Rupert Vest Slipover Knitting Pattern

Rupert Vest in Juniper Moon Neve

What Is Being Made

The Rupert Vest is a sleeveless knitted garment featuring a distinctive graphic herringbone pattern across the front and back. This vest is part of The Stria Collection and is designed by Pamela Wynne. Available in seven sizes ranging from XS to 3X, the vest offers finished bust measurements from 30½ inches (77.5 cm) to 55½ inches (141.5 cm) and lengths from 23 inches (58.5 cm) to 27½ inches (70 cm), making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various body types and preferences.

Techniques Used

Mosaic Knitting is the primary technique employed in the Rupert Vest. This sophisticated method creates the striking herringbone visual effect while maintaining simplicity in execution—only one color is worked per row. Mosaic knitting is an elegant approach to colorwork that eliminates the complexity of managing multiple colors simultaneously, making it accessible to knitters who may be intimidated by traditional stranded colorwork techniques. The pattern also incorporates standard shaping techniques including increases (make one left and make one right increases), decreases (slip, slip, knit and knit two together), and strategic bind-offs to create the vest's structured silhouette and V-neck opening.

Stitches Used

The foundation of the Rupert Vest is built on fundamental knitting stitches. Stockinette stitch forms the base fabric in many sections, providing a smooth, classic finish. The mosaic stitch pattern creates the signature herringbone graphic and is worked at a gauge of 21 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) using the larger needles. The ribbing at the neckline and armholes is worked in 1x1 ribbing (alternating knit and purl stitches), which provides elasticity and a polished edge. Additional stitch techniques include slipping stitches, which are essential to the mosaic knitting method, as well as various increase and decrease methods for shaping the armholes, shoulders, and V-neck.

Materials

The Rupert Vest is knitted using Juniper Moon Farm Neve yarn, a premium fiber choice from the Juniper Moon Farm brand. The pattern requires two colors from this yarn line: the main color (MC) is Neve in color #17 Sirius, with quantities ranging from 2 hanks for the smallest size to 5 hanks for the largest size. The contrast color (CC) is Neve in color #09 Smoke, requiring 2 to 3 hanks depending on size. Knitting needles include US 8 (5 mm) needles for working the main fabric and US 7 (4.5 mm) needles for ribbed edgings, with double-pointed needles also needed for working in the round on smaller circumferences. Additional notions include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, and waste yarn for holding stitches.