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This unisex hooded vest, with handy zipper and pockets, is what I’ve always wanted - a sleeveless hoodie ready to slip over whatever I’m wearing to step out into the cool (dare I say Manitoba cold!) weather. It may be hot right now, but what better project to knit up and have ready for the fall!

The Basket Tree hooded vest takes its inspiration from the ash tree and native basketry. A Mi’kmaq basket maker tells: “Legend has it that Glooscap, taking up his great bow, shot arrows into the basket tree known as ash (wisqoq) and our people came out singing and dancing… .”
Della Maguire, “Secret Powers of the Ash Tree,” p. 11: http://wisqoq.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Secret-Powers... .

The textured stitch pattern is based on a garter and twisted stitch repeat that shows well in any standard sport weight yarn. The earth-toned contrast colour is woven through for decorative effect. I added the multi-coloured front band (an allusion to the woven Métis sash) as an accent against the natural tones - it’s also perfect for using up stash yarn!

Construction
The vest is designed seamless from hem to armholes; fronts and back are then worked separately and joined at shoulders with 3-needle cast-off. The hem is cast on in tubular 2/2 ribbing. Hood stitches are picked up around the neckline, with centre back shaping and 3-needle cast-off along crown. The multi-coloured band is picked up and worked in garter st along fronts and hood, and finished with the Chinese waitress cast-off. After-thought pockets are inserted on fronts (optional). The pattern includes a schematic with sizing, written instructions, and charted stitch patterns. Various online tutorials are suggested for special techniques used in the pattern.

Sizing and Fit - Adult Unisex Sizes - 1 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Finished Dimensions
Chest/bust circumference (worn closed) - 86.5 (93, 99, 104, 110.5, 118, 122, 132, 137, 143.5) cm / 34 (36.5, 39, 41, 43.5, 46.5, 48, 52, 54, 56.5) ins.
Body length (hem to underarm) - 34.5 (35.5, 37, 38, 39.5, 40.5, 42, 43, 44.5, 46) cm / 13.5 (14, 14.5, 15, 15.5, 16, 16.5, 17, 17.5, 18) ins.
Armhole depth - 20.5 (21, 22, 23.5, 25, 26, 27.5, 28.5, 30, 31) cm / 8 (8.25, 8.75, 9.25, 9.75, 10.25, 10.75, 11.25, 11.75, 12.25) ins.
The vest may be worn fitted or with positive ease of approx. 5-15 cm/2-6 ins, as preferred by the wearer. The sample garment (size 4 -women’s M) is worn with positive ease of 15 cm/5 ins at the bust for a relaxed, casual fit. Body length is adjustable.

Yarn
MC - Patagonia – 100% organic merino wool (100 g/3.52 oz, 350 m/382 yds) – Pearl (col. 117).
CC1 - Rico Design Creative Melange DK – 53% wool, 47% acrylic (50 g/1.76 oz, 200 m/219 yards), Beige-Brown (col. 007).
CC2 & CC3 – Kirouna, by Pingouin – 50% acrylic, 40% wool, 10% viscose (50 g/1.76 oz ball, 120 m/131 yards), 11 Forest Green (col. 11) and Red Ochre (col. 07).

Quantity (approx.)
No. of skeins/balls
MC - 2 (3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 6)
CC1 - 1 (1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4)
CC2, CC3 - 1 ea
Weight
MC - 190 (220, 250, 290, 330, 370, 410, 450, 490, 540) g / 6.7 (7.8, 8.8, 10.2, 11.6, 13, 14.5, 15.9, 17.3, 19.0) oz.
CC1 - 45 (50, 60, 70, 90, 110, 130, 150, 170, 190) g / 1.6 (1.8, 2.1, 2.5, 3.2, 3.9, 4.6, 5.3, 6.0, 6.7) oz.
CC2, CC3 - 5 g /0.2 oz ea.
Yardage
MC - 665 (770, 875, 1015, 1155, 1295, 1435, 1575, 1715, 1890) m / 730 (840, 960, 1110, 1265, 1415, 1570, 1725, 1875, 2070) yds.
CC1 - 180 (200, 210, 280, 360, 440, 520, 600, 680, 760) m / 200 (220, 230, 280, 305, 395, 480, 570, 655, 745, 830) yds.
CC2, CC3 - 12 m / 13 yds (all sizes, small amount).

Tools & Notions
3.75 mm (US 5) circ needle (60 cm, 80 cm)
3.25 mm (US 3) circ needle (40 cm, 80 cm)
stitch markers
stitch holders or spare yarn
tapestry needle (to weave in ends)
separating zipper, needle and thread - 46 (50, 50, 50, 50, 56, 56, 56, 56, 56) cm / 18 (20, 20, 20, 20, 22, 22, 22, 22, 22) in

Gauge
27 sts and 30 rows to 10 cm/4 ins measured over pattern using 3.75 mm (US 5) needle (blocked).

Techniques Used

• 2/2 tubular cast-on and bind-off
• Chinese waitress bind-off (front band)
• 3-needle cast-off (shoulders, hood)
• working flat and in the round
• stranded knitting
• German short rows

Level: Intermediate