Knit Vest

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• KC Pearl Yarn-,es size 8 (5 mm)
• Knitting needles size 9 (5.5 mm)
• Stitch markers
• Large-eyed blunt needle
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Circular knitting needle size 8 (5 mm), 16" long


• SIZES:
• S (M, L, 1X, 2X)
• Finished Bust 40 (44, 48, 52, 56)
• Finished Length 27 (27-1/2, 28, 28-1/2, 29)
• NOTE: Pattern is written for smallest size with changes for larger sizes in parentheses.
• When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes.
• To follow pattern more easily, circle all numbers pertaining to your size before beginning.


• GAUGE: 16 sts + 22 rows = about 4" in St st (k on RS, p on WS). BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.

DIRECTIONS:

To find the downloadable patterns click on the "GET PATTERNS" tab above.

STITCH EXPLANATIONS:
spp Slip 1 as if to knit, purl 1, pass slipped stitch over purl stitch - 1 st decreased.
ssk (slip, slip, knit) Slip next 2 sts as if to knit, one at a time, to right needle; insert left needle into fronts of these 2 sts and knit them tog - 1 st decreased.

PATTERN STITCH:
K1, p1 Rib (worked over an odd number of sts)
Row 1: Sl 1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end of row.
Row 2: Sl the first st, k the knit sts and p the purl sts.
Rep Row 2 for K1, p1 Rib.

TECHNIQUE EXPLANATION:
Sloped Bind-Off: On the row prior to the bind-off, sl the last st (wyib on RS, wyif on WS). Then on the bind-off row, sl the first 2 sts to right hand needle and using tip of left hand needle, sl the 2nd st over the first st for the first bound-off st, then bind off all following sts as usual.

NOTES:
Vest is made in 2 pieces: Back and Front.Back is worked in St st (k on RS, p on WS). Front is worked in Rev St st (p on RS, k on WS).Back and Front are seamed at shoulders and sides. Lower ribbing is left open at the sides. Ribbed bands at V-neck and armholes are picked up and worked on a circular needle.This design uses a Sloped Bind-Off technique to create smooth shoulder edges. This technique may be new to you, but is easy to do! Simply read the instructions carefully before beginning.

BACK
With smaller straight needles, cast on 81 (89, 97, 105, 113) sts.
Work in K1, p1 Rib until piece measures about 2-1/2" from beg, end with a WS row.
NOTE: End with a WS row means that the last row you work should be a WS row, and the next row that you are ready to work will be a RS row.
Decrease Row (RS): Sl 1, (p1, k1) 19 (21, 23, 25, 27) times, p1, k2tog, k1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end of row - 80 (88, 96, 1/4, 1/2) sts.
Change to larger straight needles.
Work in St st (k on RS, p on WS) until piece measures about 25-1/2 (26, 26-1/2, 27, 27-1/2)" from beg, end with a WS row.
Shape Shoulders
Note: Use Sloped Bind-Off throughout shoulder shaping.
Row 1 (RS): Bind off 7 (8, 9, 10, 10) sts, k to end of row - 73 (80, 87, 94, 1/2) sts.
Row 2: Bind off 7 (8, 9, 10, 10) sts, p to end of row - 66 (72, 78, 84, 92) sts.
Note: First and second side refer to the sides as they appear on your left hand needle.
Row 3: Bind off 7 (8, 9, 10, 10) sts (1 st on right needle), k12 (14, 15, 17, 20) for first side, join 2nd ball of yarn and bind off center 26 (26, 28, 28, 30) sts, k to end of row for 2nd side - 13 (15, 16, 18, 21) sts for first side, 20 (23, 25, 28, 31) sts for 2nd side.
Work both shoulders AT THE SAME TIME using separate balls of yarn.
Row 4: Bind off 7 (8, 9, 10, 10) sts, p to end of first side; on 2nd side, bind off 1 st, p to end.
Row 5: Bind off 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) sts, k to end of first side; on 2nd side, bind off 1 st, k to end.
Row 6: Bind off 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) sts, p to end of first side; on 2nd side, p to end - 6 (7, 7, 8, 10) sts on each side.
Row 7: Bind off all sts of first side; on 2nd side, k to end.
Bind off rem sts.

FRONT
With smaller straight needles, cast on 81 (89, 97, 105, 113) sts.
Work in K1, p1 Rib until piece measures about 2-1/2" from beg, end with a WS row.
Decrease Row (RS): Sl 1, (p1, k1) 19 (21, 23, 25, 27) times, p1, k2tog, k1, *p1, k1; rep from * to end of row - 80 (88, 96, 1/4, 1/2) sts.
Change to larger straight needles.
Work in Rev St st (p on RS, k on WS) until piece measures about 16-1/2 (17, 17-1/2, 18, 18-1/2)" from beg, end with a WS row.
Shape Neck
Row 1 (RS): P38 (42, 46, 50, 54), p2tog, join a 2nd ball of yarn, spp, p to end of row - 39 (43, 47, 51, 55) sts on each side.
Work both sides AT THE SAME TIME with separate balls of yarn.
Row 2: Knit across all sts of both sides.
Row 3 (Decrease): P to last 2 sts of first side, p2tog; on 2nd side, spp, p to end of row - 38 (42, 46, 50, 54) sts on each side.
Rows 4-9 (9, 11, 11, 13): Rep last 2 rows 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) more times.
At the end of Row 9 (9, 11, 11, 13) you will have 35 (39, 42, 46, 49) sts on each side.
Next 3 Rows: Work both sides even (without increasing or decreasing) in Rev St st.
Next Row (Decrease): P to last 2 sts of first side, p2tog; on 2nd side, spp, p to end of row - 34 (38, 41, 45, 48) sts on each side.
Rep last 4 rows 8 more times - 26 (30, 33, 37, 40) sts on each side when all decreases have been completed.
Work both sides even in Rev St st until piece measures same as Back to shoulder shaping, end with a WS row.
Shape Shoulders
Row 1 (RS): Bind off 7 (8, 9, 10, 10) sts, p to end of first side; on 2nd side, p to end.
Row 2: Bind off 7 (8, 9, 10, 10) sts, k to end of first side; on 2nd side, k to end - 19 (22, 24, 27, 30) sts on each side.
Rows 3 and 4: Rep Rows 1 and 2 - 12 (14, 15, 17, 20) sts on each side.
Row 5: Bind off 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) sts, p to end of first side; on 2nd side, p to end.
Row 6: Bind off 6 (7, 8, 9, 10) sts, k to end of first side; on 2nd side, k to end - 6 (7, 7, 8, 10) sts on each side.
Row 7: Bind off all sts of first side; on 2nd side, p to end.Bind off rem sts of rem side.

FINISHING
Sew shoulders.

Neckband
From RS with circular needle, beg at right shoulder, pick up and k29 (29, 31, 31, 33) sts evenly spaced across back neck, 46 sts evenly spaced across left front neck, place marker (pm) for center front, pick up and k 1 st for center front, pm, pick up and k46 sts evenly spaced across right front neck - 1/2 (1/2, 1/4, 1/4, 126) sts.
Pm for beg of rnd.
Join by working the first st on left hand needle with the working yarn from the right hand needle.
Rnd 1: K1, *p1, k1; rep from * to 2 sts before center front marker, ssk, slip marker (sm), k center st, sm, k2tog, **k1, p1; rep from ** to end of rnd - 120 (120, 1/2, 1/2, 1/4) sts.
Rep Rnd 1 five more times - 110 (110, 1/2, 1/2, 1/4) sts.
Bind off.
Sew side edges tog beg at top edge of lower ribbing and ending 9 (9-1/2, 10, 10-1/2, 11)" (23 (24, 25.5, 26.5, 28) cm) below beg of shoulder shaping.

Armhole Bands
From RS with circular needle, beg at underarm, pick up and k72 (76, 80, 84, 88) sts evenly spaced around armhole edge.
Pm for beg of rnd.
Join by working the first st on left hand needle with the working yarn from the right hand needle.
Rnds 1-6: *K1, p1; rep from * around.
Bind off.
Weave in ends.


ABBREVIATIONS:
beg = begin(ning)(s)
k = knit
k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
p = purl
p2tog = purl 2 stitches together
rem = remain(ing)
rep = repeat(s)(ing)
rev St st = reverse Stockinette stitch
rnd(s) = round(s)
RS = right side
sl = slip
sm = slip marker
st(s) = stitch(es)
St st = Stockinette stitch
tog = together
WS = wrong side