Flo Vest Knitting Pattern

Flo Vest in Berroco Bestie

What Is Being Made

The Flo Vest is a sleeveless knitted garment designed by Mel Kennelly. This easy-level vest features a classic construction method, with the body worked seamlessly in the round from the bottom up before being divided to work the back and front pieces flat. The finished vest is available in nine sizes, ranging from 36 inches to 72 inches in bust measurement, with corresponding length options from 13 inches to 19 inches. The vest shown in the pattern is displayed in the 40-inch size.

Techniques Used

This beginner-friendly vest employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for knitters developing their skills. The construction begins with casting on stitches using larger needles and joining to work in the round, a technique that creates a seamless tube. The pattern uses decreases worked on right-side rows to shape the armholes, employing the SSK (slip, slip, knit) and k2tog (knit two together) decreases positioned symmetrically at the edges. After the armhole shaping is complete, the body is divided and the back and front sections are worked flat on circular needles, allowing for traditional row-by-row construction. Blocking after completion is recommended to ensure accurate finished measurements and proper gauge.

Stitches Used

The Flo Vest is constructed primarily in stockinette stitch (St st), which creates the classic smooth, V-textured fabric characteristic of most knitted garments. Shaping is achieved through decreases—specifically SSK (slip, slip, knit) and k2tog (knit two together) decreases—which are worked on right-side rows to create the armhole shaping. The pattern includes provisions for holding stitches with waste yarn during the construction process, a technique that allows sections to be set aside temporarily and later grafted or bound off as needed.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

This vest is designed to be made with Berroco Bestie yarn, a yarn weight that requires 50 grams per ball. The yardage needed varies by size, ranging from 4 balls for the smallest size (36 inches) to 12 balls for the largest size (72 inches). The colorway shown in the pattern is #10519 Cat & Mouse.

The pattern calls for two different circular needle sizes to accommodate the different gauges needed for the body and ribbing sections. A 32-inch circular needle in size 11 (8 mm) is used for the main body cast-on and construction, while a 16-inch circular needle in size 10½ (6.5 mm) is used for sections requiring a tighter gauge. The recommended gauge is 9 stitches and 14 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, measured after blocking. Additional notions include a stitch marker to denote the beginning of the round, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and waste yarn for temporarily holding stitches during construction.

Fit and Sizing

The Flo Vest is designed with 2 to 4 inches of positive ease, meaning the finished bust measurement is intended to be slightly larger than the wearer's actual bust measurement for comfortable wear. This ease allowance is typical for vest garments and provides room for layering and movement without the garment feeling tight.