Noro Moonlight Treasures Vest Knitting Pattern

Noro Moonlight Treasures Knit Vest

What is Being Made

The Noro Moonlight Treasures is a knitted vest designed by Jenny Watson. This garment is available in five sizes ranging from X Small (81/86 cm bust) to X Large (122/127 cm bust), with approximate full lengths varying from 41 cm in the smallest size to 50 cm in the largest. The vest features a fitted silhouette with structured shaping and is constructed using a classic knitting approach suitable for intermediate to advanced knitters.

Techniques Used

This vest is worked using a bottom-up construction method, meaning the knitter begins at the lower edge and works upward toward the shoulders. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, and pieces are subsequently seamed together to create the finished vest. This approach allows for precise shaping and control over fit throughout the garment.

The pattern incorporates several intermediate knitting techniques including increases and decreases for shaping, ribbed borders for structure and elasticity, and stocking stitch as the primary fabric. The front and back pieces are shaped using strategic increases worked on every third row in specific sections, creating a tailored fit through the body.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the Noro Moonlight Treasures vest is stocking stitch (stockinette stitch), which creates a smooth, classic fabric with a flat appearance on the right side. This is complemented by 1x1 ribbing used for the borders and edgings, which provides elasticity and a finished appearance to the armholes, neckline, and lower edge.

Shaping is achieved through increases (abbreviated as m1 for make one and m1p for make one purl) and decreases (rib2tog for ribbed decreases). The pattern also uses standard abbreviations including knit (k), purl (p), and slip one stitch (s1) for edge stitches that create neat selvages.

Materials

The Noro Moonlight Treasures vest is designed to be knitted with Noro Hakone yarn in Shade 4. The yardage requirements vary by size: X Small and Small sizes require 3 hanks of 100g, while Medium, Large, and X Large sizes require 4 hanks of 100g each. This yarn choice provides beautiful color variation and texture characteristic of Noro's signature blended fibers.

Two pairs of knitting needles are required for this project. The pattern calls for 6.5mm (US 10½) needles for the initial cast-on and ribbed sections, and 8mm (US 11) needles for the main body worked in stocking stitch. The pattern also requires stitch holders for holding stitches during construction.

Gauge and Tension

Achieving the correct tension is emphasized as essential for success with this pattern. The required gauge is 10 stitches and 14 rows to 10 centimeters (4 inches) over stocking stitch using 8mm (US 11) needles. Knitters should adjust needle sizes accordingly if their gauge does not match: use finer needles if obtaining more stitches and rows per 10 centimeters, or larger needles if obtaining fewer stitches and rows.