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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.

SIZE
S[M, L, 1X, 2X] (shown in size S)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Chest: 38[41.5, 46.5, 50, 53.5] inches
Length to shoulder: 25 [26.5, 27, 27.5, 28.5] inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
HiKoo Simplicity [55% Merino Superwash, 28% Acrylic, 17% Nylon; 117 yd/107 m per 50g skein]
[MC] 037 Gun Metal Grey; 9[10, 10, 11, 11] skeins
[CC] 045 Edgy Eggplant; 5[5, 6, 6, 7]  skeins

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)

Notions
yarn needle
stitch markers
stitch holders
coil-less safety pin

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.

There is also a video showing the Twisted German Cast On.

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

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 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.

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

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. 

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.