AKWAABA VEST
"Akwaaba” means Welcome in Ghana, which is where I designed and knit this vest on a medical mission trip in May 2012. It was originally designed with just me in mind, but I have had requests to publish the pattern. It is free, but anyone wanting to make a tax-deductible donation to our future trips can visit http://www.empowered.org/mhan Project: "Akwaaba Vest" Yarn: Plymouth Boku #15 (C1) 3.5 skeins 50 g, 99 yds, Samband Saga Icelandic wool, \~2 skeins Color 267 (denim blue) (C2), \~2 skeins 268 (stonewashed blue) (C3); 50 g, 113 m. each ball Needles: Size 6 and 7 needles, or appropriate needle to get gauge Gauge: 5 sts = 1" 6.5 rows = 1" in K6P2 stitch on Size 7 needles Size: Chest 41.5, length 25′ Notions: Stitch markers, 5 or 6 buttons of choice With Cl and Size 6 needles, CO 209 sts. Any stretchy cast on is fine. I personally used Techknitter's tubular provisional cast on with Size 4 needles for the foundation rows and then to Size 6 for the ribbing Knit K1P1 rib, beginning and ending with K, for 1.75". On last RS rib row slip all K sts and purl the P sts 1. (WS) With size 7 needles attach C2 and purl all the way across 2. (RS) K3 \*P2K6\*, rep from \* 6 times [right panel] P2 and place marker [fake seam] K2tog, K5 \*P2K6\* rep from \* 11 times [back] P2 and place marker [fake seam] \*K6P2\* rep from\*6 times K3[left panel][208 sts total] 3.(WS) P52, slip marker, K2, P104, slip marker, K2 P 52 4. Rep rows 2-3, except just K6 after the P2 seam 5. Cont for 3”", ending with RS row (WS) Attach Cland purl all the way across Repeat step 4 for 8 rows (WS) Attach C3 and purl all the way across Repeat step 4 for 3" Attach C1 and cont in pattern as set for 8 rows Attach C2 and cont in pattern as set for 3' Attach C1 and cont in pattern as set for 8 rows (\~14” from bottom)
Divide for back
Place first and last 52 sts on a holder for later. Keep middle 104 sts on active needle Attach C3 and BO 4 sts at beg. of next 2 rows [96 sts] At each RS row, \*K1 SSK, cont in pattern as set until last 3 sts, K2tog K1 (WS) work pattern without shaping\*, rep from \* 8 times [80 sts] Cont without shaping for 3" of C3 Knit 8 rows of C1 in pattern as set Knit 3" of C2 in pattern as set Knit 8 rows of C1 Knit C3 until 25" (WS) P first 20 sts, BO 40 sts, P 20 sts. Keep sts on holder to seam with front
Front Panels:
Do at the same time with two different strands of yarn, remembering to match up the colors for C1 or any other variegated yarn. Also switch colors at the appropriate intervals: 8 rows C1, 20 rows C3, 8 rows C1, 20 rows C2, 8 rows C1, 16 rows C3.
| step | Right panel | sts | Left panel | sts |
| 1 | (WS)BO 4,P to end | 48 | (WS) P to end | 52 |
| 2 | (RS) K in pat as set to last 3 sts, K2tog, | 47 | (RS) BO 4, K, SSK, K in pat as set to end | 47 |
| 3 | K (WS) P to end | (WS) P to end | ||
| 4 | (RS) K in pat as set to last 3 sts, K2tog, K | 46 | (RS) K, SSK, K in pat as set to end | 46 |
| 5 | Repeat rows 3-4 for another 6 times | 40 | Repeat rows 3-4 for another 6 times | 40 |
| 6 | Shape Neck: (RS) K, SSK, K in pat as set to end | 39 | Shape Neck: (RS) K in pat as set to last three sts, K2tog, K | 39 |
| 7 | (WS) P to end w/o shaping | 39 | (WS) P to end w/o shaping | 39 |
| 8 | Repeat steps 6-7 for a total of 20 times | 20 | Repeat steps 6-7 for a total of 20 times | 20 |
| Cont pat as set w/o shaping until front measures same as back 20 | ||||
Align active sts for front and back. With WS's facing out, use 3-needle BO to attach shoulders. Arm Bands: Using C1, Pick up and knit around arm hole, aiming for \~5 sts per linear inch. K1P1 rib for 6 rows BO loosely. I personally used Techknitter's tubular BO instructions, remembering to slip wyif. Button Band: Pick up and knit \~5 sts/in. Knit 4 rows of K1P1. Button hole row: K1P1 until start of button holes and divide up sts evenly for buttons. Consider using TechKnitter's Tulips buttonholes. K4 rows of K1P1. Bind off. I again used Techknitter's tubular bind off. NOTES:
