Lana Grossa Vest Waistcoat Knitting Pattern

Lana Grossa Vest in Linea Pura Solo Lino

What is Being Made

This is a classic knitted vest (waistcoat) designed as Design 24 from the Classici 20 collection by Lana Grossa. The vest features a tailored fit with shaped armholes and a fitted neckline, available in three sizes: 36, 38/40, and 42. The finished garment is constructed with a structured silhouette suitable for layering or wearing as a standalone piece.

Construction Techniques

The Lana Grossa Vest in Linea Pura Solo Lino is worked using a bottom-up construction method, meaning pieces are knitted from the cast-on edge upward toward the shoulders. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for seamed assembly of individual pieces. This approach provides greater control over shaping and finishing details.

The vest employs full-fashion decreasing techniques for professional shaping, particularly visible in the armhole and neckline shaping. These decreases are worked one stitch in from the selvage edge, creating a refined, tailored appearance. The pieces are subsequently seamed together to create the finished garment, with careful attention to matching pattern repeats at seams.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The design utilizes two primary stitch patterns:

• Rib Pattern: A classic multiple of 2 + 1 (plus 2 selvage stitches) worked in alternating knit and purl stitches. The rib is worked through the twisted stitch method (k1tbl and p1tbl), creating a more refined, elastic edge. This pattern provides structure and recovery to the finished fabric.
• Main Pattern: A charted stitch pattern worked over a multiple of 5 + 2 stitches. The pattern is followed row-by-row according to a provided chart, with row numbers indicated on both right edges (for right-side rows) and left edges (for wrong-side rows). This charted pattern creates the visual interest and texture across the body of the vest.

Throughout construction, slip stitch selvages are maintained on all pieces. These selvage stitches are worked by knitting every row on the selvage stitch itself, creating a neat, finished edge that facilitates seaming and provides a professional appearance to the garment.

Materials and Tools

The Lana Grossa Vest in Linea Pura Solo Lino is knitted using Lana Grossa Solo Lino yarn, a blend of 80% recycled linen (viscose) and 20% linen. This fiber composition creates a lightweight, breathable fabric with natural drape, making it ideal for a summer vest. The yarn is supplied at 120 meters per 50 grams, with yardage requirements of 350 grams (for size 36) or 400 grams (for sizes 38/40 and 42), equating to approximately 840–960 meters of yarn depending on size. The recommended color is Beige (col 21).

Needles and notions required include size 3.5 mm straight needles for the main body pieces, size 3 mm circular needles (80 cm long) for finishing, and a size 3 mm crochet hook for any edge finishing. The vest is completed with five 20 mm buttons by UNION KNOPF (item 453037, col 78), which are integrated into the front closure.

Sizing and Finished Dimensions

The pattern provides instructions for three sizes with specific stitch counts and measurements. The back piece measures 52–54 cm in length from cast-on to bind-off (measured unstretched), depending on size. Neck shaping begins at 35–37 cm from the cast-on edge. The armhole shaping is worked symmetrically on both front and back pieces, with full-fashion decreases creating a professional, contoured fit at the shoulders.