Plymouth Yarn N Vest Waistcoat Knitting Pattern

Plymouth Yarn N Vest

What Is Being Made

The Plymouth Yarn N Vest is a versatile shrug-style waistcoat designed for a comfortable, relaxed fit. This garment is constructed as a single knitted piece that is folded in half and seamed along the sides, creating a finished vest with open armholes. The design is available in three sizes with finished widths of 40, 46.5, and 53 inches, and a finished length of approximately 23.5 to 24 inches, making it suitable for layering over other garments.

Techniques Used

This vest is created using seamed construction and is worked flat on circular needles. The garment begins as a flat rectangular piece that is knitted from the bottom up, then folded in half lengthwise. The side seams are sewn together from the bottom up, with the armhole width left open to create the vest opening. This straightforward construction method makes the project accessible while producing a polished, finished garment.

Stitches Used

The Plymouth Yarn N Vest features a sophisticated ribbed stitch pattern that changes throughout the piece, creating visual interest and texture. The pattern begins with a K2, P2 rib (knit two, purl two) for the first 7.5 to 8 inches. This is followed by a transition row where stitches are decreased using K2tog and P2tog (knit two together and purl two together), reducing the stitch count by half. The piece then continues in a K1, P1 rib (knit one, purl one) for 16 inches, creating a narrower, more refined ribbed texture. The pattern then increases back to the original stitch count using M1 (make one) increases and purl in front and back of stitch techniques, effectively doubling the stitches. The vest concludes with a final section of K2, P2 rib for 7.5 to 8 inches before binding off loosely in pattern. This rhythmic progression of ribbed stitches creates a garment with excellent elasticity and a professional appearance.

Materials

The Plymouth Yarn N Vest is designed to be worked in Baby Alpaca Grande, a luxurious yarn that provides softness and drape. The yardage requirements are 4 hanks (100g each) for the smallest size, 5 hanks for the medium size, and 7 hanks for the largest size. The pattern calls for US 11 circular needles in either 24-inch or 32-inch lengths, allowing knitters to work the flat piece comfortably. The recommended gauge is 12 stitches over 4 inches in K2, P2 rib on US 11 needles or the size necessary to obtain the specified gauge, ensuring that finished measurements match the pattern specifications.