tog, work 1. Repeat these 2 rows 5x. While working this, at the last row of the checker pattern, split for neck on RS.
-Neck: RS: BO center 2 stitches. Work to end with reductions for the arm. WS; work all stitches in pattern. Work each side of the neck separately.
-RS: at neck edge, work 1 stitch, work 2 tog, work to end (or do last arm decrease). WS: work all stitches. Repeat decreases at neck edge alternating with plain WS work until 20 stitches remain. Continue to work in pattern until 8.5” (or shorter as desired) from armpit.
-From outside edge, BO 7 stitches, work remaining in pattern. Turn and work all stitches. Turn and BO 6 stitches, work remaining. Turn and work all. Turn and BO last 7 stitches. Tie off and cut yarn, leaving enough tail to sew shoulder seam.
-Attach yarn at center, pick up and work all stitches on WS of other half of front. Work reverse shaping for decreases at neck edge.
-Back: Attach yarn at WS right edge and work all stitches in pattern. Work as for Front.
FINISHING:-Arm bands: With CC and US 4, on RS, pick up stitches along arm opening on 2 of every 3 rows and all bound off stitches under the arms. You should have an even number of stitches. Work back and forth, 3 rows of 2x2 rib. BO in pattern. Leave enough tail to seam that section at shoulder. Repeat for other arm. Sew should seams, starting at neck edge with MC. Seam rib with CC.
-Neck: With CC and US 4, on RS, start in the center and pick up stitches along one side of neck opening on 2 of every 3 rows, to center on other side. Work and forth, 3 rows of 2x2 rib. BO in pattern. Leave enough tail to sew seam. Repeat on other neck edge. Sew neck band edges to the opposite side of the V so that they overlap.
-Tuck in ends and you’re all set!
