Plymouth Yarn Women's Long Vest Waistcoat Knitting Pattern

Plymouth Yarn Women's Long Vest

What Is Being Made

This downloadable knitting pattern (Pattern No. 3433) features a women's long vest designed to be worked in Baby Alpaca Worsted yarn. The vest is available in five sizes ranging from Small to XXL, with finished chest measurements of 34", 38", 42", 46", and 50" respectively, and lengths varying from 25" to 27" depending on size. The garment combines textured cable patterns with ribbed details to create a sophisticated, layered piece suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

This vest is constructed using several key knitting techniques that add visual interest and structure to the finished garment:

• Seamed construction: The pattern pieces are knitted separately and then sewn together, allowing for precise shaping and professional finishing.
• Worked flat: Most of the vest is created using flat knitting on straight needles, which simplifies pattern work and cable placement.
• Worked in the round: Select sections, such as ribbed edges and collar details, are worked circularly using double-pointed needles for seamless finishing.
• Cable techniques: The vest features two distinct cable stitch patterns—a hem cable pattern and a shawl collar cable pattern—that create dimensional texture and visual depth throughout the design.

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates a variety of fundamental and advanced stitches to achieve its textured appearance:

• Stockinette stitch (st st): The primary background stitch providing smooth, classic fabric.
• 2x2 ribbing: Used for edges and cuffs to create elasticity and a polished finish.
• Hem Cable Pattern (multiple of 16 stitches plus 8): An eight-row repeat featuring cable crosses (C2B and C2F abbreviations indicate cable 2 back and cable 2 front) combined with knit and purl stitches. This pattern creates a complex, interlocking cable design with make-one increases (m1p) that add subtle shaping. The pattern alternates between cable rows and textured knit-purl combinations to build dimensional interest along the hem.
• Shawl Collar Cable Pattern (multiple of 17 stitches plus 14): A sophisticated cable pattern specifically designed for the collar area, featuring cable crosses worked over knit stitches with purl stitch separation. This pattern creates a refined frame for the neckline.
• Cable crosses: The pattern uses standard cable needle techniques, slipping stitches to a cable needle and holding them to the back or front before knitting, creating the characteristic twisted rope effect of cables.

Materials and Tools

The vest requires specific materials and tools to achieve the correct gauge and finished appearance:

• Yarn: Baby Alpaca Worsted in color 108 burgundy. Yardage requirements vary by size: 7 skeins (700g) for sizes Small and Medium, 8 skeins (800g) for Large, and 9 skeins (900g) for Extra Large and XXL.
• Needles: US Size 6 and US Size 7 straight knitting needles for flat work, plus US Size 6 double-pointed needles for in-the-round sections.
• Notions: Stitch markers to track pattern repeats and shaping, and stitch holders to secure stitches temporarily during construction.

Gauge Information

Achieving correct gauge is essential for proper fit. The pattern specifies different gauges for different stitch patterns:

• Stockinette stitch on US Size 7 needles: 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches
• 2x2 ribbing on US Size 6 needles: 24 stitches over 4 inches
• Hem cable pattern on US Size 7 needles: 24 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches
• Shawl collar cable pattern on US Size 7 needles: 24 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches

The pattern is written for the smallest size (Small) with larger sizes indicated in parentheses throughout. When only one number appears without parentheses, that instruction applies to all sizes, simplifying the knitting process.