Sardines Vest Slipover Knitting Pattern

Sardines Vest by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Sardines Vest is a sleeveless knitted slipover designed for children aged 3 to 12 years. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a fitted vest garment with a crew neckline, available in five size options ranging from 53-56 cm chest (for ages 3-4) up to 76-79 cm chest (for ages 11-12).

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several essential knitting techniques appropriate for intermediate crafters:

• Stocking stitch (stockinette stitch) for the main fabric base
• Patterned stocking stitch for decorative sections, creating textured visual interest
• Shaping through decreasing at neck and shoulder edges to create garment structure
• Separate side construction, working each side of the neck independently before joining
• Cast-off techniques for finishing edges securely
• Holder techniques for managing stitches during construction, particularly at the neckline

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Sardines Vest utilizes fundamental knitting stitches:

• Knit stitch (K) as the primary construction stitch
• Plain stocking stitch measured at 22 stitches and 30 rows over 10 centimeters
• Patterned stocking stitch measured at 24 stitches and 27 rows over 10 centimeters, indicating a denser fabric in patterned sections

The difference in tension between plain and patterned sections demonstrates how pattern work affects fabric density and drape in knitted garments.

Materials and Yarn

This project uses Rowan Summerlite DK, a lightweight double-knit weight yarn ideal for children's summer garments:

• Yarn A: Silvery Blue (shade 468) – the primary color, requiring 2 to 4 balls depending on size
• Yarn B: Pickles (shade 475) – an accent color used for contrast, requiring 1 ball across all sizes

Each ball of Rowan Summerlite DK weighs 50 grams, providing a soft, breathable fiber suitable for warm-weather wear.

Needles and Tools

The pattern calls for specific needle sizes to achieve proper tension:

• 3¼mm (US 3) needles – one pair for ribbing and edge work
• 3¾mm (US 5) needles – one pair for main fabric construction
• 3¼mm (US 3) circular needle – no more than 30 cm long for neckband work

Pattern Construction Overview

The Sardines Vest is constructed in pieces, with a back panel and front panel worked separately. The back is completed first, establishing the shoulder shaping and overall length. The front is then worked to match, with careful neck shaping that involves dividing the work and completing each shoulder independently. The neckband is worked using the circular needle, picking up stitches from the holders to create a finished edge. This modular construction approach allows for precise fit and professional finishing.