Emma Waistcoat Knitting Pattern

Emma Waistcoat in Juniper Moon Farm Santa Cruz

What is Being Made

The Emma waistcoat is a classic knitted sleeveless garment designed by Ursula O'Connor as part of the Winter Breeze Collection. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a fitted waistcoat available in four sizes ranging from Small to X-Large, with finished bust measurements from 32/34 inches up to 38/40 inches. The waistcoat features a structured silhouette with defined armholes and a shaped back neck, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various styling occasions.

Techniques Used

This knitting pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate techniques to construct the waistcoat. Gauge swatching is essential, with the pattern requiring 17 stitches and 24 rows over a 4-inch square in Stockinette stitch using size US 8/5mm needles. The pattern uses two-needle sizing, beginning with smaller US 7/4.5mm needles for the ribbed cast-on edge and transitioning to larger US 8/5mm needles for the main body. Armhole shaping is achieved through strategic cast-offs and decreases, including K2tog (knit two together) reductions worked on both right-side and wrong-side rows. The pattern incorporates a specialized stitch called T2, which involves knitting into the front of the second stitch on the left-hand needle before knitting into the first stitch, creating a twisted effect. Back neck and shoulder shaping requires careful stitch management with additional cast-offs to create proper garment structure.

Stitches Used

The Emma waistcoat primarily utilizes Stockinette stitch, which creates the smooth, classic fabric that forms the main body of the garment. This stitch is achieved by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. The pattern also incorporates garter stitch, created by knitting every row, which appears in the initial four rows of the cast-on edge to provide a finished border. Ribbed texture is introduced through a pattern sequence combining knit and purl stitches (K1, P1 repeat), adding elasticity and visual interest to specific sections. The K2tog decrease is used extensively during armhole shaping and shoulder construction to create tapered, fitted edges. The specialized T2 stitch mentioned in the pattern glossary adds textural variation and is worked as part of the decorative patterning.

Materials

The Emma waistcoat is constructed using Juniper Moon Farm Santa Cruz yarn in color 104 Light Grey. The yarn quantity required depends on size selection: Small requires 3 hanks, Medium requires 4 hanks, Large requires 4 hanks, and X-Large requires 5 hanks, with each hank weighing 100 grams. Two pairs of knitting needles are necessary to complete this project: size US 7/4.5mm needles for the ribbed edge and cast-on, and size US 8/5mm needles for the main body construction. The pattern is provided as a downloadable PDF format, allowing crafters to reference instructions digitally or print them for convenient access while working.