Bodkin Vest Knitting Pattern
By Rowan
Specifications
| Brand: | Rowan |
| Yarn Weight: | DK | Light Worsted |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Pages: | 8 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
| Finished Size: | To Fit Chest:71-76cm (28-30") to 152-157cm(60-62") |
| Pattern Code: | ZB367-00001-ENP |
| Featured Products: | Rowan Pure Alpaca Yarn - Alpaca DK |
What you'll need
1 Select Size
2 Select Colors
Rowan Pure Alpaca Yarn - Alpaca DK
Mizzle (113)
In stock
× $10.24
Rowan Pure Alpaca Yarn - Alpaca DK
Storm (117)
In stock
× $10.24
Rowan Pure Alpaca Yarn - Alpaca DK
Camel (114)
In stock
× $10.24
Rowan Pure Alpaca Yarn - Alpaca DK
Sunset (121)
In stock
× $10.24
Rowan Pure Alpaca Yarn - Alpaca DK
Powder (115)
In stock
× $10.24
Rowan Pure Alpaca Yarn - Alpaca DK
Olive (123)
In stock
× $10.24
3 Accessories
Product Description
Bodkin Vest in Rowan Pure Alpaca
What is Being Made
The Bodkin Vest is a sleeveless knitted garment designed to fit chest sizes ranging from 71–76 cm to 152–157 cm (28–30 inches to 60–62 inches). This intermediate-level knitting project creates a fitted vest with shaped armholes, structured shoulders, and a finished neckline, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions and body sizes.
Craft and Techniques
This is a knitting project that employs fundamental shaping techniques essential to garment construction. The vest demonstrates intermediate-level skills through the use of multiple shaping methods applied throughout the pattern.
- Armhole Shaping: Cast-off stitches are used at the beginning of rows to create depth, followed by decreases worked at each end of subsequent rows to achieve a tapered, fitted armhole opening.
- Shoulder Shaping: Graduated cast-offs at the shoulder line create a structured, professional finish that allows the garment to sit properly on the body.
- Neckline Shaping: The back neck features strategic cast-offs and stitch holders to create a comfortable neckline opening, while the front neckline is divided and worked separately to accommodate a deeper or differently shaped front neck opening.
- Stitch Holders and Separate Sections: The pattern uses stitch holders to preserve stitches for later work, particularly for the neckband, and requires working sections separately to manage complex shaping.
Stitches Used
While the full stitch pattern is not detailed in the provided content, the pattern notation indicates the use of patt correct instructions, suggesting a repeating stitch or color pattern that must be maintained throughout shaping. The construction employs fundamental stitches including knit and purl stitches to create the base fabric, combined with cast-on, cast-off, and decrease techniques to shape the garment.
Materials
The Bodkin Vest is designed to be knitted in Rowan Pure Alpaca, a luxury yarn available in 50-gram balls. The pattern offers six sophisticated colorways to choose from:
- Mizzle (shade 113)
- Storm (shade 117)
- Camel (shade 114)
- Sunset (shade 121)
- Powder (shade 115)
- Olive (shade 123)
Yarn quantities vary by size, ranging from 4 balls for the smallest sizes to 8 balls for the largest sizes. The pattern requires two pairs of needles in different gauges: 3¼mm (US 3) needles and 3¾mm (US 5) needles, plus a 3¼mm (US 3) circular needle no longer than 50 cm for working the neckband. The use of two needle sizes allows for gauge control and creates definition between ribbed and main pattern sections.
Pattern Structure
The Bodkin Vest pattern is organized to work the back and front pieces separately, with detailed row-by-row instructions for shaping. The back piece is completed first, establishing the armhole and shoulder shaping, followed by the front piece which includes additional neckline shaping. The neckband is worked last using the circular needle and previously held stitches, creating a finished edge around the neck opening.
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