Shibui Knits Mix No. 28 Jumper Knitting Pattern

Shibui Knits Mix No. 28 Vest

What is Being Made

Shibui Knits Mix No. 28 is a sophisticated criss-cross scarf vest designed by Lori Versaci for the S/S 2014 collection. This garment combines timeless elegance with innovative design details, featuring a striking slash front, wrap-around neck construction, and button accents. The vest is available in six sizes ranging from XS to XXL, with finished bust circumferences from 38 inches to 53.5 inches. The design is both fluid and structured, creating an exceptional piece suitable for experienced knitters seeking a contemporary wardrobe staple.

Techniques Used

This vest is worked flat in separate pieces from the bottom up, then seamed together to create the finished garment. The construction method involves holding one strand of Linen and one strand of Pebble together throughout the entire project, creating a lush, blended fabric with unique visual and tactile qualities. A distinctive bias section of 34 stitches on each front piece is worked with increases at one end and decreases at the other, beginning just below the armhole. This bias section eventually splits off to become the signature criss-cross scarf element that wraps around the neck.

All vertical border edges—including the front edges, armhole edges, and scarf edges—are finished with a refined 2-stitch I-cord created by slipping the first 2 stitches of each row. This slip-stitch technique requires purling stitches through the back loop with yarn in back on right-side rows and yarn in front on wrong-side rows, unless otherwise directed in the pattern instructions. The garment features strategic shaping where armhole and shoulder increases occur simultaneously, adding complexity and visual interest to the design.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern used throughout Shibui Knits Mix No. 28 is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric base. The pattern incorporates several specialized techniques for shaping and finishing:

• M1LP (Make 1 Left Purl): Using the left-hand needle, lift the bar between stitches in the previous row from front to back, then purl through the back loop to create an invisible left-leaning increase.
• M1RP (Make 1 Right Purl): Using the left-hand needle, lift the bar between stitches in the previous row from back to front, then purl to create an invisible right-leaning increase.
• 3-Stitch I-Cord Bind Off: This decorative finishing technique uses the backward loop cast-on method to create 3 stitches, then works a bind-off sequence alternating between knit and slip-stitch rows (or purl and slip-stitch rows on the wrong side), binding off one garment stitch with each repeat until the desired number of stitches are bound off.
• Slip Stitch (sl): Stitches are slipped purlwise with yarn in back on right-side rows and yarn in front on wrong-side rows to create the refined I-cord edges.

Materials and Gauge

Shibui Knits Mix No. 28 requires two premium yarn components held together throughout the project. The first is Shibui Linen, a 100% linen yarn available in 246-yard skeins weighing 50 grams. The vest shown features Ivory colorway. Between 4 and 7 skeins of Linen are needed depending on size selection. The second yarn is Shibui Pebble, a luxurious blend of 48% recycled silk, 36% wool, and 16% cashmere, offered in 224-yard skeins weighing 25 grams, also shown in Ivory. This project requires 4 to 7 skeins of Pebble based on the chosen size.

The recommended gauge is 21.5 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch after blocking, achieved by holding one strand of Linen and one strand of Pebble together on appropriately sized needles. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished dimensions and ensuring the garment drapes as designed. The skill level for this project is Experienced, reflecting the complexity of simultaneous shaping, bias sections, and refined finishing techniques.