Mirabelle Waistcoat Knitting Pattern

Mirabelle Waistcoat by Quail Studio

What is Being Made

Mirabelle is a top-down seamless waistcoat designed by Quail Studio for MODE at Rowan. This knitted garment is constructed using a seamless method, eliminating the need for seaming during finishing. The waistcoat is available in nine sizes, ranging from 71-76cm (28-30 inches) chest to 152-157cm (60-62 inches) chest, with actual garment chest measurements from 95cm (37½ inches) to 175cm (69 inches).

Knitting Techniques

This intermediate-level project employs several key knitting techniques:

• Top-down seamless construction: The garment is worked from the top downward in one continuous piece, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a professional finish
• Circular needle knitting: The pattern utilizes circular needles to accommodate the flat and in-the-round sections of the waistcoat
• Increases and shaping: Strategic increases using M1LK (make 1 left knit), M1RK (make 1 right knit), M1LP (make 1 left purl), and M1RP (make 1 right purl) techniques are used to shape the shoulder and body sections
• Stitch holders: The pattern uses stitch holders to manage stitches for different sections, particularly for the back shoulders and neckband
• Neckband and armband construction: Separate circular needles are used to pick up and work these finishing bands

Stitches Used

The Mirabelle waistcoat is primarily constructed using stockinette stitch (st st), which creates a smooth, classic fabric. The pattern incorporates strategic increases using specialized make-one stitches (M1LK, M1RK, M1LP, M1RP) to shape the garment while maintaining the integrity of the stockinette fabric.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern calls for two complementary yarns from the MODE at Rowan collection:

• Merino Soft in Blush 012: The primary yarn, available in 50-gram balls. Yardage requirements range from 7 balls for the smallest size (71-76cm chest) to 11 balls for the largest size (152-157cm chest)
• Alpaca Haze in Peony 017: A luxurious accent yarn, available in 25-gram balls. Requirements range from 3 balls for smaller sizes to 5 balls for larger sizes
• Pattern instructions: The two yarns are held together as one throughout the project, creating a blended fabric with the softness of merino and the elegance of alpaca

Needles and Tension

The Mirabelle waistcoat requires 6mm (US size 10) needles in multiple configurations:

• One pair of straight 6mm needles for initial cast-on
• 6mm circular needles measuring 80cm, 100cm, or 120cm (depending on size) for the main body sections
• 6mm circular needles measuring 40cm for the neckband and armband finishing

The pattern specifies a tension of 16 stitches and 22 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using 6mm needles while holding one strand each of Merino Soft and Alpaca Haze together. Achieving the correct tension is essential for proper garment fit across all nine sizes.

Additional Supplies

Beyond yarn and needles, the pattern requires stitch holders for managing sections during construction and stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points throughout the knitting process.