Ladies V-Neck Vest Waistcoat Knitting Pattern

Ladies V-Neck Vest Waistcoat Knitting Pattern by Plymouth Yarn

Project Overview

This Ladies V-Neck Vest Waistcoat is a classic knitted garment designed by Plymouth Yarn as pattern F172. The vest features a timeless V-neckline and is constructed as a sleeveless waistcoat suitable for layering. The pattern is available as a free downloadable PDF with the purchase of yarn, making it an accessible project for knitters seeking a structured, professional-looking piece.

What Is Being Made

The pattern creates a fitted ladies' vest waistcoat with a V-neckline, button front closure, and garter stitch edging. The garment is offered in three sizes with finished bust measurements of 40, 44, and 48 inches, and lengths ranging from 20½ to 22½ inches. The vest is designed to be worn as a layering piece over shirts and sweaters, providing both warmth and a polished, tailored appearance.

Construction Technique

The vest is worked in one piece from the bottom up to the armholes, which streamlines the construction process and minimizes seaming. The knitter begins by casting on stitches with smaller needles, works a garter stitch border, then switches to larger needles to establish the main fabric. The piece is worked flat in rows, with deliberate shaping created through strategic decreases at the armholes and neck areas. The front and back are divided at the armhole level, then worked separately to create the V-neckline shaping.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns Used

• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary stitch pattern forming the main body fabric, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side.
• Garter Stitch: Used for the borders and edging, created by knitting every row. This provides a textured, reversible edge that frames the neckline and front opening.
• Knit (K): The fundamental stitch used throughout the pattern.
• Purl (P): Used in combination with knit stitches to create the stockinette fabric.
• Yarn Over (YO): Creates decorative buttonholes spaced evenly down the front of the vest. Buttonholes are made every 3½ inches, totaling four buttonholes for the button closure.
• Knit 2 Together (K2TOG): A right-leaning decrease used to shape the armholes and create the V-neckline. This decrease is paired with yarn overs to form the buttonholes.
• Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK): A left-leaning decrease stitch included in the pattern abbreviations for additional shaping options.

Materials and Yarn

The pattern calls for Encore Worsted yarn by Plymouth Yarn in color number 9625. The yardage requirements vary by size: 3 balls of 100g each are needed for the smallest size (40 inches), while the larger sizes require 4 balls of 100g each. Encore Worsted is a durable, easy-care worsted weight yarn suitable for everyday wear garments.

Needles and Notions

The pattern requires two sizes of needles to achieve proper gauge and fabric texture. Size 6 needles are used for the initial cast-on and garter stitch border, while Size 7 needles are used for the main stockinette stitch body. Both needles should be 24-inch circular needles or those needed to achieve the specified gauge. Additionally, four buttons are required to complete the front closure of the vest.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on Size 7 needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit, as the vest is sized to finished bust measurements of 40, 44, and 48 inches. The pattern provides three complete size options throughout, allowing knitters to select the appropriate dimensions for their intended wearer.

Pattern Structure and Shaping

The vest construction begins with a cast-on of 207, 227, or 247 stitches depending on size. After working the garter stitch border with integrated buttonholes, the knitter transitions to stockinette stitch with garter stitch selvages maintained on both sides. The pattern includes strategic decreases at the armholes to create a fitted silhouette, and the front sections are shaped to form the characteristic V-neckline