Jo Sharp Amy Vest Knitting Pattern

Jo Sharp Amy Vest

What is Being Made

The Jo Sharp Amy Vest is a women's knitted vest available in two distinct design versions. This sleeveless garment is worked flat and seamed, making it suitable for beginner knitters. The vest features a fitted silhouette with shaped armholes and a crew neckline, offering a classic layering piece that can be worn over long-sleeved shirts or as a standalone garment in warmer months.

Design Versions

Version 1 features embroidered embellishment to create a plaid effect across the front of the vest. Using a length of yarn and a darning needle, crafters stitch the plaid pattern onto the completed front piece following the provided illustration.

Version 2 is embellished with knitted patched diamonds and stitching to create an argyle effect. This version requires making three separate diamond motifs that are then applied to the vest front using stitching techniques.

Techniques Used

The Amy Vest employs several fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for beginner-level crafters. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, meaning front and back pieces are knitted separately and later seamed together. This approach simplifies construction and makes it easier to manage shaping.

Key shaping techniques include casting off stitches at the beginning of rows to create armhole depth, and decreasing stitches at each end of alternating rows to shape the armholes and neckline. The vest also incorporates increasing stitches during the diamond motif construction in Version 2.

Stitches Used

• Knit 2, Purl 2 Rib (k2, p2 rib) – Used for the welts at the armholes and neckline, creating an elastic, textured edge that provides structure and prevents curling
• Stockinette Stitch (St st) – The main stitch used for the body of the vest, creating a smooth, flat fabric with a recognizable V-pattern on the right side

Materials

The Amy Vest is knitted using Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed yarn in an aran weight. This yarn choice provides a durable, textured fabric suitable for a structured vest.

Version 1 requires Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed in the following quantities and colors: 5–7 balls of color 116 Ivy (main colour), 1 ball of color 115 Wintergrass, and 1 ball of color 113 Russet. An alternative colour conversion suggestion offers color 125 Tartan as the main colour with colors 126 Highland and 120 Ash for cross-hatching the plaid pattern.

Version 2 requires 5–7 balls of color 117 Potpourri (main colour), 1 ball of color 118 Dusk, and 1 ball of color 120 Ash. An alternative colour conversion suggestion uses color 147 Peru as the main colour with colors 118 Dusk and 120 Ash for the diamond motifs.

The vest is knitted using 4.50mm needles for the ribbed welts and 5.00mm needles for the main body in stockinette stitch. Circular needles in 4.50mm size are used to pick up stitches around the armholes for the sleeve bands. A darning needle is required for embroidery work in Version 1 and for stitching applied elements in Version 2.

Size Range

The Amy Vest is available in four sizes (A, B, C, and D), accommodating different bust measurements and lengths. The pattern provides specific stitch counts and row measurements for each size, allowing for customization to achieve the desired fit.