Plymouth Yarn Women's Sweater Vest Knitting Pattern

Plymouth Yarn Women's Sweater Vest Pattern No. 3408

Garment Overview

This downloadable knitting pattern creates a women's sweater vest designed to fit sizes S through XXL, with finished chest measurements ranging from 38" to 50". The vest features a curved hem and is worked using a bottom-up, seamed construction method on flat needles. The garment is designed with approximately 4" of positive ease at the chest for comfortable wear, with center front lengths varying from 23" to 26½" depending on size, while the back length is 1½" longer due to the curved hem shaping.

Materials and Gauge

This pattern calls for Mojito Merino 4 yarn in color 23 Copper, with yardage requirements of 4 to 6 balls of 50g each depending on the selected size. The recommended gauge is 16 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch and ribbing, achieved using US Size 8 (5mm) needles after blocking. Needles required include 16" and 32" circular needles—the longer circular is necessary to accommodate the large stitch count on the needle. Additional notions include 3 stitch holders, 2 stitch markers, and 1 button from Dill Buttons #373800 (25mm).

Construction Techniques

The vest is constructed using bottom-up seamed construction worked flat on circular needles. The pattern employs several advanced shaping techniques to create the fitted silhouette and curved hem.

• Short Row Shaping: The pattern utilizes short rows with wraps and turns (w&t) to create the curved hem at the lower edge. This technique involves slipping stitches with yarn in back, bringing yarn to front, returning the stitch to the left needle, and turning the work to create gradual shaping without visible holes.
• Ribbed Edging: A 1½" ribbed section worked in k2, p2 ribbing provides structure and elasticity at the lower edge of the vest.
• Increases for Shaping: The pattern incorporates paired increases (m1) worked every right-side row a total of 36 to 40 times depending on size, creating gradual increases from the ribbed hem to the full body width. These increases are positioned 2 stitches in from each edge (k2, m1, k to last 2 sts, m1, k2) to maintain selvage consistency.
• Stockinette Stitch Body: The main body is worked in stockinette stitch throughout after the ribbed hem section.

Stitch Techniques

The pattern employs essential knitting stitches and techniques including stockinette stitch for the main body fabric, 2x2 ribbing for the hem edging, and make-one increases (m1) for shaping. The pattern also features short-row shaping with wrapped stitches, a technique where wraps are worked together with their corresponding stitches when encountered during subsequent rows. Stitch markers are used to denote the center of the cast-on row and to separate front and back sections during construction.

Pattern Notes

The pattern is written for the smallest size with larger sizes indicated in parentheses throughout. When only one number appears without parentheses, that measurement or instruction applies to all sizes. The cast-on begins with 118 to 162 stitches depending on size, and after all increases are completed, the needle will hold 190 to 242 stitches, with 57 to 71 stitches designated for each front piece and the remaining stitches for the back.