Juniper Moon Farm Rupert Vest Knitting Pattern

Juniper Moon Farm Rupert Vest

What Is Being Made

The Rupert vest is a sleeveless knitted garment designed by Pamela Wynne as part of the Stria Collection. This sweater vest features a distinctive graphic herringbone pattern created across the front and back panels. The vest is available in seven sizes ranging from XS to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 30½ inches (77.5 cm) to 55½ inches (141.5 cm) and length measurements from 23 inches (58.5 cm) to 27½ inches (70 cm). The design includes a V-neckline with structured shaping and finished edges using ribbing.

Techniques Used

Mosaic Knitting is the primary technique employed in the Rupert vest. Mosaic knitting is a color-work method that creates complex geometric patterns while using only one color per row, simplifying the knitting process compared to traditional stranded colorwork. This technique allows the knitter to produce the striking herringbone pattern without managing multiple colors simultaneously within a single row. The mosaic approach makes this vest accessible to knitters who may be intimidated by more complex colorwork methods.

The construction includes ribbed edging worked on smaller needles to create neat, elastic finishes at the neckline, armholes, and hem. The V-neckline features decreasing at regular intervals to shape the neck opening, with decreases occurring every 4 rows for a portion of the shaping and then every 6 rows to taper the neckline gradually. Tubular or flexible cast-on is recommended for the initial stitches to create a professional, stretchy edge.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): Likely used for the main body of the vest to provide a smooth, flat surface that showcases the mosaic color pattern
• Ribbing (K1, P1): Used for the edgings, including the neckline, armholes, and hem to create elastic, finished borders
• Mosaic Stitch Pattern: The signature stitch for the herringbone graphic, worked at a gauge of 21 stitches and 34 rows per 4 inches (10 cm)
• Decreases (ssk and k2tog): Used for shaping the V-neckline and armholes
• Make One Increases (m1L and m1R): Used for any shaping increases needed in the construction

Materials

The Rupert vest is designed to be knitted with Juniper Moon Farm Neve yarn. The pattern requires two colors: the main color (MC) is Neve in color #17 Sirius, with quantities ranging from 2 to 5 hanks depending on size, and the contrast color (CC) is Neve in color #09 Smoke, requiring 2 to 3 hanks based on the chosen size.

Needles required: US 8 (5 mm) needles serve as the main needles for working the body of the vest. US 7 (4.5 mm) needles and double-pointed needles (one size smaller than the main needles) are used for ribbed edgings and finishing details. The pattern recommends selecting the needle size that achieves the specified gauge of 21 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in the mosaic stitch pattern.

Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, 4 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and waste yarn for holding stitches during construction.