Rowan Tellin Vest Slipover Knitting Pattern

Rowan Tellin Vest by Chloe Thurlow

What Is Being Made

The Tellin Vest is a knitted slipover garment designed as an intermediate-level project. This vest features a distinctive V-panel detail on the front, created using the intarsia technique with contrasting yarn colors. The garment is sized to fit bust measurements ranging from 71-76 cm (28-30 inches) through 152-157 cm (60-62 inches), with actual finished bust measurements from 96.5 cm (38 inches) to 178 cm (70 inches), making it suitable for a wide range of body sizes.

Techniques Used

The Tellin Vest employs several key knitting techniques appropriate for an intermediate skill level. Intarsia is the primary colorwork method, used to create the contrasting V-panel on the front of the vest. This technique involves joining different colored yarns at specific points and carrying them separately rather than stranding them across the back of the work. The garment also incorporates ribbed stitch patterns throughout, which provide structure and elasticity. Shaping techniques are used extensively, including decreases at the neck edge and cast-offs at the shoulders to create the armhole and neckline. The construction involves working the back and front pieces separately, then joining them, with additional shaping for the back neck and shoulders.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the Tellin Vest is ribbed stitch, which creates vertical lines of texture and helps the garment maintain its shape. The pattern maintains rib stitches correct throughout shaping, meaning the vertical alignment of the ribs is preserved even as stitches are increased or decreased. The intarsia V-panel on the front is also worked in rib stitch but uses contrasting yarn colors to create the visual design element. Decreases and cast-offs are worked at strategic points to shape the armholes, neck, and shoulders.

Materials

The Tellin Vest is designed to be knitted using Rowan Denim Revive yarn, a 50-gram weight yarn. Two colorway options are provided: the first colorway combines Blue Wash (yarn A) with Darkness (yarn B), while the second colorway pairs Stonewash (yarn A) with Indigo (yarn B). The specific yardage requirements vary by size.

The pattern calls for two sets of needles: 3¼mm (US 3) needles for ribbed sections and 3¾mm (US 5) needles for main fabric work. A 3¼mm (US 3) circular needle no longer than 40 cm is also required, used for the neckband. The tension is set at 22 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm, measured over the ribbed pattern when slightly stretched using the 3¾mm needles. Achieving proper tension is essential for the finished garment to match the intended dimensions across all nine size options.