Tahki Yarns Manasquan Vest Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Manasquan Vest Pattern Summary

What is Being Made

The Manasquan Vest is a sleeveless knitted garment designed by Teresa Chorzepa. This vest is available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 35½ inches (90 cm) to 56 inches (142 cm) and lengths from 24¼ inches (61.5 cm) to 26¾ inches (68 cm). The vest features a classic fitted silhouette with shaping at the armholes and neckline, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

This vest is constructed using the bottom-up method, meaning knitting begins at the lower edge and progresses upward toward the neckline. The garment is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for seaming at the sides to complete the construction. The pattern incorporates seamed construction, requiring finishing work to join the front and back panels together.

The design includes several shaping techniques to create a fitted garment. Armhole shaping is achieved through strategic cast-on and increases, while neck shaping involves binding off stitches at the front edge and decreasing stitches at the end of right-side rows to create a comfortable neckline opening. The pattern uses the cable cast-on method (also known as knitted cast-on), a special technique for adding stitches that creates a neat, structured edge.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch used throughout the body of the vest, creating a smooth, classic fabric with a flat appearance on the right side and bumpy texture on the wrong side.
• Garter Stitch: Used at the front edges (2 stitches) and back edges (2 stitches) to create a textured border that prevents curling and adds structural definition.
• Make 1 Left (M1L or M1): An invisible increase technique used for shaping the armholes. This stitch lifts the strand between needles and works it through the back loop, twisting to prevent holes and maintain a seamless appearance.

Materials and Tools

The Manasquan Vest is designed to be knitted with Tahki Yarns Skinny Jeans, a yarn composition of 70% cotton and 30% nylon. Depending on the size selected, the project requires 7 to 11 balls of yarn, with each ball weighing 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and containing 114 yards (105 meters) of yardage. The recommended yarn color is #02 denim, providing a classic blue tone suitable for versatile styling.

Knitting is worked on size 7 (4.5mm) straight needles for the main body of the vest. A size 7 (4.5mm) circular needle measuring 24 inches (60 cm) is used for the neck edging, allowing for even tension around the neckline opening. The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rows equaling 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch, which is essential to check before beginning to ensure proper fit.

Additional materials include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and shaping points, a yarn needle for weaving in ends and seaming the garment together, and a size F-5 (3.75mm) crochet hook specifically for creating fringe details that add a decorative finish to the vest.