Jojoland Rings Around Rosie Waistcoat Knitting Pattern

Jojoland Rings Around Rosie Knit Waistcoat

What Is Being Made

The Rings Around Rosie is a stylish knit waistcoat (vest) constructed from two identical circles worked in the round and seamed together. This innovative design creates a garment that is visually interesting from both the front and back, offering versatile styling options. The vest can be worn open or closed with a pin, with the option to turn the edge back to form a collar or wear it flat. The design accommodates multiple colorwork approaches, including solid colors, self-striping yarns, or contrasting color combinations.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs circular knitting and seaming techniques to create its distinctive silhouette. The two circular pieces are worked in the round on circular needles, eliminating the need for traditional flat construction. The circles are then seamed together using a tapestry needle, with the designer specifying weaving from the right side to ensure ribbed stitches line up properly for a smooth appearance. The seaming joins the two circles for 12 inches to form the center back of the garment. Additional finishing includes crochet edging worked around each armhole opening using a crochet hook.

Stitches Used

• Ribbing patterns: The pattern progresses through three different ribbing variations. Pattern #1 uses K3, P3 ribbing, Pattern #2 transitions to K2, P2 ribbing, and Pattern #3 uses K1, P1 ribbing for the final row before binding off.
• Decreases: Strategic decreases shape the circular pieces. The first decrease row uses K2tog and P2tog stitches worked within the ribbing pattern, followed by a second decrease row of alternating K2tog and P2tog combinations.
• Stockinette stitch: The gauge is measured in stockinette stitch at 4.5 stitches per 1 inch.
• Single crochet edging: A single crochet edge is worked around each armhole opening, with stitches worked in groups of three followed by skipped stitches to create the finished edge.

Materials and Specifications

This pattern is available in three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large. Yarn weight is DK or worsted weight, with yardage requirements of 610 yards for Small, 660 yards for Medium, and 710 yards for Large. The pattern is shown worked in Jojoland's Tonic and Jojoland Rhythm Superwash in color RS37, displayed on a size medium with a chest measurement of 40 inches.

Needles and tools required include a size #8 circular needle measuring 29 inches, a size G crochet hook for the armhole edging, a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving, and stitch markers. The gauge is 4.5 stitches equals 1 inch when measured in stockinette stitch, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.

The pattern begins with cast-on counts of 324 stitches for Small, 336 stitches for Medium, and 342 stitches for Large, worked on the circular needle and joined in the round. The construction progresses through multiple ribbed sections with strategic decreases that shape the circular pieces before binding off loosely in pattern.