Tahki Yarns Cloud Cocoon Vest Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Cloud Cocoon Vest

Garment Overview

The Cloud Cocoon Vest is a sleeveless cardigan designed by Lidia Karabinech, crafted using Tahki Yarns Catalina yarn. This contemporary vest offers a relaxed, cocoon-inspired silhouette with finished measurements of 36½ (37½, 38½) inches wide and 16¼ (16¾, 17¼) inches in length, available in three size ranges: Small/Medium, Large/XL, and 2X/3X.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This pattern requires 6 (6, 7) balls of Tahki Yarns Catalina, a 100% mercerized cotton yarn. Each ball weighs 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and contains 131 yards (120 meters) of yarn, providing a total yardage of approximately 786–917 yards depending on size. The mercerized cotton construction creates a smooth, lustrous finish ideal for warm-weather garments.

The recommended needle size is US 7 (4.5mm). The pattern calls for one 32-inch circular needle for working the body and one set of size 7 double-pointed needles (dpns) for finishing the armhole edges. Additional supplies include stitch markers, waste yarn for provisional cast-on, and a yarn needle for seaming.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 14 stitches and 31 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements and fit of the vest.

Construction Techniques

The Cloud Cocoon Vest employs a combination of knitting techniques to create its structure:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The body is worked from the bottom edge upward, allowing for easy length adjustments during knitting.
• Flat Knitting: The main body is worked flat on a circular needle (used for accommodating the large number of stitches rather than for circular knitting), with rows worked back and forth on right-side and wrong-side rows.
• Worked in the Round: The bottom edging is worked in the round after the body is complete, creating a finished hem.
• Seaming: Side seams are sewn together from the bottom edge to designated markers, leaving openings for armholes.

Stitch Patterns

The vest utilizes two primary stitch patterns:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The main fabric of the body, created by knitting all stitches on right-side rows and purling all stitches on wrong-side rows. This produces a smooth, classic knit fabric with a V-shaped stitch structure on the right side.
• Garter Stitch: Used for finishing details, created by knitting all stitches on every row (when working flat) or alternating knit and purl rounds (when working in the round). This creates a textured, reversible fabric.

Pattern Structure and Shaping

The pattern begins with a provisional cast-on of 114 (121, 128) stitches, allowing for a finished edge to be added later. The body is worked in stockinette stitch until it reaches 32½ (33½, 34½) inches in length. Shoulder placement markers are positioned 16¼ (16¾, 17¼) inches from the beginning and ending edges. Additional markers are placed 6 (6½, 7) inches from the shoulder markers at each side edge to indicate where armhole openings begin. Side seams are sewn only from the bottom to these markers, creating open armholes while maintaining a fitted lower body.

The bottom edging is completed by removing the waste yarn from the provisional cast-on and placing the stitches back on the circular needle, doubling the stitch count to 228 (242, 256) stitches. This section is then worked in the round, creating a finished hem.

Design Features

The Cloud Cocoon Vest's design emphasizes comfort and versatility. The sleeveless construction makes it suitable for layering over various garments, while the mercerized cotton yarn provides breathability and a refined appearance. The cocoon silhouette suggests a relaxed, enveloping fit that drapes elegantly. The use of cuffs (referenced in the finished measurements) adds structure to the armhole edges, providing a polished