Plymouth Yarn Man's Cable Rib Vest Knitting Pattern

Plymouth Yarn Man's Cable Rib Vest

What Is Being Made

This is a classic men's sleeveless waistcoat featuring a sophisticated cable rib pattern throughout the body. Pattern No. 3334 from Plymouth Yarn, the vest is designed to fit men's sizes Small through Extra Large, with finished chest measurements ranging from 40 inches to 52 inches and lengths between 27 and 28½ inches. The garment is constructed as a single piece until the armholes are divided, creating a refined, tailored silhouette suitable for layering over dress shirts or casual wear.

Techniques Used

This vest employs seamless construction worked flat, meaning the entire piece is knitted on flat needles in one continuous section rather than in the round, eliminating the need for seaming after completion. The pattern begins with a ribbed edge and transitions into the cable pattern setup, with strategic shaping at the armholes. The design includes seven button closures spaced 2½ inches apart along the front opening, with buttonholes worked on wrong-side rows using a simple bind-off and cast-on method. The front and back pieces are divided at the armhole and worked separately to completion, creating clean, professional finishing.

Stitches Used

The vest features multiple stitch techniques working together to create visual interest and structure. The foundation includes stockinette stitch (abbreviated st st), which provides a smooth, classic background. The primary design element is a cable pattern on a multiple of 7 stitches plus 2, which repeats over just 2 rows. This cable pattern alternates between a right-side row featuring C2F (cable 2 front) and C2B (cable 2 back) crossings with single knit stitches between them, and a wrong-side row of purled stitches. The cable abbreviations indicate: C2B means slipping 1 stitch to a cable needle and holding it to the back, knitting 1 stitch, then knitting 1 stitch from the cable needle; C2F reverses this process by holding the cable needle to the front. A 2x2 rib pattern frames the cable design at the edges and creates the initial ribbed cuff, alternating knit and purl stitches to provide elasticity and a finished appearance.

Materials and Tools

The vest is knitted using Plymouth Yarn's Davila yarn in color 33 Pine Green. Yardage requirements are 9 skeins (50g each) for sizes Small and Medium, 11 skeins for Large, and 12 skeins for Extra Large. Knitting needles required include US Size 7 long circular needles for the main body, a cable needle for executing the cable crossings, stitch holders to secure stitches during armhole division, and a 24-inch US Size 7 circular needle for working the armhole ribbing. The pattern calls for seven buttons to complete the front closure. The gauge is critical for proper fit: 5 stitches and 7 rows equal 1 inch in stockinette stitch, while the cable pattern gauges at 5.75 stitches per inch on Size 7 needles, reflecting the tighter gauge created by the cable crossings.