As summer nights give way to autumn, this men’s vest will
keep the knitter interested and the wearer warm.
Using a clever twist on traditional stranded knitting,
the simple eye-catching pattern will be a conversation
starter and a wardrobe favorite.
The pattern on the front of the vest takes full advantage of
the floats normally hidden in stranded color work.
A solid, textured back and twisted ribbing at the
hem, arm, and neck complete the project. Two colors of HiKoo
Simplicity are recommended for this project, creating a soft,
easy-care fabric with visual interest.
This pattern requires basic knitting knowledge including: knit/purl,
increasing, simple stranded color work, and decreasing,
all on circular needles. It earns its piquant rating
from the requirement of keeping yarns in the same
order and even tension throughout the entire project.
Recommended needle size [always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below -- every knitter's
gauge is unique] 1
24-inch US #4/3.5mm circular needles 1
16-inch US #4/3.5mm circular needles or dpns (optional
- for working armhole edging; alternatively, use longer
needle and magic loop)
20 sts/28 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette stitch
28 sts/36 rows = 4 inches
in pattern stitch
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
It is essential that the MC is always
carried OVER the CC in this pattern.
Make a note
of the order of your yarns and adhere
to it while knitting the entire project. Here's
a video showing how
to knit the pattern stitch.
The colorwork pattern on the front is translated into a texture-only
pattern on the back by using 2 balls
of MC simultaneously (one each for MC
and CC stitches). As with the colorwork pattern, MC(a) should
always be carried over MC(b). It is important when working the
pattern to not mix up the yarn order. Put one
of the balls of yarn in a baggie and
label it so that it‘s
easy to keep organized. This sounds easy but it’s
VERY easy to mix them up and it’ll show in the final work,
so be warned.
It is essential that yarns are always joined
at the beginning or end of the row.
2x2 Twisted Ribbing: Row 1 [RS]: [K2tbl, p2] to
last 2 sts, k2tbl.
Row 2: [P2, k2tbl] to last
2 sts, p2.
Rep Rows 1-2 for pattern.
Pattern Stitch (for gauge swatch; Multiple
of 6 sts + 7): Row 1 [RS]:K1 MC(a), k1 MC(b),
*k3 MC(a), k3 MC(b); rep from * to
last 5 sts, k3 MC(a), k1 MC(b), k1
CC(a).
Row 2: K1 MC(b), k4 MC(a)
, *k3 MC(b), k3 MC(a); rep from * to
last 2 sts, k1 MC(a), k1 MC(b).
Rep Rows 1-2 for pattern.
DIRECTIONS
BACK Using MC and twisted German cast on, cast
on 130[142, 158, 174, 186] sts. Beg with a RS row, work 2x2
twisted ribbing for 2.5 inches, ending with a WS row.
Change to pattern stitch using 2 balls of MC, one for MC(a)
and one for MC(b):
Row 1 [RS]:K1 MC(a), k1 MC(b), *k3 MC(a), k3 MC(b);
rep from * to last 5 sts, k3 MC(a), k1 MC(b), k1 CC(a).
Row 2: K1 MC(b), k4 MC(a)
, *k3 MC(b), k3 MC(a); rep from * to
last 2 sts, k1 MC(a), k1 MC(b).
Repeat these 2 rows until piece measures 16.5 [17.5, 17.5, 17.5,
18] inches from cast on, ending after Row 2.
Shape Armholes:
Keeping in pattern, BO 9[9, 9, 10, 10]
sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 115[127, 145, 155, 167] sts.
Dec 1 st at each end of every row 3[5, 11, 14, 18] times. 109[117,
123, 127, 131] sts remain.
Work even until armhole measures 8.5[9, 9.5, 10, 10.5] inches,
ending after a WS row.
Shape Shoulders:
Cast off 18[19, 20, 21, 21] sts at beg
of next 2 rows. Cast off 17[18, 19, 20, 20] sts at beg
of foll 2 rows. Place remaining 39[43, 45, 45, 49] sts
on holder.
FRONT Using MC and twisted German cast on, cast
on 130[142, 158, 174, 186] sts. Beg with a RS row, work
2x2 twisted ribbing for 2.5 inches, ending
after a WS row.
Increase Row [RS]: Work rib patt to end, inc 3 [3,
5, 1, 1] sts evenly across. 133[145, 163, 175, 187] sts. Next row [WS]: Purl all sts.
Change to pattern stitch using one ball for MC and one for CC.
Row 1 [RS]: K1 MC, k1 CC, *k3 MC, k3 CC; rep from *
to last 5 sts, k3 MC, k1 CC, k1 MC. Row 2: K1 CC, k4 MC, *k3 CC,
k3 MC; rep from * to last 2 sts, k1
MC, k1 CC.
Repeat these 2 rows until piece measures 16.5[17.5, 17.5, 17.5,
18] inches from cast on, ending after Row 2.
Shape Armholes:
Keeping in pattern, BO 9[9, 9, 10, 10]
sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 115[127, 145, 155, 167] sts.
Dec 1 st at each end of every row 3[5, 11, 14, 18] times. 109[117,
123, 127, 131] sts remain.
Work even in pattern for 13[11, 5, 2, 0] rows.
Divide for Neck: Next Row [RS]: Patt 54[58,
61, 63, 65] sts. Place center stitch
on coil-less safety pin. Joining
second ball of each yarn, patt remaining
54[58, 61, 63, 65] sts.
Working each side separately and at the same time, dec 1 st
at neck edge of next row, then every foll RS row 16[18, 19, 19,
21] times more, then every foll 4th row 2 times more. 35[37,
39, 41, 41] sts rem on each side.
Work even until armhole measures 8.5[9,
9.5, 10, 10.5] inches, ending after a WS row.
Shape Shoulders:
Cast off 18[19, 20, 21, 21] sts at beg
of next 2 rows. Cast off rem 17[18, 19, 20, 20] sts of
each shoulder at beg of foll 2 rows.
FINISHING
Join shoulder and side seams.
NECK BAND
With RS of work facing and with MC, slip held center neck st onto needle,
pick up and knit 41[45, 49, 51, 53] sts from right side of neck; across
held back neck sts, [p1, k1] 19[21, 22, 22, 24] times, then p1; pick
up and knit 40[44, 48, 50, 52] sts from left side of neck, pm, pick up
and knit 1 more st. Join to work in the round. 122[134, 144, 148,
156] sts.
Round 1: K2, k2tog, [p1, k1tbl] to 4 sts before marker,
p1, ssk, k1.
Rib Round: K2, k2tog, work in est twisted rib patt
to 3 sts before marker, ssk, k1.
Rep Rib Round four times more.
Bind off all sts in patt.
ARMHOLE EDGING
With shorter needles, RS of work facing
and MC, pick up and knit 116[126, 138, 148,
160] sts around armhole edge. Join to work
in the round. Join to work in the round.
Round 1: [K1tbl,
p1] around.
Rep Round 1 five times more. Bind
off loosely in pattern.
Repeat for second armhole.
Weave in ends and block vest to measurements.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Kyle Kunnecke balances his love for the
fiber arts with a passion to make the world
a better place. He
moved from Los Angeles to San Francisco
in 2010 to work as an HIV testing counselor.
In his free time, he likes to wander the
city collecting inspiration for future
projects.
To learn more
about Kyle and the work he creates, visit his
website.
