OK - we’ll take another break from afghan squares and make this very simple and stylish vest. This vest can be worn as a sleeveless shirt, over a blouse or under a jacket.

Sizes small, medium and large will have bust measurements of 32”, 35” and 38” and you will need 7, 8, and 10 ounces of four ply worsted weight yarn.

Use size 4 needles for the garter stitch at the bottom and size 8 for the body of the vest or the size needed to have a gauge of 4 1/2 stitches per inch in the Stockinette stitch (k 1 row, p 1 row).

Back: On size 4 needles, cast on 72 (80, 86) stitches. Work in Garter stitch (knit every row) until there are 9 ridges. Change to size 8 needles and work in Stockinette stitch until your knitting measures 9” (10”, 11”) from the cast-on.

The width of the Stockinette area should be 16” (17 1/2”, 19”). Be sure to uncurl the edges when you measure across.

Armhole: Starting at the beginning of a knit row, bind off 7 (9, 10) stitches and knit across row; at the beginning of the next purl row, bind off 7 (9, 10) stitches, purling each stitch and purling across rest of row.

Row 1: (k1, p1) 3 times, k46 (50, 54), (p1, k1) 3 times.

Row 2: (p1, k1) 3 times, p46 (50, 54), (k1, p1) 3 times.

Repeat these two rows until the armhole measures 6 ½ “ (7”, 8”). End having completed a knit row.

Row 1: (p1, k1) 3 times, p1, k44 (48, 52) , p1 (k1, p1) 3 times.

Row 2: (k1, p1)3 times, k46 (50, 54), (p1, k1)3 times.

Repeat these two rows 3 times more. Bind off all stitches loosely in pattern for row 1. Cut the yarn leaving a 12” end for sewing the shoulder.

Front: Make the front the same as the back.

Finishing: Sew the vest with the right sides together. Join the 7 ribbing stitches of each edge at the top of the shoulders in bind-off to bind-off. Sew the sides together using the tail from the cast-on.

Sew with the tail as far as you can and use lengths of the yarn to finish the job. Tuck in ends and trim.

I will be teaching a knitting class in my home the last Saturday of March from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. If you wish to attend or if you have any questions, please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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