Noro Cabled Waistcoat (Hanami) Vest Knitting Pattern

Noro Cabled Waistcoat

Project Overview

The Noro Cabled Waistcoat is a sophisticated knitted vest designed to fit bust sizes 34-38 inches (86-96 centimeters). This garment features an elegant cable pattern worked throughout and is constructed using a bottom-up, seamed approach on flat needles. The finished waistcoat measures 38 inches (96 centimeters) in width and 20 inches (51 centimeters) in length, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions.

What Is Being Made

This is a sleeveless waistcoat (vest) constructed with a structured fit and decorative cable detailing. The garment includes a back panel and front panels that are worked separately and then seamed together. The design incorporates armhole shaping and shoulder shaping to create a tailored silhouette. Button bands are added to the front edges using a crochet hook, with provisions for six buttons to close the waistcoat.

Techniques Used

• Bottom-up construction: The waistcoat is knitted from the bottom edge upward, beginning with a ribbed cuff at the lower edge
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted back and forth on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for seaming at side and shoulder seams
• Cable work: A repeating 12-row cable pattern forms the primary stitch pattern throughout the garment body
• Seamed assembly: Individual pieces are knitted separately and then sewn together to create the finished waistcoat
• Armhole shaping: Stitches are cast off at the armhole edges and decreases are worked to create fitted arm openings
• Shoulder shaping: Graduated cast-offs and decreases at the shoulder edges create proper garment fit
• Crochet finishing: A crochet hook is used to add button bands and closures to the front edges

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K): The fundamental stitch used throughout the garment
• Purl stitch (P): Used in combination with knit stitches to create texture and pattern definition
• Ribbing: A K1, P1 alternating rib pattern is worked at the lower edge to create elasticity and a finished appearance
• Cable stitch (C3F): A three-stitch cable crossed to the front, created by slipping stitches onto a cable needle, holding them at the front of the work, knitting the next two stitches from the left-hand needle, then knitting the stitch from the cable needle. This cable is worked at intervals throughout the 12-row pattern repeat
• Decreases (dec): Single stitch decreases are worked at armhole and shoulder edges to shape the garment
• Cast-offs: Stitches are bound off at armholes and shoulders to finish edges and create garment shaping
• Single crochet (sc) and double crochet (dc): Used for the button band and closure finishing

Materials

The Noro Cabled Waistcoat is knitted using 210 grams of Noro Mirai yarn in shade 9. Noro Mirai is a premium yarn known for its beautiful color variations and quality construction. The project requires one pair of 4mm (US size 6) knitting needles for the main knitting, and a 2.75mm (US C-2) crochet hook for finishing the button bands and front closures. Six buttons are required to complete the waistcoat closure.

Gauge and Tension

The recommended tension for this project is 21 stitches by 26 rows over a 10-centimeter (4-inch) square, measured over the cable pattern using 4mm needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the waistcoat to fit properly at the specified bust measurement of 34-38 inches (86-96 centimeters).

Pattern Structure

The cable pattern is worked over a 12-row repeat. The pattern alternates between cable rows featuring the C3F cable cross and intermediate rows that maintain stitch definition. The pattern repeat is worked across the width of the garment, with 12 complete