Valley Yarns Kayla Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Kayla Waistcoat

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Kayla is an intermediate-level knitted waistcoat designed by Lidia Karabinech. This luxurious layering piece is crafted to ward off the chill and works beautifully over virtually any outfit. The waistcoat is available in four sizes—Small through Extra Large—with finished bust measurements ranging from 37 inches to 49 inches and lengths from 25 to 27¼ inches, offering 2 to 4 inches of positive ease for comfortable wear.

Techniques Used

The Kayla waistcoat is constructed using several key knitting techniques that contribute to its polished, professional finish:

• Bottom-up construction: The garment is knitted from the lower edge upward, allowing for straightforward shaping and fitting adjustments as you work.
• Flat knitting: Pieces are worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, making this method accessible for knitters who prefer traditional flat-panel construction.
• Seamed assembly: Individual pieces are joined together using seaming techniques, creating clean, durable seams that contribute to the garment's structure and longevity.
• Short-row shaping: The pattern employs the Wrap and Turn (W&T) method for shoulder shaping, though knitters are encouraged to substitute their preferred short-row technique. This advanced shaping method creates smooth, fitted shoulders without visible steps.
• Provisional cast-on: A temporary cast-on method using a crochet hook allows for seamless finishing at the neckline and other edges.

Stitches Used

The Kayla waistcoat features a refined stitch pattern that showcases the luxury of its cashmere yarn:

• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch throughout the garment, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side. This classic stitch produces a smooth, elegant fabric that allows the beautiful drape and sheen of cashmere to shine.
• Ribbed edging: A knit 2, purl 2 (K2P2) ribbed pattern is worked at the edges, providing structure, elasticity, and a polished frame for the stockinette body.
• Decreases: The pattern uses knit 2 together (K2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk) techniques for shaping.
• Increases: Make 1 (M1) increases are incorporated for shaping details like pockets.

Materials and Tools

The Kayla waistcoat is designed to be knitted in Valley Yarns Monadnock, a sumptuous 100% cashmere yarn in Color 52. Yarn requirements vary by size, ranging from 7 balls for the Small size to 10 balls for the Extra Large size. Each ball contains 50 grams and yields 122 yards, providing approximately 854 to 1,220 total yards depending on the finished size.

Essential needles and tools include:

• US 8 (5mm) 32-inch circular needle for the main body
• US 8 (5mm) 16-inch circular needle for the neckband
• US H crochet hook for the provisional cast-on
• Spare needle for pocket construction
• Stitch holders and waste yarn for managing stitches during construction
• Yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 16 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch after blocking, which is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements and drape of this cashmere garment.