Spice up your wardrobe with this cute yet cozy and refined vest! The Bestie Vestie is knit seamlessly from the bottom up using either one strand each of DK and lace weight yarn held together or a worsted weight yarn on its own.

Choose between a cropped or mid-length body to suit your personal style, and then get ready to watch this vest fly off the needles! You’ll begin at the hem, and the knitting remains easy yet engaging as you incorporate subtle shaping and optional bust darts. Next, the back and each front are worked separately, and the rows become shorter and shorter while a classic V neckline emerges organically from the striking cable and lace panel. Each shoulder is then joined with a sturdy three-needle bind off, and the armholes and neckline are trimmed with lovely twisted rib edgings that culminate in tubular bind offs.

This #sizeinclusive pattern has been thoroughly test knitted by 90 test knitters and professionally tech edited (both before and after testing). Among other things, the pattern includes

• a complete schematic for both the cropped & mid-length body options;
• detailed guidance to achieve a tailored, custom fit (by adding vertical or horizontal bust darts, making an in-between size [or a half size larger than 13], and modifying lengths);
• written instructions and links to video tutorials for special techniques or stitches used;
• both charted and written instructions for the center cable & lace panel

SIZES
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) [6, 7, 8, 9] {10, 11, 12, 13}

FINISHED BUST CIRCUMFERENCES

• In Inches: 28.5 (31.75, 35, 38.25, 41.5) [44.25, 47.5, 50.5, 53.75] {55.75, 59, 62.25, 65.5}“
• In Centimeters: 71.5 (79.5, 87.5, 95.5, 103.5) [110.5, 118.5, 126.5, 134.5] {139.5, 147.5, 155.5, 163.5} cm

Instructions are also provided for making in-between sizes ranging 30–67” (75–167.5 cm). Vest is intended to fit with negative ease at the full bust when worn over another garment and up to 1” (2.5 cm) negative ease if worn by itself. Sample shown in size 3 with 1” (2.5 cm) of negative ease before layering, cropped body, and no bust darts.

YARN
Plied, DK weight yarn and lace weight mohair or suri/silk blend or plied, worsted weight yarn in the following amount(s) for a cropped/mid-length body:

• Yards: 380/485 (430/547, 480/610, 532/674, 585/739) [632/797, 688/865, 741/929, 788/989] {828/1037, 888/1109, 948/1182, 1010/1257} yards
• Meters: 348/444 (393/500, 439/557, 487/616, 535/676) [578/729, 629/791, 677/850, 721/904] {757/948, 812/1014, 867/1081, 924/1149} meters

Sample shown in Malabrigo Dos Tierras [DK weight; 50% merino wool, 50% baby alpaca] in colorway ‘Pearl’ held together with The Lamb & Kid Mho Mho [lace weight; 76% super-fine kid mohair, 24% silk] in colorway ‘Kitten.’

NEEDLES

• US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, 24” (60 cm), or needle size necessary to obtain correct gauge
• US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needle, 24” (60 cm), or needle size .5 mm smaller than gauge needle
• Circular needles in both sizes, 32” (80 cm) or length appropriate for body circumferences of the size chosen
• (1) Double-pointed needle or spare circular needle in same size as gauge needle

GAUGE
20 sts and 30 rows/rounds = 4” (10 cm) in stockinette stitch using larger needles, blocked

NOTIONS

• (1) Stitch marker, unique, for beginning of round
• (2) Stitch markers, color A, for cable and lace panels
• (1) Stitch marker, color B, for side
• (1) Locking stitch marker
• Cable needle
• (2) Double-ended stitch holders and smooth waste yarn
• Tapestry needle