Rowan Zoo Waistcoat Knitting Pattern

Rowan Zoo Waistcoats by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Zoo pattern features knitted waistcoats designed by Martin Storey in four infant sizes: 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, and 12-18 months. These garments are sized to fit chest measurements of 41, 46, 51, and 56 cm respectively. The waistcoats showcase decorative intarsia elephant motifs worked into the front panels, making them charming pieces for babies and toddlers.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques to create structured, finished garments:

• Bottom-up construction: The waistcoats are knitted from the lower edge upward, allowing for straightforward shaping and measurement adjustments as you progress.
• Intarsia colorwork: The elephant design is created using the intarsia technique, which involves working with separate yarn lengths for different colored sections. This method produces clean, professional-looking color changes without the bulk that stranded knitting can create.
• Stranded knitting: In addition to intarsia, the pattern incorporates stranded colorwork techniques for certain sections, allowing multiple colors to be carried across rows.
• Seamed construction: The pattern pieces are knitted flat and then seamed together, creating neat, durable seams that provide structure and shape to the finished waistcoat.
• Worked flat: All pieces are knitted on straight needles in flat rows rather than in the round, making this pattern accessible to knitters who prefer traditional flat-panel construction.

Stitches Used

The Rowan Zoo waistcoats are constructed primarily using stocking stitch (stockinette stitch), the foundational fabric that creates a smooth, professional finish ideal for showcasing the intarsia elephant motif. The lower edges feature ribbing in a 2x2 knit-purl pattern, which provides elasticity and helps the waistcoat sit securely on an infant. The ribbed sections are worked using yarn B before transitioning to the main stocking stitch body in yarn A.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The pattern is designed to be knitted using Rowan Summerlite 4ply yarn, a lightweight option suitable for delicate baby garments. Yarn requirements vary by size:

• Yarn A (main color): 2, 2, 2, or 3 x 50gm balls depending on size
• Yarn B (ribbing): 1 x 50gm ball for all sizes
• Yarn C (intarsia elephant detail): 1 x 50gm ball for all sizes

The pattern calls for 2¾mm (US 2) needles for the ribbed cuffs and edges, and 3mm (US 2/3) needles for the main stocking stitch sections. A 2¾mm circular needle and a yarn holder are also required for managing stitches during shaping. The recommended tension is 28 stitches and 36 rows over 10 centimeters when measured in stocking stitch using the 3mm needles.