Gardiner Yarn Works Fremont Vest Knitting Pattern

Gardiner Yarn Works Fremont Vest

Project Overview

The Fremont Vest is an intermediate-level knitted garment designed by Chrissy Gardiner, featuring a distinctive lace-up front closure paired with waist and bust shaping. This vest combines decorative lace patterning on the back with a contrasting i-cord edging, making it a sophisticated layering piece suitable for various occasions.

What Is Being Made

This is a fitted knit vest available in five sizes ranging from extra-small to extra-large, with bust measurements from 26.5 inches to 43 inches and lengths from 18 to 22 inches. The garment features a lace-up front design, shaped waist and bust, and a lacy back panel that adds visual interest and breathability to the construction.

Techniques Used

• Bottom-Up Construction: The vest is worked from the bottom edge upward, allowing for easy adjustments to length during knitting
• Seamed Assembly: Pieces are knitted flat and then seamed together, providing clean, professional finishing
• Lace Patterning: Decorative lace is incorporated throughout the design, created using yarn overs and decreases to form openwork motifs
• Waist and Bust Shaping: Strategic increases and decreases create a fitted silhouette that follows body contours
• 3-Needle Bind-Off: An attached i-cord edging is applied using the 3-needle bind-off technique, creating a contrasting finished edge

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch used for gauge measurement and main fabric construction (20 stitches and 28 rows equals 4 inches)
• Lace Pattern: A repeating 4-row pattern worked over a multiple of 7 stitches plus 2, incorporating knit stitches, yarn overs (YO), knit 2 together (k2tog), and slip-slip-knit decreases (SSK) to create openwork designs
• Garter Stitch: Used in the initial rows (rows 2-4 of the back piece) for edge definition before lace patterning begins
• I-Cord: Applied as a contrasting edging using double-pointed needles

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Fremont Vest is designed to be worked in worsted-weight yarn, with yardage requirements varying by size. Smaller sizes (XS, S, and M) require approximately 360 yards each of both main color and contrasting color yarn, while larger sizes (L and XL) require approximately 480 yards each. The sample garment shown uses Berroco Suede yarn in Rawhide for the main color and Tobacco for the contrasting color and edging.

Needles and Tools

• Size 6 (4mm) needles: Used for the main knitting or sized to obtain the required gauge
• Size 9 (5.5mm) double-pointed needles: Used for the i-cord bind-off edging
• Stitch holders or waste yarn: For holding stitches during assembly
• Yarn needle: For seaming pieces together and weaving in ends
• Stitch markers: Two markers used to track pattern repeats and shaping sections

Design Features

The Fremont Vest showcases lace-up front closure styling, which adds both functional and decorative elements to the design. The lacy back panel provides visual texture and allows for breathability, while the contrasting i-cord edging frames the entire garment and creates a polished finish. Waist and bust shaping ensure a tailored fit that flatters various body types across the size range.