CHECKERED VEST
This pattern is not intended for commercial use. Permission is granted by Conjoined Creations to copy and use this pattern for personal use only.
Designed by Colleen East.
Pattern Sizes: Size 8 (12,16/1X, 2X, 3X)
Needle Size: U.S. size 10, circular, minimum 29” long – or size to obtain gauge.
Yarn: 650 (710,770/815,885,940 yards Style bulky weight yarn by Conjoined Creations
Sample color: Granny Glasses
Gauge: 16 sts. = 4”, 24 rows =4”
Notions:4 – 1” buttons, seam binding, matching sewing thread
Designer Notes:
This vest is knit in a bulky yarn on circular needles from the bottom up. When using a variegated yarn it is recommended that two balls of yarn be used to avoid the patterning that may occur. In this sample, the body of the vest was knit changing yarn balls every two rows. The upper portion of the vest was knit with individual balls, but the front sections were knit from the same ball (one end from the inside, the other from the outside) to avoid obvious dyelot variances. Advance planning is suggested, as the final portion of the vest is knit from four different yarn ends.
Pattern:
Row 1 K4, P4
Row 2 K4, P4
Rows 3 & 5 Repeat row 1
Rows 4 & 6 Repeat row 2
Row 7 P4, K4
Row 8 P4, K4
Rows 9 & 11 Repeat row 7
Rows 10 & 12 Repeat row 8
Front Points:
Cast on two sets of 6 sts using a different ball of yarn for each set. Work front points individually in pattern, but side by side. Start pattern centered on the 6 sts at row 1 (1,1/1,1,1) on one point, and row 1 (1,1/7,1,1) on the other point. Make 1 st at each side of work on every RS row by working into front and back of loop of st that is second from the end – maintain edge st in pattern. Mark right side(RS) of vest points (I use safety pins or yarn tacked to the right side). When SC=44 (44,44/52,52,60) on each point, connect the two points by casting on 84(92,100/104,116,116) sts between. Continue in pattern, rotating balls of yarn every 2 rows. SC=172(180,188/208,220,236)
Body:
Continue in pattern until work measures 16.75 (17.25,17.5/17.5,17.5,17.5) inches from bottom of front point.
Front Neck Shaping:
On RS, work first two sts tog and work last two sts tog every 4th row. Continue this shaping through balance of project until bind off at shoulders.
Armhole Shaping:
Start armhole shaping 2 (2,2/0,0,0) rows after starting front neck shaping.
Shape armhole as follows:
RS - Work 38 (39,40/45,48,52) sts, join new ball of yarn, BO 10 (12,14/14,14,14) sts, work 76 (78,80/90,96,104) sts, join new ball of yarn (here I use the other end of the first ball), BO 10 (12,14/14,14,14) sts, work 38 (39,40/45,48,52) sts.
WS – Work across, binding off 3 (4,4/5,6,7) sts at each armhole edge. Repeat this row on RS. Note: you can only bind off in one direction, it requires repeating in the second row to bind off on both sides of armhole.
WS - Work across, binding off 2 (2,2/2,3,3) sts at each armhole edge. Repeat this row on RS.
WS – Work across
On RS work two armhole edge sts tog at each armhole edge. Repeat on RS 2 (3,3/4,3,3) times.
On RS work two armhole edge sts tog at each armhole edge every 4th row 4 (3,2/3,5,5) times.
Approximate SC= 100(108,112/116,120,124) (including front neck decrease). Continue front neck decrease and work even until project measures 24.5 (25.5,26.25/27.5,28,28.5) inches from front point.
Back Neck Shaping:
Continue front neck shaping on front pieces, instructions will be given here for only the back portion. Note: If SC does not equal half of SC above, center the first bindoff row accordingly.
RS - Work 46 (49,50/51,53,54) sts, join new ball of yarn, BO 8 (10,12/14,14,16) sts, work 46 (49,50/51,53,54) sts
WS – Work across, binding off 4 (4,4/4,4,3) sts at neck edge. Repeat this row on RS.
WS – Work across, binding off 3 (2,3/2,2,2) sts at neck edge. Repeat this row on RS.
On RS work two neck edge sts tog at each neck edge. Repeat on RS 3 (3,1/2,2,3) times.
Shoulder Shaping and Bind Off:
On RS, at armhole edge, bind off 1/3 of remaining sts. Repeat on WS
On RS, at armhole edge, bind off 1/2 of remaining sts. Repeat on WS
On RS, at armhole edge, bind off all of remaining sts. Repeat on WS
Notes on bands:
1.Numbers to pick up on bands is approximate.
2.All sts on bands are K, creating garter st.
3.All bands are six rows, consisting of pick up & K
row, 5 more rows of K, then bind off row.
4.All pickup is done with the RS facing you.
5.All shaping is done on RS rows.
6.Bind off LOOSELY.
7.Pick up stitches as follows:
•In horizontal areas, p/u 1 st for every 1 stitch
•In vertical areas, p/u 2 sts for every 3 sts
•In angles areas (oblique), p/u 3 sts for every 4 sts
Armhole Band:
P/U approximately 92 (101,108/120,128,135) sts in manner prescribed in note #7. Work 2 sts tog at armhole curve on RS rows. Vary location of st decrease each time. Work and bind off as described.
Bottom Back Band:
P/U approximately 114 (122,130/138,150,156) sts in manned prescribed in note #7 from bottom center of point across back to bottom center of other point. PM at all angle changes. Make 1 st at each end by knitting in front and back loop of end st.
On outer angles (bottom of point) make 1 st by knitting in front and back loop of one st. On inner angles (top of point) K2tog at marker.
Shoulder Seams:
Prior to sewing shoulder seams, block vest.
Sew shoulder seams with fashion yarn.
Front Band:
P/U approximately 233 (244,248/259,263,271) sts in manned prescribed in note #7 from bottom center of point up front, around neck, down front to bottom center of other point. PM at all angle changes. Make 1 st at each end by knitting in front and back loop of end st. Join to back bottom band by picking up edge st of back bottom band and knitting it to the front each row. On outer angles (bottom of point, bottom of center front, top of center front) make 1 st by knitting in front and back loop of one st. On inner curves of neck, K2tog at two locations of curve. Mark right center front for 4 buttonhole locations. On first full RS row, bind off 3 sts at buttonhole locations. Cast these three sts back on in next row. Work balance of band and bind off.
Finishing Touches:
Mark button locations and sew 1” buttons on left front.
Sew non-stretch seam binding at shoulder seam location on WS, from shoulder edge to neck edge with sewing thread. Be careful not to stretch knitted piece when sewing.
WEAR WITH PRIDE!
Abbreviations:
BO Bind Off
CO Cast On
K Knit
K2tog Knit two together
P Purl
PM Place Marker
P/U Pick Up
RS Right Side
SC Stitch Count
WS Wrong Side
©2006, Conjoined Creations
