Knit Patterns for Vests, Free Knitting Patterns

Warm Woolies 2007 Cardigan Vest ©

click here for pictures of the finished vest

Materials:

Sample was knit on #10 ½ , 24” circular needles. The vest is NOT knit in the round, but you need at least a 24” long needle to accommodate the number of stitches.

Sample was knit with Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Bulky (4 oz., 125 yards per skein): 1 skein plus about 10 yards, in Garnet. Instead of purchasing a second skein, you could easily knit a stripe a few rows wide in another color you have in your stash. If the yarn you use for your stripe is worsted weight, be sure to double it. Use any yarn you have that gives you the proper gauge, in any color you like.

Three buttons, about 7/8”.

Gauge: 3 ½ stitches per inch.

Notes to read before you begin:

This vest is knit entirely in garter stitch and directions are given using both the term “ridges” and “rows.” One ridge = two rows.
We prefer the “Cable Cast On” because it is very durable and attractive. If you are unfamiliar with this method of casting on, click here and scroll to the middle of the page for a good description and short video clip of the method.
The shoulders are seamed using the three-needle bind off technique. If you are unfamiliar with this method of binding off, click here and scroll to the bottom of the page for a good description and short video clip.
Slip the first stitch of every row as if to purl. This is a good technique tip and your finished piece will look much, much neater.
This vest is a good piece to use up leftover yarn -- knit the body in color A, the fronts in color B, and the back in color C. Be sure to change colors with the right side of the piece facing you. Of course, you can also knit it all in one color.

Directions:

Body

Cast on 63 stitches.
Work in garter stitch, knitting back and forth for 3 ridges (6 rows).
Next row (buttonhole row): Knit 2, yarn over, knit 2 together, knit to end of row.
Knit 6 more ridges (12 rows).
Repeat steps 3 and 4, and then 3 once more.
Knit 3 more ridges (6 rows).

Armholes

Next row: Knit 13, bind off 7, knit 23, bind off 7, knit 13. The sections of 13 stitches are your two fronts and the section of 23 stitches is the back. Count to be sure that you have three groups of live stitches: 13-23-13. [A common error is to include the last knit stitch in the bind off. Don’t! Here, for example, you need to start the row by knitting 13; then start the bind off section by knitting 2 stitches, the first of which counts as the first bound off stitch.]

Fronts

Work both front sections in garter stitch, decreasing 1 stitch every fourth row at neck edge by knitting the 2nd and 3rd stitches together until 7 stitches remain.
You should have 14 ridges counting from the armhole. If you need to add a row or two, do so.

Back

Work in garter stitch for 14 ridges (28 rows) to correspond to fronts.

Finishing

With the right side facing you, line up the 7 stitches of the left front with the left-most 7 stitches of the back. Bind off these seven stitches using the three-needle bind-off technique.
Continue binding off the next 9 stitches of the back.
Bind off the remaining seven back stitches with the 7 right shoulder stitches using the three-needle technique.
Weave in loose ends.
Attach buttons.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Copyright 2007 by Kimberly Turnbow. This pattern may be used by individuals for personal use and charity knitting only. It can be distributed to and shared with others as long as it remains fully intact, including this copyright notice. It may not be sold, used to produce items for sale, or used in a compilation or archive of any kind without the expressed written permission of the designer. All rights are expressly reserved by the designer.

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Warm Woolies

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Warm Woolies 2007 Cardigan Vest ©