Peerie Plaid Vest

Peerie Plaid Cropped Vest, a free knitting pattern from Knitty.com.

INTRODUCTION

Peerie Plaid Vest

beauty shot

by

Mellow

This eye-catching and versatile vest is as fun to knit as it is to wear! The deceptively simple plaid stitch pattern makes for interesting color play and uses only one color per row. Choose solid colors or pick semi-solid or tweed yarns for an effortlessly intricate appearance.

Knit it in a body-skimming size or make it comfortably oversized (from 0-6 inches/ 0-15 cm of ease), then style as you like. Layered over a long-sleeved shirt in winter, over a short-sleeved top in transitional seasons or worn alone in summer or as an underlayer, it is comfortable year-round thanks to wool’s natural thermoregulating properties.

The Peerie Plaid stitch pattern is named for its small scale ("peerie" is a Shetland Islands word for little). It is simple to memorize but not boring, so be prepared for surprisingly fast progress. One-piece flat construction makes it easy for knitters of all skill levels.

This vest may just be the next classic garment in your wardrobe – or someone else’s wardrobe, since it also makes a great gift knit!

And if you like the vest, you might want to consider a pair of matching socks.

spacer model: Briony Smith (exterior shots), Mallory Morton (interior shots)

spacer photos: Sharon Barnes

SIZE

Women's XS[S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X]
Shown in size S with 2 inches/5 cm of ease at chest. (exterior shots)
Shown in size S with 4 inches/10 cm of ease at chest. (interior shots)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Chest circumference at underarm:  33[37.5, 41.75, 46.25, 50.5, 55, 57, 61.5, 65.75] inches/ 84[95.5, 106, 117.5, 128.5, 140, 145, 156, 167] cm
Length:  16[17.5, 18.5, 18.5, 19.5, 19.5, 20.5, 21, 21.5] inches/ 40.5[44.5, 47, 47, 49.5, 49.5, 52, 53.5, 54.5] cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
KnitPicks Hawthorne DK [80% Fine Superwash Highland Wool, 20% Polyamide (Nylon); 225yd/205m per 100g skein]
spacer [MC] Foster Powell Multi; 2[2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5] skeins
spacer [CC] Bare; 2[2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3] skeins


Yarn Characteristics
spacer. The sample uses a plied yarn with a tight twist for crisp stitch definition. This pattern looks best in a solid, semi-solid or tweed yarn Make sure there is sufficient color and value contrast in the two yarns! One way to check is by converting a photo of the yarns to black and white and verifying that it’s easy to differentiate between them.


Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
spacer US size 6/4 mm circular needle (or size to obtain gauge), 32 inches/80 cm long or longer
Important: Do not use straight needles; some pattern rows require sliding stitches to the other end.

Notions
spacer 2 removable stitch markers
spacer crochet hook (optional, for picking up stitches)
spacer yarn needle

GAUGE

22 sts/32 rows = 4 inches/10 cm in Peerie Plaid pattern stitch

Note: gauge is always measured after blocking.

PATTERN NOTES

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

Construction method: This vest is worked flat from the bottom front, up over the shoulders and back down to the bottom back. Armhole ribbing stitches are picked up and worked flat before seaming.

Needles

  • A circular needle is required – the work is slipped back to the other end of the needles for some rows.
  • Use the same needles for both ribbing and pattern stitch.

Adjusting length:

  • Length may be adjusted in the patterned body section of the vest and/or in the ribbing at the bottom and boat neck.
  • Change the length of the main body section by adding or removing one or more repeats of the stitch pattern. The vertical repeat measures 1.5 inches/3.75 cm.
  • Adjust in smaller increments by shortening or lengthening the ribbing at top and/or bottom.Take care to replicate any adjustments on the back.

Techniques:

CHARTS


Important note: RS rows 1, 2, 5, 7, 8 and 11 are worked left to right, and WS rows 3, 4, 6, 9, 10 and 12 are worked from right to left.

 

Peerie Plaid stitch pattern
Multiple of 6 +3
Row 1 [RS]: With CC, k1, *sl 1 wyib, k5; repeat from * to last 2 sts, sl 1 wyib, k1. Slide sts to other end of needle.
Row 2 [RS]: With MC, p1, *k1 tbl, k2, sl 1 wyib, k2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k1 tbl, p1, turn.
Row 3 [WS]: With CC, p1, *sl 1 wyif, p2, p1 tbl, p2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, sl 1 wyif, p1. Slide sts to other end of needle.
Row 4 [WS]: With MC, k1, *p1 tbl, p2, sl 1 wyif, p2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, p1 tbl, k1, turn.
Row 5 [RS]: With CC, k1, *sl 1 wyib, k2, k1 tbl, k2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, sl 1 wyib, k1, turn.
Row 6 [WS]: With CC, k1, *k1, p2, p1 tbl, p2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2, turn.
Row 7 [RS]: With MC, k4, *sl 1 wyib, k5; repeat from * to last 5 sts, sl 1 wyib, k4. Slide sts to other end of needle.
Row 8 [RS]: With CC, p1, *sl 1 wyib, k2, k1 tbl, k2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, sl 1 wyib, p1, turn.
Row 9 [WS]: With MC, p1, *p1 tbl, p2, sl 1 wyif, p2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, p1 tbl, p1. Slide sts to other end of needle.
Row 10 [WS]: With CC, k1, *sl 1 wyif, p2, p1 tbl, p2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, sl 1 wyif, k1, turn.
Row 11 [RS]: With MC, k1, *k1 tbl, k2, sl 1 wyib, k2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, k1 tbl, k1, turn.
Row 12 [WS]: With MC, k1, *p1 tbl, p2, k1, p2; repeat from * to last 2 sts, p1 tbl, k1, turn.
Note: On Rows 2, 4, 8, 10, do not turn work, but slide sts to other end of needle. Pick up the correct color and work across.

DIRECTIONS

Front
Using MC, CO 93[105, 117, 129, 141, 153, 159, 171, 183] sts. Begin ribbing as follows.
Row 1 [WS]: K1, *p1, k1; repeat from * to end of row.
Row 2 [RS]: K2, *p1, k1; repeat from * to last st, k1.
Work ribbing for 1.25[1.25, 1.75, 1.75, 1.5, 1.5, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75] inches/ 3[3, 4.5, 4.5, 4, 4, 3, 4, 4.5] cm, ending with a RS row:

Work Setup row for plaid stitch pattern as follows:
Setup row [WS]: K1, purl to last st. k1, turn.

Attach CC and begin Peerie Plaid stitch pattern as written or charted. Work 9[10, 10, 10, 11, 11, 12, 12, 12] vertical repeats of the pattern, ending with Row 11 on the last repeat.
Break CC.

Ribbing setup row [WS]: Using MC, K1, purl to last st. k1, turn.
Row 1 [RS]: K2, *p1, k1; repeat from * to last st, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: K1, *p1, k1; repeat from * to end of row.
Work ribbing for 1.25[1.25, 1.75, 1.75, 1.5, 1.5, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75] inches/ 3[3, 4.5, 4.5, 4, 4, 3, 4, 4.5] cm, ending with a WS row.

Total length approximately 16[17.5, 18.5, 18.5, 19.5, 19.5, 20.5, 21, 21.5] inches/ 40.5[44.5, 47, 47, 49.5, 49.5, 52, 53.5, 54.5] cm.

On RS, BO all stitches using decrease bind off, leaving last stitch on needle. DO NOT BREAK YARN.

Back
Rotate work so that the remaining stitch is on the right needle, the BO edge is facing you with the RS up. In addition to the existing stitch, pick up 15[21, 27, 32, 38, 42, 45, 50, 56] sts for right shoulder, bringing each yarn loop from back to front through the center of a BO stitch. Using the cable cast on, CO 62[62, 62, 64, 64, 68, 68, 70, 70] sts for back neckline, then pick up the last 16[22, 28, 33, 39, 43, 46, 51, 57] sts for the left shoulder. 94[106, 118, 130, 142, 154, 160, 172, 184] sts.

Rotate work again so the RS is up and resume ribbing.
In first RS row only, k2tog (or p2tog, whichever comes next) the last picked up st of the left shoulder with the first CO stitch of the boat neck, then continue in 1x1 rib across row. 93[105, 117, 129, 141, 153, 159, 171, 183] sts.
Row 1 [RS]: K2, *p1, k1; repeat from * to last st, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: K1, *p1, k1; repeat from * to end of row.

Work for 1.25[1.25, 1.75, 1.75, 1.5, 1.5, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75] inches/ 3[3, 4.5, 4.5, 4, 4, 3, 4, 4.5] cm, until equal in length with the top front ribbing, ending with a RS row.

Work setup row for plaid stitch pattern as follows:
Setup row [WS]: K1, purl to last st. k1, turn.

Attach CC and begin working Peerie Plaid stitch pattern as written or charted. Work until equal in length with front, ending with Row 11. Break CC.

Ribbing setup row [WS]: Using MC, k1, purl to last st. k1, turn.
Work ribbing as follows;
Row 1 [RS]: K2, *p1, k1; repeat from * to last st, k1.
Row 2 [WS]: K1, *p1, k1; repeat from * to end of row.
Work ribbing for 1.25[1.25, 1.75, 1.75, 1.5, 1.5, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75] inches/ 3[3, 4.5, 4.5, 4, 4, 3, 4, 4.5] cm, until length matches bottom front ribbing.

BO all sts using decrease bind off method and break yarn.

Armhole ribbing
Starting at the shoulder seam at the center of the left edge, measure 9[9, 9.5, 9.5, 10, 10, 10.5, 10.5, 10.5] inches/ 23[23, 24, 24, 25.5, 25.5, 26.5, 26.5, 26.5] cm toward the bottom front and place marker. Place another marker the same distance from shoulder seam toward the bottom back, making sure that the markers are at the same point in the stitch pattern. The armhole section should total 18[18, 19, 19, 20, 20, 21, 21, 21] inches/ 45.5[45.5, 48.5, 48.5, 51, 51, 53.5, 53.5, 53.5] cm.

With RS facing and using MC, pick up 81[81, 85, 85, 89, 89, 95, 95, 95] sts evenly spaced between the markers (approximately 3 sts picked up for every 5 rows) and begin ribbing as follows:
Row 1 [WS]: K1, *p1, k1; repeat from * to end of row.
Row 2 [RS]: K2, *p1, k1; repeat from * to last st, k1.

Work ribbing for 1 inch/2.5 cm, then BO using decrease bind off method and break yarn. Repeat for right side.

FINISHING

Block to measurements. Stitch side seams from bottom up, using mattress stitch and matching patterns, then continue stitching the underarm of the armhole ribbing. There will be a double vertical line of MC slipped sts visible at the side seams. Work in all yarn ends.


A - Body width: 16.5[18.75, 21, 23, 25.25, 27.5, 28.5, 30.75, 33] inches/ 42[47.5, 53.5, 58.5, 64, 70, 72.5, 78, 84] cm
B - Hem ribbing length: 1.25[1.25, 1.75, 1.75, 1.5, 1.5, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75] inches/ 3[3, 4.5, 4.5, 4, 4, 3, 4, 4.5] cm
C - Neck ribbing length: 1.25[1.25, 1.75, 1.75, 1.5, 1.5, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75] inches/ 3[3, 4.5, 4.5, 4, 4, 3, 4, 4.5] cm
D - Body length: 16[17.5, 18.5, 18.5, 19.5, 19.5, 20.5, 21, 21.5] inches/ 40.5[44.5, 47, 47, 49.5, 49.5, 52, 53.5, 54.5] cm
E - Shoulder width including armhole ribbing: 4[5, 6, 7, 8, 8.75, 9.25, 10.25, 11.25] inches/ 10[12.5, 15, 18, 20.5, 22, 23.5, 26, 28.5] cm
F - Neck width: 11[11, 11, 11.5, 11.5, 12.25, 12.25, 12.75, 12.75] inches/ 28[28, 28, 29, 29, 31, 31, 32.5, 32.5] cm
G - Armhole depth: 9[9, 9.5, 9.5, 10, 10, 10.5, 10.5, 10.5] inches/ 23[23, 24, 24, 25.5, 25.5, 26.5, 26.5, 26.5] cm

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

designername Sharon Barnes is a long-time spinner and knitter who enjoys starting a project with raw fleece – but she also cheats and buys yarn. Her work has been published in Spin Off and in Shuttle, Spindle & Dyepot. She lives in Kansas with her husband, rabbits, and Italian Greyhound, where she is inspired by the rich and ever-changing colors of the landscape and sky.

Find her as PrairieSpinner on Ravelry.

Pattern & images © 2024 Sharon Barnes