Bury Vest Knitting Pattern

Bury Vest by Quail Studio in Rowan Softest Alpaca

What is Being Made

The Bury is a sleeveless vest designed by Quail Studio, available in nine sizes ranging from 71–76 cm (28–30 inches) chest to 152–157 cm (60–62 inches) chest. This versatile layering piece features a classic vest silhouette with fitted armholes and a shaped crew neckline, making it suitable for wearing over long-sleeved tops or as a standalone layer during warmer months.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This advanced beginner project employs fundamental knitting construction methods. The vest is worked in separate pieces—back and front panels—that are subsequently seamed together. The garment begins with a ribbed welted cuff at the lower edge, which provides elasticity and a polished finish. Shaping is achieved through strategic decreasing at the armholes and neckline, requiring attention to row counts and stitch placement. The pattern uses slip, slip, knit (SSK) decreases, a left-leaning decrease technique that creates a refined appearance on the right side of stockinette stitch fabric. Neckband and armband finishing is accomplished using circular needles worked in the round, a technique that eliminates visible seams in these high-visibility areas.

Stitches Used

• Ribbing (K2, P2): A 2×2 knit and purl alternating pattern used for the welted cuff and all finishing bands, providing elasticity and structure
• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary fabric throughout the vest body, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing a smooth, classic appearance
• Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK): A paired decrease worked by slipping two stitches individually as if to knit, then inserting the left needle through both slipped stitches and knitting them together, used for armhole and neckline shaping

Materials and Gauge

The Bury is designed to be knitted in Rowan Softest Alpaca, a luxurious natural fiber yarn. Yardage requirements range from 5 to 9 balls of 50-gram weight depending on size selection. The pattern photograph displays the vest in the colorway Linen 015. Two needle sizes are required: 5mm (US 8) needles for the initial ribbed cuff and 5.5mm (US 9) needles for the stockinette stitch body. Circular needles in 5mm (US 8) are needed for neckband and armband finishing. The pattern specifies a tension of 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using the larger 5.5mm needles. Achieving this gauge is essential for proper fit across all nine sizes. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and stitch holders for temporarily securing stitches during neckline and armhole construction.