Bedford Vest Waistcoat Knitting Pattern

Bedford Vest Waistcoat Knitting Pattern by Berroco

What Is Being Made

The Bedford Vest Waistcoat is a women's sleeveless knitted garment designed to be worn open in the front. This intermediate-level knitting project features a colorful, structured vest with practical design elements including functional pockets and a self-belt. The pattern is available in six sizes ranging from X-Small through 2X, with finished bust measurements from 24 inches to 44 inches and lengths from 23½ inches to 26 inches. The garment is intentionally designed to fit multiple sizes when worn unclosed, offering versatility in styling and fit.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Bedford Vest employs several intermediate knitting techniques to create its structure and visual interest. The pattern incorporates lifted increases (both front and back lifted increases) as shaping methods, which are worked by inserting the needle into stitches in the row below rather than casting on new stitches. Decreasing is accomplished using slip-slip-knit (SSK) and knit two together (k2tog) techniques to maintain consistent stitch counts throughout the garment. The vest features a self-belt, meaning the belt is created as an integral part of the garment rather than added separately. Pockets are incorporated into the design, adding both functional and aesthetic value to the finished piece.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern is a repeating 10-stitch multiple that alternates between wrong-side rows worked entirely in purl and right-side rows featuring a combination of lifted increases, knit stitches, and decreases. The pattern stitch sequence on right-side rows reads: lifted increase, knit two, slip-slip-knit decrease, then knit five stitches, repeating this sequence across the row. Stockinette stitch is used for areas where the full pattern stitch cannot be worked due to insufficient stitches, ensuring the garment maintains proper shaping and stitch counts. The interplay between the textured pattern rows and smooth purl rows creates an entertaining visual texture throughout the garment.

Materials and Gauge

The Bedford Vest is designed to be knitted using Berroco Comfort Chunky yarn, a worsted-weight option that works up quickly. The pattern requires 5 to 9 balls depending on size, with each ball weighing 100 grams. Straight knitting needles in sizes 10 (6.00 mm) and 10½ (6.50 mm) are used, with the larger needle size designated for working the pattern stitch. The recommended gauge is 14 stitches and 20 rows over 4 inches when measured in the pattern stitch on the larger needles. Achieving proper gauge is emphasized as essential to obtaining the correct finished measurements, and knitters are advised to check their gauge before beginning the project to save time and materials.