by Madeleine Nilsson

A vest is one of the ultimate knitted garments because of it's versatility! (Vest-atility!)

It's a quick knit that doesn't require large amounts of yarn, a perfect way to spice up your outfit, and also adds just that extra warmth you need for when the evenings get chilly and autumn peaks around the corner. Not to mention that it can double as a sleeveless top during the summer!

With Sinnesfrid, meaning "peace of mind" in Swedish, I've incorporated many of the things I love in a knitted garment.
The vest is constructed seamlessly, top down, making it possible to try the garment on as you go. The sleeves are completely done when you move on to the next section -- no need to return to finish any edgings later!

And as the icing on that cake: a simple yet beautiful texture for yoke and edges, and the opportunity to dive deep in your button stash. Make a whole bunch in different colors to cheer up your autumn wardrobe!

SIZE
XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X]
shown in size L, worn with 2 inches of negative ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust circumference: 32.25[33.75, 36.25, 39.75, 43.25, 45.75, 49.25] inches (buttoned)
Length from shoulder: 19.25[19.5, 20.25, 20.5, 20.5, 20.5, 20.5] inches
Length from armhole: 12.75[12.75, 12.75, 12.5, 12.25, 12, 11.75] inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
Malabrigo Yarn Rios [100% merino; 210yd/192m per 100g skein]; color: Sunset; 2 [2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4] skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 US #9/5.5mm circular needle, 40 inches long or longer

Notions
8 stitch markers
Yarn needle
6 buttons
Sewing needle and thread

GAUGE

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Rm: Remove marker
M1R (make 1 right): Lift bar between sts from the back and knit into the front loop.
M1L (make 1 left): Lift bar between sts from the front and knit into the back loop.

Pattern Stitch (for gauge swatch; multiple of 2 sts):
Row 1 [WS]: (P1, k1) to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 2: K2, (p1, k1) to end of row.
Row 3: P1, knit to last st, p1.
Row 4: Knit all sts.
Rep Rows 1-4 for patt.

DIRECTIONS
Yoke
CO 126[136, 142, 144, 154, 160, 170] sts using the long-tail CO. Do not cast on too loosely -- you will want a fairly firm edge at the neckline.

Row 1 [WS]: K11[13, 13, 15, 17, 17, 19], pm, k4, pm, k30[32, 34, 32, 34, 36, 38] sts, pm, k4, pm, k28[30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40] sts, pm, k4, pm, k30[32, 34, 32, 34, 36, 38] sts, pm, k4, pm, k11[13, 13, 15, 17, 17, 19] sts.

Row 2 [RS]: *Knit to m, m1R, sl m, k4, sl m, m1L; rep from * 3 times more, knit to end. 8 sts inc'd.

Row 3: (P1, k1) to last 2 sts, p2.

Row 4: K1, (k1, p1) to 1 st before m, k1, m1R, sl m, (p1, k1) 2 times, sl m, *m1L, (p1, k1) to m, m1R, sl m, (p1, k1) 2 times, sm; rep from * 2 times more, m1L, (p1, k1) to end. 8 sts inc'd.

Row 5: P1, knit to last st, p1.

Rep Rows 2-5 2[2, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4] more times, then rep Rows 2-4 once more. 190[200, 222, 240, 250, 256, 266] sts.

Body
Row 1 [WS]: P1, knit to m, *rm, k4, rm, BO 46[48, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62] sts knitwise for sleeve, rm, k4, rm*, knit 44[46, 52, 58, 60, 62, 64] sts across back; rep from * to * once more, knit to last st, p1. 98 [104, 114, 128, 134, 136, 142] sts.

Row 2 [RS]: K22[24, 26, 30, 32, 32, 34] sts, *kfb, CO 10[10, 10, 10, 14, 18, 22] sts using backward loop cast on, kfb*, k50[52, 58, 64, 66, 68, 70]; rep from * to * once more, knit to end of row. 122[128, 138, 152, 166, 176, 190] sts.

Row 3 [WS]: (P1, k1) to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 4: K2, (p1, k1) to end of row.
Row 5: P1, knit to last st, p1.
Row 6: Knit all sts.

Rep Rows 3-6 once, then rep Rows 3-5 once more.

Continue working in St st, starting with a RS row, for approx. 4.5[4.5, 4.5, 4.25, 4, 3.75, 3.5] inches, or until piece measures 2.75 inches above your natural waistline, ending after a RS row.

Shape waist:
Row 1 [Waist Set-up, WS]: P29[31, 33, 37, 41, 43, 47], pm, p64[66, 72, 78, 84, 90, 96], pm, p29[31, 33, 37, 41, 43, 47].
Row 2 [RS]: *Knit to 3 sts before m, ssk, k1, sl m, k1, k2tog; rep from * once more, knit to end of row. 4 sts dec'd.
Row 3 [WS]: Purl all sts.
Row 4: Knit all sts.
Row 5: Purl all sts.
Rep Rows 2-5 twice, then rep Rows 2-4 once more. 106[112, 122, 136, 150, 160, 174] sts.
Row 17 [WS]: P1, knit to last st, p1.

Row 1 [RS]: *Knit to 1 st before m, m1R, k1, sl m, k1, m1L; rep from * once more, knit to end. 4 sts inc'd.
Row 2 [WS]: *(P1, k1) to 2 sts before m, p2, sl m, k2; rep from * once more, (p1, k1) to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 3: *K1, (k1, p1) to 1 st before m, p1, sl m; rep from * once more, k1, (k1, p1) to last st, k1.
Row 4: P1, knit to last st, p1.
Row 5: Rep Row 1, removing markers as you pass them. 114[120, 130, 144, 158, 168, 182] sts.

Row 6: (P1, k1) to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 7: K2, (p1, k1) to end.
Row 8: P1, knit to last st, p1.
Row 9: Knit all sts.
Rep Rows 6-9 three times more, then rep Rows 6-7 once more.
BO all sts k-wise on foll WS row.

Buttonband:
Join yarn to neck edge of Left Front and pick up and knit 63[63, 65, 67, 67, 65, 65] sts to hem.
Row 1 [WS]: (P1, k1) to last st, p1.
Row 2 [RS]: (K1, p1) to last st, k1.
Rows 3-4: Knit all sts.
Rep Rows 1-4 once more, then rep Rows 1-2 once more.
BO all sts k-wise on foll WS row.

Buttonhole Band:
Join yarn to hem of Right Front and pick up and knit 63[63, 65, 67, 67, 65, 65] sts to neck edge.
Row 1 [WS]: (P1, k1) to last st, p1.
Row 2 [RS]: (K1, p1) to last st, k1.
Row 3-4: Knit all sts.
Rep Rows 1-3 once more.
Row 8 [WS]: K3[3, 4, 2, 2, 4, 4], (BO 2, k9[9, 9, 10, 10, 9, 9]) five times, BO 2, k3[3, 4, 3, 3, 4, 4].
Row 9: Rep Row 1, AT THE SAME TIME using backward-loop cast on to CO 2 sts over each cast off space on previous row.
Row 10: (K1, p1) to last st, k1.
BO all sts k-wise on foll WS row.

FINISHING
Block garment, weave in ends and attach buttons opposite buttonholes.

Madeleine Nilsson has only been knitting for a couple of years, but has already mastered the true art of yarn addiction. She started designing knitwear in late 2011, and has finally found that necessary creative outlet that she's been searching for.
Her goal is for knitting to be fun and exciting, and she loves to make versatile designs with an interesting twist in the construction of the garments.

Madeleine is newly married and living in Sweden with her husband and her beloved cat. She blogs about her crafting here.