String Camilla Vest Jumper Knitting Pattern

String Camilla Vest

What is Being Made

The Camilla Vest is a sophisticated sleeveless garment designed by Lidia Karabinech for String Yarns. This knitted vest is available in four sizes—Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large—with finished bust measurements ranging from 44 inches (112 cm) to 56½ inches (141 cm) and a length to shoulder of 27 inches (68.5 cm). The vest features a refined construction combining textured stitch patterns with ribbed detailing, making it suitable as a layering piece or standalone garment.

Techniques Used

The Camilla Vest employs several advanced knitting techniques to create its structure and shaping:

• Lace and Textured Stitchwork: The vest incorporates lace techniques alongside textured ridge stitch patterns for visual interest and dimension.
• Seamed Construction: The garment is constructed using seamed pieces, allowing for precise shaping and professional finishing.
• Worked Flat: The vest is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, with pieces subsequently seamed together for assembly.
• German Short Rows: This advanced shaping technique is used without wrapping stitches before turning, creating smooth transitions and custom fit. The method involves slipping stitches purlwise with yarn positioning and lifting yarn over the needle top to secure both legs of the slipped stitch on the needle.
• Removable Markers: Four removable stitch markers are used strategically during construction to track pattern repeats and shaping points.

Stitches Used

The Camilla Vest features two primary stitch patterns that work together to create the finished design:

• K2/P2 Rib: A classic ribbed pattern worked over 4 stitches plus 2 edge stitches. This stitch is used for the initial ribbed borders and cuffs. The pattern is created by alternating knit 2 stitches and purl 2 stitches across the row, with subsequent rows worked by knitting the knits and purling the purls to maintain the vertical ribbed texture.
• Ridge Stitch: The primary stitch pattern for the vest body, worked in a four-row repeat. Ridge stitch is created by knitting on the right side (row 1), purling on the wrong side (row 2), then knitting two consecutive rows (rows 3 and 4) before repeating. This creates a distinctive horizontal ridged texture that adds visual depth and subtle texture to the finished garment.

Materials and Specifications

The Camilla Vest is designed to be worked in String TURIN, a luxurious yarn blend consisting of 95% cashmere and 5% wool. The yarn is supplied in balls of 1.75 ounces (50 grams) with 122 yards (112 meters) per ball. The project requires 8 balls for size Small, 9 balls for size Medium, 10 balls for size Large, and 11 balls for size Extra Large. The recommended color is 213 caramel, a warm neutral tone.

The pattern calls for size 8 (5mm) needles for the main construction, with both straight needles and a 16-inch (40 cm) circular needle specified. Additional materials include stitch holders for securing stitches during construction, stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats, and a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming pieces together.

Gauge and Fit

The recommended gauge for the Camilla Vest is 15 stitches and 20 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in Ridge Stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished garment meets the intended measurements. The pattern provides detailed instructions for adjusting needle size if necessary to achieve the correct gauge.