Amondine Vest Waistcoat Knitting Pattern

Amondine Vest in Noro Kureyon

What Is Being Made

The Amondine Vest is a knitted waistcoat designed as an intermediate-level project. This garment is sized to fit a range of body types, with finished bust measurements ranging from 38 inches (96.5 cm) for X-Small through 70 inches (178 cm) for 5X-Large. The vest length varies slightly by size, spanning from 24½ inches (62 cm) to 28 inches (71 cm), making it suitable for layering over long-sleeved shirts or wearing as a standalone piece during mild weather.

Techniques Used

This intermediate knitting project employs several fundamental and intermediate techniques to construct the vest. Increases are worked using the make one method, which involves lifting the strand between stitches and knitting or purling into the back loop to add stitches without creating visible holes. Decreases are accomplished through slip, slip, knit (or purl) decreases, where two stitches are slipped knitwise or purlwise and then worked together. The pattern includes chart reading with shaded spaces indicating "no stitch" areas where stitches have been decreased or not yet made, requiring the knitter to skip over these spaces while working the remaining stitches. Stitch markers are used to denote pattern repeats and shaping points throughout the construction. The vest is worked flat on straight needles with seaming required, though a circular needle is also included in the materials list for potential in-the-round sections or finishing.

Stitches Used

The Amondine Vest utilizes classic knitting stitches appropriate for an intermediate project. Knit stitches form the foundation of the fabric, worked knitwise by inserting the needle as if to knit. Purl stitches add texture and are worked purlwise by inserting the needle as if to purl. Selvage stitches are incorporated at the edges to facilitate easier seaming when the front and back pieces are joined together. The pattern employs slip stitches, where stitches are passed from the left-hand needle to the right-hand needle without being worked, often used for edge finishing or decreasing purposes. The combination of knit and purl stitches, guided by chart patterns, creates the visual design and shaping of the vest.

Materials and Tools

The Amondine Vest is worked in Noro Kureyon yarn in colorway #447. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 6 skeins (300 yards total) for X-Small through 12 skeins (600 yards total) for 5X-Large, with each skein weighing 50 grams. Size US 10/6mm needles are required to achieve the correct gauge for proper fit. The pattern calls for one US 10/6mm circular needle measuring 16 inches (40 cm) in length, which may be used for specific sections of the construction. Knitters should also have contrasting yarn or purchased stitch markers available for marking pattern repeats and shaping points throughout the project.