Cavetto Popover Vest Knitting Pattern

Cavetto Popover Vest in Berroco Merino 401

What Is Being Made

The Cavetto is an intermediate-level knitted vest designed by Mel Kennelly. This popover-style garment is constructed in two separate pieces that are knitted from the bottom up and then joined at the shoulders. The finished vest offers a comfortable fit with recommended positive ease of approximately 2–6 inches, making it suitable for layering over long-sleeved shirts or wearing as a standalone piece. The design is available in multiple sizes ranging from 34¼ inches to 76½ inches in body circumference, with lengths varying from 22 to 24 inches depending on the selected size.

Construction and Techniques

This vest employs a two-piece construction method, with both the front and back panels knitted separately from the bottom edge upward. The garment features short-row shaping at the shoulders to create a custom fit and proper shoulder slope without requiring complex decreasing sequences. Once both pieces are completed, the shoulder seams are joined using the three-needle bind-off technique, a professional method that creates a strong, invisible seam while simultaneously binding off the live stitches from both pieces. Side seams are then attached using a panel construction method, which provides structural integrity and a polished finish.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch used throughout the Cavetto is stockinette stitch (abbreviated as St st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a distinctive V-shaped texture on the right side and horizontal bumps on the wrong side. This fundamental knitting stitch is ideal for showcasing the qualities of the yarn while maintaining an intermediate skill level. The pattern specifies working even in the established stitch pattern during armhole shaping, maintaining consistency throughout the garment.

Yarn and Materials

The Cavetto is designed to be knitted using Berroco Merino 401, a merino wool yarn available in 50-gram balls. The pattern calls for the colorway #11267 Gingerbread, which provides a warm, neutral tone. Yarn requirements range from 7 to 16 balls depending on the finished size selected. The pattern recommends using the specified yarn to ensure proper gauge and finished measurements, though substitutions may be possible with careful gauge matching.

Needles and Notions

Construction requires two sizes of knitting needles: size 3 (3.25 mm) needles for ribbing and edge work, and size 5 (3.75 mm) needles for the main stockinette stitch fabric. A 16-inch circular needle in size 3 is recommended for working small circumferences, such as necklines and armholes. Additional supplies include a spare size 5 needle for executing the three-needle bind-off, four removable stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, four additional stitch markers for general construction, a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, and waste yarn to temporarily hold stitches during construction.

Gauge and Blocking

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 25 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch using the larger size 5 needles. This gauge is measured after blocking, making the blocking step essential for achieving accurate finished measurements. Knitters are strongly encouraged to knit and block a gauge swatch before beginning the project to ensure their tension matches the pattern specifications and that the finished garment will fit as intended.