Menu
EasyFree Vest Knitting Pattern
This garment is technically a "tabard", but other than a few history-of-clothing buffs, no one would know what I'm talking about :)
Sizes: S (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X)
Materials: Paton (affiliate link)s SWS aran weight yarn (70% wool, 30% soy) 80 g/2.8 oz 100m/110 yds color Natural Denim (70117) 8 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) balls
Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) and 9 (5.5mm) 60 inches circular needles OR SIZE NEEDED TO OBTAIN GAUGE
Gauge: 16 sts x 24 rows = 4" x 4" (10 cm x 10 cm)
Abbreviations:
k - knit
p - purl
sl - slip
kfr&b - knit front and back
Pattern notes:
Stockinette stitch in rows:
Row 1 (RS): knit
Row 2 (WS): purl
Repeat 2 rows.
Seed stitch:
Multiple of 2
Row 1: * K1, p1; rep from * to end of row.
Row 2: * P1, k1; rep from * to end of row.
Rep Rows 1 and 2 for pattern.
Garter st
All rows knit.
Rib 1 x 1 in rounds:
All rounds *k1, p1 - repeat from * across
Selvedge stitches: first st slip as if to knit, last st purl
Tunic
The tunic is worked back and forth, sideways, beginning from the right front corner, as one piece.
While shaping the neckline, the front and back are worked separately, but simultaneously,
on the same needles, from 2 balls of yarn. 60" circular needles are used to accommodate all stitches.
The first and the last 5 sts (bottom of the tunic) are worked in seed st. Note: the 1st and the last st are selvedge sts, so the 5 st don't include selvedge st on both sides.
Since stockinette st and seed st have different gauge, seed st stripes are worked on smaller needles and stockinette stripes are worked on larger needles.
Cast on 204 (210, 216, 222, 224, 228) st on the larger needles. Change to smaller needles and work seed st for 8 rows. Odd rows are right side.
Row 9 (RS), change to larger needles: 1 edge st, 5 sts in seed st, the rest in stockinette (knit) to the last 6 sts, 5 sts in seed st, edge st purl. Work this way for 16 (20, 24, 30, 34, 38) rows.
Next row: change to smaller needles and work the next 8 rows in seed st.
In the next 2 rows work loops for the belt as follows.
Odd row: change to smaller needles and work 34 (35, 36, 38, 37, 37) sts as established, bind off 4 sts, work 64 (66, 68, 69, 71, 73) sts as established, place a marker, work the next 64 (66, 68, 69, 71, 73) sts as established, bind off 4 sts, work 34 (35, 36, 38, 37, 37) sts as established.
Next Row: work as established, cast on 4 sts over the bound off 4 sts.
Total rows before neck shaping: 32 (36, 40, 46, 50, 54).
Last row (WS): work as established till the marker, after the marker, work as established from the second ball of yarn.
Shaping the neckline
Total rows for neckline: 54 (54, 58, 62, 66, 66).
Work neckline rows as follows:
Stockinette st 20 (20, 22, 24, 26, 26) rows on larger needles.
Seed st 14 rows on smaller needles
Stockinette st 20 (20, 22, 24, 26, 26) rows on larger needles.
To shape the neckline:
In the front, decrease by 1 st in every odd row 8 (9, 9, 9, 10, 10) times. In the back, decrease by 1 st in every odd row 3 times.
In the front, starting from neckline row 39 (37, 41, 45, 47, 47) increase by 1 st in every odd row, working kfr&b, 8 (9, 9, 9, 10, 10) times. In the back, starting from neckline row 49 (49, 53, 57, 61, 61) increase by 1 st in every odd row, working kfr&b, 3 times.
Last neckline row: work as established till the marker, cut the yarn, leaving 10" tail, after the marker work as established to the end of the row. Turn. Go on working from one ball of yarn.
Remove the marker.
In the next 2 rows work loops for the belt the same way as before.
Next row: change to smaller needles and work seed st next 8 rows.
Change to larger needles and work 1 edge st, 5 sts in seed st, the rest in stockinette (knit) until the last 6 sts, 5 sts in seed st, edge st purl for 16 (20, 24, 30, 34, 38) rows.
Change to smaller needles and work 8 rows of seed st. Bind off.
Finishing:
Using smaller needles pick up and knit sts around the neckline. Work 1x1 rib (k1, p1) for 8 rows. Loosely bind off.
The belt is worked on smaller needles in garter st.
Co 9 sts. All rows: sl 1, k 7, p1. Turn. Work the belt to desired length.
Weave in the yarn ends. Block the tunic. Thread the belt through the loops. The belt can either be tied on one side, or you can thread it so that it ties out front.
Enjoy!
Click image to enlarge
