Felix Vest Jumper Knitting Pattern

Felix Vest in Berroco Vintage

What is Being Made

The Felix Vest is a children's sleeveless knitted garment designed by the Berroco Design Team. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a fitted vest available in six children's sizes, ranging from size 2 through size 12. The finished vest features chest measurements from 25 inches (size 2) to 30 inches (size 12), with corresponding length measurements between 16 and 20 inches depending on the selected size.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques suitable for knitters with some experience. The construction begins with ribbing, which provides elasticity and structure to the garment edges. The pattern utilizes color work with three distinct yarn colors that are carried across the back of the work to create visual interest while maintaining fabric integrity. A key technique highlighted in the instructions is color changing, where new colors are picked up from underneath existing yarns to prevent holes in the finished fabric. The pattern also incorporates armhole shaping and neck shaping, which require binding off stitches and decreasing stitches at strategic points to create proper garment fit. The vest is constructed using two-sided simultaneous knitting at the neck opening, where both sides of the neckline are worked at once using separate yarn hanks.

Stitches Used

The Felix Vest relies on classic knitting stitches that form the foundation of this intermediate project. Stockinette stitch (abbreviated as St st) serves as the primary fabric stitch, creating a smooth, traditional knitted surface. Ribbing in a knit 2, purl 2 pattern (k2, p2) is used for the cuff and edge treatments, providing stretch and a finished appearance. The pattern also incorporates binding off to secure stitches at armholes and neckline edges, and decreasing stitches to shape the garment at the armholes and neck openings.

Materials and Tools

The Felix Vest pattern calls for Berroco Vintage yarn, a worsted-weight option available in three coordinating colorways: #5175 Fennel (Color A), #5125 Aquae (Color B), and #51191 Blue Moon (Color C). Knitters will need 2 hanks each of these three colors for any size, totaling 6 hanks (600 grams) of yarn for the complete project. The pattern requires straight knitting needles in sizes 5 (3.75 mm) and 7 (4.50 mm), allowing knitters to adjust needle size as needed to achieve the correct gauge. Additionally, a 16-inch circular knitting needle in size 5 (3.75 mm) is necessary for working the neckline. Supporting tools include 3 stitch markers to indicate pattern sections and shaping points, and 1 stitch holder for temporarily securing stitches at the neckline during construction.

Gauge and Finishing Details

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this project. The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 27 rows per 4 inches when working stockinette stitch on the larger (size 7) needles. The instructions emphasize the importance of checking gauge before beginning to ensure accurate finished measurements. The pattern includes helpful construction notes, such as carrying yarn not in use loosely across the back of the work and twisting yarns together every 3 stitches to prevent long loops that could snag or create loose areas in the finished garment.