Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Bowery Hooded Vest Knitting Pattern

Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Bowery Hooded Vest

What Is Being Made

The Bowery Hooded Vest is a sleeveless, hooded garment designed by Rosemary Drysdale. This versatile piece features a structured hood integrated into the front panels, making it a contemporary layering option. The vest is constructed with a back panel and two front panels that extend upward to form the hood, creating a unified design. Available in six sizes ranging from Small through 3X, the vest offers a bust measurement range of 38 to 58 inches (96.5 to 147.5 cm) and a length range of 30 to 35 inches (76 to 89 cm).

Techniques Used

This pattern employs a bottom-up construction method, meaning the garment is knitted starting from the lower edge and working upward toward the shoulders and hood. The pieces are seamed together after individual components are completed, with side seams joining the back and front panels from the lower edge up to the armhole markers. This seamed approach provides structure and durability to the finished vest.

Stitches Used

The Bowery Hooded Vest is worked primarily in Stockinette stitch, the fundamental knit fabric created by knitting on the right side rows and purling on the wrong side rows. This classic stitch produces a smooth, uniform fabric with characteristic V-shaped columns on the right side, making it an ideal choice for a refined, polished garment. The straightforward stitch pattern allows the yarn's linen-cotton blend to be the visual focal point of the finished piece.

Materials

The pattern calls for Stacy Charles Collezione NINA yarn, a premium blend of 77% linen and 23% cotton. This fiber composition creates a breathable, lightweight fabric with natural drape and a subtle sheen characteristic of linen. The yarn is provided in 1.75 ounce (50 gram) balls, each containing 136 yards (125 meters) of yardage. Depending on size, the project requires 7 to 12 balls of yarn in color #03 flax, a natural neutral tone.

Knitting is worked on size 8 (5mm) needles, or whatever needle size is necessary to achieve the specified gauge. The pattern also requires standard notions including stitch markers for tracking key construction points and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together.

Gauge and Construction Details

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 21 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in Stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished measurements and proper fit. The back panel is cast on with 76 to 116 stitches depending on size and worked in Stockinette stitch for approximately 21 to 23.5 inches before the armhole is marked. The front panels are cast on with 46 to 66 stitches and include additional length beyond the armhole to accommodate the hood extension, with multiple markers placed to delineate the shoulder line and neckline areas.