Tahki Yarns Poe Vest Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Poe Cabled Turtleneck Vest

What is Being Made

The Poe Cabled Turtleneck Vest is a classic knitted sleeveless garment designed by Rosemary Drysdale. This vest features a turtleneck collar and is available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 38 inches (96.5 cm) to 58 inches (147.5 cm) and lengths from 25½ inches (64.5 cm) to 28 inches (71 cm). The vest combines textural interest through cable work with the sophisticated simplicity of a sleeveless silhouette, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various occasions and seasons.

Techniques Used

• Bottom-Up Construction: The vest is knitted from the bottom upward, beginning with the back piece cast-on and working toward the neckline, allowing for straightforward shaping and finishing.
• Seamed Assembly: Individual pieces are knitted flat and then seamed together, providing clean, professional edges and structure to the finished garment.
• Worked Flat: All components are worked on straight needles in flat rows rather than in the round, except for the turtleneck collar which uses a circular needle for seamless ribbing.
• Cable Patterning: Intricate cable designs are incorporated throughout, including specialized cable crosses and twists that create dimensional texture and visual depth across the front and back of the vest.

Stitches Used

This pattern employs a variety of essential knitting stitches and techniques to achieve its sophisticated appearance:

• Reverse Stockinette Stitch (Rev St st): The primary background stitch, created by purling on the right side and knitting on the wrong side, providing a subtle textured surface that allows the cable work to stand out prominently.
• K1, P1 Rib: Used for the lower edge ribbing (worked for 2 inches) and the turtleneck collar, creating elastic, fitted edges that maintain the garment's shape.
• Cable A (worked over 4 stitches): A 4-row repeat featuring 2/2 Left Cross (2/2 LC) cable crosses that create a classic twisted cable appearance.
• Cable B: An additional cable pattern variation incorporated into the design for added visual interest.
• Center Cable (worked over 23 stitches): A more complex cable pattern featuring a 24-row repeat that includes 3/1 Left Purl Cross (3/1 LPC), 3/1 Right Purl Cross (3/1 RPC), and 3/3 Left Cross (3/3 LC) stitches, creating an elaborate centerpiece design.
• Left Twist (LT): A special abbreviation technique where the second stitch on the left needle is knitted through the back loop and left on the needle, then both the first and second stitches are knitted together through the back loop, creating a subtle twisted effect.
• Cable Crosses: Multiple cable crossing techniques including 2/2 LC (slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit 2, then knit 2 from cable needle) and 2/2 RC (slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit 2, then knit 2 from cable needle), as well as more complex purl-and-knit combinations for dimensional cable work.

Materials

The Poe Cabled Turtleneck Vest is crafted using Tahki Yarns MONTANA, a premium yarn composed of 100% pure new wool. The yardage requirements vary by size: Small requires 4 hanks, Medium and Large require 5 hanks, XL and 2X require 6 hanks, and 3X requires 7 hanks. Each hank contains 3.5 ounces (100 grams) and provides 130 yards (120 meters) of yarn. The pattern specifies color #02 bark, a natural, earthy tone.

Construction requires size 13 (9mm) needles for the main flat knitting, with a matching size 13 (9mm) circular needle measuring 16 inches (40 cm) long used specifically for the turtleneck collar ribbing. Additional tools include a cable needle for managing cable stitches, stitch holders for securing stitches during assembly, stitch markers for tracking pattern repe