A Little Textured Vest
By Joji Locatelli
Sometimes my boys need something, and if I feel inspired, I sometimes design something that I really like. In those cases, I like to share it with others. This little vest was designed to fit 12 months to 12 year old boys and girls. It is intended to be warm and cozy with a comfy fit. I hope you enjoy knitting it!
Sizes:
12 months (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 years) Nano is 3 and a half years and he is modeling size 6 years.
Gauge:
17 st to 10 cm (4 inches) on $4{,}5\mathsf{m m}$ needles, in stockinette stitch. Gauge in stitch pattern changes a lot after blocking. I thought it would be more helpful to use the gauge in stockinette.
Materials:
Milana Chelsea - Aran weight yarn - $75\%$ merino / $25\%$ cotton - 209 yards every 100g. Grams: I won't have this info until other test knitters finish the othersizes. Size 6 took180g. Yards: I won't have this info untilother test knitters finish the other sizes. Size 6 took aprox 380 yds. 4mm (US 6) straight or circular needles for hem 4mm (Us 6) circular needles for neckband 4,5mm (US 7) straight or circular needles for body One button or toggle of your choice.
Notes:
There are two charts. Chart A is only used for size 12 months and 2 years, because they are smaller and the stitch counts weren't right using chart B. All the other sizes will use Chart B for the pattern Sstitch. All directions are in centimeters. To convert them to inches, please divide that number by 2.5. Also, when measuring the garment, you will notice that the garter stitch bands on the side make the edges shorter than the center of the garment. This is intentional and is part of the design. Please measure your garment in the middle (cable section) where it should be longest.
4 st remain, k2tog, k2.
Directions:
Back
Using smaller needles, CO 39 (43, 53, 59, 65, 69, 73) stitches and knit 4 rows in garter stitch. Knit one more row increasing 4 (6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6) stitches evenly: 43 (49, 59, 65,71,75,79) stitches.5 rows of garter stitch total. Change to larger needles. Begin working the stitch pattern as follows: Row 1 (RS): k 2 (5, 7, 10, 13, 15, 17), p 2, work chart A (A, B, B, B, B, B), p2, k2 (5, 7, 10, 13, 15, 17) Row 2 (WS): k 4 (7, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19), work chart A (A, B, B, B, B, B), k4 (7, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19) Continue knitting this way until piece measures 20 (22, 24, 27, 29, 31, 33) cms. Armhole: At the beginning of next 2 rows, bind off 2 (2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) stitches. You will start decreasing to shape the armhole now. Next row (RS): K2, SSK, continue in pattern until Repeat these 2 rows 1 (2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3) times. 37 (41, 47, 53, 59, 61, 65) stitches remain Continue knitting this way, keeping 2 stitches in garter stitch at each edge, until armhole measures: 13 (14, 15, 16, 17, 17, 18) cms. Next Row (RS): Work 10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17) st, put 17 (19, 23, 27, 31, 31, 31) center stitches on holder for back neck, work 10 (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17) st. Finishing both sides separately, bind off 1 stitch at each side of neck edge 1 (1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2) time(s) and leave remaining 9 (10, 11, 12, 12, 13, 15) stitches each side on holder for shoulder bind off. Armhole will now measure 14 (15, 16, 17, 18, 18, 19) cms.
Front
Knit the same as for back until armhole measures 4 (4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6) cms. You have now 37 (41, 47, 53, 59, 61, 65) stitches on your needles and you will divide your work to make the front opening. Work 18 (22, 23, 26, 29, 30, 32) stitches, B0 1 st, work remaining st in pattern to end. Right half of Front Work in pattern, until armhole measures 10 (10, 11, 12, 13, 13, 13) cms, finishing with a WS row. Next Row (RS): Work 7 (9, 9, 10, 13, 13, 13) st and put them on holder, work to end. (16 stitches). Next Row (WS): Work in patt to end. Next Row (RS): SSK, work to end. 15 stitches. Decrease 1 stitch in this way at neck edge 1 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3) more times. 9 (10, 11, 12, 12, 13, 15) stitches remaining. Continue knitting in pattern until armhole measures 14 (15, 16,17, 18, 18, 19) cms. Put stitches on holder for shoulder bind off.
Left half of Front
Attach yarn to the other side and work in pattern, until armhole measures 10 (10, 11, 12, 13, 13, 13) cms, finishing with a RS row. Next Row (WS): Work 7 (9, 9, 10, 13, 13, 13) st and put them on holder, work to end. (16 stitches). Next Row (RS): Work in patt to 2 stitches before end, k2tog. Next Row (RS): Work in patt to end. Decrease 1 stitch in this way at neck edge 1 (2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3) more times. 9 (10, 11, 12, 12, 13, 15) stitches remaining. Continue knitting in pattern until armhole measures 14 (15,16,17,18,18,19) cms.Put stitches on holder for shoulder bind off.
Finishing
Join shoulder seams using a Three Needle Bind Off (here is a good tutorial: http://www.stitchdiva.com/custom.aspx?id=18 9). Neckband: Knit 7 (9, 9, 10, 13, 13, 13) stitches on holder from right half front, pick up and knit 13 (14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 15) stitches in each diagonal neck edge, knit 17 (19, 23, 27, 31, 31, 31) on holder from back, pick up and knit 13 (14, 14, 14, 14, 14, 15) st on other diagonal neck edge, knit 7 (9, 9, 10, 13, 13, 13) st on holder from left half front. 51 (65, 69, 75, 85, 85, 87) st. for neck band. Row 1 (WS): Knit to end. Row 2 (RS): Knit to end decreasing 4 (6, 6, 6, 10, 10, 10) stitches evenly across row. 47 (59, 63, 69, 75, 75, 77) st. Rows 3 (WS): Knit to 3 stitches from end, yo, k2tog, k1. (For buttonhole). Rows 4, 5 (WS): Knit to end Row 6: Bind off all stitches. Now all the sewing: Sew side seams. Sew on button or toggle, whatever you like.. Sew in ends.
Enjoy and make them wear it proudly!
Legend k(knit)p(pur1) Rktbl(knit through the back loop) c12 (slip tuo stitches to cable needle and hold to front of work, knit two, knit tuo from cable needle) cr2 (slip two stitches to cable needle and hold to back of work, knit two, knit two from cable needle)
Chart B (4 - 12 years)
Legend k(knit)=p(pur1) c12 (slip two stitches to cable needle and hold to front of work, knit two, knit two from cable needle) cr2 (slip two stitches to cable needle and hold to back of work, knit two,knit tuo from cable needle) Charts by $\circledcirc$ 2010 chartgen.orangellous.com If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at jojilocat@gmail.com
