Richmond District Child's Vest
(an oversized organic girl or boy child's vest)
Child's Size S (6-8), M (10-12), L (14) Created by Patty Thomas of Daisy Yarns of San Francisco for individual use (not to be copied or published without permission, www.daisyyarns.com), 2010.
Finished Size/Length:
Chest Small $=30^{\prime\prime}$ (Medium $\mathsf{=}31\mathrm{-}32^{\prime\prime}$ , Large $=\hphantom{0}33^{\prime\prime}$ ) allows for room for shirts underneath Length: 18", $20^{\prime\prime}$ , 22%" (after final stitching)
MATERIALS:
Shown in Girl's size small using Blush #7402 but originally tested in boy's size small. See below for Boy or Girl Needle Size. O'Wool Legacy DK certified organic merino wool - 3 (3, 4) skeins of main color Blush 7402 & 1 skein of contrast color Natural #1000 (9 yds of contrast color), Stitch Holder, Stitch Counter. Boys Needle Size: Straight Size 5( $\,^{\perp3^{\prime\prime}}$ inch in length) and Circular Size 5 ( $16^{\prime\prime}$ inch in length) Girls Needle Size: Straight Size 4 ${13^{\prime\prime}}$ inch in length) and Circular Size 4 ( $16^{\prime\prime}$ inch in length)
Level Easy Mid-level:
A firm understanding of when you knit the yarn is in the back and when you purl the yarn is in the front. Ability to knit, purl, pick up stitches, knitting in the round for armholes and neckbands plus binding off.
Terms:
${\sf K}={\sf K}{\sf n i t}$ $P=P\cup\Gamma$ ${\sf R S}=$ Right Side WS = Wrong Side BO $=$ Bind Off PU $=$ Pick Up Stitches Round $=$ One complete row from start of marker to end of marker
BACK OF VEST (using Straight Needles):
Cast on 76 for Small (84 for Medium, 92 for Large) stitches using the cable cast on method with main color and Straight Needles (see above MATERIALS section for boy or girl needle size): Row 1 (RS): Knit 2, Purl 2 to the end of the row Row 2 (WS): Knit 2, Purl 2 to the end of the row Row3: Knit 2, Purl 2 to the end of the row Row4: Knit 2, Purl 2 to the end of the row Row 5(Rs): Right Side with contrast color Knit only across entire row (yes knit without purling!). This allows for the contrast color to be integrated with stretchiness and no dashes. Row 6 (Ws): Wrong Side with contrast color Knit 2, Purl 2 to the end of row Row 7 (RS): Right Side with main color Knit only across entire row Row 8 (WS): Knit 2, Purl 2 to the end of the row Row 9 (RS): Knit 2, Purl 2 to the end of the row Row 10 (Ws): Knit 2, Purl 2 to the end of the row Stop Ribbing Pattern and work stockinette till the armhole decrease by: Right Side: Knit across to the end of row Wrong Side: Purl across to the end of row Repeat above two rows until piece is $11\%^{\prime\prime}(12\%^{\prime\prime},\,13\%^{\prime\prime}).$
Start armhole decrease (you are not knitting in the round):
Knit Row A (RS): Bind off 2 stitches at the beginning of the row, knit till the end of row. Purl Row B (Ws): Bind off 2 stitches at the beginning of the row, purl tillthe end of row. Knit the above Rows A & B for a total of 5 (6, 7)times. You now have 56 (60, 64) stitches on the needle. Continue working in stockinette pattern (Knit the right side and Purl the wrong side) Until the armhole Length is $6\%^{\prime\prime}\ (7\%^{\prime\prime},\ 8\%^{\prime\prime}\ )$ from the start of the armhole or $18^{\prime\prime}$ $\langle{20^{\prime\prime}}$ ， $21\%^{\prime\prime}$ ) from the bottom cast on line.
Start Back Neckline Decrease:
Right Side: Knit 15 (20, 20) stitches and bind off 26 (20, 24) stitches, knit the remaining 15 (20, 20) stitches. You have a total of 30 (40, 40) stitches on the needle. Wrong Side: Purl 15 (20, 20) stitches and put the remaining stitches on a stitch holder, leave about a 6 inch strand (this will be finished after the other side is completed). Continuebelow: Right Side Row 1: Knit across Wrong Side Row 2: Purl across Right Side Row 3: Bind off remaining stitches Go back to the stitches on the holder and place them on a needle and knit the above 3 rows. The final length is $18\,\%^{\prime\prime}\,\big(20\,\%^{\prime\prime},\,22\,\,^{\prime\prime}\big)$
FRONT OF VEST (using Straight Needles):
Cast on 76 (84, 92) stitches using the cable cast on method with main color and Straight Needles: Row 1 (RS): Knit 2, Purl 2 to the end of the row Row 2 (WS): Knit 2, Purl 2 to the end of the row Row3: Knit 2, Purl 2 to the end of the row Row4: Knit 2, Purl 2 to the end of the row Row 5(RS): Right Side with contrast color Knit only across entire row (yes knit without purling!). This allows for the contrast color to be integrated with stretchiness and no dashes. Row 6 (Ws): Wrong Side with contrast color Knit 2, Purl 2 to the end of row Row 7 (RS): Right Side with main color Knit only across entire row Row 8 (WS): Knit 2, Purl 2 to the end of the row Row 9 (RS): Knit 2, Purl 2 to the end of the row Row 10 (WS): Knit 2, Purl 2 to the end of the row Right Side: Knit across to the end of row Wrong Side: Purl across to the end of row Repeat above two rows until piece is $11\,\mathcal{V}_{2}^{\,\prime\prime}\left(12\,\mathcal{V}_{2}^{\,\prime\prime},\,\,13\,\mathcal{V}_{4}^{\,\,\prime\prime}\right)$ HOT TIP! Make sure you take your Back Vest piece and compareitto the Front Vest piece to make sure they area match from the bottom cast on line to where you are about to start the armhole decrease. If you need to reduce or increase stitches now is the time to do it. Please use a ruler or tape measure.
Start armhole decrease:
Knit Row A (RS): Bind off 2 stitches at the beginning of the row, knit till the end of row. Purl Row B (Ws): Bind off 2 stitches at the beginning of the row, purl tillthe end of row. Knit the above Rows A & B for a total of 5 (6, 7) times. You now have 56 (60, 64) stitches on the needle. Continue working in stockinette pattern (Knit the right side and Purl the wrong side) until armhole Length is started at $4^{\prime\prime}\,(5^{\prime\prime},\,5\%^{\prime\prime}$ ) from the start of the armhole or $15\%\overset{\prime\prime}{}(17\%^{\prime\prime}$ $18\%^{\prime\prime}$ )from the bottom cast on line.
Start Front Neckline Decrease - First Top Side
Right Side A: Knit 25 (30, 29) stitches and bind off 6 (6, 6) stitches. Knit remaining 25 (30, 29) stitches. Wrong Side Neckline: Purl 25 (30, 29) stitches across row and put the remaining 25 (30, 29) stitches on a stitch holder (you willfinish this side shortly continue with instructions) Right Side B: Bind off 3 (3, 3) stitches and knit 22 (27, 26) stitches. Wrong Side Neckline: Purl across row. Right Side C: Bind off 3 (3, 3) stitches and knit 19 (24, 23) stitches. Wrong Side Neckline: Purl across row. Right Side D: Bind off 3 (3, 3) stitches and knit 16 (23, 20) stitches. Right Side E: Bind off 1 (0, 0) stitches and Knit 15 (23, 20) stitches. You have a total of 15 (20, 24) stitches on the needle (plus the 25, 30, 29 stitches on your holder). Wrong Side Neckline: Purl across row. When the armhole decrease and the neckline decreases have been completed for one the Front top sides, continue to knit this same side using the below stockinette pattern: Continue below: Right Side Row 1: Knit across Wrong Side Row 2: Purl across When the final front length is 18 %", $20\,\%^{\prime\prime}$ ， $22^{\prime\prime}$ bind off on right side (you willfinish the other side shortly). NOW go back to the stitches on the holder and place them on a needle and knit the below using a new ball of yarn: (starting from Wrong SIDE B below).
Start Front Neckline Decrease - Second Top Side
Wrong Side Neckline B: Bind off 3 (3, 3) stitches and purl 22 (27, 26) stitches. Right Side Neckline: Knit across row Wrong Side Neckline C: Bind off 3 (3, 3) stitches and purl 19 (24, 23) stitches. Right Side Neckline: Knit across row Wrong Side Neckline D: Bind off 3 (1, 3) stitches and purl 16 (23, 20). Right Side Neckline: Knit across row Wrong Side Neckline E: Bind off 1 (0, 0) stitches and purl 15 (23, 20) stitches. You have total of 15 (20, 24) stitches on the needle.
Right Side Neckline: Knit across row
When the front neckline decreases have been completed, knit using the below stockinette pattern: Continue below: Right Side Row 1: Knit across Wrong Side Row 2: Purl across When the final front length is 18 %", $20\,\%^{\prime\prime}$ ， $22^{\prime\prime}$ bind off on right side. Match both pieces. Now is the time to make any adjustment. Sew the front and back shoulder pieces together by placing the right sides together, pin with T-pins to reduce slipping. · Start with a yarn needle and stitch one row below edge. · Next stitch up the vest sides in the same manner. ● Make sure you stitch/sew sideways and NOT over the top of the seam. Blend in any loose ends and trim.
VEST NECKBAND AND ARMBANDS:
Vest Neckband (knitted in the round using Circular Needles
Pickup 92 (100, 108) stitches on the outside of the vest using your circular needles ( $16^{\prime\prime}$ in length, no longer or it will stretch neckline) as you will be knitting in the round. (best to start on the back outside neckline area) Important place a stitch marker and begin knitting in the round by K2, P2 with the MAIN color (MC) for a total of 4 rounds. (Use a stitch counter!) · Round 5: With your contrast color Knit one round (yes, again do not purl any stitches) · Round 6: On your next round with the contrast color (CC) K2, P2 making sure you match the other Knit and Purl stitches 2 rows below. · Round 7: Back again using the Main Color (MC) knit entire round without purling. · Round 8: With Main Color continuing, K2, P2 · Round 9: Bind off in pattern (K2, P2). Make sure you continue to pullthe yarn in the front for the purl stitches and pull the yarn in the back for the knit stitches as you continue this pattern bind off.
Vest Armbands (knitted in the round using Circular Needles
You will follow this pattern equally for both armbands: Pickup 72 (82, 90) stitches on the outside of the vest using your circular needles ( $16^{\prime\prime}$ in length, no longer or it will stretch neckline) as you will be knitting in the round. (best to start on the back outside neckline area) Important place a stitch marker and begin knitting in the round by K2, P2 with the MAIN color (MC) for a total of 4 rounds. (Use a stitch counter!) Round 5: With your contrast color Knit one round (yes, again do not purl any stitches) · Round 6: On your next round with the contrast color (CC) K2, P2 making sure you match the other Knit and Purl stitches 2 rows below. · Round 7: Back again using the Main Color (MC) knit entire round without purling. · Round 8: With Main Color continuing, K2, P2 Round 9: Bind off in pattern (K2, P2). Make sure you continue to pull the yarn in the front for the purl stitches and pull the yarn in the back for the knit stitches as you continue this pattern bind off. Repeat the above for the second armband. Finishing: Blend in any loose ends and trim. Use a steam iron with a very clean dishtowel placed on top the vest. Press neckbands, armbands and garment with a low heat. You should be proud of yourself!
