Tahki Yarns Valley Vest & Wristers Knitting Pattern

Tahki Yarns Valley Vest & Wristers

Overview

The Valley Vest & Wristers is a knitted set designed by Rosemary Drysdale, featuring a coordinated vest and matching wristers worked in stranded colorwork. This pattern is ideal for crafters seeking a classic layering piece with decorative Fair Isle patterning. The set combines functionality with visual interest through the use of multiple coordinating yarn colors.

Garment Details: Valley Vest

The vest is available in six sizes ranging from Small to 3X, with finished bust measurements from 36 inches (91.5 cm) to 56 inches (142 cm) and lengths from 22 inches (56 cm) to 24.5 inches (62 cm). This garment is constructed using a bottom-up approach and worked flat on straight needles before seaming, making it accessible for knitters comfortable with basic construction techniques.

Garment Details: Wristers

The wristers are designed in one size, with a finished circumference of 8 inches (20.5 cm) and length of 11 inches (28 cm). These coordinating accessories complete the set and provide a practical way to use remaining yarn from the vest project.

Techniques Used

• Stranded Colorwork: The vest features Fair Isle patterning, a traditional stranded technique where multiple yarn colors are carried across the back of the work to create geometric designs on the stockinette stitch background.
• Worked Flat: Both the vest and wristers are knitted on straight needles in flat pieces rather than in the round, allowing for easier pattern reading and color management.
• Seamed Construction: Pieces are joined together using seaming, creating finished edges and a professional appearance.
• Bottom-Up Construction: The vest is worked from the cast-on edge upward, beginning with ribbed cuffs and progressing through the body before shaping armholes and neckline.
• Three-Needle Bind-Off: A special technique referenced in the pattern for joining pieces together as you bind off, creating a strong, finished seam.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Ribbing: The vest begins with a k2, p2 ribbed cuff worked over 20 rows, which provides stretch and a finished edge.
• Stockinette Stitch: The main body fabric, created by alternating knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side, providing a smooth, classic appearance.
• Fair Isle Chart: A stranded colorwork pattern worked simultaneously with stockinette stitch, requiring management of multiple yarn colors across each row.
• Decreases: K2tog (knit 2 together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) decreases are used for shaping armholes and neckline.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Valley Vest & Wristers pattern calls for Tahki Yarns ALDEN, a premium blend yarn composed of 50% fine merino wool, 25% superfine alpaca, and 25% acrylic. Each ball weighs 1.75 ounces (50 grams) and yields 250 yards (230 meters) of yardage.

Yarn Requirements by Size:

• Small: 2 balls main color, 1 ball each of three contrast colors
• Medium, Large, XL: 3 balls main color, 1 ball each of three contrast colors
• 2X: 3 balls main color, 1 ball each of three contrast colors
• 3X: 4 balls main color, 1 ball each of three contrast colors

Color Palette: The pattern specifies Tahki Yarns ALDEN in the following colors: #02 almond (main color), #05 cherry (contrast A), #06 wine (contrast B), #11 dark teal (contrast C), and #14 silver (contrast D). The almond serves as the primary background color for the Fair Isle design, while the cherry, wine, dark teal, and silver create the stranded pattern.

Note: If making wristers only, one ball of each color is sufficient. The yarn amounts listed are calculated to complete both the vest and wristers as a coordinated set.

Tools and Notions