String Berkshires Turtleneck Vest Jumper Knitting Pattern

String Berkshires Turtleneck Vest

What is Being Made

The Berkshires Turtleneck Vest is a sleeveless knitted garment designed by Annabelle Speer, featuring a classic turtleneck collar and a fitted silhouette. This waistcoat-style vest is available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 35½ inches to 57½ inches and lengths from 21 to 24½ inches. The design combines a structured body with a cozy turtleneck opening, making it suitable for layering over long-sleeved shirts or wearing as a standalone piece.

Techniques Used

The Berkshires Turtleneck Vest employs a bottom-up construction method, where the garment is knitted starting from the lower edge and working upward toward the shoulders. The piece is worked flat on straight needles for the main body sections, including the back and front panels, which are then seamed together to create the finished garment. The turtleneck collar is worked in the round using circular needles, creating a seamless, continuous knit tube. This mixed approach combines the ease of flat knitting for the body with the efficiency of circular knitting for the neckline.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs two primary stitch patterns. Stockinette stitch forms the main fabric of the vest body, created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows to produce the classic smooth, V-textured knit surface. K2, P2 rib is used for both the lower ribbed edge and the turtleneck collar. When worked in rows (for the bottom band), the rib follows a modified pattern with edge stitches for neat selvages. When worked in rounds (for the turtleneck), the rib alternates two knit stitches with two purl stitches continuously around, creating the characteristic elastic, textured ribbing that provides stretch and recovery at the neckline and waistband.

Materials and Gauge

The Berkshires Turtleneck Vest is designed to be knitted using String Yarns OSLO, a luxury blend composed of 70% merino wool and 30% cashmere. Each ball contains 1.75 ounces and provides 155 yards of yardage, with yardage requirements ranging from 5 balls for the smallest size to 9 balls for the largest size. The pattern calls for two sizes of needles: size 7 (4.5mm) needles for the ribbed sections and size 8 (5mm) needles for the stockinette stitch body. Circular needles in both sizes (16 inches long) are required for the turtleneck construction. The recommended gauge is 19 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch using the smaller needles. Additional notions include stitch markers, stitch holders for placing stitches, and a yarn needle for finishing and weaving in ends.

Construction Details

The back panel is cast on using the larger needles and begins with a 4-inch ribbed band worked in K2, P2 rib. After the ribbing is complete, the knitter transitions to stockinette stitch and works even until the piece measures between 14 and 15 inches from the cast-on edge, depending on size. Armhole shaping is then introduced, with the pattern maintaining the rib pattern at the edges while shaping the sides. The armholes measure between 6¼ and 8¾ inches depending on size. Shoulder shaping is worked by binding off stitches over two rows, with the remaining stitches placed on a holder for the back neckline. The front is worked identically to the back until the armhole shaping. The turtleneck is then picked up from the held stitches and worked in the round using the smaller circular needle with K2, P2 rib, creating a seamless, stretchy collar. All seams are joined using a yarn needle, and ends are woven in for a finished appearance.