Noro Moss Stitch Waistcoat (Akita 2) Vest Knitting Pattern

Noro Moss Stitch Waistcoat (Akita 2)

What Is Being Made

The Noro Moss Stitch Waistcoat (Akita 2) is a knitted sleeveless vest designed to fit bust sizes 34-38 inches. This garment features a classic waistcoat silhouette with finished measurements of 22 inches width across the back and approximately 22 inches in length. The waistcoat is constructed using a bottom-up, seamed approach worked flat on needles, making it an accessible project for knitters seeking a structured, tailored piece.

Techniques Used

This waistcoat employs several fundamental knitting techniques to achieve its finished form:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is worked from the lower edge upward, allowing knitters to try on and adjust length as needed
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted on straight needles rather than in the round, then seamed together for a polished finish
• Seamed assembly: Individual pieces are joined together after completion, creating clean, professional seams
• Decreasing: Strategic decreases (working 2 stitches together) are used to shape the waistcoat, particularly along the side pieces and armholes, creating a fitted silhouette
• Picking up stitches: New stitches are picked up along edges of completed pieces to create additional sections, a technique that allows for seamless transitions between garment components

Stitches Used

Moss stitch is the primary stitch pattern throughout this waistcoat. Moss stitch is a classic textured pattern created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a specific sequence: knit one stitch, purl one stitch across the row, then reversing this pattern on the following row (knitting the purl stitches and purling the knit stitches). This creates a bumpy, woven appearance that is reversible and lies relatively flat. The pattern is established over just two rows, making it straightforward to maintain throughout the project. The repetitive nature of moss stitch provides both visual interest and structural integrity to the finished waistcoat.

Materials

This pattern requires 240 grams of Noro Janome yarn (shade 8 is shown in the example). A pair of 4mm (US 6) needles is used throughout the construction. The gauge is established at 20 stitches and 30 rows over a 4-inch square measured in moss stitch pattern using 4mm needles, which is essential information for achieving the correct finished measurements and fit.