Cirque, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com.

INTRODUCTION

Cirque

beauty shot by Merri Fromm

Tangy

While flipping through a high fashion magazine, I saw a sweater in which the pockets were shaped into circles. Pockets in circles! I wanted to make these fun pockets too, so Cirque was born.

Cirque uses a yarn with a mesh tube as the core and a blend of fibers blown into it, making it a super soft and lightweight yarn. Using an airy fiber is nice so that the pocket linings are not too heavy and will not stretch out of the circular shape of the trim.

spacer model: Merri Fromm

spacer photos: Gaius Nelson

SIZE

XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 6x]
shown in size L with 2 inches/5 cm of ease

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest circumference at underarm: 32[36.25, 40.5, 43.75, 48, 52.25, 56.5, 59.75, 64, 68.25] inches / 81.5[92, 103, 111, 122, 132.5, 143.5, 152, 162.5, 173.5] cm
Length: 20.5[21, 22.25, 23.5, 23.75, 24.5, 25, 25.75, 26, 27] inches / 52[53.5, 56.5, 59.5, 60.5, 62, 63.5, 65.5, 66, 68.5] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
CaMaRose SNEFNUG [55% alpaca, 35% cotton, 10% extra fine merino; 120 yd/110 m per 1.7 oz/50 g skein];
[MC] 7319 Lysebrun; 4[4, 5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10] skeins
[CC1] 7863 Lime; 1 skein

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses a cotton mesh tube as the core with a blend of merino and baby alpaca blown into it, making it a hard wearing but super soft and light weight yarn. There are other brands that use this technique to make their yarn.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #6/4mm needles for working flat
US #4/3.5mm needles for working flat
US #4/3.5mm in your preferred needle(s) for working a short circumference in the round

Notions
4 stitch holders
8 removable stitch markers
yarn needle

GAUGE

15 sts/26 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch

Note: gauge is always taken after blocking.

PATTERN NOTES

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

This vest is knitted flat in pieces without shaping from the bottom up. Shoulders are joined with 3-needle bind off. Front and back are seamed and the neckline, armhole and pocket trim are worked in the round. Pocket linings are whip stitched in place.

You can save the gauge swatch step if you knit the pocket linings and block them first.

Rib Pattern (worked flat; multiple of 2 sts)
Row 1: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.
Rep Row 1 for patt.

Rib Pattern (worked in the round; multiple of 2 sts)
Rnd 1: *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.
Rep Rnd 1 for patt.

DIRECTIONS

Back

Using smaller needle and MC, CO 62[70, 78, 84, 92, 100, 108, 114, 122, 130] sts.

Work in Rib Pattern for 5 rows.

Change to larger needle.

Starting with a RS (knit) row, work in St st until Body measures 13[13.5, 14, 14.5, 14.5, 15, 15, 15.5, 15.5, 16] inches / 33[34.5, 35.5, 37, 37, 38, 38, 39.5, 39.5, 40.5] cm from cast-on, or desired length to underarm, ending after a WS row.

Shape armholes:
Cont in St st, BO 2[4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7] sts at beg of next 2 rows, then 3 sts at beg of next 2 rows. 52[56, 64, 68, 76, 84, 90, 96, 102, 110] sts.

Row 5 [RS]: K2, ssk, knit to end. 1 st decreased.
Row 6 [WS]: P2, p2tog, purl to end. 1 st decreased.
Repeat Rows 5-6 0[0, 0, 1, 2, 2, 2, 4, 5, 5] times. 50[54, 62, 64, 70, 78, 84, 86, 90, 98] sts.

Cont in St st on rem sts until armhole measures 6.5[6.5, 7.25, 8, 8.25, 8.5, 9, 9.25, 9.5, 10] inches/ 16.5[16.5, 18.5, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 23, 23.5, 24, 25.5] cm, or 1 inch/2.5 shorter than total desired length, ending after a WS row.

Next row [RS]: K 14[16, 18, 19, 22, 26, 27, 27, 28, 31] , BO 22[22, 26, 26, 26, 26, 30, 32, 34, 36] sts, knit to end. Cont on these 14[16, 18, 19, 22, 26, 27, 27, 28, 31] sts only for Left Shoulder.

Shape Left Shoulder:
Working in St st, work Short Row Shaping as foll:
Row 1 [WS]: Purl.
Row 2 [RS]: Knit to last 4[5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 10] sts, w&t.
Row 3 [WS]: Purl.
Row 4 [RS]: Knit to last 8[10, 12, 12, 14, 16, 16, 16, 18, 20] sts, w&t.
Row 5 [WS]: Purl.
Row 6 [RS]: Knit all sts, picking up wraps and knitting them with wrapped sts.
Break yarn and place shoulder sts on holder.

Shape Right Shoulder:
Return to 14[16, 18, 19, 22, 26, 27, 27, 28, 31] sts for Right Shoulder with WS facing and join yarn.
Row 1 [WS]: Purl to last 4[5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 10] sts, w&t.
Row 2 [RS]: Knit.
Row 3 [WS]: Purl to last 8[10, 12, 12, 14, 16, 16, 16, 18, 20] sts, w&t.
Row 4 [RS]: Knit.
Row 5 [WS]: Purl all sts, picking up wraps and knitting them with wrapped sts.
Break yarn and place shoulder sts on holder.

Front
Using smaller needles and MC, CO 62[70, 78, 84, 92, 100, 108, 114, 122, 130] sts.

Work in Rib Pattern for 5 rows.

Change to larger needle.

Work even in St st for 3 rows, ending after a WS row.

Note: On the next row, you will place removable markers to mark pocket lining placement later. Place removable markers so they stay on the WS of work.

Next row [WS]: P 2[2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18] , place removable marker in last st worked, p25, place removable marker in last st worked, p 8[16, 20, 24, 26, 30, 34, 36, 40, 44] , place removable marker in last st worked, p25, place removable marker in last st worked, p 2[2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18] .

Work in St st for 12 rows or until St st section measures 2 inches/5 cm, ending after a WS row.

Make pocket openings:
Next row [RS]: K 2[2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18] , pm, k25, pm, k 8[16, 20, 24, 26, 30, 34, 36, 40, 44] , pm, k25, pm, k 2[2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18] .
Next row [WS]: Purl.
Next row [RS]: Knit to first m, sl m, k10, BO 5 sts, knit to 3rd m, sl m, k10, BO 5 sts, knit to end.

Right side
Cont on these 12[12, 14, 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28] sts only for right side of Right Pocket.
Next row [WS]: Purl to end.
Next row [RS]: K1, ssk, knit to end. 1 st decreased.
Rep last 2 rows 6 more times. 5[5, 7, 8, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21] sts rem.

Work 3 rows in St st.

Next row [RS]: K1, M1R, knit to end.
Next row [WS]: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 6 more times. 12[12, 14, 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28] sts rem.

Break yarn and place sts on holder.

Center Front (between pocket openings)
Join yarn to 28[36, 40, 44, 46, 50, 54, 56, 60, 64] sts held for center with WS facing.
Next row [WS]: Purl.
Next row [RS]: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts decreased.
Rep last 2 rows 6 more times. 14[22, 26, 30, 32, 36, 40, 42, 46, 50] sts.

Work 3 rows in St st.

Next row [RS]: K1, M1R, knit to last st, M1L, k1. 2 sts increased.
Next row [WS]: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 6 more times. 28[36, 40, 44, 46, 50, 54, 56, 60, 64] sts,

Cut yarn and place sts on holder.

Left side
Join yarn to 12[12, 14, 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28] sts held for Left side of Front with WS facing.
Next row [WS]: Purl.
Next row [RS]: Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 1 st decreased.
Rep last 2 rows 6 more times. 5[5, 7, 8, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21] sts rem.

Work 3 rows in St st.

Next row [RS]: Knit to last st, M1L, K1. 1 st increased.
Next row [WS]: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 6 more times. 12[12, 14, 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28] sts.

Join Front pieces:
Next row [RS]: K 12[12, 14, 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28] , CO 5 sts, k 28[36, 40, 44, 46, 50, 54, 56, 60, 64] , CO 5 sts, knit to end. 62[70, 78, 84, 92, 100, 108, 114, 122, 130] sts.

Work even in St st for 4 rows, ending after a RS row.

Note: On the next row, you will place removable markers to mark pocket lining placement later. Place removable markers so they stay on the WS of work.

Next row [WS]: *Purl to m, remove m, place removable marker in the last st worked; rep from * 3 more times, purl to end.

Work even in St st until work measures 13[13.5, 14, 14.5, 14.5, 15, 15, 15.5, 15.5, 16] inches / 33[34.5, 35.5, 37, 37, 38, 38, 39.5, 39.5, 40.5] cm from cast-on, or desired length to underarm, ending after a WS row.

Next row [RS]: BO 2[4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7] sts, k 26[28, 32, 34, 38, 42, 45, 48, 51, 55] , BO 6 sts, knit to end. Cont on these 28[32, 36, 39, 43, 47, 51, 54, 58, 62] sts only for Right Front Neck and Shoulder.

Shape Right Front Neck and Armhole:
Next row [WS]: BO 2[4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 7, 7] sts, purl to end. 26[28, 32, 34, 38, 42, 45, 48, 51, 55] sts.
Next row [RS]: K1, ssk, knit to end. 25[27, 31, 33, 37, 41, 44, 47, 50, 54] sts.
Next row [WS]: BO 3 sts, purl to end. 22[24, 28, 30, 34, 38, 41, 44, 47, 51] sts.

Neck and armhole dec row [RS]: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 2 sts decreased.
Next row [WS]: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 0[0, 0, 1, 2, 2, 2, 4, 5, 5] times more. 20[22, 26, 26, 28, 32, 35, 34, 35, 39] sts.

Neck dec row [RS]: K1, ssk, knit to end. 1 st decreased.
Next row [WS]: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 5[5, 7, 6, 5, 5, 7, 6, 6, 7] more times. 14[16, 18, 19, 22, 26, 27, 27, 28, 31] sts.

Work in St st on rem sts until armhole measures 6.5[6.5, 7.25, 8, 8.25, 8.5, 9, 9.25, 9.5, 10] inches/ 16.5[16.5, 18.5, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 23, 23.5, 24, 25.5] cm, or 1 inch/2.5 shorter than desired length, ending after a RS row.

Shape Right Shoulder:
Row 1 [WS]: Purl.
Row 2 [RS]: Knit to last 4[5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 10] sts, w&t.
Row 3 [WS]: Purl.
Row 4 [RS]: Knit to last 8[10, 12, 12, 14, 16, 16, 16, 18, 20] sts, w&t.
Row 5 [WS]: Purl.
Row 6 [RS]: Knit all sts, picking up wraps and knitting them with wrapped sts.
Break yarn and place sts on holder.

Shape Left Front Neck and Armhole:
Place 26[28, 32, 34, 38, 42, 45, 48, 51, 55] sts held for Left Front on needle with WS facing and join yarn.

Next row [RS]: BO 3 sts, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 22[24, 28, 30, 34, 38, 41, 44, 47, 51] sts.
Next row [WS]: Purl.

Neck dec row [RS]: Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 1 st decreased,
Next row [WS]: Purl.
Rep last 2 rows 5[5, 7, 6, 5, 5, 7, 6, 6, 7] more times. 14[16, 18, 19, 22, 26, 27, 27, 28, 31] sts.

Shape Left Shoulder:
Row 1 [WS]: Purl to last 4[5, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 10] sts, w&t.
Row 2 [RS]: Knit.
Row 3 [WS]: Purl to last 8[10, 12, 12, 14, 16, 16, 16, 18, 20] sts, w&t.
Row 4 [RS]: Knit.
Row 5 [WS]: Purl all sts, picking up wraps and knitting them with wrapped sts.
Break yarn and place sts on holder.

FINISHING

Pocket lining (make 2)
With larger needle and CC1, CO 25 sts.

Work in St st for 52 rows.

BO all sts.

Join Shoulders
With WS facing, join Front and Back at shoulders using 3-Needle Bind Off.

Pocket edge
With RS facing, using smaller circ and starting at a corner, pick up and knit 3 sts in every 4 sts (approx. 68 sts total) around circular pocket opening. Ensure that the total number of sts picked up is even. Join to work in the round and pm for beg of round.
Rib rnd: (K1, p1) around.
Rep this rnd 4 more times.
BO in rib patt.

Neckband
With RS facing, using smaller circ and starting at a Right shoulder seam, pick up and knit 22[22, 26, 26, 26, 26, 30, 32, 34, 36] sts across back neck, 30[30, 33, 36, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 46] sts down left front, pick up and knit 6 sts from center, then 30[30, 33, 36, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 46] sts to right shoulder seam. Join to work in the round and pm for beg of round. 88[88, 98, 104, 108, 110, 118, 122, 126, 134] sts.

Rib rnd: (K1, p1) around.
Rep Rib rnd 4 more times.
BO in rib patt.

Armbands
With RS facing, using smaller circ and starting at a center of underarm, pick up and knit 34[34, 38, 42, 43, 44, 47, 48, 49, 52] sts to shoulder, then pick up and knit 34[34, 38, 42, 43, 44, 47, 48, 49, 52] sts to underarm. Join to work in the round and pm for beg of round. 68[68, 76, 84, 86, 88, 94, 96, 98, 104] sts.

Rib rnd: (K1, p1) around.
Rep Rib rnd 4 more times.
BO in rib patt.

Repeat for other side.

Attach pocket lining
Using the removable markers as guides, place WS pocket lining to WS of Front and, using MC yarn, whip stitch into place. Remove markers.

Seam front and back. Weave in ends and block to measurements.

A – Chest circumference at underarm: 32[36.25, 40.5, 43.75, 48, 52.25, 56.5, 59.75, 64, 68.25] inches / 81.5[92, 103, 111, 122, 132.5, 143.5, 152, 162.5, 173.5] cm
B – Total length: 20.5[21, 22.25, 23.5, 23.75, 24.5, 25, 25.75, 26, 27] inches / 52[53.5, 56.5, 59.5, 60.5, 62, 63.5, 65.5, 66, 68.5] cm
C – Armhole depth: 6.5[6.5, 7.25, 8, 8.25, 8.5, 9, 9.25, 9.5, 10] inches / 16.5[16.5, 18.5, 20.5, 21, 21.5, 23, 23.5, 24, 25.5] cm
D – Back neck width: 5.75[5.75, 7, 7, 7, 7, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5] inches / 14.5[14.5, 18, 18, 18, 18, 20.5, 21.5, 23, 24] cm
E – Shoulder width: 3.75[4.25, 4.75, 5, 5.75, 7, 7.25, 7.25, 7.5, 8.25] inches / 9.5[11, 12, 12.5, 14.5, 18, 18.5, 18.5, 19, 21] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Merri lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she works as a WW Wellness Coach and graphic designer. She lives with her husband and the sweet cats Twister and Quigley who show their importance by leaving their fur over all her knits.

You'll find more of her work on Ravelry.