A back, two fronts, no sleeves. This is a really simple garment, all in stockinette, with just a bit of shaping at the waist for a flattering fit. The tufted yarn used for the collar and edgings gives a natural effect like sheepskin when worked in reverse stockinette stitch. The front edgings and collar are picked up and worked in one piece for a neat finish.
ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE
The 1st size vest took 12 hours to make.
ABOUT THESE YARNS
Rowan Big Wool is a soft, 2-ply 100% merino wool yarn with 87 yds. (80 m) to a 100 g (approx. 3½ oz.) ball. Big Wool Tuft is a highly textured mix of 97% merino wool and 3% nylon with 27 yds. (25 m) to a 50g (approx. 1¾ oz.) ball.
SIZES
To fit: bust 34 to 36[38 to 40:42 to 44] in. (86 to 91[97 to 101.5:107 to 112] cm)
Actual measurements: bust 37½[41½:45½] in. (95[105.5:116] cm); length 25[26:27½] in. (63.5[66.5:70]cm). Figures in square brackets refer to larger sizes; where there is only one figure, it refers to all sizes.
YOU WILL NEED
• 4(5:6) x 100 g balls (approx. 14[17½:21] oz.) of Rowan Big Wool in Latte, shade 018 (A)
• 2 x 50 g balls (approx. 3½ oz.) of Rowan Big Wool Tuft in Frosty, shade 055 (B)
• pair of size US 17 (12 mm) knitting needles
• 32-in. (81-cm)- long size US 17 (12 mm) circular needle
• one large button
GAUGE
8 sts and 12 rows to 4 in. (10 cm) over st-st, using Big Wool on size US 17 (12 mm) needles. Change needle size, if necessary, to obtain this gauge.
ABBREVIATIONS
beg = beginning; cont = continue; dec = decrease; foll = following; inc = increase; kfb = k into front and back of st; k = knit; p = purl; RS = right side; skpo = slip 1, k1, pass slipped st over; sl = slip 1 st purlwise; st(s) = stitch(es); st-st = stockinette st; tog = together; WS = wrong side.
NOTE
• The seam stitches have been deducted to give the actual bust measurement.
VEST
BACK
Using A, cast on 40(44:48) sts. Beg k row, st-st 10 rows.
Dec row (RS) K2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, skpo, k2. 38(42:46) sts.
Cont in st-st, dec in this way at each end of 2 foll 4th rows. 34(38:42) sts. St-st 7 rows.
Inc row (RS) K1, kfb, k to last 3 sts, kfb, k2. 36(40:44) sts.
Cont in st-st, inc in this way at each end of 2 foll 6th rows. 40(44:48) sts. St-st 11 rows.
Shape armholes. Bind off 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows. 36(40:44) sts. Dec in same way as before at each end of next 3(4:5) RS rows. 30(32:34) sts.
St-st 19(21:23) rows. Bind off.
LEFT FRONT
Using A, cast on 20(22:24) sts. Beg k row, st-st 10 rows.
Dec row (RS) K2, k2tog, k to end. 19(21:23) sts.
Cont in st-st, dec in this way at beg of 2 foll 4th rows. 17(19:21) sts. St-st 7 rows.
Inc row (RS) K1, kfb, k to end. 18(20:22) sts.
Cont in st-st, inc in this way at beg of 2 foll 6th rows. 20(22:24) sts. St-st 11 rows.
Shape armhole and neck. Bind off 2 sts at beg of next row. 18(20:22) sts. P 1 row.
Dec row 1 (RS) K2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, skpo, k2. 16(18:20) sts.
Cont in st-st, dec in this way at each end of next 2(3:4) RS rows. 12 sts. St-st 3 rows.
Dec row 2 (RS) K to last 4 sts, skpo, k2. 11 sts.
Cont in st-st, dec in this way at end of 3 foll 4th rows. 8 sts.
St-st 3(5:7) rows. Bind off.
RIGHT FRONT
Using A, cast on 20(22:24) sts. Beg k row, st-st 10 rows.
Dec row (RS) K to last 4 sts, skpo, k2. 19(21:23) sts.
Cont in st-st, dec in this way at end of 2 foll 4th rows. 17(19:21) sts. St-st 7 rows.
Inc row (RS) K to last 3 sts, kfb, k2. 18(20:22) sts.
Cont in st-st, inc in this way at end of 2 foll 6th rows. 20(22:24) sts. St-st 12 rows.
Shape armhole and neck. Bind off 2 sts at beg of next row. 18(20:22) sts.
Dec row 1 (RS) K2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, skpo, k2. 16(18:20) sts.
Cont in st-st, dec in this way at each end of next 2(3:4) RS rows. 12 sts. St-st 3 rows.
Dec row 2 (RS) K2, k2tog, k to end. Cont in st-st, dec in this way at beg of 3 foll 4th rows. 8 sts.
St-st 3(5:7) rows. Bind off.
FRONT EDGINGS AND COLLAR
Matching sts, join shoulder seams. Using circular needle B and with RS facing, pick up 36 sts up right front to start of neck shaping, 17(19:21) sts up right front neck to shoulder, 14(16:18) sts across back neck, 17(19:21) sts down left front neck to end of shaping, and 36 sts down left front to lower edge. 120 (126:132) sts. Leaving a 4-in. (10-cm) end, cut yarn.
Collar. Row 1 (WS) Using circular needle, slip 36 sts and leave these sts on needle for left front edging, p next 48(54:60) sts, turn and work collar on these sts, leaving 36 sts on needle or on a holder for right front edging.
Row 2 Sl 1, k45(51:57), turn and leave 2 more sts.
Row 3 Sl 1, p43(49:55), turn and leave 2 more sts.
Row 4 Sl 1, k41(47:53), turn and leave 2 more sts.
Row 5 Sl 1, p39(45:51), turn and leave 2 more sts.
Row 6 Sl 1, k37(43:49), turn and leave 2 more sts.
Row 7 Sl 1, p35(41:47), turn and leave 2 more sts.
Row 8 Sl 1, k33(39:45), turn and leave 2 more sts, leaving an end, cut yarn and slip 36 sts of left front edging onto needle.
Edging. Next row Bind off 36 sts of left front edging knitwise, 48(54:60) sts of collar purlwise and 36 sts of right front edging knitwise.
ARMHOLE EDGINGS
Using B and with RS facing, pick up 38(42:46) sts around each armhole edge. Bind off knitwise. Weave in yarn ends.
TO FINISH
Press according to yarn label. Join side seams. Using A, make button loop under right front edging just above waist level. Sew on button.
TIPS
• Before making the button loop and sewing on the button, try on the vest and mark the best place to fasten it.
• When picking up stitches, insert the needle through the knitting 1 stitch in from the edge.
• When picking up stitches for the armhole edgings, make sure you knit 19(21:23) sts evenly on each side of the shoulder seam.
Big needles and thick, soft yarn make this wonderful, long vest a short piece of work.
Pair this soft, warm vest with any casual outfit for a fashionable fall duo.
