A collared vest designed to be knit by beginner-level knitters and beyond...
This pattern, which I designed, was published in Knit Together (May 2008) Owner/Editor: Cynthia MacDougall
Skill level: Beginner
Materials:
Hummingbird Fibre Arts Falkland Superwash Merino double knitting or any suitable worsted weight yarn
1,240 yards [1134 metres] per 454 gram skein 1[1, 1, 1, 2, 2] skeins
1 pair 4.5 mm/7 US/7 UK straight needles or the size necessary to obtain tension
Tension: 22 stitches = 4 inches/10 centimeters over stocking stitch
Size: Finished sweater:
Chest: XS-36 [S-40, M-44, L-48, XL-52, XXL-56] inches
91 [100, 112, 122, 132, 142] centimeters
Length: 23 [23, 24, 24, 26, 26]
58 [58, 61, 61, 66, 66] centimeters
Instructions are given for smallest size with instructions for larger sizes place in square brackets []. When only one instruction is given, work it for all sizes. Beginning knitters my wish to place a stitch holder between the 2-Stitch Rib 1 and 2 x 2 rib stitch sections.
2 x 2 Rib stitch
Row 1 (right side facing): knit 2, purl 2 --repeat to end of row
Repeat row for pattern
2-Stitch Rib 1 stitch (over multiple of 4 stitches)
Row 1: knit 2, purl 2 --repeat to end of row
Row 2: purl 2, knit 2 --repeat to end of row
Repeat row 1 and 2 for pattern
Back
Cast on 108 [120, 132, 144, 156, 168] stitches.
Work in 2 x 2 rib for 14 [14, 15, 15, 17, 17] inches
35.5 [35.5, 38, 38, 43, 43] centimeters
Style tip: For neat side seams, cast on 2 extra stitches so that every right side row begins and ends with knit 2. This will also centre a wale down the back. Remember to add 2 stitches to stitch count throughout.
Armhole shaping: At the beginning of the next two rows, cast off 12 stitches.
Style tip: On the first armhole, cast off stitches knitwise, and on the second armhole cast off stitches purlwise.
84 [96, 108, 120, 132, 144] stitches remain.
Continue in 2 x 2 Rib stitch for 9 inches (23 cm)
Shoulder shaping: Cast off 12 [10, 10, 12, 20, 22] stitches at the beginning of next 4 [6, 6, 6, 4, 4] rows.
36 [36, 48, 48, 52, 56] stitches remain.
Work in 2-Stitch Rib I for 4 inches (10 centimeters)
Cast off
Right Front
Cast on 54 [60, 66, 72, 78, 84] stitches
Style Tip: Add 2 stitches to 2 x 2 Rib panel for sizes S, L, and XXL and end all right-side rows with knit two. This will place 4 knits stitches at the side seams (2 front and 2 back) for a neat mattress stitch seam.
Style Tip: The row tension for the 2-Stitch Rib I is more per inch than the 2 x 2 Rib. To compensate, work a short row on the front panel stitches every inch or so.
Establish pattern: 2-Stitch Rib I stitch for 12 stitches, 2 x 2 Rib stitches for 42 [48, 54, 60, 66, 72] stitches
Work for 14 [14, 15, 15, 17, 17] inches
35.5 [35.5, 38, 38, 43, 43] centimeters
End with work side facing for next row.
Armhole Shaping: Cast off 12 stitches
42 [48, 54, 60, 66, 72] stitches remaining
Continue in pattern as established for 9 inches (23 centimeters)
End with wrong side facing for next row.
Shoulder Shaping
Cast off 12 [10, 10, 12, 20, 22] stitches at the beginning of next and following alternate 1 [2, 2, 2, 1, 1] row(s)
18 [18, 24, 24, 26, 28] stitches remaining
Work in 2-Stitch Rib I for 4 inches (10 centimeters)
Cast off
Left Front
Cast on 54 [60, 66, 72, 78, 84] stitches
Style Tip: To make the left front mirror right front, cast on purlwise, then establish pattern, begin with Row 2 of the 2-Stitch Rib I followed by the 2 x 2 Rib, beginning with purl 2.
Establish pattern: 2 x 2 Rib stitch for 42 [48, 54, 60, 66, 72] stitches, 2-Stitch Rib I stitch for 12 stitches
Work for 14 [14, 15, 15, 17, 17] inches
35.5 [35.5, 38, 38, 43, 43] centimeters
End with right side facing for next row.
Armhole Shaping: Cast off 12 stitches
42 [48, 54, 60, 66, 72] stitches remaining
Continue in pattern as established for 9 inches (23 centimeters)
End with right side facing for next row.
Shoulder Shaping: Cast off 12 [10, 10, 12, 20, 22] stitches at the beginning of this and following alternate 1 [2, 2, 2, 1, 1] row(s)
18 [18, 24, 24, 26, 28] stitches remaining
Work in 2-Stitch Rib I for 4 inches (10 centimeters)
Cast off
Finishing: Block pieces for measurements. Sew collar and shoulder seams. Sew side seams. Weave in ends. Attach frog closure, if desired.
***
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