Lolo's Vest
By Joji Locatelli
Note:
This vest was knit using a lighter yarn for the borders and a heavier yarn for the rest of the garment. I cast on more stitches for the hem and then did decreases when reaching the transition to the heavier yarn. You can knit it this way or you can use only the heavier yarn and cast on directly the same amount of stitches necessary for the body. No decreases will be needed in this case.
Size: 12-24 months
Finished Measurements:
Width: 31 cms (12.5 inches) Length: 35 cms (14 inches)
Yarn and gauge:
I used two kinds of yarn: Blue: Iused about 150g of a chunky weight yarn called Nativa, which is only available in Buenos Aires, but you can use any yarn that knits up to 13 stitches to4 inches (10 cms). Gray: I used a small amount of a lighter yarn (bulky) for the contrasting borders. This yarn knits up to 16 stitches to 4 inches (10cms). Needles: US 8 (5mm) circular needles US 9 (5.5mm) straight or circular needles
Stitches used:
K1P1 ribbing: 19 Row (RS): $^{\star}\mathsf{K}1$ , P1\* repeat to end. 2° Row (WS): $\star{\sf P1}$ ， $\mathsf{K}1^{\star}$ repeat to end. Textured stitch: 1, 3, 5, 79 Rows (RS): Knit all stitches 2,4, $6^{\circ}$ Rows (WS):Purl all stitches 8, $10^{\circ}$ Rows: \*P1, $\mathsf{K}1^{\star}$ repeat to end. ${\mathfrak{g}}^{\mathfrak{g}}$ Row: $^{\star}\mathsf{K}\mathsf{1}$ ， $\mathsf{P1}^{\star}$ repeat to end. (This would be 7 rows of stockinette and 3 rows of seed stitch)
Directions:
With lighter yarn and smaller needles CO 47 stitches and work 8 rows in K1P1 ribbing. Change to larger needles and heavier yarn. Start working in textured stitch making 5 decreases evenly spaced among 1st row (42 stitches remaining). Continue to knit in this manner until work measures 21 cms (8.5 inches).
Shape armholes: Bind off 3 stitches at the beginning of next 2 rows, and then decrease 1 stitch each side every other row 2 times (32 stitches remain). Continue working in textured pattern until work measures 12 cms ( $4\,\%$ inches) from armhole. Next row (RS): Work 7 stitches in patt, BO 18 stitches, work rem 7 stitches in patt (WS): work all 7 st in patt. (RS): BO 1 st. Work 6 st in patt. (WS): Work all 6 st in patt. (RS): BO all 6 st. Join in yarn and work the other shoulder reversing shaping.
Front
With lighter yarn and smaller needles CO 47 stitches and work 8 rows in K1P1 ribbing. Change to larger needles and heavier yarn. Start working in textured stitch 1st row (43 stitches remaining). Be careful when you work textured stitch. Now you have an odd number of stitches. Make sure the last 3 rows are in seed stitch! Continue to knit in this manner until work measures 21 cms (8.5 inches).
Shape armholes:
Bind off3 stitches at thebeginning of next 2 rows, and thendecrease 1 stitch each side every other row 2 times (33 stitches remain). Continue working in textured pattern until work measures 2.5 cms (1 inch) from armhole ending with a RS row. Shapeneck: Next row (WS): Work 16 st in patt, bind off 1 st (center st), work 16 in patt Now work both sides of neck separately. Left side: Next Row (RS): Work in patt until there are 3 st left, ssk, k1 Next Row (WS): Work in patt. Continue decreasing one stitch at center edge every other row until there are 6 stitches left on needle. When work measures 35 cms (14 inches), BO all stitches. Right side: Next Row (RS): K1, k2tog, work in pat to end. Next Row (RS). Work in patt. Continue decreasing one stitch at center edge every other row until there are 6 stitches left on needle. When work measures 35 cms (14 inches), BO allstitches.
Finishing
Sew side seams and shoulders.
Neckband
WithUS8 $(5\;\mathsf{m m})$ circular needles and using lighter yarn, pick up and knit 66 stitches around neck opening beginning at left shoulder. Make sure you pick up 1 stitch on the center stitch you bound off for neck opening (see picture).
Mark this stitch.Start knitting in the round in 1x1 ribbing making sure the marked stitch is a Knit stitch. Finish the round. Decreasing round: Work to 1 stitch before marked stitch, slip next two stitches as to k2tog, K1, pass slipped stitches over knit stitch (2 st decreased). This decrease should look like in the picture, always keeping marked stitch in the center. Work 1 round even. Work 1 decrease row. Work 1 round even. Work 1 decrease row and bind off allstitches very loosely.
Armbands
WithUS8 $(5\;\mathsf{m m})$ circular needles and using lighter yarn, pick up and knit 50 stitches around armhole opening. Work 4 rows in KiP1 ribbing. BO alistitches very loosely. Repeat for the other armband. Sew in ends and block to measurements. Hope your little man or lady enjoys it!!! $\circledcirc$ Copyright Joji Locateli If you have any suggestions or have detected any mistakes, please fee free to email me at jojilocatfibertel.com.ar.
