Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Bethesda Vest Knitting Pattern

Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Bethesda Vest

What is Being Made

The Bethesda Vest is a sleeveless knitted garment designed by Irina Poludnenko, available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X. This vest features a fitted silhouette with finished bust measurements from 37 inches (Small) to 60 inches (3X), and a length ranging from 22¾ to 25¼ inches depending on size. The vest is constructed as a classic pullover style with armhole edging and a neckband finish, completed with a single decorative button detail.

Techniques Used

The Bethesda Vest employs a bottom-up construction method, meaning the garment is knitted starting from the lower edge and working upward toward the shoulders. The vest is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, and the finished pieces are seamed together to create the final garment. A specialized sloped bind-off technique is used to eliminate the stair-step appearance that occurs with standard bind-offs, creating a more refined and professional-looking shoulder line. The pattern includes shaping for both shoulders and neckline, which are worked simultaneously for proper fit.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern used throughout the Bethesda Vest is the Star Pattern, which is repeated across the body of the garment. This decorative stitch pattern is established over a gauge of 21 stitches and 18 rows per 4 inches (10 centimeters), creating a textured and visually interesting fabric. The pattern includes increases worked at regular intervals during the construction of the armholes, with the number of increase rows varying by size to accommodate the different finished measurements. The armhole and neckline edges are finished with edging worked on circular needles, providing a neat and polished perimeter.

Materials

The Bethesda Vest is designed to be knitted with luxurious specialty yarns from Stacy Charles Fine Yarns. The main yarn is LUNA, a blend of 71% super kid mohair, 20% silk, and 9% lurex, available in color #57 copper. This yarn is supplied in balls of 0.88 ounces (25 grams) with 232 yards (212.5 meters) per ball, with yardage requirements ranging from 3 balls for the Small size to 5 balls for the largest sizes. An accent yarn, STELLA, composed of 74% silk and 26% lurex in the same color #57 copper, is used for additional texture and sparkle. STELLA is supplied in 0.88-ounce (25-gram) balls with 76.5 yards (70 meters) per ball, requiring 2 to 3 balls depending on size.

The pattern calls for size 5 (3.75mm) needles for the main knitting, including one pair of straight needles for working flat and two circular needles—one 16 inches (40 centimeters) long for armhole edging and one 32 inches (80 centimeters) long for the neckband. A size 7 (4.5mm) crochet hook is required for creating the button loop. Additional notions include stitch markers, a yarn needle for seaming and finishing, and one button measuring ½ inch (13 millimeters) in diameter.

Construction Details

Knitters should take time to check gauge before beginning, as proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements. The pattern provides detailed shaping instructions for the armholes and simultaneous shoulder and neck shaping, requiring careful attention to the written instructions. The combination of the lightweight, lustrous LUNA yarn with the shimmering STELLA accent creates a sophisticated, elegant vest suitable for layering over various garments.