Classic Elite Yarns Barclay Vest Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Barclay Knit Vest

What Is Being Made

The Barclay is a cleverly constructed knit vest designed by Sandi Prosser, originally published in Highland Summer 1604. This garment functions as a versatile summery top that can be worn standalone or layered over a tee. The design features a distinctive construction method where the front and back pieces begin as separate halves before being joined at the top of a center slit, creating a modern silhouette with strategic shaping.

Design Features and Construction Method

The Barclay employs a bottom-up knitting approach, meaning pieces are worked from the lower edge upward. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, with pieces later seamed together during finishing. The construction includes a unique design element: triangular cut-outs are strategically placed at each side of the front and back pieces. When these pieces are seamed together, the cut-outs form diamond-shaped openings that serve as frames for decorative diamond inserts, which are sewn in place during the finishing process.

Techniques Used

This pattern incorporates several intermediate to advanced knitting techniques:

• Lace knitting: The garment features diagonal gauze rows of eyelets and diamond insets, worked from charted stitch patterns (Chart B and Chart C for the main body, Chart A for the diamond inserts). Lace patterns require careful attention to yarn overs and decreases to create the openwork design.
• Shaping with decreases: The triangular cut-outs are created through strategic bind-offs and paired decreases (such as ssk—slip, slip, knit) that maintain the integrity of the lace pattern. The pattern notes that if insufficient stitches remain to work a decrease with its companion yarn over, stockinette stitch is substituted.
• Circular needle construction for inserts: The diamond inserts are worked in the round using double-pointed needles (dpn), beginning with 8 stitches distributed across 4 needles and increasing to 168 stitches total through charted increases.
• Seaming and finishing: Pieces are joined using seaming techniques, and the diamond inserts are sewn into the cut-out openings during the finishing phase.

Stitches Used

The Barclay employs fundamental and decorative knit stitches:

• Stockinette stitch: Used as the base fabric and as a substitute when lace decreases cannot be paired with yarn overs.
• Garter stitch: The pattern begins with 4 rows of garter stitch (knit every row) at the lower edge for a finished edge.
• Yarn overs and decreases: Central to the lace pattern, these create the eyelet and diamond motifs. Specific decreases include ssk (slip, slip, knit).
• Charted lace patterns: The main body is worked from Chart B or Chart C, while the diamond inserts follow Chart A, allowing for complex stitch sequences to be worked systematically.

Materials and Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in the lace pattern from Chart B or Chart C, measured after blocking. Accurate gauge is essential for proper fit, particularly in lace patterns where stitch definition affects final dimensions. The pattern is designed to work with yarn suitable for lace knitting, though specific yarn fiber content and weight are not detailed in the provided excerpt. Needles required include straight needles for flat work and double-pointed needles for the circular diamond inserts.

Sizing and Skill Level

The Barclay is available in six sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, and 2XL. The pattern shown is in size S. This design is designated for experienced knitters due to the complexity of working lace patterns from charts, managing decreases within charted sequences, and executing the multi-step construction process involving separate pieces, strategic shaping, and finishing details.