Filatura Di Crosa Taormina Circle Vest Knitting Pattern

Filatura Di Crosa Taormina Circle Vest

Garment Overview

The Taormina Circle Vest is a seamless, top-down knitted vest designed by Irina Poludnenko. This garment features elegant lace patterning and is constructed using circular knitting techniques to create a cohesive, finished piece without seams. The vest is available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X, with cross back measurements from 15½ inches (39.5cm) to 19 inches (48.5cm) and lengths from 22½ inches (57cm) to 27¾ inches (70.5cm).

Techniques Used

This pattern employs seamless construction throughout, utilizing circular needles to work in the round. The vest incorporates lace knitting as a primary design element, creating an open, decorative fabric pattern. The garment uses a cable cast-on method to establish the initial stitches, and finishes with a picot bind-off for a decorative edge. The construction progresses from smaller to larger circular needles as stitches increase, a common technique for managing stitch counts in seamless garments.

Stitches and Pattern Details

The Taormina Circle Vest is worked primarily in stockinette stitch as the base fabric, with lace pattern sections creating the visual interest. The pattern includes K3tog (knit 3 together) decreases to shape the lace motifs. The garment is divided into sections, with stitch counts increasing from 264 total stitches (33 stitches per section) in the smallest size to 464 total stitches (58 stitches per section) in the largest size. The lace pattern is worked over 18 rounds in the initial phase, then continues for 30 to 38 additional rounds depending on size.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Taormina Circle Vest is designed to be knitted with Filatura Di Crosa TEMPO, a blend yarn composed of 51% cotton, 37% acrylic, and 12% nylon. Each ball weighs 1.75 ounces (50g) and provides 115 yards (105 meters) of yardage. The pattern calls for 3 balls in color #03 sunset (A) for all sizes, and 3 to 4 balls in color #37 hot tropics (B) depending on the size selected. This yarn composition provides a breathable, durable fabric suitable for a lightweight vest.

Needles Required

The pattern utilizes multiple needle sizes to accommodate the increasing stitch counts as the garment grows:

• Set of size 5 (3.75mm) double-pointed needles (dpns) for the initial cast-on and setup rounds
• Size 5 (3.75mm) circular needle, 16 inches (40cm) long for early rounds
• Size 6 (4mm) circular needle, 24 inches (60cm) long for the first lace pattern section
• Size 7 (4.5mm) circular needle, 40 inches (100cm) long for the expanded lace pattern section

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 24 rounds equals 4 inches (10cm) in stockinette stitch using the smallest needles. Checking gauge is emphasized as essential before beginning the project. After completion, the finished vest is blocked to the specified measurements and all yarn ends are woven in for a polished appearance.

Construction Method

The vest is constructed seamlessly from the top down using circular needles. After the cable cast-on and initial stockinette rounds, the garment transitions into the lace pattern sections. The design incorporates stitch markers to help track pattern repeats across the multiple sections. The picot bind-off creates a decorative finished edge that complements the lace pattern throughout the garment.